Sometimes, everyone could eat a tasty hot dog. They’re simple, delicious, and can be topped in numerous ways. There’s Chicago-style, New York-style, Asian-inspired, gourmet, and of course, Detroit-style coney dogs — all served up right here in metro Detroit.
If you’re craving a dog, here are our favorite Detroit-area options.
Glady’s Nite (at Spot Lite and UFO Bar)
2905 Beaufait St., Detroit | 2110 Trumbull Ave., Detroit | instagram.com/gladysnitedetroit
The resident food truck at Spot Lite is now serving up a list of gourmet hot dogs at the newly-owned UFO Bar, filling the hole left by the beloved Laika Dog well. Glady’s Nite serves an elote dog, kimchi dog, loaded dog, and bahn mi dog, with the option for a halal beef sausage or a vegan one. Gluten-free buns are also available. Credit:Instagram, @gladysnitedetroitLafayette Coney Island
118 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-964-8198; facebook.com/p/Lafayette-Coney-Island
The Detroit hot dog scene wouldn’t be the same without coney dogs and coney islands, so we had to include them a few times. The delicacy topped with chili, mustard, and onions can be found at most coneys across the city and suburbs — and there are tons. Lafayette is one of our favorites and one of the most recognized. If you’re craving a greasy yet delicious coney dog and overall experience, Lafayette will never fail. Credit:Facebook, Lafayette Coney IslandSuper Crisp
4830 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-474-8880; supercrisp.com
This Korean burger and hot dog joint, the sister-restaurant of ramen spot Ima, serves up Asian-inspired hot dogs. There’s a Kali Dog that’s topped with krab salad, avocado, pickled ginger, wasabi mayo, scallion, nori, and sesame. There’s also a Curry Dog topped with curry slaw, pineapple chutney, pickled ginger, crispy shallot, scallion, nori, curry slaw, and sesame. Additional offerings include a kimchi dog, oki dog, and plain hot dog. Credit:Facebook, SuperCrispAmar Pizza
12195 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; 313-366-0980 | 3728 Rochester Rd., Troy; 248-250-6266 | amarpizza.com
This spot is known for its pizza served with Bangladeshi flavors. It also offers specialty hot dogs too. There’s tandoori dogs topped with cilantro and onions, a hot dog covered in spicy ghost pepper sauce, and more. Unique and delicious. Credit:Facebook, Ẩmar PizzaCasa Amado
2705 Coolidge Hwy., Berkley; 248-298-3294; casaamado.com
Known for its tacos, this restaurant also offers sonoran hot dogs, which originated in Mexico. The delicacy is a 1904 Dearborn sausage, hot dog, or soy dog topped with green chile sauce, poblanos, pickled onions, cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and bacon. Credit:Facebook, Casa AmadoDuly’s
5458 Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-554-3076; facebook.com/DulysConeyIsland
Founded in 1921, this old-fashioned diner continues to serve up a wide range of food 24 hours a day. There are tons of coneys in the city with good greasy food, but this one is one of the most reliable. Plus, the coney dogs are heavily topped with chili if you like your coneys drenched and full. Credit:Facebook, Duly's PlaceLe Dog
306 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-327-0091; ledogannarbor.com
This Ann Arbor staple has been serving up the city from its small stand since 1979. With tons of soups, stews, and hot dog options, Le Dog is perfect for a quick lunch stop. Credit: Google MapsThe Mean Weenie
524 Woodward Heights, Ferndale; 248-630-5737; themeanweenie.com
Coining itself as “Detroit’s premier food truck family,” The Mean Weenie has four trucks you can book for events, three that serve up specialty hot dogs and sausages. There are 10 hot dog options, with one of the wildest named “Piggly Wiggly,” topped with mac and cheese, BBQ pulled pork, and bourbon BBQ sauce. Yum. Credit:Facebook, The Mean WeenieComerica Park
2100 Woodward Ave., Detroit; mlb.com/tigers
When you’re at a baseball stadium watching a game, there’s nothing that feels more right than a hot dog. The home of the Detroit Tigers serves up Ball Park Franks. It’s a simple option that does the job well, and there’s tons of different stands inside of the stadium to grab a bite. Credit:Facebook, Love Brunch DetroitImperial
22828 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-850-8060; imperialferndale.com
Like Casa Amado, this spot also serves up Mexican-inspired sonoran hot dogs, wrapped in bacon and finished with delicious toppings. There’s five different options, with one being an ever changing “Sonoran of the Month” so there’s always something new to try. Credit:Facebook, ImperialMatt & Mo’s Italian Beef
24110 John R. Rd., Hazel Park; 248-307-7970; mmitalianbeef.com
Inside of Doug’s Delight ice cream, Matt & Mo’s is crafting Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches, even more popular since the release of Hulu’s The Bear. The spot also serves Chicago-style hot dogs, topped with peppers, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and more. It’s a great hidden gem. Credit:Facebook, Matt & Mo's Italian BeefAmerican Coney Island
114 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit; 313-961-7758; americanconeyisland.com
Whether you’re in need of a plain dog or one topped with chili, this downtown coney island has got you covered, and has more room to sit down than its next door neighbor. Credit:Facebook, American Coney IslandPortillo’s
13004 Middle Belt Rd., Livonia; 248-215-0325; portillos.com
This Chicago-based hot dog spot just held its Livonia grand opening in July. Founded in 1963, the chain is known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, burgers, crispy crinkle cut French fries, and its signature chocolate cake. The 7,900-square-foot Livonia restaurant can seat more than 175 people indoors and 50 more on a seasonal patio. It also has two drive-thru lanes. Credit: ShutterstockVinsetta Garage
27799 Woodward Ave., Berkley; 248-548-7711; vinsettagarage.com
Not only does this local staple serve up various unique hot dogs, but it also features appetizers with hot dogs in them such as a fried Coney in a Blanket — an egg roll stuffed with chili, diced hot dogs, smoked cheddar, and onions. Plus, the restaurant serves a coney dog and the 3 A.M. Dog, which comes with bacon jam, spicy fried onions, chives, sriracha mayo, and a sunny-side up egg. Credit:Facebook, Vinsetta GarageWurst Bar
705 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-485-6720; wurstbarypsi.com
This hip saloon right off Eastern Michigan University’s campus is not really the “worst,” but does serve a variety of bratwurst options. You can choose from an L.A. street brat, a breakfast brat, a Philly brat, a Hawaiian brat, or you can build your own. All sausages are ground and smoked in house. While brats aren’t technically hot dogs, it’s close enough, and this place has enough delicious options to get a mention. Credit:Facebook, The Wurst BarMotown Dog Slingers
313hotdogs.com
This Harper Woods-based food truck specializing in private events says it offers “metro Detroit’s favorite gourmet glizzys.” Highlights include the Motown Big Dawg topped with sweet relish, cheese, onions, banana peppers, and mustard, and the Woodward Dawg, topped with Philly steak, sauteed green peppers and onions, cheddar cheese, and bacon bits. The options at this spot all offer a Detroit twist. Credit:Instagram, motown_dawgslingers313National Coney Island
Multiple locations; nationalconeyisland.com
If you just want a good coney dog, National never fails. Founded in Roseville’s Macomb Mall in 1965, this Coney Island chain has tons of locations throughout the Detroit area. So, it’s especially great in the suburbs where there are less neighborhood coneys and you just need a simple meal. Credit:Facebook, National Coney IslandAll City Dogs Inc.
248-506-9082; allcitystreetfood.com
Born in Ann Arbor with a single hot dog cart in 2009, All City Dogs now operates a full sized food truck and two hot dog carts. The spot’s plain hot dog, coney dog, and Chicago-style dog options are all locally sourced. Credit:Facebook, All City DogsJoe’s Top Dog Restaurant
13342 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; 313-846-0888; joestopdog.com
Open since 1982, many believe that this spot has the best coneys: “There can only be one Top Dog, and that’s us,” its website says. The restaurant is a simple diner with simple options, but it’s beloved by the local community and serves a great dog. Credit:Yelp, Joe's Top Dawg RestaurantBiercamp
1643 S. State St., Ann Arbor; 734-995-2437; bier-camp.com
This microbrewery doubles as a meat shop, with hot dogs and tons of other meats made by hand in-house. You can get a classic, cheddar, or jalapeño cheddar dog with toppings, or as a chili or Chicago dog. Credit:Facebook, BiercampRoad Dogz
586-277-3889; roaddogz.org
At this New York-style hot dog cart, the options are vast and unique. Menu items include classic all beef hot dogs, a roadie dog, a Chicago dog, a kraut dog, a buffalo dog hot sausage, and more. Credit:Facebook, Roaddogz1Mercury Burger Bar
2163 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-924-5000; facebook.com
Corktown’s burger bar has it all, with five styles of franks. Options include the N.Y., N.Y. with corned beef, spicy mustard, and sauerkraut or the Murty-Bird with chicken-apple sausage, caramelized onions, and Dijon. Credit: Google MapsHell Yeah Dog
1234 Liberty St., Detroit; hellyeahdog.com
While closed for the winter, this hot dog stand is a saving grace after a long night downtown. Located in the Belt, Hell Yeah Dog will easily fulfill your drunk post-bar cravings. The all beef Dearborn dogs served on Crispelli’s buns come in tons of unique flavors. Notably, there’s a shawarma dog topped with garlic sauce, pickled turnips, cucumbers, and red onion. The Hell Yeah dog comes with grilled pineapple, teriyaki, curried carrot mayo, and jalapeño scallion. When the warm weather comes back around, this spot is a must-try. Credit:Facebook, Hell Yeah DogBill’s Hot Dog Stand
1292 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti; 734-485-2831; facebook.com/billshotdogstand
This beloved walk-up spot is truly a hole in the wall. The stand serves chili dogs, cheeseburgers, and homemade root beer. Bill’s offers a unique experience and a solid dog at a super affordable price. Credit:Facebook, Bill's Hot Dog StandMarcus Hamburgers
6349 E. McNichols Rd., Detroit; 313-891-6170; marcus-hamburgers.business.site
The burgers here are served on hot dog buns for some reason, which is already enough to prove that the place is unique. The family restaurant has been open since 1929, so is basically a historical landmark to folks who have been visiting it for decades. Credit:Instagram, @burgerobsessions
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