An essential guide to metro Detroit's most delicious Coney Islands

By Metro Times editorial staff on Sat, Jan 26, 2019 at 4:43 pm

If there is one quintessential Detroit food item, it’s the coney dog. It’s obvious by the sheer number of Coney Island restaurants that inhabit the city and the suburbs that as long as you make a mean coney dog, you have a place in a Detroiters heart. We sought out to rank metro Detroit’s best Coney Island restaurants based on Google and Yelp reviews, as well as word of mouth reputation. See if your favorite cut the mustard.

Words by Mike Dionne

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27. Coney Time Coney Island

15098 E. Seven Mile Rd.
What time is it? At the corner of Seven Mile Road and Hayes Street, it’s always Coney Time. Open 24 hours with a drive-thru.
Photo by Mike Dionne

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26. Leo’s Coney Island

Locations all over metro Detroit
Let’s face it, Leo’s Coney chain are a dime a dozen. But even so, they're delicious (and clean). And there are enough of them all over town that you can’t be let down.
Photo via James R. Martin / Shutterstock.com

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25. Lou’s Coney Island

19100 Mound Rd., Detroit
Another solid all-hours coney establishment.
Photo by Mike Dionne

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24. Sunrise Coney Island

22935 Van Dyke Ave., Warren
Warren’s best. This unassuming spot at Nine Mile and Van Dyke is a shining example of an underrated coney plus a reputable breakfast menu.
Photo by Mike Dionne

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23. Woodward Coney Island

616 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Circle back for seconds at this love it or hate it family-owned coney near Campus Martius.
Photo with permission from Paulina V. Alstrom / fka_paulina_paulina

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22. Detroit’s Finest Coney Island

13337 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit
The east side’s finest. They have three locations that tiptoe Detroit’s border. One on Jefferson Avenue just before Grosse Pointe Park, one on Eight Mile Road near Schoenherr Road, and one in St. Clair Shores.
Photo with permission from destinylea1007

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21. Johnny’s Coney Island

5101 E. McNichols Rd., Detroit
Heeeeere’s Johnny’s! A 24-hour hut on the acute angle formed by McNichols Avenue and Davison Street.
Photo by Mike Dionne

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20. Grandy’s Coney Island

1200 Holbrook Ave. / 4004 Outer Dr. E. / 22001 Fenkell Ave., Detroit
The low-key small chain. Greasy. Grimey. Good. Multiple locations of 24-hour delights from McDougall-Hunt to Outer Drive to Brightmoor.
Photo by Mike Dionne

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19. L Georges Coney Island

13635 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit
No frills. No fuss. They claim to serve NY-style dogs, but they don’t skimp on the portions so L Georges gets a W from us. All their locations are on Detroit’s west side.
Photo by Mike Dionne

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18. Classic Coney Grill

24041 Dequindre Rd., Hazel Park
Yes, a coney island in a strip mall in Hazel Park can be just as delicious as the rest.
Photo by Mike Dionne

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17. Keko’s Coney Island

12250 Dix Hwy., Southgate
The downriver coney champ now has a Madison Heights location. The reviews have been cuckoo for Keko’s.
Photo by Mike Dionne

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16. Hollywood Coney Island

20240 Grand River Ave. / 12033 Grand River Ave. / 9951 Gratiot Ave., Detroit
Another mini chain that holds down Grand River Avenue on the west side and Gratiot Avenue on the east. These Hollywood stars are always open!
Photo with permission from ace7mile.19

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15. Hamtramck Coney Island

9741 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck
No one can compete with the consistent love that this downtown Hamtown staple gets from people of all backgrounds.
Photo with permission from ericapnea

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14. National Coney Island

Locations all over metro area
The best big coney chain since the 1960s. The Gratiot Ave. and Royal Oak locations are prime time drunk people watching zones (although the closing of Luna in Royal Oak might tone that down a bit. Eh, probably not.) Either way, they serve a nice menu full of good cheap eats, most are 24 hours, and you can’t go too far outside Detroit without running into one.
Photo by Mike Dionne

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13. Coney King

1350 W. Fort St., Detroit
The name Coney King is a heavy crown to wear, but this west side industrial location has been earning it’s jewels since 1990.
Photo by Mike Dionne

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12. Detroit One Coney Island Restaurant

3433 Woodward Ave., Detroit / 5 W Seven Mile Rd., Highland Park
One at Woodward and Mack Avenue. One at 7 Mile Road and John R. Both are open 24 hours. Reviewers cite their expansive menu, reasonable prices and especially their late night delivery to the Woodbridge and Midtown areas as their claim to fame.
Photo with permission from guyeppel

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11. Hambo Coney Island

22900 Woodward Ave., Ferndale
The best coney brunch award goes to this Ferndale favorite. Family-owned early bird at the corner of Woodward and Vester Avenue for over 20 years, with rave reviews for their crispy and delicious breakfast specials. They close before dinner so get there early!
Photo with permission from johnrbreakfastjams

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10. Motown Coney Island

1940 E. Eight Mile Rd., Detroit
Best strip mall coney. Tucked away in a shopping center at the intersection of 8 Mile Road and Dequindre Street, this is a must-try establishment in a central location with a collection of positive reviews.
Photo by Mike Dionne

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9. Jimmy’s Coney Grill

37246 Dequindre Rd., Sterling Heights / 16651 E. 14 Mile Rd., Fraser
The best of the burbs. Jimmy’s is one of the most underrated and off-the-radar coney restaurants if you’re out in the suburbs of Sterling Heights or Fraser. But they are as friendly as they come and have an all-star menu to prop up their coney specials. The fish’n’chips are some of the best around as well.
Photo by Mike Dionne

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8. State Fair Coney Island

20731 John R Rd., Hazel Park
The coney underdog at John R and 8 Mile Road. Hazel Park patrons say this is the go-to for a quick bite with no-nonsense, great prices, and friendly atmosphere. Even their worst reviewers can’t hate it.
Photo by Mike Dionne

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