I just returned from a quick trip to the Detroit area (Pontiac actually). Going up with 5 teams of about 20 boys each we had some people who were originally from the area. I got lots of input that rather than spending $13 for breakfast at the hotel I should walk the block and get the same thing for $3 at Lou’s Coney Island. My son and I took the advice and were very happy we did so. I was told they are all around the area… but I went past several, and they were “Randy’s”, “Mel’s”, “Ken and Larry’s” Coney Islands (not really sure about the names other than I think I went to Lou’s)
So, what’s the deal? Are these franchises? Is Coney Island just a local slang for a diner type of place? Is this specific to Detroit or is it all over Michigan?
Thanks for any replies… plus… damn you guys have some old money up there. We were at Country Day and they were fund raising… with a goal of $60 million :eek:
The Wiki article is worth reading. The two original Coneys - American and Lafayette - have quite an interesting story behind them. It is worth a trip to either one (they are side-by-side in downtown Detroit and owned by brothers). The atmosphere can’t be beat.
‘Coney’ refers also to the main dish at these restaurants: the Coney Island Hot Dog. This is the only thing I ever order at a Coney restaurant.
I had always assumed these were nationwide as well. I recently heard they have opened the first Coney Island in Chicago.
It wasn’t until I was in college that I found out there was a place called “Coney Island” and - gasp! - it was in NEW YORK! And they did not serve proper coneys there.
If you are in the Chicago area there is now an authentic Leo’s Coney Island here. Apparently there are enough Detroit area transplants that they think they will have a go. Give me a Wolfy’s or a Flukies!
I usually have a couple of coney dogs when I return in the summer. The chili at these places is just different enough from a generic chili dog that I don’t bother with the generic ones. Here in Beijing, I can find chili dogs at Dairy Queen but I almost never order them. It just won’t be right.
There’s a place in Lexington, KY that advertises they have Detroit style chili dogs. They are only open for lunch and early supper but they were always very busy whenever I visited. Their website strangely enough is DetroitConeyIsland.com
The thing is, Coney Island has an association with hot dogs in NYC, but not with chili dogs (with onions) in particular. Nathan’s is the famous hot dog joint on the boardwalk, and it isn’t a diner. They do sell chili dogs.
In New York, we have the exact same kind of diner, it’s just called a “Greek Diner” in the common parlance and usually has a greek themed name. The Ambrosia, on 1st Ave & 15th is a typical example, beloved of Cardiologists from Beth Israel medical Center :D.
I always thought “Mr. Greek’s Coney Island” in Ann Arbor was trying to bridge the phraseology gap between Michiganders and the many U of M students from New York City.
An ex of mine from Michigan refused to believe me that the term “Coney dog” has no meaning in NYC, until he tried to order one and the waitress said “a what?”
You really don’t have these super common Coney Islands?
This is just like when I learned White Castle isn’t everywhere. I mean, Harold and Kumar even go there. Were there people who never heard of White Castle before Harold and Kumar.
I knew about the real Coney Island in New York but I just learned about these diners from this thread and I am well-read and traveled. I had heard of White Castle since I was young but that was only because of a Beastie Boys song from Licensed to Ill. I had no idea of what they were until I had to travel to Indiana one week a month for work in my mid-twenties. I love White Castle but they don’t exist in the vast majority of the U.S. although I hear Krystal Burgers in the Southeast is very similar. You can get frozen packages of White Castle burgers in some supermarkets here in Boston though and they are oddly similar to the real tiny nasty little sliders but I think I am one of the few people to have ever purchased any.
To be fair, I had not heard of Carl’s Jr. since we don’t have them in Michigan(I think there are a few, actually).
My wife pointed out that had I not been to California, I would not have known what they were talking about in Idiocracy when they show a Carl’s Jr. dispenser machine. “Fuck you! I’m eating!”
The best thing about coney islands is that they’re cheap, quick, and while there is a full menu available of standard diner food, it’s all about the breakfasts, coney dogs and saganaki.
Ok, that’s what they’re all about for me, anyway. It astonishes me when I find myself in a major city while traveling and unable to get cheap quick food at 3 a.m.
That is what I couldn’t believe… I had two eggs over easy, 4 slices of bacon, half a plate full of hash browns, and two slices of toast and I believe it was $3.95 The hotel across the parking lot offered the exact same thing (only with just 2 slices of bacon) for $12.95.
There are a few, but they aren’t that common, and they’re called Hardee’s, (which used to be more common back when they sold ripoffs of Arby’s roast beef sammiches instead of high end (for fast food!) burgers.)
