American Coney Island

Gross & the staff are rude
The owner thinks she’s important. I thought the older man owned that place. He was decent. Their hygiene is terrible. Using the same rags to pick up stuff on the floor, wipe off stuff behind the counter where the food is, putting it in a bucket, then wiping off tables.

One of my favorite places to eat late night in Detroit.
Chili cheese fries are always good. Fast service!

We found the Las Vegas version of this restaurant in Fremont about 6 weeks ago and enjoyed it enough to return a few times during our stay there. I read their poster about how the business originated in Detroit and was still going strong. Realizing that my circumstances were going to put me in Detroit, somewhere I had no desire to visit, I at least had something to look forward to when I arrived.
The original store is much larger than the Fremont version and includes friendly table service. I had 2 with everything and an unsweet ice tea. The dogs were great, and I love the added touch of the shredded cheese. The chili and onions had food flavor as well. The service was really excellent.
This place is great. I hope I never find myself in Detroit again, but if I do, I will eat here!

5 stars for service, hamburger on the «special», the fries, overall taste of the hotdogs (great snap), overall great experience! Glad we were able to try American Coney during our visit.

I really didn’t understand what all the hype was about for this place. The one plus was this place was open late after my late night Detroit walkabout.
When I walked in I expected to have the best chili dog I’ve ever had in my entire life. To be completely honest, I’ve had better at ⁷⁄₁₁ from the little chili and cheese dispenser and their big bites that have been sitting out all day. In fact, I will probably pick ⁷⁄₁₁ over this place.
The meat of my chili dog did not taste like anything special. It was about as good as your cheapest hog dog pack you can buy at your grocery store. The chili was like something out of a can. The fries weren’t crispy and they lacked salt. They had the potential to be good, but they just needed at least some salt.
Food network, why the hell did you even visit this place?
The only possible reason I would ever be back is because it’s 2:30am and nothing else is open. But, I won’t be getting a chili dog.

Been coming here for about 35 years or so. Came in last night about 2:30AM. Sat down at a table and waited for about 5 – 7 minutes. No one came to take my order. I got up and put my coat back on and was gonna go next door which I haven’t done in about 20 years but Lafayette was closed. Went back to American and ordered at counter. Waiter said her would bring to my table. Food was cold because even though it was 45 degrees out and raining they have the doors propped open.
I remember the days when I would wake up at 2−3AM and have a coney craving and would drive downtown from Canton and more recently, Farmington Hills just to have a coney at what I considered the only real coney place in town. I will either have to change my source or only patronize them during the day.

It’s a place you can get better made chili hot dogs. Pretty small restaurant, and I usually just get hot dogs to go vs. sit and eat there. Not so easy to find a parking nearby as it’s in downtown. I prefer the next door Lafayette Coney Island, as I like Lafayette’s sauce/​chili better. But I know people have different opinions on this. You should try both.

I have been going to American Coney always for years now… The food, service, and experience are always the same. However, lately the fries have left a lot to be desired. My servings have been smaller and not as tasty, but other than that no complaints. I like the Greek salad and their soups. I always go for the lemon rice soup if available. Check out this classic spot!

This is my second review in the Lafayette v American coney throwdown. For my Lafayette review, go to their page. Spoiler alert: Lafayette won! Five stars!
I was really excited walking into American because word on the street is that it wins in the head-​to-​head on TV all the time. Maybe they make their coneys different for a competition, I don’t know. I didn’t like the ambiance nearly as much. It felt gaudy and commercial. The reason I chose 4 starts instead of 3, though, is that the workers are incredibly, above and beyond friendly. And, as an aside, my coney throwndown companion did like the loose meat better at American and, for that reason, American won his vote. The menu is also larger so my picky husband had something to eat (chicken wings) while he wouldn’t eat anything at Lafayette. The fries he ordered didn’t have any flavor and we wouldn’t order them again. However, I really did not like the hot dog. The outside was really tough and a few times when I bit into it, the inside squished out, leaving empty, chewy casing. I didn’t think the hot dog had much of its own flavor. The bun was also a little crusty. The chili was awesome — maybe even a little better than next door — but the onions were chopped too small and as a result were lost in the mix. Overall, not terrible, but not something I’d go back for.

Serves one of the best American chili dog in downtown Detroit. The place is always crowded but you don’t have to wait for a seat at your preferred table.
It’s a perfect combination to order your chili dog with onions and mustard.
For an extra treat, you may try the 5 piece chicken wings with string fries. Extra charge of $ 0.60 or more if you want to add melted cheese, chili or both on the fries or hotdogs.
Chicken salad, sandwiches and loose burgers are also included in their menu. If you want to quench your thirst, the drinks are served in a classic shaped glass with crush ice.
Parking can be a stroke of luck when early customers leave the area, and then gives you the space to park on either side of restaurant /​boulevard. Parking is free on a Sunday. If it’s not available, there are parking lots/​building in every corner for a fee of $ 10 and above.
If you are a red wings fan, the arena is about 10 – 20 minutes away by walking.
The waiters/​servers are dressed up in traditional style white shirt, pants and apron. You may even ask them to give you as souvenir the same paper hat they wear. If I’m not mistaken, our server was Tom who was so inviting.
Only 1 Unisex restroom available.

We did both places back to back being not local. We had to decide between the two. While overall we liked the neighbor, this place fell short on Hot dog snap, speed of service and ambiance, but won on the taste and quantity of the chili.
They had quite a vast menu, but we only stuck with the chili fries and the coney dogs. The chili was really good! Big win there. Get snappier hot dogs and faster service and you might be able to compete a bit better.

A classic coney. Not much else to say. Location is better than Lafayette but coney and environment the place next door wins. A lot of people will agree and disagree. The rivalry between these places is legendary.
Service, American is better, but both places have a feel of make your own rules.

First time coming here and this Coney Island is not your normal Coney Island! The chicken pita was soooooo good. The chicken tastes like your eating real chicken and their Greek dressing that they top it with is to die for. I also had their wings which was really good also and the ranch was probably the best ranch I’ve ever had. We did come at 3am in the morning as our first choice was to go to the rivals Lafayette next door which was closed we came to American and we were definitely pleased. We will be back :)

I think the intro to any review for both American and Lafayette Coney Island should be the same: Their «rivalry» has them both laughing all the way to bank. After all, if you want to determine who makes the best coneys you have to try them both, right?
To be perfectly honest the coneys and «loose hamburgers» are very similar. But American has a bit more cumin and the loose meat is a bit more more flavorful. Also, American uses better cheese and has thinner fries (which I like, for chili fries). Therefore, in my humble opinion, American is clearly the superior Coney Island.
Both places serve dogs with excellent snap. American is more of a modern looking restaurant. You’re not sitting a big counter and they have modern furnishings – for better and for worse.
American IS an American original and is the superior Coney Island… Another example of Greek cuisine becoming regional American cuisine (see Cincinnati chili). All of this from the meat sauce made by every Greek grandma – including mine.

Lafayette or American… decisions…decisions. We ended up here after trying to get into Dime Store… but there was no room at the inn.
This was my first time at American. The service was quick, and efficient. This was during the auto show, so the restaurant was pretty busy. The hot dog was good, but the Lafayette dogs in my opinion… but I need to pay them both a visit on the same day to be certain! I enjoyed the window seat right in the point of the restaurant, which was great for people watching.
Overall, no complaints. Nothing spectacular, nothing out of the ordinary… but a D-​Town legend all the same.

So the long awaited Coney Island showdown between American and Lafayette. Who won for me? American did. The dog and chili was hands down better as well as the ambiance and service.
American Coney Island is located right next to Lafayette Coney Island. There’s metered parking but it’s kind of hard to find so expect circling to happen. It’s also in the heart of Detroit so just make sure you obey and pay the meters!
Anyways, first off American Coney Island is a larger establishment than Lafayette. Another thing is the service is much more friendlier and we came during the wintry Thanksgiving week and there was heat! The heated inside seating was just like a warm hug. We ordered fries and the coney dog and everything came out super fast. Pricing was comparable to Lafayette. The thing I did notice was the chili was meatier and a little on the livery side. I guess it’s the first time I’ve had livery chili!
If you had to choose only one place and not feel intimidated and have a great warm experience, then go to American. You won’t regret it.

This place is nicer inside sure. But the food isn’t better then their enemies next door. It was more expensive and the waiter was an ass. And if your gonna be rude at least have better food.

We did the taste test. American vs. Layfayette. American Coney Island dog for sure! Hands down. Chili had a lot more flavor.
Service was also a lot friendlier.
Overall: We had a better experience at American. Try both if you have time but if you had to choose one, I would choose American Coney Island.

I have been looking forward to eating Coney Island hot dogs for months now, years even. So when we planned our road trip to Michigan I couldn’t wait for my husband to try them.
While visiting in Downtown Detroit Michigan we stopped in «American Coney Island» for lunch. The shop was adorable, colorful, clean and welcoming. The restaurant color combinations provided an energetic, fun atmosphere. The waiters and waitresses were friendly and efficient with taking our orders.
On the walls of the restaurant are several pictures of celebrities that have eaten here over the years.
I ordered two Coney Island hot dogs with everything, chili fries and coke. My husband ordered the same and my mom ordered one Coney Island hot dog, fries and coke. I totally enjoyed the flavor on my hot dog it was just like I remembered from many, many years ago. I love the texture of the hot dog and the chili, mustard and onions of top are an explosion of flavor.
My husband didn’t say much about his lunch, because of all the chewing he was doing but his plate was clean when we left. And, he had eaten most of my chili fries. I will let his actions speak for him. My mom enjoyed her lunch as well. She ordered two Coney Island hot dogs to go.
Great food, great service, great atmosphere and great prices.
«Yelp 100 2015 Challenge» check!

This place is so American… I loved it! I mean if Anthony Bourdain liked this place I had to try it out!
I mean really what is not to love? Chili dogs! Chili fries! Beer! They serve Bad Ass Beer which is made by my favorite Kid Rock!
It’s a bright, cheery, clean, cute place. They have counter seating along with a bunch of tables.
The service was good and fast! Seriously natural casing hot dogs are the best! The prices are right too!
Definitely a classic!