By Metro Times editorial staff on Thu, Sep 12, 2024 at 4:40 pm
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
13004 Middlebelt Rd., Livonia; 248-215-0325 | 14425 Lakeside Circle, Sterling Heights; 586-238-2111 | portillos.com
While this is a national chain, there are only two locations in Michigan, both in metro Detroit. Founded in 1963, Portillo’s is known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, burgers, crispy crinkle cut French fries, and its signature chocolate cake. If you haven’t tried a “dragged through the garden” Chicago-style hot dog yet, this could be a perfect introduction.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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