Where to find the best hot dogs in metro Detroit

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.

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Facebook, Casa Amado

Casa 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.

Instagram, @gladysnitedetroit

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.

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Facebook, Lafayette Coney Island

Lafayette 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.

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Facebook, SuperCrisp

Super 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.

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Facebook, Ẩmar Pizza

Amar 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.

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Facebook, Duly's Place

Duly’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.

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Google Maps

Le 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.

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Facebook, The Mean Weenie

The 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.

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Facebook, Love Brunch Detroit

Comerica 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.

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Facebook, Imperial

Imperial

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.

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Facebook, Matt & Mo's Italian Beef

Matt & 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.

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Facebook, American Coney Island

American 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.

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Shutterstock

Portillo’s

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.

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Facebook, Vinsetta Garage

Vinsetta 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.

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Facebook, The Wurst Bar

Wurst 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.

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Instagram, motown_dawgslingers313

Motown 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.

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Facebook, National Coney Island

National 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.

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Facebook, All City Dogs

All 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.

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Yelp, Joe's Top Dawg Restaurant

Joe’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.

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Facebook, Biercamp

Biercamp

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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