A common misconception is that the Coney dog comes from Coney Island. While its origins can’t be traced back to any one specific place, the frankfurters covered in chili, diced onions and mustard have been showing up on Michigan diner menus since the early 1900s. It’s thought that Greek immigrants popularized the dish, as Detroit institutions American Coney Island and neighboring Lafayette Coney Island – opened in 1917 and 1924 respectively – were started by a pair of brothers who’d immigrated from Greece. Detroit-style Coneys use a meaty chili sauce, while Flint-style Coneys feature a dryer loose meat sauce, often called Coney sauce rather than chili.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Coney Dog in Michigan are as follows:
- Virginia Coney Island - Jackson
- Bobaloon's Cafe - Escanaba
- Mussell Beach Drive In - Bay City
- Old Town Drive In - Saginaw
- One Stop Coney Shop - Grand Rapids
- Dog n' Suds - Muskegon & Montague
- G&L Chili Dogs - Muskegon
- Lafayette Coney Island - Detroit
- Johnny Dogs - Munising
- Grand Coney Diner - Grand Rapids
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning restaurants!
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The Experts
Jane Simon Ammeson
Ever since she started her own newspaper at age... Read More
Ever since she started her own newspaper at age eight, selling it to neighbors who had no choice but to subscribe, Jane has loved to write. She’s now upped her game writing about travel, food, history for newspapers, magazines and Websites and is the author of 11 books including the recently released Hauntings of the Underground Railroad: Ghosts of the Midwest and Murders that Made Headlines. Crimes of Indiana. She also authored A Jazz Age Murder in Northwest Indiana, a true crime book about a murder that took place in her hometown. She authors a weekly food column for the Herald Palladium and Shelf Life, a book column for the Times of Northwest Indiana and currently has three Bindu Travel Apps: Michigan Road Trips, Experience Curacao and Indiana Journeys. A James Beard Foundation judge (we told you she likes food) as well as a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and Midwest Travel Journalists Association (MTJA), Jane’s home base is on the shores of Lake Michigan in Southwest Michigan. Follow Jane on Facebook, Twitter and on her blog, Will Travel for Food for the Times of Northwest Indiana.
Jane Simon Ammeson
Ever since she started her own newspaper at age eight, selling it to neighbors who had no choice but to subscribe, Jane has loved to write. She’s now upped her game writing about travel, food, history for newspapers, magazines and Websites and is the author of 11 books including the recently released Hauntings of the Underground Railroad: Ghosts of the Midwest and Murders that Made Headlines. Crimes of Indiana. She also authored A Jazz Age Murder in Northwest Indiana, a true crime book about a murder that took place in her hometown. She authors a weekly food column for the Herald Palladium and Shelf Life, a book column for the Times of Northwest Indiana and currently has three Bindu Travel Apps: Michigan Road Trips, Experience Curacao and Indiana Journeys. A James Beard Foundation judge (we told you she likes food) as well as a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and Midwest Travel Journalists Association (MTJA), Jane’s home base is on the shores of Lake Michigan in Southwest Michigan. Follow Jane on Facebook, Twitter and on her blog, Will Travel for Food for the Times of Northwest Indiana.
Susan R. Pollack
A member of the Society of American Travel... Read More
A member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Susan R. Pollack has written about travel for three decades, specializing in Michigan and covering scores of countries on five continents, 48 states, six Canadian provinces and hundreds of cities, islands and outposts along the way. Her award-winning stories and photos have appeared in The Detroit News (where she worked for 36 years), Dallas News, Toronto Star and other newspapers and in magazines including Delta Sky, Jetsetter, Long Weekends, Prevue Meetings, Group Tour and more. She copy edits the travel website secondchancetravels.com, blogs at detroitnews.com/travelblog and has contributed to home&away.com, gardendestinations.com and travelingmom.com. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Susan R. Pollack
A member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Susan R. Pollack has written about travel for three decades, specializing in Michigan and covering scores of countries on five continents, 48 states, six Canadian provinces and hundreds of cities, islands and outposts along the way. Her award-winning stories and photos have appeared in The Detroit News (where she worked for 36 years), Dallas News, Toronto Star and other newspapers and in magazines including Delta Sky, Jetsetter, Long Weekends, Prevue Meetings, Group Tour and more. She copy edits the travel website secondchancetravels.com, blogs at detroitnews.com/travelblog and has contributed to home&away.com, gardendestinations.com and travelingmom.com. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
