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CONEYS AMERICAN CONEY ISLAND Coney Islands are uniquely Detroit—and American Coney is as iconic and as tasty as it gets. Founded in 1917, this Lafayette landmark is said to be Detroit’s original Coney Island. Started by Greek immigrant “Gust” Keros in 1917, it is possibly the oldest continuous family business in the city of Detroit, with a third generation of the Keros family carrying the torch. In the ’80s, American expanded into the now familiar flatiron corner location, and has been operating around the clock every day of the year as long as we can remember. The coneys are perfect. The buns are always fresh, the famous chili is on the money and the wieners have the perfect taste and texture. This does not happen by accident. KERBY’S KONEY ISLAND There are purists who insist that a coney should never be spelled with a “k”; however, since Kerby’s has the most locations, this myth is dispelled. You’ll find them in shopping centers and malls, mostly on the westside, at the forefront of the fight to quench our insatiable desire for dogs slathered in the delicious brown-substance we Detroiters call chili. (Which, in this case, is said to be a 70-year-old family recipe.) LAFAYETTE CONEY ISLAND According to the legend, Gust Keros sent for his brother Bill, trained him in the hot dog business, and when the storefront next door opened, Bill Keros opened Lafayette and a family rivalry began. (Technically, the restaurant is no longer owned by the Keros family, having been sold to employees.) This rivalry divides the entire city into Lafayette fans and American fans. We’ve been guilty of lumping the two together and treating them as identical. True fans swear they are different—it is Detroit’s subway series, and if this were on the ballot, people might actually get out and vote. One endorsement—Patti Smith had her wedding reception here—cheapskate. LEO’s CONEY ISLAND To be frank, this is the best hot dog in a ballpark. The addition of Leo’s to Comerica Park has given fans something they can really sink thier teeth into. Leo’s has been dogging Detroit since 1972; the original in Southfield is gone but there are now Leo’s locations all over. What started as a small coney and fries joint has expanded into an empire. They make great chili dogs, there’s a definite snap when you bite into one. It’s a local fave for breakfast on the cheap. The menu is loaded with the expected: chili fries, loose burgers and a large number of Greek specialties like the gyro, spinach pie, mousaka, flaming cheese and a Greek salad so good they bottled the dressing. NATIONAL CONEY ISLAND Starting out in the eastside ’burbs, National has built an empire of coneys, with 18 islands and still counting. The neon flagship Coneyopolis in Royal Oak rocketed modern coney architecture beyond the typical “four walls and maybe some windows” school of design. BURGERS BATES HAMBURGERS Bates is considered by many to be the best slider in the world. There is genuine non-rancid meat between these never-stale buns, unlike some places, which we won’t name. And if you want to sound like a true Livonia-ite, pronounce it using the following phony French two-syllable method: “Bah” with the emphasis on the “tey.” BACCO Those who can tear themselves away from the Stroz?zapreti Norcina (a deadly delicious recipe of hand rolled pasta, Italian sausage, black truffles, tomatoes and cream—loosely translated as Sicilian crack) swear there is none better than Bacco’s Kobe Burger. BIG BOY RESTAURANT The first double-decker hamburger to invade American hearts and stomachs was the Big Boy, created when original owner Bob Wian made a new style of burger to please an orchestra that had stopped into his little place, Bob’s Pantry. He named the creation Big Boy in honor of a pudgy little fella that amused him when he came in to dine at his place. Now an integral part of the Detroit landscape, you can find a Big Boy just about wherever you are in Michigan, and the menu has a lot more to offer than the original sandwich— scrumptious baked goods, a generous buffet at breakfast and the famous soup, salad and fruit bar. BRAYZ HAMBURGERS Look for the jackass on the roof, which pretty much tells you they ain’t serving Black Angus. Go for the sliders, stay for the usually interesting, highly amusing patrons, whom we’ve been told are not unlike the green room hangouts on Jerry Springer. The coneys here are deep-fried until they split. CHECKER BAR & GRILL The Detroit landmark recently celebrated thier 50th anniversary. Back in the day’s when people read Monthly Detroit, their half-pound burger was considered number one in this town. Not only can you get a beer with your burger, they have quite an eye for wine. DALY RESTAURANT AND DRIVE-IN One of the last remaining drive-ins in the area, Daly is as much a part of our collective history as it is a great place to eat. The Livonia Daly still has curb service, complete with the speaker box menus to place an order from the comfort of your car. They also have a cozy dining room, which you may prefer especially if you want the salad bar. Nothing compares to a Dalydog or a Dalyburger (we’re huge fans of the special sauce). The fries rate and the shakes and malts are miles beyond what passes for a shake on the drag these days. They have a large family menu and have added to it plenty of soups and salads. Lunch, dinner or just an ice cream dessert—you gotta try this place at least once. If you’re old enough to remember carhops, you’re probably already a Daly aficionado.. HUNTER HOUSE The Hunter House is more than a burger-stand; it is one of the last remaining connections to the past, a reminder of a pre-franchise era when restaurants had personality. The white enamel building has been an icon on Woodward Ave. for decades, its parking lot painted with luxury cars, pick-ups and hot rods. An assortment of characters sit at the now-vintage chrome stools and counter, all sharing a love for the enticing small burgers we Michiganders call sliders. Sliders are popping up on menus everywhere, from chains to swanky restaurants, but regulars here feel these are the best—anywhere. Sizzled on an onion-filled grill, they are loaded with the greasy goodness we crave—always consistent and ultimately satisfying. Dave Davis of Car and Driver called them “one of America’s Top Ten Roadfood Restaurants.” They now have a Hunter House on wheels: a portable trailer complete with grill and fryers that they use for catering public and private events. MILLER’S Considered by many to be the best burger in the area. Miller’s has been packing them in forever with their big, drippy cheeseburgers served on waxed paper. One of the few places that actually lets you pay on the honor system, and it’s a bar, with plenty of beer to wash down the greasy goodness. ORIGINAL MARCUS HAMBURGERS 6349 E. McNichols, Detroit 841 11 Mile Rd., Royal Oak A metro Detroit classic. So what is a Marcus? It’s a hamburger in a hot dog bun? Impossible you exclaim! Marcus has been causing customers to scratch their heads in wonderment since 1929. RED COAT TAVERN Unbelieveably great burger considered to be Detroit’s best by lots and lots and lots of people. It’s a perfectly proportioned patty—big, juicy, and smothered with shredded lettuce and secret sauce. You can get it without the lettuce and sauce and have it any way you want—assorted cheeses and variety of toppings. You can also get a Piedmont beef version, which healthier people have informed us, “tastes just as good.”” RONIN At 20 something dollars, this Kobe beef version is more expensive; after one bite you won’t care what they cost WHITE CASTLE Considered royalty in the fast food world (hence the Castle), we are honored to be one of the few cities nationwide this franchise considers worthy. There is what we would have to call a cult following surrounding the world’s most famous “slider,” which they sell by the sack. Check out the “food forward” sides like onion chips and chicken rings. ZINC Those irresistable Red Coat burgers we were talking about? You can get the same burger here. Try one with pomme frites.
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