Lafayette Coney Island — Restaurant in Detroit

I went here for lunch with a colleague since we saw that it was a "must visit" restaurant for those in Detroit.

Short version: cheap coney/hot dogs and sides. Nothing overly special. Service could be better. 3 stars

Long version: When we entered it wasn't very obvious what to do; sit ourselves or wait to be seated. It looks like a fast food restaurant with restaurant seating. We ended up being told to seat ourselves. Shortly we placed our orders, drinks arrived, and we waited.

Food came pretty quickly so no complaints there. I ordered a chilli dog and fries. The fries were plain and hardly salted, but they were crispy so I'll give it that. The hot dogs tasted cheap, almost like they were low quality boiled hot dogs, and the chilli was nothing worth commenting on. It was a plain meat chilli. Bread, again nothing special.

After finishing our meal, we waited for our bills but the server seemed to forget about us. Luckily, another server addressed us and said he would get our server on it. We did that little exchange twice before we were able to pay and leave. That was maybe 10-15 minutes to do this.

Overall, the food here is nothing special. If anything, you will go here for the history and novelty, and the biggest selling point is price. Food is cheap here, so if you want something affordable to put in your stomachs this is a place you could go. That said, we only went here once and had no desire to return. But I suppose everything is worth trying...

Lafayette Coney Island is an iconic Detroit institution that should not be missed. This spot is a must-visit for anyone who loves a good coney dog. From the moment you step inside, you are greeted with the sights and smells of this Detroit classic. The restaurant has a classic diner feel with a long counter, stools, and posters from back in the day that will transport you back in time.

The coney dogs at Lafayette are some of the best I've ever tasted. The chili is rich and savory, with just the right amount of spice, and the dogs themselves are juicy and flavorful. The waitstaff is friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere is cozy and welcoming.

One of the most interesting things about Lafayette is the celebrity wall that is covered in photographs of celebrities who have visited the restaurant over the years. The wall is an eclectic mix of actors, musicians, and athletes, including a photo of Eminem from 2002. It's a fun touch that adds to the charm of this classic Detroit spot.

Overall, Lafayette Coney Island is a must-visit spot for anyone looking for a delicious and iconic Detroit dining experience. With its friendly staff, cozy atmosphere, and mouth-watering coney dogs, it's no wonder why this spot has been a favorite for Detroiters...

Mediocre hot dog location. Despite the popularity of this establishment, the hot dog, service, and cleanliness of the restaurant were subpar and fell below expectations.

While I was eating my hot dog, I witnessed another server (who did not serve me) confront a customer about the tip they had provided. The customer was explaining to the server that he has included the tip in the cash payment he made, but the server was apparently discontent about the amount. While it was entertaining to watch the interaction while eating the hot dog, it obviously is not an appropriate behaviour and disappointing.

The hot dog itself was very average for US$4. The tables were stained with mustard from a few sittings ago (I witnessed the low effort put into wiping the tables) and many tables were left uncleared with dirty drink cups. Further, no menu was provided and I was expected to stand up to read the menu on the wall near the kitchen.

Street parking around that block is scarce but there is a parkade right across the street. Unsure how...