"Oh sweet gods of coney, to whom should I pledge thy loyal taste buds to?".

Really this meal should be drank with a Vernors!

So those of you out there that THINK you know what a real coney dog tastes like, you are soooo sadly mistaken.  This however is not where your conundrum truly lies. It stems from what has been plaguing Detroiters for nearly 100 YEARS: American or Lafayette?  Now that, Mr. Shakespear, is the real question.

I know many of you who read this blog know nothing about D-town, and anything you think you know usually involves snide comments and looking down your nose.  Well let me tell you something,  Detroit might not be any Chicago in terms of its mass transit, or overall aesthetically pleasing exteriors, but hell if we don't know how to have a good time, and cook some of the best genre's of food you'll have been fortunate enough to devour, but I digress.

A little history behind why the American and Lafayette Coney of choice is so intriguing:  Back in 1917,  American Coney Island in downtown Detroit, was established by Greek immigrant Gust Keros. Keros and his brother got into an argument soon after opening and split their restaurant into two parts--the present day Lafayette and American Coney Islands, which as you can see from above, are literally right next door to each other. Both restaurants are still owned by the descendants of the two Keros brothers, and each has a very loyal following of fans.  These infamous Detroit establishments have become more nationally renowned recently being featured on both The Travel Channel's FOOD WARS and Man Vs. Food.

Over the Christmas holiday Joe came to visit me and the fam in D-town, and although I had a lovely afternoon planned of walking through the Belle Isle Conservatory, and drinking coffee from Caribou, he informed me that his activity of choice was replicating Adam Richman's Detroit Man vs Food experience.  Included on the food docket was: an American vs Lafayette Coney dog challenge, and eating the Triple Threat Sandwich (Applewood bacon, pulled pork and ham stacked high served on Texas Toast or Poppy Seed Roll) from Slow's BBQ in Corktown.  Which honestly is some of the best BBQ I've had, and this is coming from someone who lived down south. 

We were off and running early, without eating breakfast (or else we surely would have NEVER gotten through the trip).  We started at Lafayette, and I SWEAR it isn't because my family is a tried and true supporter.  I admit, I was a little afraid that my Dad would make good on his threat, and force Joe to sleep in the garage if he came back and told him that American was his coney of choice, (ha, and you think I'm kidding!) but never would I allow that fear to  bias Joe's viewpoint, this was a serious scientific study!

From Joe's first mouthwatering bite, his eyes lit up, and he mowed through the entirety of his first coney with everything (chili, onion, mustard).  Of course we ordered Vernors to wash it all down with, anything else would have been uncivilized. After paying, we walked out the front door, and snuck over to American (which didn't take much sneaking considering the proximity).  Again we ordered another Coney with everything, and a Vernors.  The twinkle was still in Joe's eye while eating it, I mean it was a delish chili dog, but I could already tell there was something not quite right.  Now before I told him my take on the difference, I asked him his honest opinion.  He definitely loved the snap of American's hot dog, BUT when it came down to it the flavor of the chili from Lafayette finally won him over.  Oh joyous day! 

Now my opinion, in case anyone cares, was exactly the same.  Both overall are great chili dogs, however the flavors of Lafayette simply shined through.  Not to mention the Vernors from American tasted more like Canada Dry than that glorious gingery sensation that Vernors should be. (Us Michiganders love our Vernors!).  Plus you can't beat the greasy spoon atmosphere of Lafayette.  Where as American looks like a Johnny Rockets threw up in there....okay now I am being a little bias ;0)  But hey thats what we are all about in Dtown, loyalty to our Coney's, through and through!

So after the rigorous Coney Island Challenge of 2010, it was off to Slow's BBQ.  The place was PACKED.  Thankfully we ended up finding two seats up at the bar, sitting next to two very hilarious and friendly african american gentleman.  Who informed us that whoever they sit next to at Slow's they have to buy a shot of Bison Grass Vodka.  Of course we couldn't turn it down, that would have just been rude.  Needless to say, if you ever have the chance, GET the Bison Grass Vodka.  It tastes of honey and lemon, just delicious.  Add a couple of pints that the best of Michigan Breweries has to offer, and you are talking about a highly enjoyable afternoon.


 Unfortunately, the day was a little too much for Joe, because after a hearty dinner that my mother prepared and a couple glasses of delish red wine, he was definitely on beyond food coma.  Though he did open his eyes, and his mouth, for a single bite of Rum Pie.