Best chili dogs in town.

Bathroom needs some work.    [20 Jul 2005 20:45:29]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Chili dogs and fries

     ­Just a chili dog eater   

The best Detroit-style Coney dogs outside of the Motor City. Heck, maybe Detroit should call their dogs *Port Huron Style* Coneys!

Coney Island has been a classic since before my dad and uncles were growing up in PH during the 40s. They would spin tales of saving a few cents from their paper routes and usher jobs at the Desmond theater and buying Coneys, which at the time were a dime (or was that a nickle?) The prices had risen a bit by the time I was earning my own spending money in the 70s, but the dogs and fries were as good as ever. Still are, as a matter of fact. I live half a continent away these days, but whenever I visit the old hometown Coney Island is always on the list. (After two or three dogs a visit to the next-door Brass Rail Bar may be necessary to wash down lunch, but that's another review.)

Two drawbacks:

The restaurant changed owners many years ago (in the mid 80s?) and some of the vintage fixtures were removed. The lamps over the counter come to mind, though that lunch classic counter and stools remain. At about the same time the exhortation to "Take Home a Dozen!" painted in the front window disappeared. It doesn't affect the taste of the great dogs or the good service, but those links to the past are missed.

The menu is greatly expanded from the "old days", as well. My wife tells me that the patty melt is very good, but I'll never know. Eating anything other than a dog with everything (mustard, chopped onion, and chili) just wouldn't be a proper visit to Coney Island. Which leads to my second gripe - how can a diner in Michigan's Thumb not offer Vernor's ginger ale? Please add it to the menu, and my retro dog dining will be complete.

Now that Diana's has entered the pages of history, Coney Island holds the title to the best retro (and good!) lunch time eatery in the Blue Water area.

Oh, and offer those Coney Island shirts as worn by the staff for sale. I'd buy one!    [30 May 2006 00:22:37]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Coney dogs, fries

     ­Anonymous