According to Keros family lore, this is where it all started when brothers Bill and Gust opened shop in 1917 (or was it 1919, it’s complicated). Brightly decorated in red, white, and blue, American makes its own coney sauce, perfect for ladling on top of hot dogs or chili cheese fries, plus enjoy a variety of Greek American classics like gyro sandwiches, Greek salad with pita, or spinach pie.

Lafayette Coney Island is the result of a sibling rivalry. At least, that’s how the story goes. In 1936, Bill Keros opened Lafayette next door to American, which he and brother Gust had launched more than a decade prior on the corner of Lafayette and Michigan Avenue. The Keroses haven’t been involved in this location for decades. Bill’s son George Keros took over operations and was credited with developing the spot’s proprietary chili recipe. These days it’s run by several Yemeni immigrants, who took over after George Keros stepped aside in 1991. Lafayette has kept its vibe simple over the years. It still boasts a long lunch counter and an intact old-school aesthetic and workers are known for stacking platters full of coneys on their arms as they bring them out to guests.

While downtown has its so-called coney rivalry, southwest Detroiters swear by Duly’s Place. The narrow, no-frills, shotgun-style interior is equipped with a long countertop and stationary stools, ideal for chatting it up with locals and just a few four-tops toward the back. Notable fans include the late Anthony Bourdain and the neighborhood’s very own music legend Jack White. Duly’s is famously open 24/7, aside from Mondays. And remember, bring cash because they don’t take cards or check at Duly’s. The Duly’s Facebook page is pretty great, too.

This relative newcomer in the coney market offers metro Detroit’s huge concentration of Muslim Americans a place to enjoy the iconic Detroit handheld meal in a halal-friendly environment. The spot launched in late 2022 and sits on the Detroit-Hamtramck border. Guests can enjoy coneys, corned beef egg rolls, chicken wings. and other familiar-to-Detroit snacks. Reeti Choudhury and her brother-in-law Syeed Choudhury also offer fans a taste of their Bangladeshi heritage with their house-made naga sauce, which can be found on top coneys, burgers, and other menu items.

The largest of the Big Three coney chains, Leo’s is another spot founded on brotherly love. Leo’s founders Leo and Pete Stassinopoulos opened their first location in 1972, known as Southfield Coney Island, according to the book Detroit Coney. In 1988 after launching a few other locations, the business was rebranded as Leo’s. The brothers are also related to the Keros family; Bill and Gust are their uncles. Leo’s menu carries traditional coneys, New York and Chicago-style dogs, robust breakfast offerings, and several Greek specialties like a chicken kebab dinner, spinach and cheese pie, and mousaka.

Another branch of the Keros family tree, Kerby’s Koney Island was founded by four Keros brothers, who opened their first location in 1968 at the Tel-Twelve Mall in Southfield. The name Kerby’s derives from the Keros Brothers. The menu at this chain offers a little something for everyone with the classic coney and Greek fare, as well as breakfast, burgers, soups, and salads.

Venturing away from Detroit proper, this Pontiac institution was founded in 1929 by Pete Traicoff, who immigrated from Macedonia. The spot started off as a peanut stand that sold coffee, sandwiches, and hot peanuts and went on to enjoy wild popularity. This coney has changed locations several times over the decades. Pete’s grandson Tom eventually took over the Pontiac location, while his brother Ed Zull, opened Pete’s Coney Island II in Clarkston and Orion Township. Its current Pontiac spot features a pair of U-shaped lunch counters, an ideal situation for groups, and tons of vintage automotive memorabilia.

It’s common knowledge among coney followers that there are two distinct styles of coneys in Michigan: Detroit-style and Flint-style. While the chili used for Detroit-style coneys is often described as being more tomato-based, Flint-style is described as more of a drier, loose meat sauce that sits on top of the hot dog (usually sourced from Koegel’s Hot Dogs) and differs only slightly in flavor, depending on the type of spices used. Starlite Diner is among the longtime coney-centric establishments of Flint, founded in 1966. Here, guests can order a coney served with fries and slaw, breakfast combos, and a broasted chicken for dinner.

Expect traditional coney fare, but with a Honduran twist. This spot in Ypsilanti was launched by Mexican owners, Irene Serrano and Miguel Martinez in 2015 with plans to also incorporate Mexican dishes. There was a taqueria already established nearby and as part of the couple’s lease, were prevented from leaning into that genre. With the help of a close friend from Honduras, Antonio’s has instead become among just a small number of restaurants that offer Central American specialties like pupusas, enchilada catracha, and fried chicken topped with cabbage slaw and Honduran mustard over tajadas (fried green bananas).

Venture west of Detroit to Jackson, where the Flint-style coney reigns supreme. Jackson Coney Island is believed to have been founded by two Greek immigrants from Detroit, before it was promptly sold the next year to two brothers from Macedonia Charlie and Atanas Christoff and George Todoroff. Charlie Christoff’s son and grandson, Van and Craig, would go on to run a competing restaurant across the street, Virginia’s Coney Island, which like American and Lafayette to the east, has spawned generations of rivalries among Jackson locals.

Simply named, Coney Island in Kalamazoo first launched in 1915 under the name Coney Island Lunch by Greek immigrant Gus Marinos. He later sold the business to Frank Adams and today it continues to a family-run destination. The landmark sells traditional coneys, gyros, burgers, and Greek salads, as well as New York and Chicago-style dogs — perhaps a nod to its proximity to the Windy City.