Coney Detroit

Save the Lafayette Building

I went out for Coneys at lunchtime on Thursday and found temporary fences obstructing the sidewalk around the Lafayette Building. Lafayette Coney Island is not in the building, but a couple doors down.

The fence is a sign that the building may have a short future.

Friend and Free Press copy editor Dan Austin has started a Facebook group called "Save the Lafayette Building."

He explains: "The City of Detroit's development arm is soliciting bids to tear down the Lafayette Building, a 1929 landmark designed by C. Howard Crane (who did the Fox and State-Fillmore theaters). It's V-shaped design makes it unique among the city's architecture. Despite its graffiti-filled windows, the building is not beyond saving, and its location downtown make it a prime piece of Detroit's past to redevelop for Detroit's future. We want to urge the cash-strapped city to clean up the building for thousands of dollars instead of tearing it down for millions.

"We're not so much looking for donations as we are looking to create public awareness and support.
To learn more about this building's history, go to www.buildingsofdetroit.com and click on 'places' and then the 'Lafayette Building'."

It does not apear that thebuilding that house Lafayette Coney Island is in danger.

Go, Red Wings!

Going to the Red Wings' hockey game tonight?

If you are, pick up a decorative tile, courtesy of National Coney Island. I went to a playoff game earlier this year and came out with a snappy Coney Island towel -- not that I snapped anyone wit it.

The 4" by 6" tiles will be a gift for everyone who attends.

Chicagoist Speaks up for Detroit's Coneys

There is a smackdown of sorts going on over in the home of the sport-pepper bearing Chicago dog, where Chicagoist has declared a carnivorous war on National Vegan Month.

It's weapon of choice? The Coney.

Chicagoist has declared November "Chicagoist Salutes the Coney Dog Month."

Turkey? Not even in the picture.

Thanks to Chicagoist for a little Detroit love, complete with references to the Motown favorites of American and Lafayette -- and even a recipe.

We'll eat to that!

Was That the Stanley Cup at a Coney Island?

If you were in the Greek Islands Coney Island restaurant on Tuesday morning and thought you saw the Stanley Cup, your eyes weren't deceiving you.

Tradition has it that National Hockey League players whose teams win the Stanley Cup get to spend a day taking the trophy to wherever hey want.

Tuesday was the day for Detroit Red Wing comeback Darren McCarty.

McCarty, his mom, his ex-wife, their kids and Stanley started the day with breakfast at the Greek Island. From there it was off to a barber shop, an ice cream store -- where they used the cup as a giant, shiny sundae bowl -- and other businesses in Birmingham, Mich.

Read about Stanley's trip -- and McCarty's road back, on the Hockey Hall of Fame Web site.

The photo is by Mike Bolt and is from the Web site.

NBC's Today Show Put Coneys to the Test

In all the excitement about having Ann Curry and Al Roker of NBC's Today Show in Detroit recently, the real point of their visit has been obscured.

They were in Detroit to settle, once and for all, the debate about Detroit's classic Coney dogs, specifically, American vs. Lafayette.

Roker said, "To be frank, Ann, this was a doggone tough assignment!" He really did.

American's Grace Keros said, "It's a friendly rivalry, it really is, even though we still claim our product's better, because it is."

Lafayette's Ali Al Homi said, "They like the food, they like the service, they like Lafayette the best."

Curry did not say much.

After sampling each dog, Roker made his decision.

He declared them both to be the best.

McCain, Coneys and Campaigning

Presumed Republican presidential nominee John McCain stopped off to press the flesh at the Kerby's Coney Island on Telegraph Road near Maple in Bloomfield Township this week.

There, he chatted with people having breakfast in this largely Republican area. Brent Coburn, a spokesman for  Deomcrat Barack Obama's campaign told The Detroit News, "Buying breakfast in Bloomfield Hills is the first thing John McCain has done right for the Michigan economy."

So, there.

One month earlier, McCain stopped off at a Senate Coney Island in Livonia and told diners, "It's time for meaningful sanctions (against Iran), either by the United Nations or by individual states acting together." Alex Lunberg of the Observer newspapers got the scoop.

That also was a breakfast stop.

If We're in Flint, This Must be Koegel's

Folks in Flint like their Coneys every bit as much as the people down I-75 in Detroit.

However, while you might find sausages from Dearborn or National in Detroit, you'll have a hard time explaining to Flint diners why you would serve anything but a locally made Koegel.

The Koegel Web site says that the company, started in 1916 by Albert Koegel, now makes about 35 products that are sold almost exclusively in Michigan and delivered to each individual store. A new plant, just off Bristol Road, near Bishop Airport in Flint, is strategically situated near I-75 and I-69.

We have one beef with the Web site. It hosts a number of recipes including chili sauce both Detroit style and Flint style. The problem is that both chili sauce recipes contain tomato sauce, yet we have been told that neither sauce should contain tomatoes.

Can anyone help us out?

          

Cincinnati Dog and Detroit Coney

I have to wonder if Detroit and Cincinnati are parallel universes.

I just read how the Cincinnati Coney dog -- sausage, Cinci chili, onions, mustard and cheddar, is being introduced in Nebraska at the Saucy Dawg Cafe in Grand Island, Neb.

The article traces its origins to Greek restaurateurs in Cincinnati in 1922.

That is so Detroit. Well, except for the cheddar and a different style of sauce.

I am wondering just how many places saw Coney Island restaurants of differing styles open up in the 1920s?

Coney Dogs Up in Red Wings vs. Penguins Bet

Michigan Congressman John Dingell is betting a load of Coney Dogs from Cheli's Chili Bar that the Red Wings will beat the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Stanley Cup. The restaurant is owned bt Red Wing Chris Chelios.

Pennsylvania Congressman Mike Doyle is betting lunch at the Primanti Brothers restaurant in Pittsburgh, reports WXYZ-TV in Southfield, Mich.

The way we see it, Doyle wins either way.

Flint Coney's Macedonian Roots

The Flint Expatriates blog takes up that city's version of the Coney Dog and says thaere may now be a vegan version of Flint Coneys.

What next?

The post also includes a link to the National Public Radio audio last fall from the Chicago conference last fall focusing on cased meats. The radio piece is about Flint Coneys. Still good listening.