I’m from Port Huron, Michigan and the Pozios Coney Island (Still my favorite all-time Coney Dog) was right next door to my cousin Helen’s Brass Rail Bar, so I grew up on their Coney Island hotdogs. When we opened Highland’s in Detroit I became a regular at both American and Lafayette Coney Islands (Which for those of you not familiar are located right next door to each other). I always do a side-by-side every time I'm in town and have always leaned towards Lafayette until this last visit and for some reason, American crushed it!
I've lived on the west coast for close to 35 years so they're both nostalgia picks for me. I do make a point to visit both when I'm home or upstate though. Thank you for your service!
They are pork and fantastic at the restaurant. Also they sell them at retail and mail order! They’re is also a great place called Otto’s Sausage that’s been around for years.
And lastly, Nick’s Coney Island, since 1935. Excellent chili dogs!
"The Original Hot Dog Shoppe - Ask Anyone" (s the sign reads) in my hometown of Warren, Ohio - with its serpentine dining bar, "chili sauce" and rotating (perhaps not anymore) Dog atop the shop was (and I hope still is, report to come) a terrific dog stop in Ohio. And we are very partial to Duly's Place in Detroit (AND Lafayette). Will give American another chance based on Tony's comments, but the place was just too (gulp) darn clean for our liking! ;)
Sunrise Pizza is a downtown institution as well. Greek fried chicken at Buena Vista Cafe (other than the Greek Frankos family owning the joint, unsure what makes it "greek"...but yummy)
Thanks for the shout out to Jersey hotdog culture. I grew up going to rut hut, and I am originally from Orange, New Jersey, which is the home of Jimmy Buff’s.
Next time you’re there. Realize you are three blocks away from the star Tavern, which is the best bar pie in New Jersey.
I’m not the biggest hot dog fan, admittedly, however I wax poetic over Byron’s in Chicago. We used to go on Sundays after a night out when I first moved to Chicago from WI in the early 90’s.
Thought you contributed to $25 and Under too? But anyway, correction, I remember now that NJ Turnpike piece linked above was my first for the Times, before I wrote for the Dining section. It was for the now-defunct Escapes section, R.I.P.
We both first contributed food/drink writing to the Times around the same time. My first piece was actually exactly 15 years ago today in 2009. (My first contribution overall was in 2000 to what was then called Arts & Leisure.
I loved $25 and Under. Also, being from New Jersey, there is so much I love in your article, but I think my favorite part was the correction made about Tom Carvel’s name. I can hear his voice now, hawking the Fudgie the Whale cake. ❤️
Fine work! But what column are you referring to? I didn't start contributing to the Food section of the Times until 2009. And they almost never allowed me to write about food. Just cocktails and spirits.
Happy to report the Chicago dogs at America's Dog in Concourse C at O'Hare are pretty solid too. They're fresh off the griddle with handcut fries to go with.
Robert, I definitely remember Jimmy Buff's as a kid - I didn't realize growing up in the '90s how unique Jersey's hot dog scene was/is. I've seen you write about Texas Weiner in Plainfield, but my favorite growing up was Red Tower II. on Rt. 22 in North Plainfield, where I grew up. They did something called a chili cheese dog (or just cheese) and cheese fries. When my parents grew up, it was called Updike's. Becca and I went back a few years ago and it wasn't the same taste I remember.
Picked up a Tommy’s double for dinner tonight (& lunch tomorrow lol) & left the condiments off to heat up at home, then slathered it with Dijon … oh my!
Also, have fond childhood memories of our local Stewart’s hot dogs, crinkle cuts & those frosty root beer mugs
Good for you! Tommy's is great. And Stewart's puts out a decent dog. The Tuckerton NJ location has the Tuckerton Tommy dog, which is topped with bacon and cheese. Very nice.
I can remember my mom talking about the hot dog man under the boardwalk in Atlantic City. Her best days were when she had a dime for a hot dog!
Every week was hotdog week for her!
I’m from Port Huron, Michigan and the Pozios Coney Island (Still my favorite all-time Coney Dog) was right next door to my cousin Helen’s Brass Rail Bar, so I grew up on their Coney Island hotdogs. When we opened Highland’s in Detroit I became a regular at both American and Lafayette Coney Islands (Which for those of you not familiar are located right next door to each other). I always do a side-by-side every time I'm in town and have always leaned towards Lafayette until this last visit and for some reason, American crushed it!
Cheers & Happiness, Tony Abou-Ganim
I am going to have to return to Detroit specifically to try American
Let me know and I’ll try and meet you! Also, I would love to show you Highlands!
That's a deal.
Heid's of Liverpool, Liverpool, NY
Boulevard Drinks, Jersey City, NJ
Two great, but very different, places!
I've lived on the west coast for close to 35 years so they're both nostalgia picks for me. I do make a point to visit both when I'm home or upstate though. Thank you for your service!
I've been to Heid's twice. Love that place. I need to return to Boulevard Drinks.
Try Olympia Provisions in Portland, Oregon.
They are pork and fantastic at the restaurant. Also they sell them at retail and mail order! They’re is also a great place called Otto’s Sausage that’s been around for years.
And lastly, Nick’s Coney Island, since 1935. Excellent chili dogs!
I will be sure to try all those next time I'm in Portland.
Try Johnnie's the next time you are in Chicago: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6ApK4xAwMooUScnK8?g_st=ic
I've been for the Italian beef, but not the hot dog.
"The Original Hot Dog Shoppe - Ask Anyone" (s the sign reads) in my hometown of Warren, Ohio - with its serpentine dining bar, "chili sauce" and rotating (perhaps not anymore) Dog atop the shop was (and I hope still is, report to come) a terrific dog stop in Ohio. And we are very partial to Duly's Place in Detroit (AND Lafayette). Will give American another chance based on Tony's comments, but the place was just too (gulp) darn clean for our liking! ;)
Original Hot Dog Shoppe sounds great!
Any other recommendations in Warren? A future trip may take me through there.
Sunrise Pizza is a downtown institution as well. Greek fried chicken at Buena Vista Cafe (other than the Greek Frankos family owning the joint, unsure what makes it "greek"...but yummy)
Thanks for the shout out to Jersey hotdog culture. I grew up going to rut hut, and I am originally from Orange, New Jersey, which is the home of Jimmy Buff’s.
Next time you’re there. Realize you are three blocks away from the star Tavern, which is the best bar pie in New Jersey.
Thanks! I've been to the Star Tavern. Great pizza.
We love Star Tavern pies, but I personally do not care for the renovation!
I’m not the biggest hot dog fan, admittedly, however I wax poetic over Byron’s in Chicago. We used to go on Sundays after a night out when I first moved to Chicago from WI in the early 90’s.
Sounds like a perfect Sunday night.
RIP Fulton Hot Dog King, unless they've found a new space? Please keep covering hot dogs! Just not with ketchup.
Yes, I miss that place. Fulton Mall is not the same.
Thought you contributed to $25 and Under too? But anyway, correction, I remember now that NJ Turnpike piece linked above was my first for the Times, before I wrote for the Dining section. It was for the now-defunct Escapes section, R.I.P.
We both first contributed food/drink writing to the Times around the same time. My first piece was actually exactly 15 years ago today in 2009. (My first contribution overall was in 2000 to what was then called Arts & Leisure.
I loved $25 and Under. Also, being from New Jersey, there is so much I love in your article, but I think my favorite part was the correction made about Tom Carvel’s name. I can hear his voice now, hawking the Fudgie the Whale cake. ❤️
Robert, I wrote about the Italian hot dog for the column you and I both contributed to back in the day. I refer to Exit 13:
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/28/travel/escapes/28turnpike.html
Fine work! But what column are you referring to? I didn't start contributing to the Food section of the Times until 2009. And they almost never allowed me to write about food. Just cocktails and spirits.
Katz’s needs to be mentioned for NJ. I honestly prefer their rippers to those at Rutt’s.
There is a Katz’s in New Jersey?
Oh my! I meant Hiram’s. 😂
Ah. Hiram's is one of the all-time best.
Happy to report the Chicago dogs at America's Dog in Concourse C at O'Hare are pretty solid too. They're fresh off the griddle with handcut fries to go with.
Unaware if you were aware, but Coney Island Lunch in Scranton closed back in Dec after over 100 years in business. New owners are promising a renovation. A goddamn tragedy, if true. https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/end-of-era-for-coney-island-lunch-for-now/article_c2ce9fc5-4a5a-5c3f-a427-fa8b7619b45a.html
Robert, I definitely remember Jimmy Buff's as a kid - I didn't realize growing up in the '90s how unique Jersey's hot dog scene was/is. I've seen you write about Texas Weiner in Plainfield, but my favorite growing up was Red Tower II. on Rt. 22 in North Plainfield, where I grew up. They did something called a chili cheese dog (or just cheese) and cheese fries. When my parents grew up, it was called Updike's. Becca and I went back a few years ago and it wasn't the same taste I remember.
I just looked up Red Tower II. It has an amazing sign on its roof.
Picked up a Tommy’s double for dinner tonight (& lunch tomorrow lol) & left the condiments off to heat up at home, then slathered it with Dijon … oh my!
Also, have fond childhood memories of our local Stewart’s hot dogs, crinkle cuts & those frosty root beer mugs
Good for you! Tommy's is great. And Stewart's puts out a decent dog. The Tuckerton NJ location has the Tuckerton Tommy dog, which is topped with bacon and cheese. Very nice.