The coney chronicles continue: Going on the road to find Michigan's best dogs
photo by John Gonzalez
MLive reporter John "Gonzo" Gonzalez will take a three-day tour of nearly 20 coney places in the state, beginning Wednesday. He'll be accompanied by Joe Grimm, the guy who wrote (well, co-wrote) the book on Michigan coney dogs.
They'll make two taste-testing stops in Washtenaw County: 3 p.m. Wednesday at Bill's Drive In, 1292 E. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti; and 4 p.m. Wednesday at Mark's Midtown Coney Island, the Ann Arbor north location at 3586 Plymouth Road in the Plymouth-Green Center. Fans of either place, or just of coneys in general, are encouraged to come out and share in the fun.
The local stops were determined by voters in an online poll to find the best coney dog in Washtenaw County that drew more than 800 votes—as well as the predictable debate in the comments section on what exactly qualifies as a coney dog.
Gonzalez will chronicle each visit on his "Going Gonzo" blog, and AnnArbor.com will be on hand to document the local stops.
Gonzo plans to name the winner on Tuesday, April 24.
Comments
Ron Granger
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 6:15 p.m.
Why is the reviewer going to Zef's in Bay City instead of Mr. Hot Dog? MHD is a classic, with Vienna Beef dogs. It was also rated much higher in the reader poll than Zef's.
Ricardo Queso
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:59 p.m.
Head west to Virginia Coney Island on East Michigan Ave. in Jackson. The Coney's in Jackson use loose meat with none of the gravy slop prevalent in Wayne County.
drew_blows
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 6:05 p.m.
That would be called a Flint style coney, since it uses the loose meat. To be an authentic Flint style they would have to use Koegel dogs though
Peter
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.
Bill's on Michigan Ave gets my vote.
jjc155
Wed, Apr 18, 2012 : 12:31 p.m.
Bills is it hands down. Actually the only place I will eat a hotdog from.
drew_blows
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 6:05 p.m.
I always get the B-dogs from Bills
lisam
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 2:48 p.m.
I don't know if Red Hot Lovers is still around, but after our wedding in 2008, that's where we took the wedding party. They were absolutely FANTASTIC. I actually think it's not there anymore...too bad. I'm sure others feel the same.
treetowncartel
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 7:50 p.m.
Go to Hippo's in Troy, Maple and Rochester Road, for the best Chicago Dogs in SE michigan
seldon
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 4:23 p.m.
Great dogs, but they're more Chicago style than Coney style.
Jessica Webster
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 3:45 p.m.
They're called Ray's Red Hots now. Same space, new owners, nearly identical menu.
a2roots
Tue, Apr 17, 2012 : 3:42 p.m.
Still there different name. Still great dog.