Unearth The Voyage
Detroit isn’t just the Motor City—it’s also the birthplace of two iconic American comfort foods: the Coney dog and Detroit-style square pizza. For over a century, families have perfected recipes, handed down secrets, and turned tiny storefronts into legendary institutions. Whether you crave a chili-smothered hot dog or a crispy-edged square pie, these 13 spots tell the delicious story of Detroit’s culinary soul.
1. American Coney Island (1917, Downtown)
Standing proud since 1917, American Coney Island practically invented what we know today as the Detroit Coney dog. The Keros family opened their doors across from Campus Martius and never looked back, serving generations of hungry Detroiters with that signature beef snap-casing, tangy chili, mustard, and onions.
Family ownership keeps the tradition alive, ensuring every hot dog tastes like a time capsule. You’ll find locals debating whether American or its next-door neighbor reigns supreme—but that friendly feud only adds to the charm.
Stop by after a Tigers game or during lunch hour to see the counter buzz with energy and the griddle sizzle with history.
2. Lafayette Coney Island (1924, Downtown)
Just a few feet away from American sits Lafayette Coney Island, opened in 1924 by Gust Keros’s brother. This side-by-side rivalry has become the stuff of Detroit legend, with passionate fans lining up daily to declare their loyalty.
Lafayette’s chili recipe leans a bit spicier, and the no-frills counter service keeps things moving fast. The narrow space fills quickly, especially during lunch rush, so be ready to slide into a stool and order like a regular.
Tourists love snapping photos of both signs in one frame, but locals know the real magic happens when you taste both dogs back-to-back and pick your champion.
3. Duly’s Place Coney Island (1921, Southwest Detroit)
Tucked along Vernor Highway since 1921, Duly’s Place is a tiny counter with a giant heart. Greek immigrant George Dulyakis founded this humble spot, and it’s been serving Southwest Detroit’s working families ever since—often around the clock.
The menu stays simple: Coney dogs, loose burgers, and breakfast basics done right. Regulars love the always-open vibe, where shift workers and insomniacs alike find a hot meal and a friendly face at 3 a.m.
Duly’s doesn’t chase trends or Instagram fame. It just keeps doing what it’s done for over a century: feeding Detroit with honest, delicious food.
4. National Coney Island (1965, Metro Detroit)
When National Coney Island opened inside Roseville’s Macomb Mall in 1965, it proved the classic Coney dog could thrive beyond downtown. Founders James and Nicholas Giftos scaled the concept across Metro Detroit, turning a single counter into a beloved chain without losing the chili-dog soul.
National’s menu expanded to include Greek diner staples—gyros, saganaki, and breakfast platters—but the Coney remains king. Families flock here for affordable comfort food served fast and friendly.
With dozens of locations, National made Detroit-style Coneys accessible to every suburb, cementing its place in the region’s everyday dining culture.
5. Leo’s Coney Island (1970s–1988 brand name adoption, Metro Detroit)
Brothers Pete and Leo Stassinopoulos—nephews of the legendary Keros family—launched their own Coney empire starting in Southfield during the 1970s. By 1988, the Leo’s brand was official, and today it blankets Metro Detroit with dozens of locations.
Leo’s menu mirrors the classic diner playbook: Coneys, Greek salads, breakfast all day, and enough variety to please everyone at the table. The booths fill with families, students, and late-night crowds craving comfort.
Walk into any Leo’s and you’ll find the same welcoming atmosphere, proving that great food and hospitality run deep in this family’s DNA.
6. Kerby’s Koney Island (Metro Detroit)
Another branch of the sprawling Keros family tree, Kerby’s Koney Island became a mall-era staple across Metro Detroit. The name might sound different, but the DNA is pure Detroit Coney: snappy dogs, tangy chili, and Greek diner favorites served fast.
Kerby’s thrived in shopping centers and strip malls, offering hungry shoppers a quick, satisfying meal without the downtown drive. The formula worked—locals know they can count on Kerby’s for consistent quality and generous portions.
Whether you’re grabbing lunch between errands or settling in for a full Greek dinner, Kerby’s delivers the comforting flavors Detroit families have trusted for decades.
7. Buddy’s Pizza (1946, Conant & Six Mile)
Everything started here. In 1946, Gus Guerra baked the very first Detroit-style square pizza at this corner spot on Conant and Six Mile, using blue-steel automotive pans borrowed from nearby factories. The result? A thick, airy crust with caramelized cheese edges that changed pizza forever.
Buddy’s still operates at the original location, and the pans are still blue steel. The pepperoni curls into crispy cups, the sauce goes on top, and the cheese stretches all the way to the edge.
Pilgrims come from across the country to taste the birthplace pie, and locals keep coming back because it’s simply perfect.
8. Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant (1950s, Eastpointe)
After selling Buddy’s in 1953, Gus and Anna Guerra didn’t retire—they opened Cloverleaf Bar & Restaurant in East Detroit (now Eastpointe) and brought the square-pie magic with them. Cloverleaf became another pillar of Detroit-style pizza history, proving the Guerra touch was pure gold.
The tavern atmosphere adds old-school charm, with wooden booths and a neighborhood feel. Regulars order their pies with extra cheese and pair them with cold beers, just like Gus intended.
Cloverleaf remains family-run, keeping the original recipe alive and reminding everyone that Detroit-style pizza has deep, delicious roots.
9. Loui’s Pizza (1977, Hazel Park)
Louis Tourtois learned the square-pie craft at Buddy’s, then struck out on his own in 1977 to open Loui’s Pizza in Hazel Park. His version cranks the cheese even higher, with red sauce stripes running across the top in a signature style that’s instantly recognizable.
The dining room feels like a cozy Italian trattoria, draped in Chianti bottles and filled with the smell of baking dough. Loui’s fans swear the extra-cheesy squares are the best in Metro Detroit.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a regular, Loui’s delivers a warm, welcoming experience with every crispy-edged slice.
10. Shield’s Pizza (Since 1937 as a bar; later Detroit-style squares)
Shield’s started life in 1937 as a neighborhood bar, then evolved into a Detroit-style pizza landmark. The square deep-dish pies here are thick, cheesy, and loaded with toppings, paired with big, crisp salads that have their own loyal following.
Shield’s menu honors both the tavern roots and the pizza evolution, offering a laid-back spot where families and friends gather. The crust strikes a perfect balance—airy inside, crispy outside—and the sauce has a slightly sweet tang.
With multiple locations now, Shield’s proves that great pizza and community vibes never go out of style in Metro Detroit.
11. Jet’s Pizza (1978, Sterling Heights)
What began as Jetts Party Shoppe & Pizzeria in Sterling Heights in 1978 became the chain that introduced Detroit-style square pizza to the rest of America. Jet’s signature deep-dish pies feature an airy crumb, crispy caramelized edges, and toppings that reach every corner.
Franchising allowed Jet’s to spread across dozens of states, but the quality stayed consistent. The Turbo Crust option—butter and garlic on the edge—became a fan-favorite upgrade.
Jet’s made it possible for pizza lovers everywhere to experience Detroit’s gift to the pizza world, proving that great food travels well when you respect the recipe.
12. Niki’s Pizza (1981, Greektown)
Dennis Macales opened Niki’s Pizza in Greektown back in 1981, naming it after his mother and building a reputation for some of the city’s best square pies. Niki’s earned national shout-outs over the years, drawing crowds to its cozy corner spot.
The pizza here honors the Detroit-style tradition while adding a touch of Greek hospitality. The crust is thick and fluffy, the cheese stretches for days, and the sauce balances sweet and tangy perfectly.
Greektown visitors often stumble upon Niki’s after exploring the neighborhood, then return on purpose because the pizza is simply unforgettable.
13. Michigan & Trumbull (2020, Corktown → New Center)
Born in Corktown in 2020 and later relocated to New Center’s Dreamtroit development, Michigan & Trumbull represents the new generation of Detroit-style pizza. The crust stays deeply authentic—crispy edges, fluffy interior—but the toppings get creative, from seasonal veggies to bold flavor combinations.
Named after the legendary intersection where Tiger Stadium once stood, the pizzeria honors Detroit’s past while pushing the style forward. The modern space feels bright and welcoming, with an open kitchen and communal seating.
Michigan & Trumbull proves that Detroit-style pizza isn’t stuck in the past—it’s evolving, thriving, and delicious as ever.
