Lafayette Coney Island shares a wall — and a 1917 founding date — with American Coney Island. The Keros brothers from Greece opened American first; the family disagreement that led one brother to open Lafayette next door is the founding myth of a Detroit institution. Both serve nearly identical chili dogs, fries, and Greek-influenced diner food, and Detroiters argue about which is better with religious conviction.
Lafayette is the dive option: faded counter, cramped tables, neon, cash preferred. The chili is hotter and the room less polished. Most regulars have a preference for one over the other for reasons they cannot quite articulate. Open late.