Today's Specials

Coney Dogs . . . French Fries . . . Salads . . . Soups . . . Desserts . . . Beverages . . .

To enter, call our Coney Hotline
at 586-219-0995

BACKGROUND – American Coney Island

American Coney Island is the home of Detroit’s original and best Coney Dog on the corner of Michigan Ave. and Lafayette in downtown Detroit. Founded in 1917 by Greek immigrant Gust Keros, three generations of the Keros family have owned and managed the establishment, which is today run by granddaughter Grace Keros. Through good times and bad, the Keros family has remained committed to downtown Detroit. As Gust Keros used to always say, “Detroit has always been good for us, and we’ve always been good for Detroit.”

American Coney Island – circa 1942

Grace Keros & Adam Richman, host of
The Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food”

Voted “Best Coney Dog” by The Food Network and The Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food,” the American Coney Dog has long been a Detroit tradition. While many establishments have tried to imitate the original recipe, there is no substitute for the unique and proprietary blend of spices and seasonings infused into both the chili and the hot dog that sets American’s Coney Dogs apart from all other competitors. Accordingly, the restaurant draws legions of loyal patrons from every generation to the restaurant every year from around Detroit – and around the country.

EVENT DESCRIPTION
On Tuesday, September 13th from 5 to 7:30pm, American Coney Island will be hosting its First Annual American Coney Island Coney Dog Eating Challenge, with individuals and teams of six people competing for the title of Biggest Coney Lover, the coveted "Coney Trophy," and other prizes.

The event will be different than the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Challenge held this past 4th of July Weekend in New York - not just because Coneys are a distinctly Detroit tradition, or because American Coney Island is a Detroit landmark - but because this is ALL about promoting Detroit and giving back to the youth in our community.

THE PURPOSE
Every year, proceeds from the event will go towards the establishment and support of the Keros Family Scholarship Fund to benefit deserving students from the culinary program of Detroit Public Schools’ Golightly Career and Technical Center in Detroit.

With three generations of the Keros family (grandfather, dad, and now daughter Grace) having served Detroiters since 1917, this is their way of "giving back."  Specifically, they’re looking to create opportunities for Detroit Pubic School students at Golightly who have chosen the food industry as their profession to continue their training with scholarship assistance; enter a collegiate culinary program; and as young entrepreneurs one day work in and/or open up their own eating establishments in Detroit.

FAST FACTS

Location: On-site (inside restaurant)
Date/Time:

Tuesday, September 13, 2011
5pm – 7:30pm

Competition: Who can eat the most Coney Dogs in 10 minutes
Charity: Establishment of Keros Family Scholarship Fund for culinary program students at Golightly Career and Technical Center in Detroit
Audience:

Open to the public – spectators:

  • $1.00 donation to Scholarship Fund to get in
  • All Coneys sold are $3 ea. ($1 of which will be a donation)
  • Inside - All food and beverage available for sale.
  • Outside – Coneys and soft drinks (no alcohol) available for sale.
Challenge Flights:

Individual Competition (5:30-6pm):

  • Pre-registration: $10 entry fee per contestant
  • Onsite registration: $15 entry fee per contestant

Team Competition (6:15-7pm):

  • Teams of six
  • Pre-registration: Minimum of $300 in pledges raised per team
  • Onsite registration: Minimum of $350 in pledges raised per team
Awards Ceremony:

7-7:30pm (individual and team)

Recognition:

  • Sponsors
  • Celebrities
  • Golightly School representatives
  • Awards

Individual Winner Announcement:

  • Individual trophy
  • $100 City Loft shopping spree
  • $150 gift basket from The Detroit Shoppe
  • Roast gift certificate (amt. tbd);
  • 12 months of free weekly meals at American Coney Island.

 Team Winner Announcement:

  • Team trophy
  • City Loft shopping spree (amt. tbd)
  • gift basket from The Detroit Shoppe (amt. tbd)
  • Roast gift certificate (amt. tbd)
  • 12 months of free weekly meals at American Coney Island

 

 

 

Copyright ©2011 American Coney Island, Inc.
E-mail:  eat@AmericanConeyIsland.com
114 W. Lafayette
Detroit, MI  48226
(313) 961-7758