The Coney Island Hot Dog and Boardwalk Food
Where the most famous hot dog in America comes from.
Plan a New York TripThe Coney Island Hot Dog
No food is more tied to a place than the Coney Island hot dog. Nathan Handwerker opened a stand at Surf and Stillwell Avenues in 1916, selling hot dogs for a nickel, and the corner still draws lines more than a century later.
Nathan’s Famous
The original Nathan’s faces the Stillwell Avenue subway terminal, so it is often the first and last stop of a Coney Island day. Order the classic frank with mustard, sauerkraut or onions, crinkle-cut fries and a lemonade. Every Fourth of July the corner hosts the famous hot dog eating contest (see events).
Before Nathan’s
Coney Island’s hot dog story is older than Nathan’s. Charles Feltman, a German immigrant, is widely credited with selling sausages in rolls at Coney Island in the late 1800s, and his restaurant grew huge. According to the well-known story, Nathan Handwerker worked for Feltman before opening his own cheaper stand.
Coney Island Hot Dogs in Michigan and Beyond
Search for a Coney Island hot dog and you will also find Detroit. In Michigan and much of the Midwest, a “Coney” is a hot dog with meat chili, mustard and onions, and the diners that serve them are called Coney Islands. Detroit’s American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island, next door to each other downtown, are the most famous; Flint has its own style with a drier meat topping. The name came from Brooklyn, but the dish is a Midwestern original.
More to Eat on the Boardwalk
- Clam bars and seafood stands with fried clams, shrimp and corn.
- Boardwalk classics like Paul’s Daughter, a long-running stand with burgers, fried food and beer.
- Pizza: Coney Island is home to Totonno’s on Neptune Avenue, one of New York’s oldest pizzerias.
- Ice cream, gelato and cotton candy everywhere you look.
- Brighton Beach, a short walk east, for Russian and Ukrainian bakeries, delis and restaurants.
Tips for eating at Coney Island
- Eat early or late on summer weekends; lines at the famous stands peak around lunchtime.
- Carry water on hot days; boardwalk food is salty and the sun is strong.
- Many stands are seasonal, but Nathan’s on Surf Avenue is open year-round.
- Save room for dessert on the walk back to the subway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the original Nathan’s?
On Surf Avenue at Stillwell Avenue, across from the subway terminal, where Nathan Handwerker opened his stand in 1916. Nathan’s also has a location on the boardwalk.
What is a Coney Island hot dog in Michigan?
In Michigan a “Coney” or Coney dog is a hot dog topped with a meat chili or sauce, yellow mustard and chopped onions, served in diners often called Coney Islands. Detroit’s best-known pair, American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island, stand side by side downtown.
Eat Your Way Through New York
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