National Coney Island

                National Coney Island is a Michigan classic. Specifically, a Detroit area classic. According to their website, “National Coney Island was founded by James Giftos in 1965 when he opened his very first store at the Macomb Mall in Roseville, Michigan… The success of that first store allowed Mr. Giftos the opportunity to open two additional stores in St. Clair Shores (1969) and Detroit (1971). Several years later, Mr. Giftos had the idea to expand the menu, make his restaurants more family oriented, and considerably upgrade the design and décor package to set National Coney Island apart from the many other coney island style restaurants in the Detroit area.”

                All National Coney Island restaurants are located in the metro-Detroit area, which makes this restaurant chain perfect for my blog.

                I go to National Coney Island with my family all the time. I’m not a coney hot dog person, I’m more of a plain hot dog with mustard kind of person. But if you do like coney hot dogs, according to my mom and dad, it’s their favorite thing on the menu.

My parents and I also like the Hani Special. According to their menu, “Golden brown chicken tenderloins topped with Swiss and American cheese, and served on a grilled pita with shredded lettuce, tomato, and mayo.” I really like the Hani. National Coney Island also has a bunch of different Hanis: grilled chicken Hani, chicken, bacon, and ranch Hani, BBQ Hani, spicy Hani, buffalo Hani, and southwestern Hani. I’ve only had the Hani Special, but I’m sure the others are equally as good.

The French fries at National Coney Island are the best! Hot and crispy, never cold and limp. I also love the cheese fries. The warm, gooey, melty cheese topped all over the fries are delicious. Who cares if it’s horrible for you?! Indulge every once and a while! (Warning- The cheese fries can be a little messy!)

I also love the Bosco sticks at National Coney Island. According to their menu, “Bosco bread sticks stuffed with 100% mozzarella cheese, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and served with marinara sauce.” Four breadsticks are included on this plate, and they are warm and filled with gooey mozzarella cheese.

National Coney Island has a great Greek salad. It comes in two sizes, regular and baby Greek. A Greek salad is made up of “tossed garden greens, tomato slices, Greek olives, beets, red onion, pepperonchini, and feta cheese topped with our housemade Greek dressing,” according to their menu. They have one of the best Greek salads I’ve ever had. It comes with a few slices of grilled pita bread, which I love. We always order extra pita bread because I devour it in the blink of an eye.

National Coney Island is a great place for a quick lunch or dinner. What’s really great is that it is very inexpensive, so I like to go there with my friends for a quick bite too. (We’re college kids on a budget!) Plus, they serve great food!

Photo from: http://www.nationalconeyisland.com