Lafayette Coney Island

Lafayette Coney Island Restaurant Review:

Totally casual and open nearly round the clock (okay, until 3 a.m., but still) since 1918, Lafayette is where the Coney dog --- that marriage between a specially seasoned natural skin-wrapped hot dog and spicy chili --- was first grilled and mated on a bun. Sit at the counter and you may rub elbows with a federal judge on one side and someone who can only afford a Coney on the other. That experience is why you're here. That, and to hear the song of the Coney: “Six on three, two without, four Cokes” yelled out by your waiter. (Translation: Two Coneys on three plates, two without onions.) They’re delivered fast. In about two shakes of a mustard jar, you can bite into ’em. Just a warning, though: When you load them up with extras, these hot dogs can be messy. Lafayette also serves the original loose hamburger, along with chili fries.