A new look for National Coney Island in Royal Oak

Hey friends, it's Jer.

They say you are what you eat. If that's true, over my lifetime I'm probably made up of 6.7% Hani pita wraps.

If you haven't tried this soft pita stuffed with crispy breaded chicken tenders, Swiss and American cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and mayo, you're missing out on one of our area's best comfort foods.

I get it. The two signature coneys in downtown Detroit get a lot of attention. And I've got my favorite single-location spot on West Vernor.

But across much of Metro Detroit's sprawling poly-centric metropolis, National Coney Island is a familiar standby, serving up coney dogs and diner favorites since 1965.

So when I heard that the Royal Oak location's makeover was done, I had to check it out. Would it be a full refresh? Would it feel alien? Do they still have the big red cups?

Dear reader, I’m pleased to report that the renovation strikes a good balance between freshening things up and keeping the character — including the giant hanging coney dog. And yes, there are big red cups.

At first glance, the wallpaper looks like a basket weave. Look closer, and you’ll see tire treads.

Everything’s been shined up, and some of the dated ’90s touches are gone. Thankfully, the charm remains.

They avoided the biggest danger of a refresh like this: forgetting what customers liked about the place in the first place. It feels brighter without feeling like somewhere else.

I enjoyed the whimsical art on the ceiling and walls by Todd Pearl. I'll have whatever he's having if I get to dream up a coney dog in a space shuttle.

I also appreciated taking some space in the lobby to tell their story, and I'm a sucker for anything Michigan. After all, in America, the shape of your state is art.

I missed seeing whimsy in real life. And it had been far too long since I had a Hani.

Find the Royal Oak location at 1812 N. Main St., open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

🍔 ICYMI, Little Ghost is headed to Grosse Pointe Woods. The fast-casual burger spot from the team behind Grey Ghost, Second Best and Basan plans to open its second location at 20567 Mack Avenue in early 2027.

At roughly 2,400 square feet, it’ll be more than twice the size of the Ferndale original, with more seating and a larger kitchen. Expect burgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs and donuts, plus a new addition: milkshakes.

The Ferndale location opened in August 2025.

🍽️ With the cooler weather supposedly coming, it's the start of meatloaf season. So I had to tell you about Republica in Berkley becoming “Loaf House” this Sunday, Oct. 18, from 4–8 p.m.

The five-loaf lineup includes Ma’s original, French onion, Greek lamb, garlic-rosemary chicken and a vegetarian mushroom-lentil loaf.

Sides include mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and mac and cheese. There’s also a tasting board for two: all five loaves plus four sides.

There’s apple pie, too.

Find it at 1999 Coolidge Hwy. Reservations are recommended: (248) 268-3175.

🍂 Planted Detroit is closing. The indoor vertical farm at E. Lafayette and Mt. Elliott in Detroit says they will wind down operations over the next few weeks, ending an eight-year run. Doorstep deliveries of its ready-to-eat salads, microgreens and greens mixes will continue through Wednesday, Nov. 11.

The company previously shut down in August 2023, then reopened later that year.

“This is not the ending we hoped for,” the company wrote in its announcement. It did not give a specific reason for this closure. [Source]

☕️ From the North End to Downtown: It’s not every day we hear about a business expanding from Detroit’s neighborhoods into downtown.

Café Noir opened at John R and Kenilworth in 2024, with a French-inspired identity and a focus on neighborhood gathering and art.

Now it’s soft-opened a second location inside Social Brews near Huntington Place.

A grand opening is coming soon, but I can confirm the iced latte still slaps.

The official address is 211 W. Fort Street, Suite 100 in Detroit. You can also enter up the steps off of the corner of Washington Blvd. and West Congress.

Bringing the stories back

🧠 The word “reporter” traces back through French to the Latin reportare, meaning “to carry back.” I like that description of the job: Go out into our local community. Ask questions. Listen. Find out what’s happening, then bring it back to you.

A.I. can't eat a Hani. But Hanis, dog food, gas, all of the things to keep humans and the dog they love running... is not free.

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Remember that you are somebody — and I'll see you around Detroit.

-Jer