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The Best Coney Dog in the World is in… Indiana?

We’re assuming that whoever put this list together had to be drunk because like, WHAT? The Coney Island hot dog was invented here in Michigan. You can’t turn the corner…

Store fronts of American and Lafayette Coney Island In Detroit
(Photo by J.D. Pooley/Getty Images)

We're assuming that whoever put this list together had to be drunk because like, WHAT? The Coney Island hot dog was invented here in Michigan. You can't turn the corner in Metro Detroit without seeing a mom & pop Coney Island serving up their own secret recipe of Coney deliciousness. So when BetMichigan sent us an email with the top Coney spots in America, we were SHOCKED to see a Michigan joint didn't take the top spot.

The list was actually put together by "experts" at TasteAtlas.com, but I don't know what credentials they have to be considered "experts." I've been a Detroiter my entire life and have eaten A LOT of Coney Dogs. A lot of chili cheese fries, a lot of Coney specials and a lot of loose burgers. I believe I have more expertise in the world of Coney dogs, but they didn't ask my opinion. For anyone who wants to know, my top choices for Coney Dogs are Lafayette in Detroit and Leda's Coney Island in Livonia.

Check out the list from Taste Atlas below:

  1. Fort Wayne's Famous Coney Island - Fort Wayne, Indiana (Yeah right!)
  2. Angelo's Coney Island - Grand Blanc, Michigan
  3. Duly's Place - Detroit, MI
  4. George's Coney Island - Worchester, Massachusetts
  5. Lafayette Coney Island - Detroit, Michigan
  6. National Coney Island - Clawson, Michigan
  7. American Coney Island - Detroit, Michigan
  8. Milwaukee Wiener House - Sioux City, Iowa
  9. Virginia Coney Island - Jackson, Michigan
  10. Six Star Family Restaurant - Southgate, Michigan

15 Unique Michigan Festivals You Need To Check Out

Festivals give people the feeling of joy. It's a chance for festival goers to get together, celebrate life and create memories. They even promote a sense of community pride.

Michigan has a lot to offer when it comes to festivals. Maybe, it's because Michigan has a lot to celebrate, like live music, beer, and food. Some festivals in Michigan focus on what some might find odd or unusual. From asparagus, bacon, and baby food to cereal Elvis and bologna.

If you have room on your festival bucket list, you may want to add these unique Michigan festivals.

Here’s a list of 15 unique Michigan festivals you need to check out.

Empire Asparagus Festival

This unique festival is located near Sleeping Bear Dunes in Empire. It has been happening since 1974. Featuring food and drink vendors, a display of the season’s largest asparagus, the crowning of an asparagus queen, and even an asparagus poetry contest. The Empire Asparagus Festival is scheduled for June 3.

Pizza Asparagus

National Asparagus Festival

There are two festivals in Michigan that celebrate asparagus. This National Festival is in Hart, which is in Oceana County. National Asparagus Festival is the longest-running asparagus festival in the country and 2023 marks the 50th festival. It takes place this year on June 20.

Man picking fresh asparagus in field, closeup

National Cereal Festival

Battle Creek is the home of the Kellogg’s brand and the National Cereal Festival. The festival features a variety of entertainment; live music, children’s activities, inflatables, and free cereal for attendees. This year’s event will take place on June 10.

Milk pouring into cereal

Outhouse Classic

The Outhouse Classic is a unique twist on outhouses. They are made of wood, crates, cardboard, and other items, put on skis, and then raced down Main Street by a pair of runners. Prizes are given in different categories to the teams with the best times. This event happens February annually in Trenary, Michigan.

Homemade sled

Yale Bologna Festival

This 3-day festival takes place in Yale, located in St. Clair County. The Yale Bologna Festival has been a tradition since 1989. The festival includes outhouses races, a street dance, fireworks, and a parade down Main Street. The 33rd Yale Bologna Festival will take place this year July 28 through July 30.

frying bologna

Elvis Fest

Elvis Fest is a celebration of all things Elvis. The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll fans can see Elvis impersonators, dance to classic songs, and enjoy beer and food. This year’s venue will be the Wayne County Fairgrounds, Belleville on July 7 and July 8.

sequined jacket

Michigan Bacon Festival

This one-day festival is for those who love bacon. Michigan Bacon Festival has everything from bacon mac and cheese, bacon beer, to bacon donuts. The festival will take place on July 30 at Jackson Field in Lansing.

bacon wrapped corn on the cob

Old Town Scrapfest

Beautiful works of art from hundreds of pounds of scrap is created and displayed at Old Town Scrapfest in Lansing. The festival began as a scrap metal artwork competition and has grown into a full art festival that focuses on up-cycled and repurposed artwork. It has a scrap metal sculpture competition, eco-art booth vendors, family activities, live music, and food. Scrapfest is scheduled for July 14 and July 15.

Wooden and metal fish smiling

Mighty Uke Day

This one-day Ukulele festival takes place in East Lansing. It features workshops, lessons, and performances.

Friends walking in the park with ukelele

National Baby Food Festival

The national headquarters of Gerber Products Company is in Michigan. So, it makes sense that the state has a National Baby Food Festival in Fremont. It’s a celebration of baby health and nutrition. The festival features a baby crawl, a baby food-eating contest, a farmer’s market, a car show, and more. The weeklong event takes place annually the third week of July. The next National Baby Food Festival is happening on July 19 through July 22.

baby food

Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival

More than 50,000 people travel to New Baltimore for Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival. The festival has live entertainment, a Miss Bay-Rama Queens Pageant, fireworks, a parade, and kids day. The weeklong event is happening June 21 through June 25.

family eating cupcakes at fair

Festival of the Forks

Festival of the Forks is held in downtown Albion. It doesn’t celebrate forks. It’s a celebration of Albion’s food, music, diversity, healthy habits. This event will take place on the third weekend in September, the 15th through the 16th.

Chef handing out tortilla

Wizard of Oz Festival

The Wizard of Oz Festival in Ionia allows attendees to dress up like your favorite character and participate in arts and crafts, photo opportunities, a 5K race, movie screenings and more. According to the event Facebook page. It is scheduled for September 23, 2023.

Officer worker laying down in costume

Gizzard Festival

Gizzard Festival in Potterville is scheduled for June 8, 9, and 10 this year. Attendees can enter the gizzard eating contest, play in the corn hole tournament, or take line dancing lessons. The festival will also host its second annual Gizzard Fest Pageant.

Close up of french salad with gizzard

Humongous Fungus Festival

This two-day festival in August celebrates the mushrooms that grow in the community. Specifically, the 38-acre humongous fungus that was discovered nearly three decades ago. The Humongous Fungus Festival in Crystal Falls features food from local vendors, craft vendors, a mushroom cookoff, and guided walks identifying different types of mushrooms. This festival is scheduled for August 25 and August 26.

white mushrooms in green lawn field