Detroit-style coney dogs in McNamara Terminal’s A concourse
In the McNamara Terminal near the central A concourse hub, National Coney Island is one of the rare spots at DTW where you can get a true Detroit coney dog instead of another generic burger or chicken sandwich. It sits airside, so you’re fine staying within security if you’re connecting on Delta and just need a quick bite between A20 and the tram station.
Menu focus is old-school diner: classic coney dogs with meat chili, mustard, and onions, chili cheese fries, gyros, burgers, and breakfast-style plates. Price lands around the airport-standard $$ range, with a coney and fries combo often enough for a full meal and still under what you’d pay for a sit-down steakhouse in McNamara. Portions run large, and several reviewers mention splitting chili cheese fries to keep both cost and grease in check.
The move here is simple: order one coney dog and a side of fries or chili cheese fries, then head for your gate. Regular Detroit flyers say a single dog plus fries is quicker to prep than a full platter, which can matter when Delta’s banks hit every 60–90 minutes. If you want something that actually feels like Detroit before a long flight, this beats another run to McDonald’s or Wendy’s in the concourse.
Rating averages around 2 out of 5, and the complaints are consistent: lukewarm dogs when the line stretches down the corridor, “OK but nothing special” food quality, and slow service during peak departure waves. Expect greasy spoon energy at airport prices, not Lafayette or American Coney quality downtown. Seating by the counter fills fast during Delta pushes, so many repeat customers grab everything to go and eat near gates A30–A40 instead.
Tip: If your connection is under 45 minutes, order just a coney and fries to go and skip drinks here; grab a bottled water from the nearest Hudson or CNBC in A concourse while you walk to your gate.