Garfield Coney and Grill

This business is long gone. Swanky Franky’s moved to Van Dyke south of 22 Mile then out of business. Nothing is currently at this site.

This place is now called Garfield Coney and Grill.
I noticed this place a couple times when it was called Swanky Frankie’s, but i never tried it. I was in the area last week and noticed the new name. I’m not sure if it’s new ownership or just a new name.
Anyway, i was pretty surprised. My wife had the chicken pita (hani/​kerby melt/​etc) that every coney has, and claimed it was better than those at any other coney. So, if you like those, obviously that is something worth going for.
I had a regular coney, which was pretty good, and a chicago dog (celery salt, those little peppers, pickle, some crazy bright green relish, tomato wedges, etc). That too was pretty good.
Service was fast and friendly, and whoever was behind the counter (owner or manager) seemed genuinely interested in whether we enjoyed the food.
Total bill was like 12.00.
We’ll definitely go back if we’re in the area and I recommend this place for a decent cheap lunch if you like coney style diners.

For years the only place in the Detroit area with really good Chicago style hot-​dogs was Hippo Dogs in Troy, but I am not often in that area at lunch time and Hippo isn’t open for dinners.
Swanky Frankie’s, a clean little joint on old Van Dyke between Hall Road and 21 mile, makes dogs that are, if anything, even better than Hippo fare.
The pickle wedge, the tomato sections, the sport peppers, poppy seed hot dog bun, bright green relish, salt&pepper, and a premium grilled Vienna beef frank. …I kinda want one now, as a matter of fact.
If you don’t want a dog, they make really good onion rings from scratch, serve up baskets of crinkle fries, and make a cheese burger my wife whole-​heartedly endorses.
The owner, Mark, has been in the business a long time and really cares about the quality of his food. He wanders into the dining room frequently and is always interested to hear what you have to say about his food.
He claims he really makes a good reuben, though I’ve yet to sample – but I don’t doubt his word as I’ve yet to be disappointed in any of his fare.
Within driving distance of the LakeSide shopping area (the insanely overdeveloped Hall Rd corridor between M53 and Hayes) but still a little out of the way, the prices are less than most places and the food is better than just about anything in its class, you really need to try Swanky Frankie’s.