L. George's Coney Island in Canton Worth the Drive

Much like a slice of pizza, the Coney Island hot dog is a delicacy that no two places can duplicate. This spicy boat of all-beef goodness, smothered in a spicy chili sauce, diced onions and yellow mustard, is a Midwest culinary classic. And while purveyors of the Coney dog are in no short supply, Canton’s continues to nudge the bar higher on the competition.

Despite its name, the Coney dog actually originated in Michigan – it is not a New York concept, as its borrowed name suggests – in the early 1900s. Three locations lay claim to the honor – The American and Lafayette Coney Islands in downtown Detroit, and Todoroff’s Original Coney Island in Jackson – and while the debate rages over who is the actual father of the Coney dog, one thing is certain: No matter where it’s made, it’s a tasty treat.

Opened in August 2009, L. George's is a sprawling Parthenon of Coney Island delight, and though its centerpiece Coney dog is often the main draw, its expansive menu of Greek and American favorites is what keeps Canton customers coming back.

Traditionally, Coney Island restaurants specialize in a diverse menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner staples (everything from omelets and pancakes to gyro sandwiches and chili fries). But the owners, brothers George, Kola and Dave Lacaj, who opened their first Coney Island in 1981, take it a step further at L. George's.

The restaurant chain (which operates nine stores throughout the Metro Detroit area, with a 10th restaurant planned for Walled Lake) has two not-so-secret ingredients that make its business model one to emulate: reasonable pricing and generous portions. This bang-for-your-buck aspect gives diners the options to share entrees or bag up leftovers for a snack or meal later on.

Peak breakfast, lunch and dinner hours usually fill the restaurant in a hurry, but dining times are short, so tables generally open up quickly.

On average, couples can eat for around $10 to $15, and a family of four can eat for $20 to $25 (less if entrées are shared). The full menu is available for carry-out, and most of the dishes travel well. Take note of ingredients and dressings on the menu, as substitutions and deletions can easily be made when ordering but are hard to perform after the food has been prepared.

Atmosphere: L. George’s has a long counter rail that runs the length of the restaurant, equipped with padded swivel stools for full-service dining. Keeping with tradition, roomy booths make up the majority of its seating capacity, with a large area of tables in the rear for groups or parties. The open kitchen provides diners with a unique sensory experience – sights, sounds and smells of the kitchen, which is one of the more alluring aspects of Coney Islands. The décor is clean and modern, with red-rock colored tiles, large windows providing natural lighting and numerous hanging plants throughout.

Service: Quick and efficient. During peak lunch and dinner hours, the restaurant fills up quickly. But because of the restaurant's open layout, there is always a server around or a table busser, willing to answer questions or respond to needs. Most selections on the menu are short-order items, meaning they can be prepared swiftly. Servers are friendly and helpful, though personal conversation is kept to a minimum during rushes.

Food: The fare blends Greeks favorites (gyros, pita wraps, kabobs and baklava) with American staples (Coney dogs, burgers, steaks and sandwiches). A variety of entrée salads and breakfast offerings make L. George’s a great place to drop in for breakfast first thing in the morning or for lunch. Portions are large, so splitting entrées is an option for those on a tight budget. The children's menu includes grilled cheese, wing dings, a ground-round burger, hot dog, chicken strips and nuggets, as well as numerous cold cereal options – each costing around $4.

Specials: Five breakfast specials are offered from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday, ranging in price from $3.49 to $5.89. Lunch specials are served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, ranging from a $5.19 BLT to a $6.89 steak sandwich – all served with either French fries, soup, salad, cole slaw or (on Fridays only) mac and cheese. Four mini dinners are also offered throughout the week for $5.29, including a nine-piece wings plate, shrimp basket, five-piece chicken strips and four-piece fried chicken.

Prices: $ (Extremely affordable)

Overall: Because L. George’s is on the south side of town, it can be a hike for those who live near or north of Ford Road. The drive is worth it. For those residents who live closer to Michigan Avenue, it is great for dining-in or for grabbing a quick carry-out. It’s a handy place if you’re in a hurry, though casual and cozy enough to relax in with family or friends. There are four 32-inch flat-screen soundless televisions, one in each corner of the rectangular dining room. Noise levels can be high at times because of the volume of diners. The parking lot gets crowded during peak meal times, though an unpaved lot is behind the restaurant. Maneuverability is tight, so keep your eye out for other drivers.

Staff: The servers wear easy-to-see bright red, green, yellow, purple or blue T-shirts.

Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Address: 43711 Michigan Ave., Canton, MI.

Phone: 734-394-1000