Latest news with #LafayetteConeyIsland
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Lafayette Coney Island to reopen following second rat infestation
The Brief Lafayette Coney Island is set to reopen next week. Officials say the rat infestation has been solved, with a renovated basement. This is the second time they have had an infestation since 2022. DETROIT (FOX 2) - One of Detroit's most popular and oldest Coney Island's was closed because of a rat problem, but now the city says they can reopen. What they're saying The Detroit Health Department decided to call a press conference Tuesday to announce the reopening of Lafayette Coney Island, a month after the famous downtown attraction was shutdown due to a rat infestation. It cause led to the health department monitoring Lafayette Coney Island until they could get training and make repairs up to code. What's next The good news is that they were able to get there, according to chief public health officer Denise Fair Razo. "It's night and day, literally from the new lighting, from the modernized equipment they have in place," she said. "And of course, we asked them to seal all potential pest entries." The health department said that Lafayette passed inspection and took care of all the concerns addressed by the environmental health inspectors. Everything downstairs has been replaced and is now all brand new. "Everything is new," said co-owner Sam Sergei. "We closed everything, we fixed everything new floor like I told you everything." The backstory This was, unfortunately, not the first time rats have shut down the famous Coney Island. In 2022, Lafayette Coney Island was shut down following a failed health inspection. Then, rat videos from inside were posted onto social media and health inspectors found droppings inside. Workers at Lafayette said the problem starts with rats from a nearby garden who make their way inside the two empty spaces in the building — and then through holes in the basement wall at Lafayette. Customers at the Lafayette Coney Island recorded video of rats inside the renowned restaurant. "I see rats, a mouse, Tom and Jerry," said customer Dion Hastie who watched the video. Someone tagged the city's health department in the video, leading to them sending inspectors there immediately. Lafayette should be selling its Coney dogs as early as Wednesday morning. The Source FOX 2 was at a press conference at the location and used information from previous stories.
CBS News
04-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Detroit's Lafayette Coney Island reopens after passing health inspection
After voluntarily closing in January due to a rat infestation, Lafayette Coney Island reopened Tuesday. The restaurant temporarily closed on Jan. 24 to address a "rat infestation issue." The business had previously dealt with rodent issues more than two years ago. The Detroit Health Department reinspected Lafayette Coney Island on March 3 and gave the restaurant clearance to reopen, citing significant upgrades to the facility to ensure health safety and cleanliness. "We take the health and safety of Detroit residents very seriously," said Chief Public Health Officer Denise Fair Razo. "Through the Dining with Confidence Ordinance and our ongoing inspections, we are working to ensure that our city's restaurants are safe, clean, and meet the highest food safety standards." The restaurant is implementing daily and weekly cleaning protocols to ensure that the facility remains sanitized and up to health standards, and made repairs to eliminate points of entry for pests, including sealing gaps and addressing structural issues. In addition, all Lafayette Coney Island employees have undergone training on sanitation practices and food safety to help keep a clean and safe environment for staff and diners. "Lafayette Coney Island took the responsible step of voluntarily closing after our Environmental Health Inspectors identified health concerns, and due to their efforts, the restaurant has reopened," Razo said. "We will continue working closely with Lafayette Coney Island and all restaurants to address any issues and maintain a safe dining environment. Ensuring the safety of our residents is a top priority." After taking about five weeks to implement the upgrades to the restaurant, employees say they're looking forward to welcoming back customers.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Lafayette Coney Island fires back at American, posts pest control report
Lafayette Coney Island — which shut down this weekend, with a sign on its door saying that it was closed for remodeling — took to social media late Monday to refute inflammatory comments made by its next-door neighbor about a rat problem. The long post began: "We wanted to put on the record that we have been diligent at taking care of things and we have our amazing Orkin team who inspects and services our place weekly." It included an Orkin service report, which "found no evidence of any infestation." A decades-long, downtown Detroit rivalry between American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island, which at times has seemed friendly and been featured in the local and national media. In 2013, for instance, Lafayette boasted on Facebook that it — and its "next door neighbors American Coney Island" — would be "featured on the Travel Channel's 'Food Paradise' show" and urged customers to check it out. But the neighborly love wasn't there Monday, as the quick service eateries that serve savory hotdogs slathered with chili took shots at each other. The Orkin report posted to Facebook was dated Jan. 22, noting that Lafayette had been a customer of the pest control company going back to 2022. Some information was redacted with black marker, including a technician's last name and license number, but much of it was plainly visible. Key parts also were highlighted: "Upon inspection, there is no new activity to report." We wanted to put on the record that we have been diligent at taking care of things and we have our amazing Orkin team... Posted by Lafayette Coney Island on Monday, January 27, 2025 The Free Press contacted Orkin, which said it was looking into the report. Lafayette's post added: "If they had found something we would of proceeded properly. Detroit does have a rat problem. The city needs to help the businesses that keep this beautiful city of ours running. I guarantee there are other places with an infestation." Grace Keros, co-owner of American, called a news conference Monday at her restaurant, angrily making accusations about a rat problem in her neighbor's restaurant, touting her own eatery's cleanliness and calling for swift action. Keros acknowledged Monday that some rats may be coming from a nearby public park, which she said grows vegetables in the summer. She suggested that was something that also should be addressed, but most of her criticisms were reserved for her competitor. Lafayette, at 118 W. Lafayette Blvd., was inspected by the health department Friday, Denise Fair Razo, Detroit's chief public health officer, told the Free Press on Saturday. She said a consumer had complained about seeing rats while dining. The health officer added that evidence of rat droppings was found in the basement. More: American Coney Island owner outraged over neighboring Lafayette's rat problem Lafayette also was shut down in 2022 after a video of rodents in the restaurant was shared on social media, sparking public outrage and disgust and prompting a visit from the city's health department inspectors. By late Monday, however, Lafayette defended itself, returning fire at Keros, although not directly by name, and seemed to also mock the media's penchant for an investigation and a good story. The Free Press also sought to contact Lafayette on Monday and Tuesday. "Yes, the building is old and we have decided to take this time to put in new flooring, paint and make some minor updates to better serve our customers," Lafayette said in the post, a reference to the sign on its door. "We love all of our customers and appreciate everyone who supports us and has our backs. "And in light of the soapbox statement someone made earlier, unlike her we have never been and are not into bashing and putting down other businesses, we aren't that desperate. The true Detroit Spirit is to help and raise each other up!" Lafayette added it was easy for American "to blame us," and implied an accusation of its own: "But who can really say the rats aren't coming from them to our side? We might need to find and interview one of the rats just to make sure." Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lafayette Coney Island fires back at American, posts Orkin report
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
American Coney Island owner outraged over neighboring Lafayette's rat problem
The owner of one of Detroit's best known side-by-side — and rival — Coney Island hot dog shops called a news conference and forcefully expressed her concerns with a rodent problem in her next-door neighbor's eatery. "I'm pissed," Grace Keros said Monday morning inside American Coney Island at 114 W. Lafayette Blvd., at times sparring with reporters. She wanted folks to know — for those who might not — her shop, and Lafayette Coney Island are "totally different." This was not the first time Keros has faced this kind of problem and, she suggested, if something more isn't done, it might not be the last. At the same time Monday, it wasn't clear how much of the news conference was owner frustration boiling over, how much was showmanship — or in this case, showwomanship — between longtime rivals, and how much was to pressure a competitor and the city to address the situation. Denise Fair Razo, Detroit's chief public health officer, told the Free Press on Saturday that Lafayette, at 118 W. Lafayette Blvd., was inspected Friday after a consumer complained about seeing rats while dining. More: Health Department offers details about Lafayette Coney's rodent 'infestation' closure The health officer said evidence of rat droppings was found in the eatery's basement. Lafayette also was shut down in 2022 after a video of rodents in the restaurant was shared on social media, sparking public outrage and disgust and prompting a visit from the city health department. The Free Press attempted to contact Lafayette Coney Island, which was closed. In many ways, the side-by-side restaurants — with a competitive yet symbiotic relationship — have been part of Detroit's alluring charm and history for almost a century. A Coney dog, every Detroiter knows, is a frankfurter nestled in a soft, steamed bun covered with chili sauce. Visit Detroit, which promotes the city tourism, calls them "some of the best dogs in the D." Gust Keros, a Greek immigrant, opened American Coney Island on West Lafayette Street in downtown Detroit in 1917, according to the Detroit Historical Society. A few years later, in 1924, Keros brought his brother William to Detroit to join the business. William Keros opened Lafayette Coney Island when space opened up next door. It was passed down a generation, and then, after years of family ownership, sold in 1991 to its employees. It was difficult Monday, Grace Keros said, to tell in just a few days whether her competitor's woes had hurt or helped her sales. But over the years, the neighboring eateries have become a unique a tourist attraction, in a similar way to Philadelphia's competing nearby cheesesteak shops. In Detroit, instead of Gino's and Pat's, it's American and Lafayette — with fans proclaiming undying loyalty. Grace Keros acknowledged more than once Monday that the two eateries had a long standing "love-hate" relationship, but claimed that for years, Lafayette was constantly riding her shop's coattails. She said she had invited the news media to hear her out and see for themselves what her restaurant looked like, and even smelled like, noting that some customers complain about an antiseptic scent, which they likened to what might be found at an indoor pool. But that smell, Keros said, means the place is clean. In addition to news crews, Keros had a public relations representative on hand to help manage the event. Clarence Gayles, executive director of the Detroit Restaurant and Lodging Association, was there too. He said that, in his view, despite the public concern, the quick closure of the other Coney Island meant the health inspection program was indeed working, and should instill confidence in it. Keros also insisted to reporters, who questioned whether she was seizing the moment to stick it to her competitor, that she had no such motivation. She just wanted, she said, to make the distinction between the restaurants clear. Keros also took issue Monday with how some were telling the story of what happened. Some news outlets during the weekend had reported the Lafayette Coney Island's closure was voluntary, which Keros chalked up to euphemistic language. The sign on the Lafayette Coney's door Monday, said it was 'Closed for remodling,' which Keros also took a swipe at. The sign was, she implied, not only disingenuous, but it obviously was misspelled. And she made a news media analogy, explaining to reporters that she had to defend her business because just as readers and viewers often can't distinguish between news outlets, diners often don't distinguish between similar eateries. Even though she specifically said she was "not going to blame the city" for anything, Keros indirectly took aim at a bureaucratic and confusing health-inspection system that she indicated could be improved. But as the news conference went on, Keros seemed to soften her tone. She took journalists down into her basement, which she said had been speakeasy during prohibition. She pointed out how every crack and crevice had been sealed up. She also showed off her office, which is full of personal mementos, a profane, yet self-deprecating nameplate on her desk, a photo of her with celebrities Lilly Tomlin and Jane Fonda, and a matchbox-sized replica of the first car she owned, a 1979 Firebird. At the end of her tour, Keros even offered the reporters mimosas. Her ire stemming from the rodent problem mostly was reserved for her neighbor. "You shouldn't be able to get away with that," she said of the rat problem. "Fix it or get out." Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: American Coney Island owner outraged by Lafayette's rat problem
