"Lafayette Coney Island is the result of a sibling rivalry. At least, that’s how the story goes. In 1936, Bill Keros opened Lafayette next door to American, which he and brother Gust had launched more than a decade prior on the corner of Lafayette and Michigan Avenue. The Keroses haven’t been involved in this location for decades. Bill’s son George Keros took over operations and was credited with developing the spot’s proprietary chili recipe. These days it’s run by several Yemeni immigrants, who took over after George Keros stepped aside in 1991. Lafayette has kept its vibe simple over the years. It still boasts a long lunch counter and an intact old-school aesthetic and workers are known for stacking platters full of coneys on their arms as they bring them out to guests." - Serena Maria Daniels
