This is, by far, my favorite breakfast place in the Lansing area. Friendly service, reasonable prices, and consistently delicious food. Don't make the mistake of ordering more than one pancake: they're as big as your head! Their American Fries are my favorite thing on the menu (if they're not super busy, ask for them extra crispy-yum!) The waitresses and cooks absolutely hustle their butts off! I'll frequently tip as much as my bill because those people are working hard. Don't forget to add a few bucks to the jar by the register for the cooks!
(5)
Timothy B.
Fast, friendly service and great food!!! What else can you ask for? The breakfast menu is outstanding! ! The servings are so large it is almost impossible to finish. I stop by Sparty's at least once a week! Also, two of their chili dogs are Plato's idea pf the perfect lunch.
(5)
Douglas S.
There used to be three locations in the greater Lansing area. Now, just the one, which is to bad...considering this is the only coney island place that has a good version of the Flint Style Coney. I do not know if they make in house or order from Angelo's in Flint, but they use Koegels!
(3)
Bea C.
Really good food. Just tried the Flint sauce on the Coney island hot dog. Super good chili cheese fries Cool place. May need some updates/upgrades.
(5)
Katy C.
Best cheap diner breakfast in Lansing! The breakfast potatoes are amazing. Super greasy food, don't come here if you're on a diet!
(4)
Teresa F.
An East Lansing institution!! My family has been having Detroit style coneys there since I was a little girl. The Frandor location is an enduring reminder of childhood, and for many others of their college days in East Lansing. The server was very conscientious and prompt. It was a nice place to go to feel a little nostalgic. PS.. the food is good, too...
(4)
Esther G.
I don't know why i waited so long to go to Sparty's, a Lansing staple for coneys. However, we were there for breakfast so no coneys this time around. It was extremely busy on a Sunday morning; they even had a hostess -- only for the weekends, we were told. I was a little disappointed with the lack of variety for breakfast choices, with the standard eggs/meat plate or omeletes. Nothing really stood out. I settled for the two eggs, bacon and hash browns with toast. The scrambled eggs weren't fluffy but flat in shape, meaning you have to slice through it. The bacon was chewy, its edges crunchy and not too greasy. The hash browns were thick bits of potato, and I'd say that was the best part of the meal. If I want a simple breakfast option, I'll probably stop back at Sparty's.
(3)
David D.
Used to be a regular when I went to college and now I visit every time I go back to East Lansing. I love the Koegels and everything else there is better than 90% of other diners. They specialize in coney dogs with two different chili sauces. The greek fries are great.
(4)
Mark W.
I have been to Sparty's the last three Tuesdays for the 99¢ coneys. While the coneys are good, the service is surprisingly slow. How long should it take to put a dog in a bun, top with mustard & onions, and deliver to the table? Not 20 minutes. If you have time to wait, give it a try.
(3)
Luke B.
The food was good, had good presentation, the service was ok, food was cold but still good. If the food was hot would have been a 4 star
(3)
Jen C.
Visit #1. I had fabulous pancakes and hashbrowns for take out. My order was prepared right away and I was out of there in 5 minutes. This is a no frills sort of place with fast, friendly service. The food was wonderful and inexpensive. Visit #2. I went back a couple days later for coney dogs and chili cheese fries and wasn't disappointed. The hotdog meat was flavorful and not overly salty, and the chili - either Detroit-style or Flint-style is good. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Matt R.
I have to confess, I've never had Coney dogs here. There, I said it.. The name Sparty's "Coney Island" is just a clever cover up for one of the best breakfast places in Lansing. Huge portions, great fried potatoes, a ton of food for your money. The pancakes are as big as Yugo hubcaps! No better place to cure a hangover. Although there are 2 other restaurants in Lansing that might compete for better quality breakfast food, this place wins on sheer quantity.
(4)
Michael C.
It's been several years since I moved away, but I can't imagine why this place has only 3.5 stars. I could never decide between Flint and Detroit dogs, so I always got one of each and was always happy. Their breakfasts are awesome too, and when I came through town with my kids, they liked it too.
(5)
Joey R.
A good old staple. Greasy spoon breakfast eggs bacon tatters...butter toast jelly. They know how to do the first meal right. But get it for dinner
(4)
Richard H.
A must for a great coney dog... This place has a welcoming locals diner feel to it. You sense right away that a lot of the patrons know each other... I like that. The good is plain and simple good. Known for good solid breakfasts and coney dogs. Terrific prices... Very pleasant service and Sparty the owner is a great guy.
(4)
Erica D.
I couldn't believe I ended up back at Sparty's after my last review, but there I was, for breakfast. A breakfast that they claim is "the best in town since 1985". The place was packed, so I considered some validity to their claim as I took a seat at the counter near the cook space. I ordered the Bacon and Two Eggs breakfast, which also comes with toast and breakfast fries. The bacon was hard. Loud cracking almost unbreakable hard. I like crispy bacon, but this was brick. The eggs were eggs, nothing remarkable, as was the toast. The breakfast fries were pretty terrible - soggy and burnt at the same time. I found the menu to be a little pricey, considering it is a breakfast joint and the portions aren't very large. I also noticed the girl next to me had ordered a pancake, which also looked burnt and lacked the delightful fluffiness that pancake dreams are made of. The staff, however, is awesome. My waiter was so friendly, speedy, charismatic... the place had a good feel to it, and there were obviously a ton of regulars there who knew every one by name and vice versa. The owner was running the register and made conversation - REAL conversation - with everyone paying their bill. He was so funny, and you could tell he really loves what he does. I didn't have the heart to tell him the food was mediocre at best... I would only revisit Sparty's if invited and unable to convince others of another dining establishment, and only for breakfast (I've completely sworn off their lunch/dinner menu, see previous review). Tip: If you have the stomach to venture here, try to bring cash - their preferred method of payment.
(2)
Jordan A.
I have had only three things On the menu, coneys, fries and a gyro. I love that they do two styles of coney, although I go Detroit every time. Good coneys and they do a Tuesday special 1.25 a coney if you get something else with it. A great sit down diner place. I love a diner that always has older women waitresses pouring coffee and talking about the weather all day. It's almost like going home!!
Nothing really special. Thought I'd try it since I've lived here my whole life and haven't ever been in. Waitress was friendly. I won't be going back though. Food was mediocre and unseasoned. Gravy came from a can. My eggs were under cooked. Way too many "Home Fries". Cook obviously had an attitude and complained about having to come in and train the next day.
(2)
Kay S.
Wow. I haven't been to Sparty's in a loooong time. A group of us decided that it would be a good idea to meet up there for a Sunday morning brunch. WRONG IDEA! First off, we walk in and see a four top and a two top that are open, but dirty. We tell the waitress (after standing there for about three minutes) that there would be about eight people. She told us to wait for a table to open to accomodate us. I'm sorry, but can't we just push these two together? Guess not. In the next few minutes, we listened to the cook berate a customer saying something along the lines of "if he comes back up to this counter, I'm gonna knock him out". Nice! This same cook, when approached by a waitress about a raw omelette said "I'm not going to cook them a new one, I'm just putting this one back on the grill". You can't do that! And to top it off, when we walked in there was quite a bit of food waiting to be served under the heat lamp. In the five plus minutes that we were standing there and subsequently left, it was still sitting there. This, on top of everything else made us not want to eat there. We high tailed it somewhere else and enjoyed a nice, hot breakfast with courteous service.
(1)
Lindsey K.
Sparty's is a standard Coney Island restaurant. Excellent breakfast- big portions and fast service. The waitress was friendly and kept my coffee filled up. They also have a lunch menu, but I have not tried it.
(4)
Rachel F.
Growing up in Mid Michigan, Sparty's is a breakfast institution, or dinner or whatever. Often my busy family would meet at Sparty's for a quick meal and it definitely is one of those places that reminds me of home. The food at Sparty's is perfect for a diner, it's cheap, it's greasy, and it's comforting. I will say now that I've finally had Lafayette coney's in Detroit, I think Sparty's does the Detroit Coney justice. Mid Michigan is lucky to have this authentic greek diner around.
(4)
Nikki M.
You're average koney island. The food was decent, good sized portions and they did a good job cooking the eggs to order (not overdone or runny.) Coffee was decent although they gave me 3 creamers when i ordered and never gave me anymore after that... and i had 4 more cups. They also have plenty of stuff on their walls to keep you entertained. If youre looking for a average breakfast place that you can get in and out of in a hurry then you'll like it. Havent been here for any other meals and I probably wont ever be.
(3)
Alexandra K.
I went to Sparty Coney Island on 11/15/2009 for my post-21st birthday and it was really not great. I would have to respectfully disagree with Max K., and say instead that Hannah's Koney Island is a much more authentic, much better quality restaurant in the area. I ordered a vegetarian omelet and was really underwhelmed. The vegetables were not fresh and did not taste good. The hash browns, or American Fries as they are called, were heavily buttered and gross. I don't think I would ever return. The servers were nice, though.
(2)
Max K.
Sparty's Coney Island is probably the most authentic coney joint around MSU's campus. They definitely tout their famous breakfasts and understandably so, their omelets are huge. If you order breakfast and manage to leave without a box, you won't be hungry for the rest of the day. Unfortunately I didn't order breakfast and opted for a Greek salad. The Greek dressing was some of the best I've had, not creamy at all, just the way I like it. They are real generous with the feta too which is always a plus. Unfortunately, this place isn't exactly cheap. I mean sure, it's not expensive by any means, but everything seems to cost around $8. An $8 Greek salad would normally be a fine deal, that is, if there was enough to take home and save for dinner. That wasn't the case. Even more upsetting is they don't do chicken Greek salads. The waitress told me it would be an extra five dollars to get a chicken breast put on my salad. What?! I'm not living in New York City anymore, I don't feel like paying almost $20 for every meal. Overall, the service was efficient and their coffee was actually really good, but stick with breakfast. Breakfast is where you'll get the most bang for your buck, err...I mean, eight bucks.
(3)
John Mark S.
Great Coney Dog! Absolute Koegel goodness! All Michigan plus Detroit and Flint chili sauce.
(4)
Miss P.
Best breakfast! Huge pancakes, delicious feta omelette. Fast service and nice relaxed atmosphere. Decent prices too.
(4)
Erich Z.
The food itself is really good, but that's coming from someone who grew up wolfing down Coney dogs in diners just like this. They tend to serve a crowd at lunch time, and you can bet the cooks come home and have to shower with industrial-grade degreaser. A coney island is absolutely measured by its dogs, and it's here that Sparty's trips up. You can get them two ways: meaty or soupy, and both could very well be the best I've had. They use quality Koegel's dogs too. So what's the problem? Well, each dog will cost you about $2.25. Add in another $2 for fries and a couple bucks for a drink and you're about to pay upwards of $10 for one lunch. I love the food, but it just isn't a real Coney Island if it charges sushi prices for hot dogs.
(3)
Erica D.
I couldn't believe I ended up back at Sparty's after my last review, but there I was, for breakfast. A breakfast that they claim is "the best in town since 1985". The place was packed, so I considered some validity to their claim as I took a seat at the counter near the cook space. I ordered the Bacon and Two Eggs breakfast, which also comes with toast and breakfast fries. The bacon was hard. Loud cracking almost unbreakable hard. I like crispy bacon, but this was brick. The eggs were eggs, nothing remarkable, as was the toast. The breakfast fries were pretty terrible - soggy and burnt at the same time. I found the menu to be a little pricey, considering it is a breakfast joint and the portions aren't very large. I also noticed the girl next to me had ordered a pancake, which also looked burnt and lacked the delightful fluffiness that pancake dreams are made of. The staff, however, is awesome. My waiter was so friendly, speedy, charismatic... the place had a good feel to it, and there were obviously a ton of regulars there who knew every one by name and vice versa. The owner was running the register and made conversation - REAL conversation - with everyone paying their bill. He was so funny, and you could tell he really loves what he does. I didn't have the heart to tell him the food was mediocre at best... I would only revisit Sparty's if invited and unable to convince others of another dining establishment, and only for breakfast (I've completely sworn off their lunch/dinner menu, see previous review). Tip: If you have the stomach to venture here, try to bring cash - their preferred method of payment.
(2)
Jordan A.
I have had only three things On the menu, coneys, fries and a gyro. I love that they do two styles of coney, although I go Detroit every time. Good coneys and they do a Tuesday special 1.25 a coney if you get something else with it. A great sit down diner place. I love a diner that always has older women waitresses pouring coffee and talking about the weather all day. It's almost like going home!!
Nothing really special. Thought I'd try it since I've lived here my whole life and haven't ever been in. Waitress was friendly. I won't be going back though. Food was mediocre and unseasoned. Gravy came from a can. My eggs were under cooked. Way too many "Home Fries". Cook obviously had an attitude and complained about having to come in and train the next day.
(2)
Bea C.
Really good food. Just tried the Flint sauce on the Coney island hot dog. Super good chili cheese fries Cool place. May need some updates/upgrades.
(5)
Katy C.
Best cheap diner breakfast in Lansing! The breakfast potatoes are amazing. Super greasy food, don't come here if you're on a diet!
(4)
Teresa F.
An East Lansing institution!! My family has been having Detroit style coneys there since I was a little girl. The Frandor location is an enduring reminder of childhood, and for many others of their college days in East Lansing. The server was very conscientious and prompt. It was a nice place to go to feel a little nostalgic. PS.. the food is good, too...
(4)
Allie K.
This is, by far, my favorite breakfast place in the Lansing area. Friendly service, reasonable prices, and consistently delicious food. Don't make the mistake of ordering more than one pancake: they're as big as your head! Their American Fries are my favorite thing on the menu (if they're not super busy, ask for them extra crispy-yum!) The waitresses and cooks absolutely hustle their butts off! I'll frequently tip as much as my bill because those people are working hard. Don't forget to add a few bucks to the jar by the register for the cooks!
(5)
Timothy B.
Fast, friendly service and great food!!! What else can you ask for? The breakfast menu is outstanding! ! The servings are so large it is almost impossible to finish. I stop by Sparty's at least once a week! Also, two of their chili dogs are Plato's idea pf the perfect lunch.
(5)
Douglas S.
There used to be three locations in the greater Lansing area. Now, just the one, which is to bad...considering this is the only coney island place that has a good version of the Flint Style Coney. I do not know if they make in house or order from Angelo's in Flint, but they use Koegels!
(3)
Michael C.
It's been several years since I moved away, but I can't imagine why this place has only 3.5 stars. I could never decide between Flint and Detroit dogs, so I always got one of each and was always happy. Their breakfasts are awesome too, and when I came through town with my kids, they liked it too.
(5)
Joey R.
A good old staple. Greasy spoon breakfast eggs bacon tatters...butter toast jelly. They know how to do the first meal right. But get it for dinner
(4)
Richard H.
A must for a great coney dog... This place has a welcoming locals diner feel to it. You sense right away that a lot of the patrons know each other... I like that. The good is plain and simple good. Known for good solid breakfasts and coney dogs. Terrific prices... Very pleasant service and Sparty the owner is a great guy.
(4)
Esther G.
I don't know why i waited so long to go to Sparty's, a Lansing staple for coneys. However, we were there for breakfast so no coneys this time around. It was extremely busy on a Sunday morning; they even had a hostess -- only for the weekends, we were told. I was a little disappointed with the lack of variety for breakfast choices, with the standard eggs/meat plate or omeletes. Nothing really stood out. I settled for the two eggs, bacon and hash browns with toast. The scrambled eggs weren't fluffy but flat in shape, meaning you have to slice through it. The bacon was chewy, its edges crunchy and not too greasy. The hash browns were thick bits of potato, and I'd say that was the best part of the meal. If I want a simple breakfast option, I'll probably stop back at Sparty's.
(3)
David D.
Used to be a regular when I went to college and now I visit every time I go back to East Lansing. I love the Koegels and everything else there is better than 90% of other diners. They specialize in coney dogs with two different chili sauces. The greek fries are great.
(4)
Mark W.
I have been to Sparty's the last three Tuesdays for the 99¢ coneys. While the coneys are good, the service is surprisingly slow. How long should it take to put a dog in a bun, top with mustard & onions, and deliver to the table? Not 20 minutes. If you have time to wait, give it a try.
(3)
Luke B.
The food was good, had good presentation, the service was ok, food was cold but still good. If the food was hot would have been a 4 star
(3)
Jen C.
Visit #1. I had fabulous pancakes and hashbrowns for take out. My order was prepared right away and I was out of there in 5 minutes. This is a no frills sort of place with fast, friendly service. The food was wonderful and inexpensive. Visit #2. I went back a couple days later for coney dogs and chili cheese fries and wasn't disappointed. The hotdog meat was flavorful and not overly salty, and the chili - either Detroit-style or Flint-style is good. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Kay S.
Wow. I haven't been to Sparty's in a loooong time. A group of us decided that it would be a good idea to meet up there for a Sunday morning brunch. WRONG IDEA! First off, we walk in and see a four top and a two top that are open, but dirty. We tell the waitress (after standing there for about three minutes) that there would be about eight people. She told us to wait for a table to open to accomodate us. I'm sorry, but can't we just push these two together? Guess not. In the next few minutes, we listened to the cook berate a customer saying something along the lines of "if he comes back up to this counter, I'm gonna knock him out". Nice! This same cook, when approached by a waitress about a raw omelette said "I'm not going to cook them a new one, I'm just putting this one back on the grill". You can't do that! And to top it off, when we walked in there was quite a bit of food waiting to be served under the heat lamp. In the five plus minutes that we were standing there and subsequently left, it was still sitting there. This, on top of everything else made us not want to eat there. We high tailed it somewhere else and enjoyed a nice, hot breakfast with courteous service.
(1)
Lindsey K.
Sparty's is a standard Coney Island restaurant. Excellent breakfast- big portions and fast service. The waitress was friendly and kept my coffee filled up. They also have a lunch menu, but I have not tried it.
(4)
Rachel F.
Growing up in Mid Michigan, Sparty's is a breakfast institution, or dinner or whatever. Often my busy family would meet at Sparty's for a quick meal and it definitely is one of those places that reminds me of home. The food at Sparty's is perfect for a diner, it's cheap, it's greasy, and it's comforting. I will say now that I've finally had Lafayette coney's in Detroit, I think Sparty's does the Detroit Coney justice. Mid Michigan is lucky to have this authentic greek diner around.
(4)
Nikki M.
You're average koney island. The food was decent, good sized portions and they did a good job cooking the eggs to order (not overdone or runny.) Coffee was decent although they gave me 3 creamers when i ordered and never gave me anymore after that... and i had 4 more cups. They also have plenty of stuff on their walls to keep you entertained. If youre looking for a average breakfast place that you can get in and out of in a hurry then you'll like it. Havent been here for any other meals and I probably wont ever be.
(3)
Alexandra K.
I went to Sparty Coney Island on 11/15/2009 for my post-21st birthday and it was really not great. I would have to respectfully disagree with Max K., and say instead that Hannah's Koney Island is a much more authentic, much better quality restaurant in the area. I ordered a vegetarian omelet and was really underwhelmed. The vegetables were not fresh and did not taste good. The hash browns, or American Fries as they are called, were heavily buttered and gross. I don't think I would ever return. The servers were nice, though.
(2)
Max K.
Sparty's Coney Island is probably the most authentic coney joint around MSU's campus. They definitely tout their famous breakfasts and understandably so, their omelets are huge. If you order breakfast and manage to leave without a box, you won't be hungry for the rest of the day. Unfortunately I didn't order breakfast and opted for a Greek salad. The Greek dressing was some of the best I've had, not creamy at all, just the way I like it. They are real generous with the feta too which is always a plus. Unfortunately, this place isn't exactly cheap. I mean sure, it's not expensive by any means, but everything seems to cost around $8. An $8 Greek salad would normally be a fine deal, that is, if there was enough to take home and save for dinner. That wasn't the case. Even more upsetting is they don't do chicken Greek salads. The waitress told me it would be an extra five dollars to get a chicken breast put on my salad. What?! I'm not living in New York City anymore, I don't feel like paying almost $20 for every meal. Overall, the service was efficient and their coffee was actually really good, but stick with breakfast. Breakfast is where you'll get the most bang for your buck, err...I mean, eight bucks.
(3)
John Mark S.
Great Coney Dog! Absolute Koegel goodness! All Michigan plus Detroit and Flint chili sauce.
(4)
Miss P.
Best breakfast! Huge pancakes, delicious feta omelette. Fast service and nice relaxed atmosphere. Decent prices too.
(4)
Erich Z.
The food itself is really good, but that's coming from someone who grew up wolfing down Coney dogs in diners just like this. They tend to serve a crowd at lunch time, and you can bet the cooks come home and have to shower with industrial-grade degreaser. A coney island is absolutely measured by its dogs, and it's here that Sparty's trips up. You can get them two ways: meaty or soupy, and both could very well be the best I've had. They use quality Koegel's dogs too. So what's the problem? Well, each dog will cost you about $2.25. Add in another $2 for fries and a couple bucks for a drink and you're about to pay upwards of $10 for one lunch. I love the food, but it just isn't a real Coney Island if it charges sushi prices for hot dogs.
(3)
Matt R.
I have to confess, I've never had Coney dogs here. There, I said it.. The name Sparty's "Coney Island" is just a clever cover up for one of the best breakfast places in Lansing. Huge portions, great fried potatoes, a ton of food for your money. The pancakes are as big as Yugo hubcaps! No better place to cure a hangover. Although there are 2 other restaurants in Lansing that might compete for better quality breakfast food, this place wins on sheer quantity.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Allie K.
This is, by far, my favorite breakfast place in the Lansing area. Friendly service, reasonable prices, and consistently delicious food. Don't make the mistake of ordering more than one pancake: they're as big as your head! Their American Fries are my favorite thing on the menu (if they're not super busy, ask for them extra crispy-yum!) The waitresses and cooks absolutely hustle their butts off! I'll frequently tip as much as my bill because those people are working hard. Don't forget to add a few bucks to the jar by the register for the cooks!
(5)Timothy B.
Fast, friendly service and great food!!! What else can you ask for? The breakfast menu is outstanding! ! The servings are so large it is almost impossible to finish. I stop by Sparty's at least once a week! Also, two of their chili dogs are Plato's idea pf the perfect lunch.
(5)Douglas S.
There used to be three locations in the greater Lansing area. Now, just the one, which is to bad...considering this is the only coney island place that has a good version of the Flint Style Coney. I do not know if they make in house or order from Angelo's in Flint, but they use Koegels!
(3)Bea C.
Really good food. Just tried the Flint sauce on the Coney island hot dog. Super good chili cheese fries Cool place. May need some updates/upgrades.
(5)Katy C.
Best cheap diner breakfast in Lansing! The breakfast potatoes are amazing. Super greasy food, don't come here if you're on a diet!
(4)Teresa F.
An East Lansing institution!! My family has been having Detroit style coneys there since I was a little girl. The Frandor location is an enduring reminder of childhood, and for many others of their college days in East Lansing. The server was very conscientious and prompt. It was a nice place to go to feel a little nostalgic. PS.. the food is good, too...
(4)Esther G.
I don't know why i waited so long to go to Sparty's, a Lansing staple for coneys. However, we were there for breakfast so no coneys this time around. It was extremely busy on a Sunday morning; they even had a hostess -- only for the weekends, we were told. I was a little disappointed with the lack of variety for breakfast choices, with the standard eggs/meat plate or omeletes. Nothing really stood out. I settled for the two eggs, bacon and hash browns with toast. The scrambled eggs weren't fluffy but flat in shape, meaning you have to slice through it. The bacon was chewy, its edges crunchy and not too greasy. The hash browns were thick bits of potato, and I'd say that was the best part of the meal. If I want a simple breakfast option, I'll probably stop back at Sparty's.
(3)David D.
Used to be a regular when I went to college and now I visit every time I go back to East Lansing. I love the Koegels and everything else there is better than 90% of other diners. They specialize in coney dogs with two different chili sauces. The greek fries are great.
(4)Mark W.
I have been to Sparty's the last three Tuesdays for the 99¢ coneys. While the coneys are good, the service is surprisingly slow. How long should it take to put a dog in a bun, top with mustard & onions, and deliver to the table? Not 20 minutes. If you have time to wait, give it a try.
(3)Luke B.
The food was good, had good presentation, the service was ok, food was cold but still good. If the food was hot would have been a 4 star
(3)Jen C.
Visit #1. I had fabulous pancakes and hashbrowns for take out. My order was prepared right away and I was out of there in 5 minutes. This is a no frills sort of place with fast, friendly service. The food was wonderful and inexpensive. Visit #2. I went back a couple days later for coney dogs and chili cheese fries and wasn't disappointed. The hotdog meat was flavorful and not overly salty, and the chili - either Detroit-style or Flint-style is good. I will definitely be back.
(4)Matt R.
I have to confess, I've never had Coney dogs here. There, I said it.. The name Sparty's "Coney Island" is just a clever cover up for one of the best breakfast places in Lansing. Huge portions, great fried potatoes, a ton of food for your money. The pancakes are as big as Yugo hubcaps! No better place to cure a hangover. Although there are 2 other restaurants in Lansing that might compete for better quality breakfast food, this place wins on sheer quantity.
(4)Michael C.
It's been several years since I moved away, but I can't imagine why this place has only 3.5 stars. I could never decide between Flint and Detroit dogs, so I always got one of each and was always happy. Their breakfasts are awesome too, and when I came through town with my kids, they liked it too.
(5)Joey R.
A good old staple. Greasy spoon breakfast eggs bacon tatters...butter toast jelly. They know how to do the first meal right. But get it for dinner
(4)Richard H.
A must for a great coney dog... This place has a welcoming locals diner feel to it. You sense right away that a lot of the patrons know each other... I like that. The good is plain and simple good. Known for good solid breakfasts and coney dogs. Terrific prices... Very pleasant service and Sparty the owner is a great guy.
(4)Erica D.
I couldn't believe I ended up back at Sparty's after my last review, but there I was, for breakfast. A breakfast that they claim is "the best in town since 1985". The place was packed, so I considered some validity to their claim as I took a seat at the counter near the cook space. I ordered the Bacon and Two Eggs breakfast, which also comes with toast and breakfast fries. The bacon was hard. Loud cracking almost unbreakable hard. I like crispy bacon, but this was brick. The eggs were eggs, nothing remarkable, as was the toast. The breakfast fries were pretty terrible - soggy and burnt at the same time. I found the menu to be a little pricey, considering it is a breakfast joint and the portions aren't very large. I also noticed the girl next to me had ordered a pancake, which also looked burnt and lacked the delightful fluffiness that pancake dreams are made of. The staff, however, is awesome. My waiter was so friendly, speedy, charismatic... the place had a good feel to it, and there were obviously a ton of regulars there who knew every one by name and vice versa. The owner was running the register and made conversation - REAL conversation - with everyone paying their bill. He was so funny, and you could tell he really loves what he does. I didn't have the heart to tell him the food was mediocre at best... I would only revisit Sparty's if invited and unable to convince others of another dining establishment, and only for breakfast (I've completely sworn off their lunch/dinner menu, see previous review). Tip: If you have the stomach to venture here, try to bring cash - their preferred method of payment.
(2)Jordan A.
I have had only three things On the menu, coneys, fries and a gyro. I love that they do two styles of coney, although I go Detroit every time. Good coneys and they do a Tuesday special 1.25 a coney if you get something else with it. A great sit down diner place. I love a diner that always has older women waitresses pouring coffee and talking about the weather all day. It's almost like going home!!
(4)Brandy R.
Very good! Had the cheeseburger and was very tasty! My fiancé had the single stack of pancakes and this pancake was bigger then his head! They have a 3 stack challenge which sounds fun and we will have to be back for that! This is your back in the day original Coney place, has the same look and feel of the 60's or 70's. I like to sit at the bar and watch my food being made! Service was great and we will be back!
(4)Ashley N.
Nothing really special. Thought I'd try it since I've lived here my whole life and haven't ever been in. Waitress was friendly. I won't be going back though. Food was mediocre and unseasoned. Gravy came from a can. My eggs were under cooked. Way too many "Home Fries". Cook obviously had an attitude and complained about having to come in and train the next day.
(2)Kay S.
Wow. I haven't been to Sparty's in a loooong time. A group of us decided that it would be a good idea to meet up there for a Sunday morning brunch. WRONG IDEA! First off, we walk in and see a four top and a two top that are open, but dirty. We tell the waitress (after standing there for about three minutes) that there would be about eight people. She told us to wait for a table to open to accomodate us. I'm sorry, but can't we just push these two together? Guess not. In the next few minutes, we listened to the cook berate a customer saying something along the lines of "if he comes back up to this counter, I'm gonna knock him out". Nice! This same cook, when approached by a waitress about a raw omelette said "I'm not going to cook them a new one, I'm just putting this one back on the grill". You can't do that! And to top it off, when we walked in there was quite a bit of food waiting to be served under the heat lamp. In the five plus minutes that we were standing there and subsequently left, it was still sitting there. This, on top of everything else made us not want to eat there. We high tailed it somewhere else and enjoyed a nice, hot breakfast with courteous service.
(1)Lindsey K.
Sparty's is a standard Coney Island restaurant. Excellent breakfast- big portions and fast service. The waitress was friendly and kept my coffee filled up. They also have a lunch menu, but I have not tried it.
(4)Rachel F.
Growing up in Mid Michigan, Sparty's is a breakfast institution, or dinner or whatever. Often my busy family would meet at Sparty's for a quick meal and it definitely is one of those places that reminds me of home. The food at Sparty's is perfect for a diner, it's cheap, it's greasy, and it's comforting. I will say now that I've finally had Lafayette coney's in Detroit, I think Sparty's does the Detroit Coney justice. Mid Michigan is lucky to have this authentic greek diner around.
(4)Nikki M.
You're average koney island. The food was decent, good sized portions and they did a good job cooking the eggs to order (not overdone or runny.) Coffee was decent although they gave me 3 creamers when i ordered and never gave me anymore after that... and i had 4 more cups. They also have plenty of stuff on their walls to keep you entertained. If youre looking for a average breakfast place that you can get in and out of in a hurry then you'll like it. Havent been here for any other meals and I probably wont ever be.
(3)Alexandra K.
I went to Sparty Coney Island on 11/15/2009 for my post-21st birthday and it was really not great. I would have to respectfully disagree with Max K., and say instead that Hannah's Koney Island is a much more authentic, much better quality restaurant in the area. I ordered a vegetarian omelet and was really underwhelmed. The vegetables were not fresh and did not taste good. The hash browns, or American Fries as they are called, were heavily buttered and gross. I don't think I would ever return. The servers were nice, though.
(2)Max K.
Sparty's Coney Island is probably the most authentic coney joint around MSU's campus. They definitely tout their famous breakfasts and understandably so, their omelets are huge. If you order breakfast and manage to leave without a box, you won't be hungry for the rest of the day. Unfortunately I didn't order breakfast and opted for a Greek salad. The Greek dressing was some of the best I've had, not creamy at all, just the way I like it. They are real generous with the feta too which is always a plus. Unfortunately, this place isn't exactly cheap. I mean sure, it's not expensive by any means, but everything seems to cost around $8. An $8 Greek salad would normally be a fine deal, that is, if there was enough to take home and save for dinner. That wasn't the case. Even more upsetting is they don't do chicken Greek salads. The waitress told me it would be an extra five dollars to get a chicken breast put on my salad. What?! I'm not living in New York City anymore, I don't feel like paying almost $20 for every meal. Overall, the service was efficient and their coffee was actually really good, but stick with breakfast. Breakfast is where you'll get the most bang for your buck, err...I mean, eight bucks.
(3)John Mark S.
Great Coney Dog! Absolute Koegel goodness! All Michigan plus Detroit and Flint chili sauce.
(4)Miss P.
Best breakfast! Huge pancakes, delicious feta omelette. Fast service and nice relaxed atmosphere. Decent prices too.
(4)Erich Z.
The food itself is really good, but that's coming from someone who grew up wolfing down Coney dogs in diners just like this. They tend to serve a crowd at lunch time, and you can bet the cooks come home and have to shower with industrial-grade degreaser. A coney island is absolutely measured by its dogs, and it's here that Sparty's trips up. You can get them two ways: meaty or soupy, and both could very well be the best I've had. They use quality Koegel's dogs too. So what's the problem? Well, each dog will cost you about $2.25. Add in another $2 for fries and a couple bucks for a drink and you're about to pay upwards of $10 for one lunch. I love the food, but it just isn't a real Coney Island if it charges sushi prices for hot dogs.
(3)Erica D.
I couldn't believe I ended up back at Sparty's after my last review, but there I was, for breakfast. A breakfast that they claim is "the best in town since 1985". The place was packed, so I considered some validity to their claim as I took a seat at the counter near the cook space. I ordered the Bacon and Two Eggs breakfast, which also comes with toast and breakfast fries. The bacon was hard. Loud cracking almost unbreakable hard. I like crispy bacon, but this was brick. The eggs were eggs, nothing remarkable, as was the toast. The breakfast fries were pretty terrible - soggy and burnt at the same time. I found the menu to be a little pricey, considering it is a breakfast joint and the portions aren't very large. I also noticed the girl next to me had ordered a pancake, which also looked burnt and lacked the delightful fluffiness that pancake dreams are made of. The staff, however, is awesome. My waiter was so friendly, speedy, charismatic... the place had a good feel to it, and there were obviously a ton of regulars there who knew every one by name and vice versa. The owner was running the register and made conversation - REAL conversation - with everyone paying their bill. He was so funny, and you could tell he really loves what he does. I didn't have the heart to tell him the food was mediocre at best... I would only revisit Sparty's if invited and unable to convince others of another dining establishment, and only for breakfast (I've completely sworn off their lunch/dinner menu, see previous review). Tip: If you have the stomach to venture here, try to bring cash - their preferred method of payment.
(2)Jordan A.
I have had only three things On the menu, coneys, fries and a gyro. I love that they do two styles of coney, although I go Detroit every time. Good coneys and they do a Tuesday special 1.25 a coney if you get something else with it. A great sit down diner place. I love a diner that always has older women waitresses pouring coffee and talking about the weather all day. It's almost like going home!!
(4)Brandy R.
Very good! Had the cheeseburger and was very tasty! My fiancé had the single stack of pancakes and this pancake was bigger then his head! They have a 3 stack challenge which sounds fun and we will have to be back for that! This is your back in the day original Coney place, has the same look and feel of the 60's or 70's. I like to sit at the bar and watch my food being made! Service was great and we will be back!
(4)Ashley N.
Nothing really special. Thought I'd try it since I've lived here my whole life and haven't ever been in. Waitress was friendly. I won't be going back though. Food was mediocre and unseasoned. Gravy came from a can. My eggs were under cooked. Way too many "Home Fries". Cook obviously had an attitude and complained about having to come in and train the next day.
(2)Bea C.
Really good food. Just tried the Flint sauce on the Coney island hot dog. Super good chili cheese fries Cool place. May need some updates/upgrades.
(5)Katy C.
Best cheap diner breakfast in Lansing! The breakfast potatoes are amazing. Super greasy food, don't come here if you're on a diet!
(4)Teresa F.
An East Lansing institution!! My family has been having Detroit style coneys there since I was a little girl. The Frandor location is an enduring reminder of childhood, and for many others of their college days in East Lansing. The server was very conscientious and prompt. It was a nice place to go to feel a little nostalgic. PS.. the food is good, too...
(4)Allie K.
This is, by far, my favorite breakfast place in the Lansing area. Friendly service, reasonable prices, and consistently delicious food. Don't make the mistake of ordering more than one pancake: they're as big as your head! Their American Fries are my favorite thing on the menu (if they're not super busy, ask for them extra crispy-yum!) The waitresses and cooks absolutely hustle their butts off! I'll frequently tip as much as my bill because those people are working hard. Don't forget to add a few bucks to the jar by the register for the cooks!
(5)Timothy B.
Fast, friendly service and great food!!! What else can you ask for? The breakfast menu is outstanding! ! The servings are so large it is almost impossible to finish. I stop by Sparty's at least once a week! Also, two of their chili dogs are Plato's idea pf the perfect lunch.
(5)Douglas S.
There used to be three locations in the greater Lansing area. Now, just the one, which is to bad...considering this is the only coney island place that has a good version of the Flint Style Coney. I do not know if they make in house or order from Angelo's in Flint, but they use Koegels!
(3)Michael C.
It's been several years since I moved away, but I can't imagine why this place has only 3.5 stars. I could never decide between Flint and Detroit dogs, so I always got one of each and was always happy. Their breakfasts are awesome too, and when I came through town with my kids, they liked it too.
(5)Joey R.
A good old staple. Greasy spoon breakfast eggs bacon tatters...butter toast jelly. They know how to do the first meal right. But get it for dinner
(4)Richard H.
A must for a great coney dog... This place has a welcoming locals diner feel to it. You sense right away that a lot of the patrons know each other... I like that. The good is plain and simple good. Known for good solid breakfasts and coney dogs. Terrific prices... Very pleasant service and Sparty the owner is a great guy.
(4)Esther G.
I don't know why i waited so long to go to Sparty's, a Lansing staple for coneys. However, we were there for breakfast so no coneys this time around. It was extremely busy on a Sunday morning; they even had a hostess -- only for the weekends, we were told. I was a little disappointed with the lack of variety for breakfast choices, with the standard eggs/meat plate or omeletes. Nothing really stood out. I settled for the two eggs, bacon and hash browns with toast. The scrambled eggs weren't fluffy but flat in shape, meaning you have to slice through it. The bacon was chewy, its edges crunchy and not too greasy. The hash browns were thick bits of potato, and I'd say that was the best part of the meal. If I want a simple breakfast option, I'll probably stop back at Sparty's.
(3)David D.
Used to be a regular when I went to college and now I visit every time I go back to East Lansing. I love the Koegels and everything else there is better than 90% of other diners. They specialize in coney dogs with two different chili sauces. The greek fries are great.
(4)Mark W.
I have been to Sparty's the last three Tuesdays for the 99¢ coneys. While the coneys are good, the service is surprisingly slow. How long should it take to put a dog in a bun, top with mustard & onions, and deliver to the table? Not 20 minutes. If you have time to wait, give it a try.
(3)Luke B.
The food was good, had good presentation, the service was ok, food was cold but still good. If the food was hot would have been a 4 star
(3)Jen C.
Visit #1. I had fabulous pancakes and hashbrowns for take out. My order was prepared right away and I was out of there in 5 minutes. This is a no frills sort of place with fast, friendly service. The food was wonderful and inexpensive. Visit #2. I went back a couple days later for coney dogs and chili cheese fries and wasn't disappointed. The hotdog meat was flavorful and not overly salty, and the chili - either Detroit-style or Flint-style is good. I will definitely be back.
(4)Kay S.
Wow. I haven't been to Sparty's in a loooong time. A group of us decided that it would be a good idea to meet up there for a Sunday morning brunch. WRONG IDEA! First off, we walk in and see a four top and a two top that are open, but dirty. We tell the waitress (after standing there for about three minutes) that there would be about eight people. She told us to wait for a table to open to accomodate us. I'm sorry, but can't we just push these two together? Guess not. In the next few minutes, we listened to the cook berate a customer saying something along the lines of "if he comes back up to this counter, I'm gonna knock him out". Nice! This same cook, when approached by a waitress about a raw omelette said "I'm not going to cook them a new one, I'm just putting this one back on the grill". You can't do that! And to top it off, when we walked in there was quite a bit of food waiting to be served under the heat lamp. In the five plus minutes that we were standing there and subsequently left, it was still sitting there. This, on top of everything else made us not want to eat there. We high tailed it somewhere else and enjoyed a nice, hot breakfast with courteous service.
(1)Lindsey K.
Sparty's is a standard Coney Island restaurant. Excellent breakfast- big portions and fast service. The waitress was friendly and kept my coffee filled up. They also have a lunch menu, but I have not tried it.
(4)Rachel F.
Growing up in Mid Michigan, Sparty's is a breakfast institution, or dinner or whatever. Often my busy family would meet at Sparty's for a quick meal and it definitely is one of those places that reminds me of home. The food at Sparty's is perfect for a diner, it's cheap, it's greasy, and it's comforting. I will say now that I've finally had Lafayette coney's in Detroit, I think Sparty's does the Detroit Coney justice. Mid Michigan is lucky to have this authentic greek diner around.
(4)Nikki M.
You're average koney island. The food was decent, good sized portions and they did a good job cooking the eggs to order (not overdone or runny.) Coffee was decent although they gave me 3 creamers when i ordered and never gave me anymore after that... and i had 4 more cups. They also have plenty of stuff on their walls to keep you entertained. If youre looking for a average breakfast place that you can get in and out of in a hurry then you'll like it. Havent been here for any other meals and I probably wont ever be.
(3)Alexandra K.
I went to Sparty Coney Island on 11/15/2009 for my post-21st birthday and it was really not great. I would have to respectfully disagree with Max K., and say instead that Hannah's Koney Island is a much more authentic, much better quality restaurant in the area. I ordered a vegetarian omelet and was really underwhelmed. The vegetables were not fresh and did not taste good. The hash browns, or American Fries as they are called, were heavily buttered and gross. I don't think I would ever return. The servers were nice, though.
(2)Max K.
Sparty's Coney Island is probably the most authentic coney joint around MSU's campus. They definitely tout their famous breakfasts and understandably so, their omelets are huge. If you order breakfast and manage to leave without a box, you won't be hungry for the rest of the day. Unfortunately I didn't order breakfast and opted for a Greek salad. The Greek dressing was some of the best I've had, not creamy at all, just the way I like it. They are real generous with the feta too which is always a plus. Unfortunately, this place isn't exactly cheap. I mean sure, it's not expensive by any means, but everything seems to cost around $8. An $8 Greek salad would normally be a fine deal, that is, if there was enough to take home and save for dinner. That wasn't the case. Even more upsetting is they don't do chicken Greek salads. The waitress told me it would be an extra five dollars to get a chicken breast put on my salad. What?! I'm not living in New York City anymore, I don't feel like paying almost $20 for every meal. Overall, the service was efficient and their coffee was actually really good, but stick with breakfast. Breakfast is where you'll get the most bang for your buck, err...I mean, eight bucks.
(3)John Mark S.
Great Coney Dog! Absolute Koegel goodness! All Michigan plus Detroit and Flint chili sauce.
(4)Miss P.
Best breakfast! Huge pancakes, delicious feta omelette. Fast service and nice relaxed atmosphere. Decent prices too.
(4)Erich Z.
The food itself is really good, but that's coming from someone who grew up wolfing down Coney dogs in diners just like this. They tend to serve a crowd at lunch time, and you can bet the cooks come home and have to shower with industrial-grade degreaser. A coney island is absolutely measured by its dogs, and it's here that Sparty's trips up. You can get them two ways: meaty or soupy, and both could very well be the best I've had. They use quality Koegel's dogs too. So what's the problem? Well, each dog will cost you about $2.25. Add in another $2 for fries and a couple bucks for a drink and you're about to pay upwards of $10 for one lunch. I love the food, but it just isn't a real Coney Island if it charges sushi prices for hot dogs.
(3)Matt R.
I have to confess, I've never had Coney dogs here. There, I said it.. The name Sparty's "Coney Island" is just a clever cover up for one of the best breakfast places in Lansing. Huge portions, great fried potatoes, a ton of food for your money. The pancakes are as big as Yugo hubcaps! No better place to cure a hangover. Although there are 2 other restaurants in Lansing that might compete for better quality breakfast food, this place wins on sheer quantity.
(4)