It was invented in 1985 by a line cook named Hani who worked at the National Coney Island at Mack Avenue and Seven Mile Road in Detroit.[2][3] The Hani may have started as a staff meal where the cook would prepare it for his co-workers, but later it was added to the menu.[4][5] Initially, it was offered as a special at that location of National Coney Island but then it was incorporated in the menus at other locations.[1] It eventually spread to other restaurants in the area.[2] Although the Coney Island hot dog has a longstanding popularity locally, the Hani grew in popularity to rival it at National Coney Island.[1][3] In May 2023, National Coney Island launched a spin-off restaurant called Pop's Hani Shop dedicated to the sandwich located in Royal Oak, Michigan.[1][6][7][8]
National Coney Island even trademarked the name in response to various establishments serving the dish and calling it the Hani.[1][2] Consequently, it can be found in other menus in the region as a "chicken finger pita wrap".[2] It has a reputation as a late-night food favored among younger people.[2][3] However, as of October 2023, outside of Metro Detroit, the dish is relatively unfamiliar.[9]
.jpg)
