DETROIT, MI - A Coney is an iconic Detroit dish featuring steamed beef topped with chili sauce, yellow mustard, and raw onions served warm in a steamed bun.
What is the Detroit Coney?
Initially developed in Michigan, this dish has become a beloved cuisine nationwide. Three businesses claim they were its original birthplace: American Coney Island in Detroit, Lafayette Coney Island in downtown Detroit and Todoroff's Original Coney Island in Jackson, Michigan.
Detroit Coney Islands are Greek-American-owned restaurants serving an eclectic menu including gyros, burgers, breakfast plates, and coney dogs. American Coney Island and Lafayette Coney Island have long been rivals in a fierce battle for customers that's been featured on several food shows.
No matter their rivalry, most of Detroit's best Coneys are within walking distance from each other - perfect for when you're out for lunch or dinner. One of my favorites is Duly's Place, a 95-year-old diner featured on Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown series that offers counter-top seating.
Detroit-style coneys come in many variations but share some common ingredients. A roux made of flour and melted butter thickens the sauce before ground beef, stock, tomato puree, ketchup, mustard, garlic powder, cumin paprika, smoked paprika, and onion powder round out this standard sauce.
The Detroit-style coney is a variation of the chili-topped hot dog first created in 1917 by Polish Jewish immigrant Nathan Handwerker in Brooklyn, New York. Though many versions of this iconic dish can be found across America, its signature feature lies in the type of chili used as topping: it uses an Italian beanless no-bean chili that's thicker and creamier than other types of hot dogs.
