"Coneys in Chicago?" Topic

The chili thread has me jonesing for a Detroit-style Coney. Does anyone know of a place in the Chicago area that sells a proper Coney? Garden variety chili dogs need not apply.

More elucidation would be nice, T20…what IS a Detroit-style coney, etc.?

any dog shop should be able to make you a proper coney.
just dont ask for ketchup.

Why can you get a rabbit at a shop that only sells dogs?

Cheers,
JohnG

This hilarious..

"In 1913 the Coney Island Chamber of Commerce in New York had banned the use of the term "hot dog" on restaurant signs on Coney Island, an action prompted by concerns about visitors taking the term literally and assuming there was dog meat in the sausage."

:-)

I don't remember anything called a "coney" while growing up in Chicago. But a Chicago Hot dog is called just that and it is:
A Vienna Beef hot dog, nestled in a steamed poppyseed bun, and covered with yellow mustard, bright green relish, fresh chopped onions, juicy red tomato wedges, a kosher-style pickle spear, a couple of spicy sport peppers and finally, a dash of celery salt.

Terry

I prefer mine with just the chili sauce and shredded cheddar on top of the hot dog,no onions,mustard or anything else.

Mrs Cybernetics prefers them w/o the dog.
chili and cheese on a bun.
The Phoney Coney

A Detroit-style Coney has a chili-like sauce that's based on beef heart, usually served with mustard & onion. It's the proper sauce that's hard to find. Most places just use whatever chili they have on hand.

I've heard of a place in the far North suburbs, and one in the far South, but had hoped to hear of something a bit easier to get to for lunch.

Is Detroit chili the same as Cincinnati chili? The meat is very finely ground in a soupy Syrian recipe brown sauce that's seasoned with cinnamon and chocolate, among other things. Traditionally the meat is road-kill + stray cat, but these days the health department makes them use beef by-products. If you're from Cincinnati, you love the stuff, other wise you have to get used to it. It ain't Texas chili.

A Cincinnati Coney is a little pink hot dog on a mushy white bun with mustard, chopped onion, grated cheese and a slop of Cincinnati chili. Mm-mm good. Two or three make a good lunch, more than that is risky gluttony.

Local restaurant chain Skyline exports their distinctive chili in cans, for exiled Cincinnatians who just can't do without, and for furriners with discerning palates.

I haven't had the Cincinnati version, but it sounds very similar. I think the beef heart is the key.

The two most famous Coneys in Detroit are Lafayette and American, and I believe they both sell their sauce by mail order. If I can't find a fix soon, I may have to go that route…

Just wanted to chime in that I love discussions like these, but when I was in Chicago a couple years ago I was terrified of ordering a Chicago dog because I just can't stand pickles and I was afraid I'd be run out of town if I asked them to hold the pickle or was observed removing it…

The Detroit-style Coney sounds delicious though, ditto the Cincinnati (other than the dodgy meat suggestions!).

Nah, we're an easy-going crowd. You can hold any ingredient you want.

Just don't try to add Ketchup.

Good to know!

In Alsip,Demon Dog 11700. So Pulaski!!!!!!!!!! Mike Adams

Thanks for that Mike! I'll have to make a trip down there.

I went to one of the few remaining Dog & Suds locations in Grayslake last weekend. They had a very good Coney, but the service wasn't great. Will have to suffer through it occasionally, though!