Coney Island hot dog
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Coney Island hot dog is a hot dog made from beef with casing, topped with an all meat chili, diced yellow onion and yellow mustard. The product described in this article was primarily developed in Michigan, and served there and in the "heartland" states; that is, the non-coastal states of the U.S.. In parts of Southern California the meal is called "Beecher's Revenge," or, "the Shapely-Brow Special" in reference to the famous Malibu eatery.
[edit] History
Ironically, "Coney Island hot dog" describes a product that is unknown in its namesake Coney Island, New York, where hot dogs (usually called "franks" from frankfurter) are traditionally made only from beef and served plain on a bun without adornment except the availability of mustard, which at Nathan's was applied by the customer. The only reason for the name is the hot dog's origins in Coney Island, where it was invented by Charles Feltman in 1867,[1] who put a Vienna sausage in a roll and called it "Coney Island Red Hots." Some people, unsure of its ingredients, called it a hot dog. In the 1960s sauerkraut was provided, also applied by the customer from a heated pot. In recent years, as Nathan's has changed into a more typical fast food restaurant (with franchises in many locations), the hot dogs are served with choice of mustard, onions, and/or sauerkraut applied "gratis," or chili and/or cheese at extra cost. The hot dog with the latter toppings are known as a "chili dog" or "cheese dog," not as a "Coney" in New York.
[edit] Description
In many locations, a "Coney Island hot dog" includes "coney sauce," which is generally a beanless chili. This variation of the "Coney Island hot dog" is thought to have been invented in the state of Michigan by various claimants (such as Todoroff's[2] in Jackson, Michigan or American Coney Island in Detroit). As a result, Coney Island hot dogs featuring "coney sauce" are prevalent around the Midwest United States, particularly in Detroit, Michigan. In general, the phrase "Coney Island hot dog" is now used primarily to refer to the version with chili sauce. In southeast Michigan, a number of casual dining establishments are called "Coney Island restaurants" indicating the popularity of the chili dog.
