The Great Michigan Coney Conflict: Flint, Detroit, or… Jackson?

I was told that when I came to Michigan, I was going to have to “pick a side regarding the coneys.” I was told my choices were either Flint or Detroit and that’s when the questions started. I went to residents of the Greater Lansing area for answers, and really, all I got was more questions.

 QUESTION #1: WHAT, SPECIFICALLY, IS A CONEY? 

Answer #1: A coney is a hot dog with meat sauce, mustard, and onion. 

Answer #2: A coney is a hot dog with seasoned ground meat, mustard, and onion. 

Answer #3: A coney is a hot dog with seasoned ground beef heart, mustard, and onion. 

Answers #4–#12: All the above but without mustard, without onion, or without both. 

 Oh, we are off to a fantastic start. Deep breath... 

QUESTION #2: SO, ARE THEY CHILI DOGS?  

Answer #1: No, not at all 

Answer #2: Yes!  

Answer #3: Not necessarily...?  

Ah, jeez. Okay. Let’s come at this from another angle... 

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QUESTION #3: WHAT IS A DETROIT-STYLE CONEY?  

Answer: It’s a hot dog, on a bun, with a chili/soupy/wet/runny-style meat sauce. 

(This was the ONLY question EVERYONE agreed on!)  

Finally getting somewhere.  

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QUESTION #4: WHAT IS A FLINT-STYLE CONEY? 

Answer #1: A Flint-style coney is a hot dog, on a bun, with dry/loose seasoned ground meat on top. 

Answer #2: A Flint-style coney is a hot dog, on a bun, with dry/loose seasoned ground meat on top that’s usually made from beef heart. 

Answer #3: A Flint-style coney is a hot dog, on a bun, ALWAYS made with dry/loose seasoned ground beef heart on top.  

Here we go again...  

QUESTION #5: SOMEONE MENTIONED A JACKSON CONEY...WHAT IS THAT? 

Answer #1: [shrugs shoulders]

Answer #2: A Jackson-style coney is a hot dog, on a bun, with dry/loose seasoned ground meat on top that’s usually made from beef heart. 

Answer #3: A Jackson-style coney is a hot dog, on a bun, with dry/loose seasoned ground beef heart on top.  

Roger that. So...

QUESTION #6: IS A JACKSON-STYLE CONEY IS THE SAME AS A FLINT-STYLE CONEY? 

Answer #1: I guess...? 

Answer #2: Possibly. But people in Jackson say they invented the meat that goes on top. 

Answer #3: NO!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! THEY ARE DIFFERENT! JACKSON DID IT FIRST AND BETTER AND IT SHOULD ALWAYS BE CALLED A JACKSON CONEY BECAUSE FLINT STOLE IT FROM US!!! 

Alrighty then—backing away slowly.

QUESTION #7: WHAT IF I ADD RELISH TO IT? 

Answer #1: No, then it’s not a Flint or Detroit coney, it’s a chili cheese dog. 

Answer #2: Why would you do that? 

Answer #3: That makes it a Chicago-style coney.  

What the...AAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHH!  

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It’s apparent that this is a debate that’s been going on for eons— in the same vein as would the Wolverines have won if the refs had ACTUALLY called Webber for traveling instead of giving the team a technical foul for the time-out that wasn't there.  

I don't think there’s a clear-cut winner when it comes to which is better Flint/Jackson or Detroit. Though Detroit may win based on population alone. But here’s what I have learned with this experiment: 

• The meat sauce on the Detroit-style coneys would go great on fries with some cheese. 
• The seasoned beef (heart or whatever) from the Flint/Jackson-style coney would be amazing on tortilla chips with melty cheese, maybe some beans, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Y’all do call that “nachos” up here, right?
• Sparty’s Coney Island in Lansing serves both kinds and they are amazing. Plus, the head-sized cinnamon rolls are outstanding!!! 

FINAL QUESTION: WHICH STYLE OF CONEY DO I RECOMMEND?  

The Virginian: grilled foot-long hot dog on a toasted bun, with chili, cheese, and vinegar slaw—but only if the hot dog isn’t red. Because then it’s a Martinsville Dog.