Ride to Leo's Coney Island Grand Opening 2/15

Anybody from Michigan and Detroit in particular will appreciate how joyous of an occasion having a Detroit-style coney island in Chicago is. Opening day for Leo's is February 15th. I'm not organizing a ride there but I'd like to meet people there so we can enjoy a few coneys. Details are on the event page. If you want to go, leave a comment on the event page so maybe we can figure out a communal time to meet. If you're not from Michigan, it might be time you see the proper way to serve a hot dog....

http://www.thechainlink.org/events/leos-coney-island-grand

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Permalink Reply by Lee Diamond on February 7, 2010 at 11:00am

Brian,

Why would a Detroit fixture be named after a New York City fixture, and how does that figure into Chicago?

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on February 7, 2010 at 11:35am

Where's the sauerkraut? That's not a Coney Island dog -er, excuse me Frankfurter... and is that KETCHUP is see on that dog???

A Proper Dog is served on a steam-warmed poppy seed bun, mustard (NEVER ketchup), relish (the brighter green the better,) diced onions, tomato slices, celery salt, crisp pickle spear, and sport peppers (optional.)

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Permalink Reply by Vitas on February 7, 2010 at 11:36am

detroit style coney islands, as lore will have it, actually started out in jackson, michigan at a restaurant run by a greek immigrant. his take on the chili dog was named a coney island after coney island, because he wanted to capitalize on the name of a famous vacation spot to lend some cache to his meal. other will say it was it all started, or at least popularized by the brothers who ran competing restaurants, no less next door to each other, all-american and lafeyette coney islands.

now, just as anyone will tell you that a chicago style hot dog is more than just a dog, so it can be said about detroit style coney islands. there is just something about them that make them stand out from what you would expect a regular chili dog to taste like. for me, there's nothing like two detroit style with mustard, chili cheese fries and a can of vernors at lafeyette coney island. i'll take that over a meal at alenia any day.

i've found takes on the detroit coney island at bars here and there in chicago. more of a curiosity, than a main menu item. they never lived up to my expectations. i'm all for a true detroit style coney in chicago. i hope it can come close to the ones back in the d. i'm all for a little taste of home.

as far as how it figures into chicago, just look around at all the other styles of food from tex-mex at twisted lizard, philly cheese steak at philly's best, all the taquerias that bring the best of south of the border, and the neopolitan pizza joints that try to replicate east cost/traditional italy pies. we live in a city of foodies that love to replicate the best from all around. so, why not coney islands?

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Permalink Reply by Lee Diamond on February 8, 2010 at 7:54am

Uh. It satisfies my hunger for knowledge, but I think I will skip the ride/opening/temptation (not).

Now if they have NotDogs, let me know and I might be in.

Cheers! - Lee

Brian Kennedy said:

Mr. Diamond, may I refer you to the more than adequate response provided by Vitas. I hope this satisfies your curiosity as much as a coney would satisfy your palate and make you renounce your vegetarian ways. (=

Lee Diamond said:
Brian,

Why would a Detroit fixture be named after a New York City fixture, and how does that figure into Chicago?