Coney Island dogs are prepared differently in the different boroughs of New York; Chicago, Illinois; Detroit and Flint, Michigan. There are also many recipes that have been developed throughout the country from some not-so-traditionally "coney" places.

Here are my favorite variations on those recipes:

COOKING THE DOG

Cook 1 package all beef "Deli" or "N.Y Deli" hot dogs in (Optional) 1/2 cup beer and 3 cups water or just water. Add 1/4 teaspoon Caraway Seeds and 2 crushed cloves of fresh garlic. Bring to a boil and immediately set to lowest heat. Simmer for about 20 minutes.

Use fresh, soft buns or lightly toasted buns prepared under a broiler or face down in a fry pan. Using STEAMED poppy seed buns and Vienna Beef hot dogs is traditionally the "Chicago" coney style.


SPECIAL CONEY SAUCE

1/2 lb. ground chuck
3 boiled, all-beef hot dogs, ground (some recipes use ground beef heart here)
1 cup ketchup
1 and 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup dill pickle relish
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 tablespoons A&W Root Beer
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon green olives, ground
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 teaspoons ground cumin

In a medium saucepan, fry ground meat, crumbling with a fork, until no longer pink. Add the ketchup, water, relish, onion, mustard, chili powder, ground hot dogs, Root Beer, salt, cayenne pepper, green olives, allspice, worcestershire, garlic powder, cinnamon and cumin. Stir well to blend, then stir occasionally while simmering for about 20-25 minutes. Thin with water if needed. Serves 12-14


OTHER CONEY TOPPINGS:

Grated Mild Cheddar Cheese
Chopped Sweet Onion (see prep below)
Sauerkraut (Rinsed)
Ketchup
Mustard


SPECIAL CONEY ONIONS

3 very large onions, sliced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt & Pepper
1 cup of marinara sauce
2-3 tbsp paprika

Saute onions in olive oil. Add salt and pepper.
When onions are translucent, about 7 minutes, add marinara sauce and stir in the paprika. Simmer on medium-low for at least 20 minutes.

I hope you enjoy these recipes. I look forward to hearing from you about YOUR favorite variations and/or how you enjoyed this recipe!