The Detroit hot dog topped with chili and mustard is called a Coney dog. A Detroit-style Coney typically consists of a beef frankfurter in a steamed bun, covered with beanless meat chili, yellow mustard, and diced white onion.
Despite its name, the style is not generally considered to have originated at Coney Island in New York. The term became associated with Greek immigrant-owned hot dog restaurants in Michigan. Detroit’s American Coney Island opened in 1917, while the nearby Lafayette Coney Island became part of the city’s famous culinary rivalry.
A Coney dog is often confused with a generic chili dog, but Detroit’s version has a distinct regional identity. Its sauce is usually a finely seasoned, meat-based topping rather than a bowl of chunky chili with beans. Michigan also has other Coney traditions, including Flint’s drier, more crumbly style, so the exact sauce varies by city and restaurant.