Coney Flats -- a New Twist

Leave it to Michigan, where Coney Island is a food and not a place, for people to innovate and invent with one of the favorite local foods.

We have seen (and eaten) Coney dogs, Coney pizza, Coney tacos and Coney Island potato chips.

In East Lansing, we found another variation at a place called Flats Grille, "Home of the flat sandwich."

The eatery is located at 551 E. Grand River Ave., just next to Flat, Blackand Circular, a record store, at 541.

In Flats Grille, you can order all manner of sandwiches and a pretty good shake.

The Coney Flat is unlike anything we've seen before. It is basically a cut-up hot dog with a beany chili inside a folded flour tortilla. The concoction is cut into wedge-shaped pieces and looks for all the world like a quesadilla at a Fourth of July picnic.

We gave Flats points for creativity and initiative and suggested that, for true Detroit authenticity, they find a beanless chili. Onions and mustard would help. too.