If you have Michigan connections, you may also have a fondness for Detroit Coney dogs. Those who have longed for a taste of that classic tube steak topped with meat sauce will have their wishes answered Monday at 11 a.m. with the opening of Rock City Sliders and Coneys, 405 N. Union Blvd. At least that’s the target opening date by owner Aaron Seller, a transplanted Detroit Coney aficionado.

“My wife and I are going to be making the food I grew up eating,” he said.

According to the restaurant’s Facebook page, “(We will have) real fresh sliders made with Colorado grown Aspen Ridge all natural beef that has never been frozen. Real Coneys. Coney fries, onion rings and a bacon wrapped deep fried hot dog. Not to mention the world’s greatest chocolate chip cookies.”

Needless to say, Seller is excited, as I’m sure other Coney hot dog fans will be too.

So exactly what is a Coney hot dog? Depends on who you ask. Those from Flint, Mich., swear by dogs made at the Koegel Meat Co. in Flint for the “snap” of the casing. And the Flint-style Coney is topped with a dryish meat sauce made with ground beef heart.

“Yes, most Flint Coneys use Koegel dogs,” Seller said in an email. “Hebrew National is another famous brand. After a tasting (of several brands), I’m currently using Nathan’s. They are all beef with natural casings, so they will have that snap that Coney dogs are famous for.”

As for the meat sauce, Seller says, “basically it’s a chili sauce but with no beans. My wife has figured out a way to make it without the beef heart and thankfully I’ve had a few Detroit natives that live here now try it and tell us it’s spot on.”

Details: 694-8344, facebook.com/rockcityslidersandconeys.

Palate training

Michaela Hightower, owner of Soiree, 1003 S. Tejon St., has vastly expanded her event and wine classes for the year. She will have 24 wine tasting classes, 10 spirit tasting classes, 12 beer tasting classes, 12 painting and wine workshops and 16 wine and spirits education classes. These are listed under The Curious Palate offerings designed to explore the world of wine, beer and spirits. New this year is The Serious Palate, an offshoot of the Curious Palate for the wine taster who wants to take their wine knowledge beyond the curious and delve into wine’s sense of place andterroir. Details: 633-8313, coloradospringsvenue.com.

Shuttered

Icheeban, 405 N. Union Blvd. has been replaced by the aforementioned Rock City Sliders and Coneys.

Closed for remodel

Phantom Canyon Brewing Co., 2 E. Pikes Peak Ave. is closed until February for a major remodel project.

“KVOR Table Talk”

The radio show is benched Saturday for Air Force Academy basketball.

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