There are food rankings... and then there are rankings that make Michiganders spit out their lunch.

The latest hot dog showdown from The New York Times has crowned the Seattle Dog as the Best Regional Hot Dog in America.

Really?

If you've never had one, a Seattle Dog is topped with cream cheese, grilled onions, mustard, and sometimes jalapeños.

Celebrity chef José Andrés, one of the judges, even called the cream cheese the "diplomat" because it brings all the flavors together.

That's nice.

But let's address the elephant... or should we say Coney Dog... in the room.

Detroit Didn't Just Lose... Michigan Lost Its Mind

According to the taste test, the Seattle Dog beat out some legendary competitors, including the:

 Chicago Dog

 New York Dog

Cincinnati-style Dog

Arizona Sonoran Dog

Kansas City Dog

West Virginia Dog

...and yes...

 Detroit's legendary Coney Dog.

Excuse us?!

Here in Michigan, the Coney Dog isn't just food... it's practically a personality trait.

A perfectly steamed bun.

An all-beef hot dog.

That famous meaty Coney sauce.

A stripe of mustard.

A pile of diced onions.

Simple. Classic. Perfect.

No cream cheese required.

 And While We're At It...

Can we also give some love to the Flint-style Coney Dog?

Detroit and Flint have been "arguing" for decades over whose Coney reigns supreme.

Detroit fans swear by the rich, saucy chili topping.

Flint loyalists will tell you the dry beef heart Coney sauce is the only authentic way to do it.

The truth?

Michigan is lucky enough to have TWO iconic Coney Dogs.

Seattle has one.

We've got an entire rivalry.

So... Cream Cheese?

Does cream cheese belong on a hot dog?

Maybe.

Will we try one someday?

Sure.

Will it ever replace a Detroit or Flint Coney?

Not a chance.

Around here, the real debate isn't Seattle versus Chicago or New York.

It's Detroit or Flint?

Now that's an argument worth having.