I could care less. Really.
On a serous note, there's nothing remarkable about a dish in one region differing from a dish of the same name in another region. Or that a dish might have numerous variations. Or that similar dishes might have different names.
Corn dogs have a bunch of different names around the world, and to some extent, even region to region within the same country.
"Barbecue" certainly means different things in different regions, and even in different countries.
There's this, from the Font of All Wisdom and Knowledge:
A Monte Cristo sandwich is an egg-dipped or batter-dipped ham and cheese sandwich that is pan or deep fried. It is a variation of the French croque monsieur.
From the 1930s to the 1960s, American cookbooks had recipes for this sandwich under such names as "French sandwich", "toasted ham sandwich", and "French toasted cheese sandwich". The Monte Cristo sandwich supposedly entered the scene in the 1960s in Southern California, and exploded in popularity after the Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland began serving it.
Description
In most regions, the sandwich is savory rather than sweet. Traditionally, it is dipped in its entirety in beaten egg and pan-fried, though it may also be deep-fried. Regional variations may include sliced turkey. In some areas of the contiguous U.S. it is served grilled; in others, it is an open sandwich with only the bread egg-dipped and the assembled sandwich heated slightly under a grill or broiler. Some restaurants serve a variation that is batter-dipped and deep-fried. The Monte Cristo is sometimes covered in powdered sugar and served with maple syrup or preserves.
I've had French Toast with maple syrup, and I've had French Toast covered in powdered sugar.
I like chili without beans, but I'm sure that most "chili" made in the USA--even when advertised as "Texas-style chili"--has beans in it. Not in the ghost town of Terlingua, Texas, of course, but in other 99.9999999999% of the country.
I do think that a meatless chili isn't the real thing. Ersatz-chili, maybe. Same way with a hamburger.
And speaking of many variations, consider those of the hamburger. And of the hot dog. And pizza. And goulash.