It's not a Hot Dog it's a Hot Weiner

Do you have a favorite food that you grew up eating? Have you moved away from your hometown to a place that doesn't have the food you miss and crave from time to time? New York System Hot Weiners that is one food that makes me homesick. Who wants some weeners? Or "How many gaggers you want? Those words were music to my ears growing up.

As a matter of fact, going to get hot weiners was a treat. John's New York Systems was a small diner, you'd walk in and the smell of the spicy meat sauce would fill your nostrils. Hot weiners were laid out on the grill, the buns were steaming, a pot of the special meat sauce was always ready and freshly chopped onions, mustard and celery powder were waiting. Your taste buds would wake up, at least mine did.

It was fascinating watching the man behind the counter as he moved non-stop. He was like a one man assembly line. Hot weiners are made in a very unique way, up dah ahm in Rhode Island speak. It's quick and takes concentration, balance and skill to put together a New York System Hot Weiner.

People ordered dozens at a time, and the small sandwich shop was always packed. Cars lined up along the curbside and no sooner one car pulled away with its weiners in tow another car would pull in. Sometimes you'd see cars doubled parked, and lined around the corner on side street. That is no exaggeration.