RI’s ultimate food challenges: The toughest food competitions in the Ocean State

 

 

RI’s ultimate food challenges: The toughest food competitions in the Ocean State

Savana Dunning

Olneyville New York System's Hot Weiner Challenge

18 Plainfield St., Providence(401) 621-9500

The archetypal challenge of the competitive eating scene, other than the classic Washington County Fair pie-eating contest, is the hot dog eating competition. Nathan’s, famously, holds an annual Fourth of July contest wherein Chestnut set a new record in 2021 for eating 76 dogs and their buns in 10 minutes.

Rhode Island, however, deals not in naked beef hot dogs but in dressed-up beef, pork and veal hot wieners. At Olneyville New York System, the culinarily competitive are tasked with eating as many wieners as they can within a 45-minute time limit. The sausages come five-at-a-time and are served "all the way," with their traditional meat sauce, mustard, celery salt and chopped onions in tow. As of May 2025, the current record sits at 45 wieners in 15 minutes, according to the restaurant’s Providence location.

What Is A New York System Wiener And What Makes It Different From A Typical Hot Dog?

 

 

 

Wandering the crowded streets of New York City, you'll most likely spot a hot dog cart on every corner. Any hot dog fan worth their salt knows that part of what makes New York City-style hot dogs unique is the "dirty water" method and the other part comes from delicious simplicity. However, if you ask a New Yorker where to find one of these New York System Wieners you've heard so much about, you're going to get some funny looks, since the savory sausage isn't even made in the Empire State!

 

A New York System Wiener is a type of sausage made from a mix of pork and veal that's been highly popularized in the state of Rhode Island. It's entirely different from the similarly-shaped hot dogs, which are typically made from only pork (or a combination of pork and beef or chicken). "Hot wieners," as they're sometimes called, are served on a steamed bun with mustard, meat sauce, onions, and celery salt in that very specific order– any other way will apparently earn you a red flag. The meat sauce isn't tomato-based, which means the New York System Wieners are definitely not chili hot dogs and instead more of a grease-based concoction loaded with spicy flavors. The "gaggers" (another affectionate nickname) are never served with ketchup and always served alla arm service, lined up on the cook's forearm as it's loaded with toppings. And no, "wiener" isn't a typo.

 

How New York System Wieners became synonymous with Rhode Island

New York System Wieners certainly make our list of the 11 foods you have to try if you visit Rhode Island, and have been a staple in the state for over a hundred years. Back in the 1900s, when the New York City hot dog was a novelty concept quickly making its way to fame, the name "New York System" was slapped onto specific dogs to easily distinguish authenticity. The style of preparing the meat took on a life of its own and spread into the Greek community of Providence, Rhode Island. It was during this time that the Stevens family opened Olneyville New York System, which became the hottest spot in town for a belly-buster.

 

Olneyville New York System is well-known in the Rhode Island community for serving the best New York System Wieners, complete with all the toppings and prepared properly -– on someone's arm. The restaurant earned an American Classics medal from the James Beard Foundation in 2014 for its incredible hot wienies and proudly serves the gaggers to customers from all walks of life until the ripe hour of 3 a.m. on weekends. If you're itching for a New York System Wiener, you'll have to take a trip to the Ocean State and order a few (because it's customary to eat more than one) or try your hand at crafting this hot weenie at home. However, you definitely won't find it on the streets of Manhattan.

Wein-O-Rama closes

 

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — An iconic staple in Cranston has reportedly closed.

Wein-O-Rama opened on Oaklawn Avenue in 1962 for breakfast, lunch, and of course – hot wieners.

ABC 6 news crews observed the “closed” sign on the window during normal business hours.

Little Rhody Wieners and Hot Dogs, a Rhode Island manufacturer of weiners, shared a Facebook message today wishing the owners, George and Ernie Sotarikos, a great retirement.

“It was our pleasure doing business with you for all these years,” they stated.

Sad news

 The Weiner Genie will close on Feb. 3.2023

The business noted that the past several years have been very difficult.

Staffing has been an issue, as well as the owner's personal health.

"COVID definitely made things very challenging for all of us. The current work climate has been very difficult to navigate and without sufficient staff and without sufficient support in the kitchen it fell more heavily on me to pick up the slack. I did so but at a cost," the post said. "After after much discussions with our family, we have made the difficult decision to close."

Weiner Genie thanked customers for their loyalty.

Weiners

 

Weiners

 

Countless Celebrities Have Loved This Iconic Rhode Island Diner For Decades

  

Rhode Islanders know good food and, in some cases, they’re responsible for that good food. Like New York Systems, also commonly known as hot wieners, a hot dog topped with meat sauce, onions, mustard, and celery sauce. You’ll find a few places that grill some downright delicious hot wieners, a scrumptious Rhode Island invention. However, this iconic Rhode Island diner has been drawing locals and celebrities since the 1930s.

With locations in Providence and Cranston, Olneyville New York System bills itself as serving the best hot wieners in Rhode Island. However, you’ll really want to judge for yourself by sinking your teeth into one of their New York Systems.

 

One bite into a classic hot wiener, and, well, you might think you’re in paradise. You’ll certainly understand why this diner in Rhode Island has gotten plenty of attention over the years and from some pretty big names.

 

It should come as little surprise, then, that this Rhode Island original has attracted such famous chefs as Guy Fieri and Alton Brown.

 

Some beloved sports figures, including former New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski, have also stopped by for a famous hot wiener.

 

Whether you’re craving a snack or a meal, you’ll quickly find a hot wiener fits the bill. How many will you order? One or two? Maybe more?

 

While a hot wiener is sure to fill you up, it always pairs well with such classic sides as fries, chili cheese fries, cheese fries, and onion rings. Or how about an order of sweet potato fries?

 

Olneyville New York System is famous for its hot wieners, but that’s not all it serves. You’ll also find other favorites – cheeseburgers, BLTs, and grilled cheese – on the menu, too.

 

If you ever find yourself craving a New York System but can’t get to Providence or Cranston, Olneyville New York System’s got you covered. Stock up on wieners and wiener sauce on your next visit.