You would walk in and take a seat on a stool at the counter, to order you say something like, "Twelve "all duh way.". And then you sit and watch an amazing single hand assembly. First the steamed buns are skillfully lined up duh ahm from finger tips to elbow, and with swiftness a Rhode Island hot weiner is placed inside each bun.
Next came the stick, mustard was quickly slapped onto each weiner. Then, the top came off the steaming secret meat sauce the mini ladle was filled and meat sauce was spread over each weiner, the ladle went down and the lid was replaced. If you ordered your weiners "all duh way" finely chopped raw onions were dropped on each one by spoonfuls and celery powder was sprinkled over from elbow to finger tip.
Hot Weiners to go
The weiners were removed, usually by twos and placed on wax paper that was laid out and waiting. With quickness and precision the steaming hot weiners were wrapped in the wax paper, and almost instantly a brown paper bag was shook opened and the hot weiners wrapped in waxed paper disappeared into the bag.
You could order your hot weiners "all duh way" or "wid out duh onions." If you ate at the diner you always had a nice big glass of cold coffee milk.
When you ordered your hot weiners to-go (which we normally did) by the time you got home the paper bag was nice and greasy, you poured a glass of milk added some coffee syrup and devoured your hot weiners in three to four bites.
Tip: Never call a New York System Hot Weiner a Hot Dog
Interesting info about RI Hot Weiners
RI hot weiners have nicknames, such as gaggers (gaggahs), belly busters, weeners, and weenies
It's "E before I" when you spell NY System Hot Weiners
Don't call them hot dogs they are hot weiners
The secret meat sauce is a Greek immigrant recipe; it's greasy and a little runny
The drink of choice when eating RI hot weiners is coffee milk
Rhode Islanders speak with a unique accent; Up the arm - Up d'ahm; Three - Tree; Coffee - cawfee; car -cah
All New England Books
Hot Weiner Spots in Rhode Island
The RI hot weiner is unique in a few ways, its taste, its name, its size, its meat sauce, its nicknames, the way it's put together or assembled, the type weiner and the fact that it originated in the smallest state in the United States of America, Rhode Island.
I'm a rather picky eater, but there are a few foods that are favorites and the NY System Hot Weiner is on my list. To simply say they taste good would be an understatement because it's everything about hot weiners that appeals to me. The size is great, not too big and filling. The meat sauce is spicy and goes great with the finely chopped onions. The buns are soft and small like the weiner. Watching how they are made is interesting and builds up your appetite for that first bite. The wax paper and paper bag is soaked and greasy by the time you get home. And the combination of a cold glass of coffee milk and hot weiners is amazing.
A Rhode Island weiner is made with veal and pork not beef, and it has a reddish color. Originally it did not come in links. The weiner was long and would be cut into 4 inch pieces, that is how it got its distinctive flat ends, but today they are made in links. The buns are steamed and hot when served. To topping of an all the way NY System weiner has mustard, the secret meat sauce, chopped raw onions and is sprinkled with celery powder.
I'm a rather picky eater, but there are a few foods that are favorites and the NY System Hot Weiner is on my list. To simply say they taste good would be an understatement because it's everything about hot weiners that appeals to me. The size is great, not too big and filling. The meat sauce is spicy and goes great with the finely chopped onions. The buns are soft and small like the weiner. Watching how they are made is interesting and builds up your appetite for that first bite. The wax paper and paper bag is soaked and greasy by the time you get home. And the combination of a cold glass of coffee milk and hot weiners is amazing.
A Rhode Island weiner is made with veal and pork not beef, and it has a reddish color. Originally it did not come in links. The weiner was long and would be cut into 4 inch pieces, that is how it got its distinctive flat ends, but today they are made in links. The buns are steamed and hot when served. To topping of an all the way NY System weiner has mustard, the secret meat sauce, chopped raw onions and is sprinkled with celery powder.
Rhode Island Hot Weiners
Why are they called New York System Hot Weiners
The origin of NY System Hot Weiners started as far back as 1927, some say even further back to 1915. Greek immigrants who landed at Ellis Island and lived in Brooklyn's Coney Island area later headed north and relocated up in Rhode Island. It is said that they opened up eateries and named their specialty weiners New York System Hot Weiner because of how popular New York was, they believed using New York in the name of their product would be an advantage when it came to marketing. However, over the years many businesses have opened that serve NY System hot weiners. Whether or not they all serve the original "secret meat sauce" is unclear.
One article found, it's written by a Christopher Martin and based on his research of the origin of the famous RI hot weiner he states in part, "...I talked with the owners...scoured microfilmed newspapers for articles and obituaries...and turned to old Providence city directories."
The Providence City Directory is an accurate list of residents with addresses, their occupations or businesses. It has been published annually since around the 1900s, so Christopher's research is pretty thorough and may have narrowed down which business was the first to open.
Many would agree that nothing matters except preserving that unique flavor and style of a NY System Hot Weiner. You really have to take one bite to understand why the Rhode Island weiner is so tasty.
One article found, it's written by a Christopher Martin and based on his research of the origin of the famous RI hot weiner he states in part, "...I talked with the owners...scoured microfilmed newspapers for articles and obituaries...and turned to old Providence city directories."
The Providence City Directory is an accurate list of residents with addresses, their occupations or businesses. It has been published annually since around the 1900s, so Christopher's research is pretty thorough and may have narrowed down which business was the first to open.
Many would agree that nothing matters except preserving that unique flavor and style of a NY System Hot Weiner. You really have to take one bite to understand why the Rhode Island weiner is so tasty.
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.
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.
Where to eat the best hot dogs in the US
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- New York System wiener, Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, you can find the delicious ‘New York system’ wieners (which of course you can’t find in New York). These are very similar to the Coney hotdogs, only the frankfurter is long and thin, made of pork and veal instead of beef. The wiener is served with an aromatic hot sauce that contains cumin, allspice, chili and paprika, and topped with chopped onions, celery salt and mustard.
Karen's Kitchen: Home of the World's Famous Hot Wiener Omelet
Local Diner Delivers!
Karen's Kitchen is located on 347 Waterman Ave in Smithfield, Rhode Island. The phone number is 401-233-0440. The restaurant is a quaint and quiet restaurant. This is a small mom and pop diner that serves breakfast and lunch 7 days a week. The store is open 5a to 1p on most days. It is a great local hang out that takes care in the small detail. The restaurant has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and the charm only builds with the mismatch furniture. This dated "dive" style atmosphere is impeccably clean with throwback portions. The pancakes are enormous and the selection of choices is great. If they don't have it on the menu, they can make if for you. The thick bacon and Irish sausages are top quality. I have not been brave enough to try the hot wiener omelet although I hear its very good.
My husband and I go every other weekend and sometimes we go with the kids and sometimes we get up at the crack of dawn and go just ourselves. The last time I went, I had a banana and walnut pancake with bacon and a cup of tea. I brought a book and relaxed away from the stresses of a crazy week. Nobody rushed me and I enjoyed a long relaxing breakfast.
The pricing is reasonable and the food is a la carte. Be advised it is a cash only restaurant. A breakfast for my husband and I was around $15. A family of 7 with 4 hungry men cost us around $35 dollars including tip. It is a great way to spend a leisurely Saturday or Sunday morning. I'm sure if you venture to the Smithfield area, you'll be one of the regulars that visit this place.
Recipe: Meat Sauce for N.Y. System Wieners
Meat Sauce for N.Y. System Wieners
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
Brown beef with onion. Add everything but water. Bring to a simmer, add water, then simmer 10 to 15 minutes. Serve over wieners in a bun.
Enough for 2 pounds of hot wieners.
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