Hot wieners received national recognition when Olneyville New York System was named an “America’s Classic” by the James Beard Foundation.
Don’t call them hot dogs and don’t ask for ketchup.
Those are the cardinal rules at Olneyville New York System, arguably the best-known Rhode Island spot for one of the state’s signature dishes: hot wieners.
”Come for the hot wieners and stay for the show,” he said. “Can’t beat it.”
The Food Network’s Guy Fieri
Originally called wiener wurst, the wiener was brought by German Americans. The term is German for Vienna sausage which was eventually shortened to wiener. It is usually used interchangeably with hot dog or frankfurter. Just like Vienna sausage, wieners got their name from Vienna, a city in Austria. They have a texture and taste that are very similar to North American hot dogs, however, they are typically thinner and longer with an edible casing. Wieners may have the same formula as frankfurters.
“It Has Been Said That When You Put Ketchup on A Hot Wiener, It Is a Sin … Here It Is Against the Law!’
Says the sign on the wall at Olneyville New York System
Frankfurters, or franks, can be either be all beef or a beef and pork combination. The term may mean the same thing as hot dog or wiener. Franks are usually seasoned with garlic, pepper, salt, sugar, ground mustard and nutmeg. They are cured, smoked and then cooked. Their size can vary from small cocktail size to big dinner size.