What is it about Rhode Island’s love affair with New York System Hot Weiners that keeps them in the spotlight year after year? Locals affectionately refer to them as  Hot Weenies, Belly Busters, Gaggers, Gaggas, Systems and my newly created favorite – “Colon Blowers.”

Wien-O-Rama - Cranston

One of the most comprehensive explanations regarding the history of the N.Y. System was from Christopher Martins “Whence Came The First New York System?”

Cosmic Steak, Pizza & Weiners - Warwick

According to the article, the origins of the “New York System” can be traced back to Greek immigrants whose first experience in America was based largely in the Buroughs of NYC – namely Brooklyn’s Coney Island.

Sparkey's Coney Island System - East Providence

Although speculation surrounding the “Original”  N.Y. System/Coney Island location in Rhode Island will continue to be debated, the benefactors of this culinary pariah continue consuming them without a major concern.

Original New York System - Providence

Rod's Grill - Warren

The RhodeCrew (along with help from 30+ “N. Y. System loving”  judges with iron stomachs ) set out to find the best of the best “Hot Wiener in the Rhode” – ordered “all the way” (meat sauce, chopped onion, mustard and celery salt).

M & M New York System Restaurant - East Providence

The ForkintheRhode.com judges based their results on the following scoring categories: Appearance, Steamed Bun, Wiener Texture, Meat Sauce, Onions and Overall One-Bite Taste.

Lumber-Jacks-Pizza 'n Wieners - North Smithfield

Having sampled over 200 hot wieners from over 37 different locations statewide, we can honestly conclude that the  existing love affair may not merely be the System’s individual components, but the sum of its parts.

North Kingstown House of Pizza

The overall One-Bite Taste is where everything about the product works together for a very unique and addictive experience.

Olneyville New York System - Providence

We can tell you that many of these community based establishments have been around for years and their multi-generational customer base are fiercely loyal. The atmosphere in these restaurants is just as their customers have come to expect – familiar, uncomplicated and friendly. The menu prices affordable.

Ferrucci's Original New York System - West Warwick

The bar stool counters encourage talking to your neighbors, and are still as popular today as they were years ago.

Any good Rhode Islander knows how to order – “2 all-the-way with fries and a large coffee milk!” In that moment, life doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.

In alphabetical order, here are the top 10 locations where the Hot Wieners were scored the highest:

• Cosmic Steak, Pizza & Weiners
• Ferrucci’s Original New York System
• Lumber-Jacks-Pizza ‘n Wieners
• M & M New York System Restaurant
• North Kingstown House of Pizza
• Olneyville New York System
• Original New York System
• Rod’s Grill
• Sparky’s Coney Island System
• Wein-O-Rama

Feel free to sample and judge N.Y. Systems Wieners in the following locations as we did. We “double-dog-dare” you!

• A&W Restaurant                                                              Greenville
• Barbara’s Place                                                                 Woonsocket
• Bucci’s                                                                                  Lincoln
• Connie and Nikki’s Restaurant and Creamery     Pawtucket
• Cosmic Steak, Pizza & Weiners                                   Warwick
• Dot’s Dairy Bar & Grille                                                 Pawtucket
• Ferrucci’s Original New York System                     West Warwick
• Fidas Restaurant                                                              Providence
• George’s Grill New York System                                Cranston
• George’s Pizza ‘N Pub                                                      Burrillville
• Harry’s New York System                                            Warwick
• Hoxie New York System                                               Warwick
• Jesse’s New York System II                                         West Warwick
• John’s New York Systems                                             Providence
• Kip’s Restaurant                                                                Pawtucket
• Lumber-Jacks-Pizza ‘n Wieners                                  North Smithfield
• M & M New York System Restaurant                       East Providence
• Moonlight House of Weiners                                       Woonsocket
• New York Lunch                                                               Woonsocket
• Nick’s New York System                                                West Warwick
• North Kingstown House of Pizza                                North Kingstown
• Oatley’s Family Restaurant                                          North Kingstown
• Olneyville N.Y. System                                                 Providence
• Original New York System                                           Providence
• Peter’s Coney Island                                                       Warwick
• Plouffe’s Cup n Saucer                                                    Pawtucket
• Right Spot Diner                                                               Pawtucket
• Riverside Kitchen New York System                       East Providence
• Rod’s Grill                                                                            Warren
• Sam’s New York System                                                North Providence
• Santoro’s Pizza                                                                   Coventry
• Snoopy’s Diner                                                                   North Kingstown
• Sparky’s Coney Island System                                    East Providence
• Stykee’s                                                                                Warwick
• Taso’s N.Y. System                                                          Johnston
• Weiner Genie                                                                     Lincoln
• Wein-O-Rama                                                                    Cranston

Note: On behalf of  the RhodeCrew, we would like to offer our sincerest thanks to the volunteer judges who helped make this N.Y. System Weiner Challenge a success!

• Andy, Beth, Bill W, Chris F, Don L, Ed M, Eddy M, Erik M, Gary B, Jeannie M, Jerry D, Jimmy B, John A, Jack A, Jordan F, Krysten R, Lisa C, Lou M Jr & Sr, Mike D, Natalie F, Nick V, Claire P, Rae C, Rich B, Rich E, Richard C, Rob T, Roberta N, Rosie W, Ryan D, Tammy L, Tom M, Vin O, Vinny L, and YQ.