First of all, we apologize for referring to the delicacies served at Olneyville New York System as “hot dogs” — every Rhode Islander knows that’s as big of a mistake as serving them with ketchup. However, putting “hot wiener” in our headline may have been a bit alarming for those who aren’t in the know. Whatever you call the main attractions at Olneyville New York System, it’s absolutely delicious — and it plays a pretty substantial role in our local history.

Olneyville New York System has two locations, one in Providence (pictured here) and one in Cranston.
Olneyville New York System Cranston / Facebook
While the Cranston location opened in 2012, the original location has been on Plainfield Street since 1953. But the history of this company goes back much further.
In the 1920s, Nicholas Stevens emigrated to New York from Greece with his father, Anthony.
Olneyville New York System / Facebook
They settled in Brooklyn, where they operated a candy shop. In the late 1930s, the family moved to Rhode Island, where they opened a small restaurant selling hot wieners and other lunch items.
By 1953, the restaurant had a home at its current location.
Olneyville New York System / Facebook
Back then, hot dogs (which were only called wieners) were associated with Coney Island in New York. By 1940, "New York System" described a distinct style of preparation that evolved in Providence’s Greek community.

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The hot wieners here were -- and are -- prepared in a very specific way, known as "up the arm."
Olneyville New York System / Facebook
The cooks would line an outstretched arm with buns, then with their free hand add the wieners, mustard, meat sauce, onions, and salt in rapid succession.
When you order here, order your meal "all the way" -- it's the only way to go.
Olneyville New York System / Facebook
This means the wiener will be nestled in a bun from Providence’s Homestead Baking Company and topped with house made meat sauce, onions, bran mustard, and celery salt. It is an absolutely delicious and perfect combination, which is why locals have such strong feelings (and not good ones) about adding ketchup. And believe it or not, there is a very distinct difference between a processed, preservative-laden hot dog and a wiener, which is made from beef, pork, or veal, spices, and only one preservative.
You're welcome to put ketchup on your fries, however.
Olneyville New York System Restaurant / Google
And for a true Rhode Island experience, chase your meal with a big glass of coffee milk.
If reading this made you want to take a trip to Olneyville New York System, we highly encourage you to follow that dream.
Olneyville New York System Cranston / Facebook
The hot wiener is an iconic Rhode Island classic, and we'd prefer it if this beloved local treasure was around for another 100 years or more.

Do you remember the first time you visited Olneyville New York System?

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Featured Addresses
Olneyville New York System Restaurant, 18 Plainfield St, Providence, RI 02909, USA
Olneyville New York System Cranston, 1012 Reservoir Ave, Cranston, RI 02910, USA