Throwback Thursday: America's Classic Olneyville New York System

As we soak up the last few days of summer, we can't help but reminisce on all the great meals we've been able to indulge in these past few months—juicy burgers, smoky ribs, crisp vegetables, and the many hot dogs we swaddled in Martin's Potato Rolls. So on this TBT, while we look back on our summer eating, it only makes sense to revisit an old friend, the 2014 JBF America's Classic winner famously known for their hot wieners (the hot dog's beloved cousin), Olneyville New York System. 

Despite its name, this bastion of meat serves food that is distinctive to Rhode Island. Long ropes of wieners (a mixture of beef, pork, and veal) are slathered with mustard, topped with meat sauce, sprinkled with celery salt and onions, and served in a steamed bun. To round out an Olneyville signature meal, salt-and-vinegar French fries are a must, along with their famous coffee milk, another Rhode Island classic where milk is flavored with a sweetened coffee concentrate called coffee syrup.

Stephanie Stevens Turini and Greg Stevens, siblings and fourth-generation owners, have kept the hot wiener tradition alive and more than thriving, turning this multigenerational family spot into a late-night haunt for college students and the first stop from the airport for returning natives. And even though the summer is coming to an end quicker than we want it to, we take comfort in knowing we can get our hot wiener fix year-round at Olneyville New York System.

Hilary Deutsch is editorial assistant at the James Beard Foundation. Find her on Instagram.