Where to Get Hot Dogs and Wieners in Rhode Island

Loaded hot dogs at Wally’s Wieners. Courtesy of Heritage Restaurant Group

With Independence Day behind us, you might think there is no other major holiday to celebrate in July. That assumption would be incorrect, however, because July 15 marks National Hot Dog Day. Yes, there is in fact an entire day devoted to glizzies (I didn’t make up the nickname, okay?). And because Rhode Island is partial to their cousin, the wiener (again, I’m just the messenger here), plenty of local establishments not only have delicious dogs on the menu, but are also delivering dynamo deals. Here’s where you can celebrate accordingly.

Wally’s Wieners

This popular comfort-food franchise offers up more than just the dish in their name. If you’re a glizzy enthusiast, take a look at either location’s loaded dog menu, which features options like the Fancy Pants Dog (a truffle buttered bun topped with caviar, crème fraîche, dill and chives), the New Englander (fresh lobster sautéed in butter and Old Bay on a garlic-toasted bun with scallions) and the Toronto Dog (hot honey maple bacon with garlic aioli). And okay, you should never pass up the opportunity to indulge in one of their wieners either. Wally’s just rolled out a new specialty menu of Pocket Rockets. For just $14 each, you can sink your teeth into a Stuffed Crust (garlic bread bun, marinara, mozzarella, pepperoni and hot honey), Rhody Stuffer (meat sauce, celery salt, diced onions and mustard), Street Corn (house-made street corn and jalapeño aioli), King Caesar (Caesar salad, French fries and parmesan) or Can of Corn (deep-fried corn dog with ketchup, mustard and mayo). 464 Thames St., Newport, 401-236-1760, wallyswieners.com; 120 Atwells Ave., 401-648-3330, wallysprovidence.com

Debbie’s

According to our editor-in-chief, the newer-to-the-scene Debbie’s on Washington is a hot spot for hot dogs. She says their versions are, “Sabrett all-beef franks snuggled into tried-and-true Martin’s potato buns. The dogs are piled with toppings from simple sauerkraut and Grey Poupon for the ‘Lingwall,’ to ‘the Bacon One,’ with bacon jam, crispy onions, whole grain mustard and chives. They even have a hot dog tribute to Rhode Island Dynamite with meat sauce, USA cheddar cheese and French’s mustard.” You can read more here. And while Debbie’s took a well deserved vacation at the beginning of July, they will be open just in time to deliver dogs on National hot Dog Day. 100 Washington St., Providence, debbiesri.com

Ogie’s Trailer Park

The Granny Boo’s Kitchen walk-up window inside Ogie’s Trailer Park may be most hailed for their tots (especially once you have a few Ogie’s drinks in you), but hear us out about the Hot D’Ogies. The large plain version (no size jokes here) comes out perfectly simmered on a buttered bun while the Coney Ogie is lovingly drenched in chili and cheddar bechamel — both of which can be substituted with vegan options. But yes, you should still pair them with a basket of tots (bonus points if you go ranch-dusted or French Canadian). 1155 Westminster St., Providence, 401-383-8200, ogiestrailerpark.com

Narragansett Brewery

It may be a day late (National Hot Dog Day falls on a Wednesday this year), but we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Narragansett’s weekly special. Stop by the taproom on a Thursday to get your fill of $1 hot dogs. If you can’t make it on a Thursday, the brewery still offers one for $6 or two for $8 (all that with a bag of chops) as well as saugy dogs topped in housemade chili and cheddar cheese for $6 each. 271 Tockwotton St., Providence, 401-437-8970, narragansettbeer.com

Olneyville New York System

Perhaps one of the most well-known wiener joints in the local land, Olneyville is of course serving up some specials on National Hot Dog Day. Head to this iconic institution and order two wieners all the way (you know, meat sauce, onions and celery salt), fries and a soda for just $12.95, or a true Rhode Islander meal of two wieners all the way, fries and a coffee milk for $14.21. 18 Plainfield St., Providence, 401-621-9500; 1012 Reservoir Ave., Cranston, 401-437-8248, olneyvillenewyorksystem.com

Wein-O-Rama

Okay, Wein-o-Rama in Cranston may be all about the wieners and not the dogs, but you can’t deny a cozy diner that’s been a local go-to for more than sixty years. Plus, the prices are unmatched: a hot weiner all the way for just $3.25 a pop? Say less. 1009 Oaklawn ave., Cranston, 401-943-4990, weinoramari.com

Rod’s Grill

Another wiener winner (sorry, not sorry), Rod’s Grill first introduced the Warren community to its fan-favorite hot wiener sauce back in 1955. Step inside for a classic hometown diner feel and sit down for a wiener “with the works” and a side of wiener sauce-loaded fries. 6 Washington St., Warren, 401-245-9405, rodsgrilleri.com

Sam’s New York System

And if you just can’t get enough of the stuff, you need to head to the family-run Sam’s in Warwick where they offer all you can eat wieners and fries. Diners are even encouraged to try and beat the record for number of wieners consumed in a single hour. The current record is eighteen, if you’re feeling particularly peckish (and brave). 6 Freeborne St., Warwick, 401-742-2105, samsnys.com