Hot Weiners (Cardinal)

The Hot Weiners shirt pays homage The hot wiener, a staple of the food culture of Rhode Island where it is primarily sold at "New York System" restaurants. The Rhode Island wiener is made with a small, thin hot dog made of beef, veal and pork, giving it a different taste from a traditional beef hot dog. It is served in a steamed bun, and topped with celery salt, yellow mustard, chopped onions, and a seasoned meat sauce (which includes celery salt and sometimes include cumin, paprika, chili powder and allspice).

The name “New York System” and sometimes “Coney Island System” appeared in Rhode Island in the early 20th century as a marketing strategy when hot dogs were closely associated with New Yorks Coney Island. By the early 1940s, a distinctly Rhode Island product and preparation had evolved among Providence's Greek community, popularized within the state such that the "wieners" served by New York Systems today bear little resemblance to the traditional Coney Island Hot Dog. Restaurateurs continue to use the name as a way to advertise this particular local cuisine.

The question of the oldest New York System is a matter of some debate, with multiple parties making the claim. One of the most widely known is the “Olneyville System”, opened in 1946 and named for Providence's Onleyville neighborhood, but it was the original owner's extended family who operated the Original New York System from 1927 in the Smith Hill neighborhood. Another institution, Sparky's Coney Island System of East Providence, claims an earlier, albeit contested date of 1915.

David Byrne, lead singer and guitarist of the Talking Heads, actually worked at the Smith St. New York System while he attended RISD. It is speculated that the chopping gesture along his arm seen in the video for “Once in a Lifetime” was inspired by lining up hot wieners on his arm and covering them with condiments. The “same as it ever was” is a direct line from the song. 

If you love Rhode Island, and you love Hot Weiners, this T shirt is for you! It also makes a great Rhode Island themed gift. This best selling T shirt is available in both Ketchup and Mustard color. 

I’ll take three all the way, Please.

This original design is printed on Next Level Poly/Cotton blended T Shirt
Color is "Cardinal"

Shirt is 65% Polyester and 35% cotton and is extremely soft and light.
Fabric is pre shrunk

Sizes available are Small, Medium, Large, XL, 2X and 3X

Body Length

S-28  M-29  L-30  XL-31  XXL-32  XXXL-33

Body width

S-19  M-20.5  L-22  XL-24  XXL-26  XXXL-28