We were exploring Rhode Island west of I-295 when we stopped for lunch at the Gentleman Farmer Diner on Rte 44 between Harmony and Chepachet. I had been thinking about Rhode Island local favorites since our Christmas Day jaunt down to Point Judith, where we saw the clam shacks and Del's Frozen Lemonade stands shuttered for winter, looking forlorn.

There was nothing about the Gentleman Farmer that particularly called out "Local Favorites Here!". It's just like many other comfortable, humble diners in that part of the state. But we were hungry and it looked sanitary, so we pulled in.

It didn't take long for me to find my lunch: an NYS Wiener. What's an NYS Wiener? It's not a hot dog, which was right below it on the menu for maybe 50 cents more. But it is certainly of the family of Hot Dogs. I asked the (very busy) waitress what it is, and she replied "A New York System Wiener" but there was a hint of a question mark at the end of the answer that told me this particular wiener is always known as an NYS Wiener, and the details are immaterial.

I ordered it. She said "Loaded" and there was the hint of no question mark at the end of it, so I assumed that's how it's served in those parts and went with the flow. You can see the results above. 

After getting home I did some research on this wiener business. I had seen wiener places before in Rhode Island (and only in Rhode Island), and I had even seen New York System Wieners on a few signs in Providence and East Providence (I think). I am not quite sure where the New York System fit into the picture, but it is a unique production: the wiener is made in a sort of continuous rope and cut off into equal-length servings. The means the wiener has cut-off ends, not rounded and tied-off ends. It is on the slim side, much smaller than a Pearl hot dog, for example.

It is served with a whole cabinet of condiments, which include a meat sauce, chopped onions, mustard and ketchup, and celery salt, that Rhode Island favorite. I had one, and that was enough for a lunch despite its small size, thanks to the rich meat sauce. It reminds me of the Michigan Hot Dogs that you can find along the western shore of Lake Champlain.

Now I want to see how many Rhode Island favorite local foods I can find!

NOTE: If you frequently misspell "wiener" the way I did until just now, here's how to remember it: frankfurters come from Frankfurt, and wieners come from Wien, which is Vienna. Don't confuse yourself with the absurd fact that the Wiener was invented in Vienna by a butcher from Frankfurt, so in Vienna these dogs are called Fankfurters!