A RHODE ISLAND TRADITION

IN THE 1920′S, NICHOLAS STEVENS AND HIS FATHER ANTHONY EMIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES FROM GREECE AND SETTLED IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK WHERE THEY OPERATED A CANDY SHOP. IN THE LATE 1930′S, THEY MOVED THEIR ENTIRE FAMILY TO RHODE ISLAND AND OPENED A SMALL RESTAURANT AT 8 OLNEYVILLE SQUARE AND SERVED HOT WIENERS AND A SMALL LUNCH MENU. THEN IN 1953, THEY MOVED TO IT’S PRESENT LOCATION AROUND THE CORNER AT 20 PLAINFIELD STREET AND WERE OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY UNTIL 1968. IN 1981, A SECOND LOCATION OPENED AT 1012 RESERVOIR AVE IN CRANSTON AND TO THIS DAY, THE STEVENS FAMILY CONTINUES TO OPERATE THE TWO RESTAURANTS TO WHAT HAS BECOME A RHODE ISLAND TRADITION.

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OLNEYVILLE NEW YORK SYSTEM IS A RHODE ISLAND STAPLE. ASIDE FROM LOCALS, MANY TRAVEL FAR AND WIDE SEEKING "RI'S BEST HOT WIENERS", INCLUDING MANY FAMOUS GUESTS. FROM CULINARY EXPERTS LIKE GUY FIERI AND ALTON BROWN TO SPORTS LEGENDS LIKE ROB GRONKOWSKI, ALL AGREE THAT THERE'S NO WIENER LIKE AN OLNEYVILLE NEW YORK SYSTEM WIENER.