Even Jay Leno Knows This is the Best Hot Dog in Rhode Island
He may have been a day or so early, but Jay Leno was celebrating National Hot Dog Day with a true Rhode Island classic while in Newport this week.
Wally's Wieners on Thames Street in Newport was visited by the late-night legend and I love that he was there to eat Rhode Island's favorite hot dog, the Saughy.
Now, I know on the SouthCoast, it's all about the linguica and chourico, but as a born-and-raised Rhode Islander of a born-and-raised Rhode Islander, we ate a lot of Saughies. In fact, my father won't eat a hot dog unless it is a Saughy and even though he retired to Florida nearly a decade ago, we are all still required to bring cases of Saughies when we visit.
So, to see Jay Leno sitting down to eat Rhode Island's favorite hot dog was pretty awesome.
No word on what brought Leno to Wally's Wieners, but considering the eatery is one of a few on the Audrain Hospitality website and Leno is a well-known supporter of the Audrain Automobile Museum, perhaps they suggested the local hot dog spot to the comedian.
Of course, Leno could have easily found the Newport hot spot on his own. He does have a history of finding things he likes in town and buying them (such as his home) and has certainly been spotted out and about around town before.
The big question remains, however. Did Jay put ketchup or mustard on his Saughy?
Personally, I go for both, but there really is no bad way to enjoy the best hot dog Rhode Island has to offer. Wally's Wieners proves that every day.