Rhode Island’s Beloved Hot Dog Spot in Cranston Is Back Open

Wein-O-Rama, the beloved Cranston hot dog joint known for its classic Rhode Island “all the way” weenies, has officially reopened under new ownership, and did it in style.

To kick things off, competitive eating champion Geoff Esper stopped by and ate a staggering 48 hot dogs in just 30 minutes. Let that settle in for just a minute. That's a lot of weiners!

Local businessman Chris Tasca, who grew up going to Wein-O-Rama with his late father, partnered with friend Eric Beaune to buy and revive the iconic eatery after it briefly shut its doors last August.

“This was never just a business decision,” Tasca said. “This was a personal mission. Wein-O-Rama was my reset zone... a place I’d go to decompress. Now, it’s my way of keeping my father’s memory alive and giving back to a community staple.”

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The reopening took place on June 22, and Esper, a world-renowned competitive eater and teacher by trade, happily set a house record. He devoured the dogs “all the way,” which includes meat sauce, chopped onions, celery salt and mustard on a steamed bun.

“He hit 20 in five minutes and said he wasn’t even full after 48,” Tasca said. “It was wild.”

The reopening celebration was a viral hit, with more than a million combined views on social media platforms. Tasca initially reached out to competitive eating icon Joey Chestnut, who couldn't attend but recommended Esper in his place.

Open six days a week (Tuesday through Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Wein-O-Rama continues to serve breakfast, lunch and handles large catering orders. One loyal customer from Narragansett once ordered 78 hot dogs, earning a spot in the restaurant’s weekly “most gets the post” tradition.

Tasca said Wein-O-Rama is for everyone; from boomers who remember it from decades past to today’s younger families, tradespeople, professionals and everyone in between.

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As for a recommendation? “Three all the way and a coffee milk,” Tasca said. “You can’t beat it, especially this week heading into the Fourth of July.”