NEWPORT FOOD SCENE: With Wally's Wieners, dog days aren't limited to just the summer

I’m not sure why hot dogs have been relegated to the status of summer food.

Sure, they're a great choice in the summer months. Perfect for after a long day at the beach. What’s a cookout or ballgame without one?

But a hot dog in the winter can be equally tasty. In fact, a winter hot dog allows you to get a little more creative with hearty toppings that'll help fill you up. Save the hot dog with mustard for the Fourth of July. Grab the hot dog topped with chili and onions in February.

Thankfully, in Newport, we’ve had Ben’s Chili Dogs on Broadway meeting those cravings for over 50 years. A couple of Ben’s chili cheese dogs with kraut will keep you nourished for days. It’s a not-so-hidden gem where any hot dog fan will make a regular stop.

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And now, on the other end of town on Lower Thames, there’s a new option. Welcome to the Newport food scene, Wally’s Wieners. The City-by-the-Sea is turning into a hot dog heaven.

Wally’s isn’t exactly new.

Named after their golden doodle Wally, owners Brad and Morgan Head have been operating a successful hot dog cart since 2019 at area events and parties. When demand for their hot dogs took up their entire schedule, they realized it was time to find a more permanent home.

When Harry’s Burger Bar closed last January, they knew they had found the perfect spot for the next phase of Wally’s Wieners. The grand opening was this past Saturday.

Wally’s uses Saugy Hot Dogs for their wieners, which means all their dogs have the trademark Saugy snap when you bite into them. Saugys was the first hot dog company in Rhode Island and have a delicious 150-year history here in Rhody.

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The Heads had bought their first hot dog cart from Mary O’Brien, the CEO of Saugy, so Saugys helped start them on their wiener journey. O’Brien also happens to be Morgan’s aunt, so Wally’s has good hot dog genes, which is another plus.

The space at Wally’s is welcoming and bright. A large bar on one side serves beer and wine (cocktails coming soon), while a few high-top tables are on the other. There’s a larger dining room upstairs with full wait service. It makes you rethink the image of what a hot dog restaurant can be.

You feel the Heads' hospitality experience in how their staff is trained to be friendly and helpful. But the star here is the menu, with some really creative takes on hot dogs and just what you need on a chilly winter night.

All the hot dogs are served on toasted potato rolls, which are nice and fresh and keep the hot dog and all the toppings nestled in the bread. The house favorite is the Wally, made with bacon, peppers, onions and their secret Wally sauce. It’s a great mouthful of flavors that delightfully come together just as you hit the snap of your hot dog bite. It’s deserving of top billing.

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For traditionalists, there’s the Classic, topped with mustard, ketchup, onions and relish. Feeling adventurous? Order the Buffalo, with house-made slaw, blue cheese dressing and Buffalo sauce. Or try the Southwest, made with roasted jalapeño aioli, pico de gallo, cilantro and corn chips. (I’m a fan of chips on any sandwich. And yes, I’m on the hot-dog-is-a-sandwich team). There’s even a Veggie option made with a vegan hot dog.

But there’s more to Wally’s than wieners.

They have a good variety of Smash Burgers, which are 3-ounce burger patties smashed on the grill while they cook. They even offer a Juicy Lucy, which is their take on the famed Minneapolis burger where the burger is stuffed with cheese.

The menu also has a few fried chicken sandwiches, including a Nashville Hot Chicken option, and there’s a classic New York style Sausage, Onions and Peppers sandwich, too.

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The appetizer selection also is noteworthy. Don’t skip their house-made corn dogs or their French fry options which include plain, Thames Street (bacon, peppers, onions and Wally sauce), Chili Cheese (house-made chili and cheese) or BBQ (cheddar, bacon, Carolina Gold BBQ sauce).

Need something to wash it down? Outside of the great selection of beer and wine, try one of their made-to-order shakes. Yes, shakes can be enjoyed in the heart of winter.

Of all the things we thought Newport needed this winter, we probably didn’t figure on a new hot dog restaurant. But sometimes when we are worn down by the cold grasp of winter, we find ourselves needing comfort.

And that’s why hot dogs deserve consideration as a potential winter delight. Ben’s Chili Dogs has been teaching us that for years.

Now Wally’s Wieners gives us another option. They’ve only just opened, so I’m sure they will hit a few bumps along the way, but give them a taste. You’ll be most happy you did. In the world of hot dogs, their are no losers. Only wieners.

Dan Lederer is a Middletown resident with 30 years experience in the food service industry throughout New England. He continues to work locally behind the scenes within the industry and remains a devoted fan of all things restaurant and hospitality related. His column appears on newportri.com and Thursdays in The Daily News. Cheers!

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Newport RI: Wally's Wieners hot dogs opens at 464 Thames Street