Home Economy Economic Activity Baba’s Original New York System closing at end of month

Baba’s Original New York System closing at end of month

By

PBN Staff

-

10/06/2025

BABA’S ORIGINAL New York System is closing at the end of the month, according to an Instagram post on Oct. 3. / COURTESY BABA'S ORIGINAL NEW YORK SYSTEM

PROVIDENCE – After serving patrons on Smith Hill for nearly 100 years, Baba’s Original New York System is closing its doors for good at the end of the month. In an Instagram post on Oct. 3, the eatery announced it will stop serving its hot wieners on Oct. 31. “For the past nine years, it

Already a Subscriber? Log in

To Continue Reading This Article

Become a Providence Business News subscriber and get immediate access to all of our premier content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Critical RI business news and analysis updated daily.
1 year of print (26 issues).
Unlimited access to all subscriber only content on our website, on any device.
Free email alerts.
Annual Book of Lists Print Edition.
All special issues produced during subscription term.

Click Here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article

PBN Branded Content

Building Wealth in Real Estate Starts With Seeing Future Location

By Emilio DiSpirito IV License Partner | Private Office Advisor, Engel & Volkers Oceanside www.DiSpiritoteam.com…

Learn More

No posts to display

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

PROVIDENCE – After serving patrons on Smith Hill for nearly 100 years, Baba’s Original New York System is closing its doors for good at the end of the month. In an Instagram post on Oct. 3, the eatery announced it will stop serving its hot wieners on Oct. 31. “For the past nine years, it has been our greatest honor to share meals, memories and traditions with you,” the post read. “This decision was not made lightly, but it comes with immense appreciation for the unwavering support you have shown us throughout the years.” Owner Taner Toprak told WPRI-TV 12 in February that the restaurant was on the verge of closing due to the decline in customers. “We’re struggling right now,” Toprak said. “I always ask myself, ‘Is there something I’m doing wrong?' I haven’t changed anything. The food is the same quality, and we make the same hot wieners. Everything is the same.” The business has been in operation since 1927, well known for offerings such as “all the way” wieners and coffee milk. It's a sliver of a restaurant on Smith Street near Chalkstone Avenue with an iconic neon sign out front that says "New York System, EAT, Hot Weiners, Sandwiches." The sign is very similar to the neon sign outside Olneyville New York System in Providence's Olneyville Square, except for its spelling of "wieners." Toprak, who took over and renamed the Smith Street restaurant in 2016, also told WPRI at the time that supply costs were also hurting the business, estimating he was losing $15,000 each month. “It used to cost me $13 for a case of ketchup [bottles],” Toprak said. “You how much it is now for that same case of ketchup? It’s $74 ... I used to charge $1.97 per hot wiener, I now charge $3.25.” In April 2024, Baba’s received a $10,000 grant from the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund established in 2021 by DoorDash through a partnership with Hello Alice and the nonprofit Global Entrepreneurship Network. Well known for offerings such as “all the way” wieners and coffee milk, “Baba’s” is located in a Smith Street building constructed in the 1920s near the intersection of Chalkstone Avenue.