All-American fare reigns at Spike’s Junkyard Dogs

Long considered the All-American food, hot dogs are found everywhere and in every form in Rhode Island.

We cook them on the grill, boil them on the stove, buy them at sporting events, and let our kids order them when the family goes out to eat.

From a New York System wiener to a Fenway Frank, they, along with hamburgers and pizza, are our most popular fast foods.

We used to buy hot wieners for a quarter and hot dogs for a buck, but those days are gone. At $3.50 a wiener and $4 to $5 a dog, they are victims of inflation. (I bought a Big Mac the other day. It cost $7.01. Not sure what the extra penny was for.)

But I digress.

This is about the last remaining place in Rhode Island to buy a huge, tasty dog with all the fixings without breaking the bank.

Spike’s Junkyard Dogs at 1623 Warwick Ave. (Hoxsie Four Corners) is the last of three Spike’s in the Ocean State. The ones on Thayer St. in Providence and Park and Reservoir in Cranston are long gone.

Warwick Spike’s also sells burgers, chicken sandwiches, wings and tenders and fries, but it’s their dogs that attraced me to the place.

With 44 specialty dogs on the menu, the actual possibilities are endless, with prices ranging from $4.99 for the Mutt to $6.50 for the Casey Dog.

The Mutt is a plain dog, but there are 16 free toppings available, ranging from Spike’s special mustard to Russian dressing.

All dogs are served on a large, warm, fresh roll.

My favorite is Chili & Cheddar, with beef and bean chili and cheddar cheese, adding a few chopped onions. Joyce likes the Reuben Dog, with Russian dressing, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese. Both are $5.99.

There’s more! The condiment table has all the basics, plus two Spike’s classics: dill relish and chili sauce. Fill two small plastic cups and bring them home to either add to your dogs.

Open seven days a week, you can order ahead by calling 732-5858.