My first day in Rhode Island, my friend took me to what she told me was the ultimate Rhode Island eatery: Spike's Junkyard Dogs.  I complained that I was into hot dogs, but she insisted.  Now, a year later, I still get cravings for those 100% beef juicy dogs.  Whether you dig the German Shepherd, Buffalo Dog, or the Texas Ranger, Spike's dogs will fill your gut without emptying your wallet... since most dogs are around $3.  While $3 might seem like a lot to pay for a hot dog, this ain't no ordinary hot dog -- this is the best damn hot dog you've never tasted:

"It's a dog eat dog world, and Spike's Junkyard Dogs is the reigning dog! Spike's has become the talk of the town with its top-notch hot dogs, original toppings and original names like Mexicali Dog, '57 T-Bird, and Sinatra Dog to name a few. Many go for the food, others to just hang, but there are those that go to make a name for themselves.

"It has come to this: man against dog – hot dog that is! Man and dog face off to see who is the true champ – after all, there can be only one! Picture it. You sit in a room. They're chanting your name. You take a deep breath and concentrate on the task before you.

"In this case, a hot dog. Not a scrawny puny weenie made from mystery meat in a fluffy white bun. A real dog among dogs. A bratwurst-styled dog, meaty, topped with tomatoes, green onions, brown mustard, a pickle spear, and a hot pepper! Inside a lightly crusted French roll. It's Spike's signature hot dog -- the Junkyard Dog -- and it takes no prisoners." - Ziomara Hernandez, author of Welcome to the Junk Yard: Spike's Junkyard Dogs