Spike's Junkyard Dogs - Back Bay/ Allston

Fast food is bad, right? But I think a more appropriate sub-category for this franchise would be moderately quick food. Eating at spikes won't make you feel terribly guilty--at least I don't think it will. Their hot dogs are made with real beef and they boast a complete absence of filler, sweeteners, and other artificial by-products. I generally feel better giving my money to a higher quality and smaller franchise like Spike's than to some mega corporate chain devoid of emotion anyways.

On this particular visit I embraced my nationalistic gun-toting vigilante side and ordered a Texas Ranger Dog. This patriotic hot dog is covered in barbecue sauce, bacon and cheddar--not one of the healthiest choices--perhaps it is allegorical? If it is, then it is a delicious allegory, which just so happens to be my favorite kind of symbolic representation.

Some adjectives that come to mind while munching on this dog: juicy, cheesy, tangy, crunchy, off the hizzle. The bun is no ordinary bun either, it's a lightly buttered and freshly made french roll--soft and doughy. The fries are salty and curly and don't lead me to believe they are made with an abundance of chemicals and artificial preservatives.

All of this for $5 and some change? Sounds like a good reason to stay away from places like Burger King or McDonalds. Now you have no excuse.

108 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA 02134, 617 254 7700
1076 Boylston St. (Corner of Mass. Ave.), Boston, MA 02115, 617 266 0909
www.spikesjunkyarddogs.com