True Rhode Islanders know that pizza and hot wieners are two of the basic food groups. Both are essential to our diet at least once a week. Azo’s Pizza, at 250 Cowesett Ave. (Route 3) in West Warwick, has a specialty pizza that combines the two classics in one mouth-watering Special Pizza.

When owner Dan Patondi bought Azo’s about three years ago, he kept the name but changed the menu to include some interesting pizzas created by Chef Justin.

The New York System is like no pizza we have ever had in our lives…and we thought we had tried them all. Justin rolls out his fresh dough, which he makes every morning before opening, slices the wieners on to the meat sauce, adds onions, mustard and celery sauce, and creates a Rhode Island masterpiece. He has captured the unique hot wiener taste with the added treat of his fresh, tasty pizza dough replacing the bun. Close your eyes and you’ll swear you’re in Olneyville.

But that’s not all!

My son-in-law is a Philadelphia native, and swears that you can’t get a good Philly cheese steak outside of the City of Brotherly Love. He fell in love with Avo’s Philly Cheese Steak Pizza. A combination of steak, onions, peppers, mushrooms and American cheese melts together for that unique Philly taste.

Joyce’s favorite is the Mediterranean white pizza, a combination of feta cheese, spinach, olives, mushrooms and tomatoes that blend together as perfectly as the other specialties.

The specialty pizzas are $10 for a small 10”, $15.50 for a large 15”, and $18.50 for their party size 12”x 18.” Justin can also make you a 12” gluten-free pizza with most of the ingredients for $12.

All of the regular toppings are available on their regular pizzas and calzones, ranging from a plain small cheese pizza ($6.50) to four toppings of your choice for $9.

Azo’s also does burgers, club sandwiches, grinders, wraps, salads, gyros, pasta and a variety of appetizers, including fries, wings, nachos and mozzarella sticks. And, of course, hot wieners.

They are open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. Eat in, take out or have your food delivered to your door. The atmosphere is friendly, with the team of Dan, Justin, Dave and Toni there to serve you.

Call ahead to 828-8090. Go on line at www.azospizza.com. You can even order through the latest food delivery services using the app on your phone.

Azo’s is in the corner of a small strip mall, with plenty of parking, only a short distance from Route 2, just over the Warwick line.