Top Dog — Restaurant in Berkeley

We were leaving San Francisco and needed a quick bite on the way home. Found this restaurant online with 4.4 reviews and thought we'd give it a try. We are BIG time hot dog enthusiasts and were looking forward to the hype. The hype is WRONG!! The owner was an arrogant ass who was rude and pushy to his customers and there was a long line of victims I witnessed personally. We put in our order and waited over 20 minutes for 3 simple hot dogs. The restaurant is so small and tight quartered and putting condiments on your dogs includes fighting a crowd of a human back wall that won't move for you to save your life. The dogs were thinner than Weinerschnitzel and badly overcooked. We had to scissor our jaw back and forth to pierce through the skin. Once we did, it took several extra chews to be able to swallow. There is also 3 inches shy of a bun. I think the reason it is getting raves is due to the fact it is right next to the University of Berkeley. Lots of broke, drunk, high college students who can't afford a decent meal. Seriously, McDonald's value meal is a much better choice. And once you deal with all the above, you get to hear and read the owner's rantings of our government. Actual signs that "Politicians are not welcome!" It's not a great way to spend your money, or more importantly, your time! He needs a lesson in customer service, manners and how to cook a hot dog. Dine...

Yeah you could swing over to Casper's for a boiled long length hot dog, or you can get one from the guy on the corner near the local Home Depot but why would you do any of that when there's Top Dog! Top Dog has got it all, Bird Dog, Hot Link, Kielbasa, Veggie Dog, The All Beef Dog, The chicken apple Dog and a couple more dogs I can't remember at the moment. What makes these dogs so great?? Grilled and within a toasted french roll. Access to hot russian mustard is one of condiment options. Washed down with a root beer and you are good to go. Due to inflation over time, Top Dog served my late night telegraph ave hang-time-college appetite and pocket book during the early nineties when $5 would get ya two dogs and a soda. That was easy living and good eating back then. Today ...2 dogs of your choice and a drink will cost ya about 10+ bucks + a good tip. The best part? ---the quality and service of this local hit hot spot hasn't changed one bit. They still employ only the awesomeness of guys and girls that always come with a smile and your dog within the quickness. So the next time you stop to get a dog, you might wanna give thought to where that guy at the truck stop gets his dogs. Top Dog is top Dog for a reason. Always satisfying. Always good quality. Cash or Card accepted. That's...

I've been going here since I was a toddler in the 1970s and I love that this institution is pretty much one of the last standing establishments of the Telegraph Ave area.

Any dog is grilled to perfection within a few minutes despite having a line. When you are called make sure you know what you want. Tell the cook and they'll put it on the grill. Then they will usually ask if you want a drink (1.50) before cashing you out.

What's great about Top Dog (this is the original flagship spot) is the added conversation about the local happenings and weirdos. Top Dog is the number one place for Berkeley Telegraph Ave., UCB, Peoples Park gossip.

T-shirts, posters are for sale as well.

Prices have gone up over the years however one can still purchase 4 dogs and two drinks for 20 bucks. Can't really beat that in the Bay Area.

I always take my friends here if we wind up on Telegraph Ave.

They are also probably the last eating establishment open in Berkeley until 2AM/3AM.

All staff here are great and if you appreciate the old Bay Area, you'll love this place.

Dogs are provided by Saags, San Francisco, California. There is also a Vegan dog called the Bird Dog for you vegans.

Tip em...