Honestly Top Dog wasn't as fast as Yelp made it sound, but a tasty and convenient 3.5-star choice nonetheless! As a visitor, I was amazed at how late Top Dog stays open. Wish I had this option at my school... I went with a safe choice, the lemon chicken hot dog. While it was yummy, I immediately regretted not being more adventurous -- but it's my fault I don't like meats mixing, not theirs. The guy is friendly and somehow fit a television inside the tiny place to watch while cooking. Unfortunately there's no seating whatsoever, but it seems like the weather is always good enough to eat outside or to go anyway. Overall, a great option but not worth traveling for, in my opinion. The 5-star reviews are probably from students who enjoy the convenience of this late-night joint and being able to try lots of consistently good flavors, but is otherwise slightly overrated. read more

There are few restaurants (especially hole-in-the-walls) that you can go to in you teens, 20s and 30s, and consistently be impressed. Let's be honest, when I first came here when I was 19, I didn't know anything about food, so impressing me wasn't too tough. But when I'm still happy with it today, and have been with every visit over the last 2 decades, that's something special. For the few that don't know (if you even exist), Top Dog is no-frills. A couple seats in an overly cramped place; they're better to-go. The sausages are going to be made in front of you, they're cash only, and you'll be putting on your own toppings. But the food, is pure magic. I've probably had every one of their sausages and have never been disappointed. But my favorite remains the chicken sausage. Screw it, I'm going to go and get another one. read more

I don't really like hot dogs, but this place has the best dogs I've eaten thus far. Gourmet dogs for a great price. I love eating their Chicken Apple sausages. The service is pretty fast, so don't mind their long lines at night. Another great thing is that you can order boxes of their hot dogs for parties, and they're also decently priced. This is one of the few places I miss while living on Telegraph Ave, and being a college student... Cash only... read more

This is a great place to get some delicious hot dogs/sausages for a great price. My boyfriend and I particularly like their garlic frankfurter and polish, but they all look amazing. Just a note, the condiments are self-serve and the space is somewhat small. read more

I have Top Dog cravings. I've been going to Top Dog since I was a kid--my parents introduced me to the one in montclair (which is no longer there) and I always look forward to going there for lunch when I'm in the area. There's nothing like their hot dogs :) I LOVE TOP DOG! read more

Top Dog - My favorite hot dogs! - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

Great place to get dogs almost any time of the day and they tast great. Get some and tell me what you think.

I've been going to Top Dog ever since the first one opened up on Shattuck by University Avenue. Ever since moving out of state, I've always missed it. The few times I've gone back, it's one of my first stops. Every time I see a friend from the Bay Area, I demand that they go to Top Dog and have a Hot Link for me (and a Black andTan from Fenton's as well). Hopefully I'll be able to indulge again soon! read more

Top Dog - My fave..Hot Link with Russian mustard, relish and sauerkraut. - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

Oh man, this was not a good visit. I have been going here for decades, and almost always had a great time here, excellent hot dogs, service, but today was very uncomfortable. For one, it looks like the prices went up. My usual, the Hot Link, is now $3.75. I think it used to be $3.00. And it is tiny. There were only 3 counter stools in this tiny place. There are usually about 6. So now there's almost no place to sit. And the 3 remaining stools are on the far side away from the grill. The vibe was terrible. No energy. Very quiet. All dudes. It felt like a sausage party. Which is ironic, since it is a hot dog place. The counterperson was gruff. First time ever I did not tip that person. I remember for many years when I first started going there, I was in awe of how cool the grill guy was. Taking orders, grilling hot dogs, making change, making conversation. If this is an indication of how Top Dog will be in the future, I don't think it will last long. Which would be a damn shame, because it's been around since 1966. I don't think I will be returning anytime soon. read more

This is like an institution for Berkeley students. The hot dogs are alright, but something about the nostalgia and location makes it perfect. read more

I finally wrapped my mouth around a hot, sizzling, succulent wiener. Top Dog is amazing, cheap and open late, what could get better? Oh, i know, some cheese!! next time i'll have to bring my own graded cheese =] the place itself is small, but convenient. The worker was on top of his game, people were shy, afraid, petrified to step up to the counter until he yelled like no other to get their orders in. i loved it. it's a few minutes wait for the dog, but that's because they're getting all hot and juicy, while your bun is being toasted to perfection. once you get your top dog, be aware, it is hot! just turn around and there you go, add your condiments and your good to go. can't wait to go back and have another, i love top dog! read more

Top Dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Top Dog Berkeley, California 10pm Sunday 12th August 2012 Four Stars You cannot come to Berkeley and not get a piece of meat at Top Dog. I went with the namesake and ordered a Top Dog Frankfurter at Top Dog and topped with Mustard and Sour Kraut for $3. The Grungy cook/cashier made my Berkeley experience of Top Dog at absolutely perfect. read more

Top Dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

I loveeeeeeee loveeee top dog. Sometimes we travel out of the way just to come here for hot dogs. Their hot dogs are unique and definitely packed with flavors. The buns are unique, and they toast it on the grill... it's just paired perfectly. It's not your everyday hot dog buns that fall apart. It just compliments the hot dog beautiful. I've tried most of their dogs. But my favorites is the hot link or top dog. Also. It's super affordable. Service is always nice. The guys working the grill is super chill if you have questions regarding their dogs. They open late. Only downfall, cash only and limited street parking. read more

I might be one of few non-berkeley students to rate this place so you should trust my opinion more. Top Dog is awesome. My crazy bald friend and I drove up to Oakland from Los Angeles because we were craving Top Dog. We wondered if there was some kind of addictive substance in it that made us keep going back for more. Apparently, it's not just the sausage that was calling us, but the whole culinary experience of devouring those juicy sausages. When we got there after a long drive, we sat, ordered, and hungrily waited for our perfect sausages. The liberal newspaper clippings and strange workers always provide for amusement until we get our hot dogs in our greedy little hands. The workers will tell you that contrary to popular belief, sausages are not bad for you at all. One lady told us that she ate three sausages a day! Now, that's just crazy. Anyway, I love the hot link (especially after a night of drinking) and the Kielbasa is just an awesome squirt in your mouth. I'd have to say in terms of quality, Rosamunde's is the best but a Top Dog experience is always a fun experience. We decided not to buy the frozen packs. It just wouldn't be the same without actually being there to experience it. read more

Top Dog is a Berkeley staple just like Canada's leaf that's maple As you'll see it's completely legit From the lines, u see it's a hit once you start eating, you won't quit Went to top dog like twice in three days, the calabrese is my favorite and the hot links aren't bad as well. People I know love the chicken apple but I personally have a bias against fruit in my meat. But hey, it's cool. The bread they use is toasted and is amazing, and like another user said, the russian mustard is bomb. read more

Don't expect anything other than a dog at this Berkeley icon. Oh, except kraut, onions, mustard selection, and a dose of Libertarian propaganda and rambling essays to read while you wait for your delicious dog in crispy-tender bun. I love the hot link and the calbrese. Oh so good. read more

Top Dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

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This place was good! I like how homey it feels. It is very small and the prices are very decent. The hot dogs are kinda tiny though so I would probably get 2 next time. Sauerkraut is delicious and love that they have onions. Would probably come back as a late night snack. read more

Such a classic, wonderful place in Berkeley. A must-go place while visiting! Order: Garlic Top Dog - For $3.75, I received a quality hot dog thats packed with flavor. Biting into the sausage, I can feel the initial crunch of the outer shell and the meaty, grilled insides in each bite. The light garlic scent complimented the sausage very well. I always preferred the grilled, crispy bread over soft-style breads and when they are seared to perfection, it ups the experience. After receiving your hot dog, you can custom add the classic toppings such as onions, relish, ketchup, and mustard, to your liking. They've never complained about the amount I take which is also a plus. The servers at Top Dog is extremely polite and friendly to their customers. Making jokes and holding conversations to lighten the awkwardness while we all wait in a small cozy abode for those tasty hot dogs to cook helps. Definitely a great grab and go snack for everyone in the Berkeley area! I'd also heard wonderful comments about the Mango Habanero Dog and would love to try it in the future. read more

one of the best hot dog places on Earth! I've tried 75% of the menu and been here a few hundred times. I can't say that about many other restaurants. Lemon Chicken dog - delish w/ kraut and mustard Cost - dirty cheap I'm also keeping this one short, can't wait to go back. read more

Awesome hot dogs for a great price! The place is cash only so you make sure you have some money on hand before you head in. They do have a vegetarian option, aka the only one I've ever had. It was really well done and memorable. I wouldn't mind going back for another one. If you are a super strict vegetarian, keep in mind that the veggie dogs are made on the same grill as the meaty meat dogs :P I try to be as vegetarian as the US allows, buuut I'm pretty sure that my food is cooked in the same area as meat behind closed door kitchens so I'm willing to overlook it here. My friends have tried the various meat options and loved it. read more

I LOVE THE HOT LINK!!! Also, about 2 years ago, I ran into Usher!! I got to take a picture with him :) (embarrassing, but hey- it's USHER!) & Yes, THE Usher was getting a Top Dog! Good things can happen at Top Dog. read more

Top Dog - top dog at night. - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

Topdog, a classic drunchie in Berkeley. Inexpensive satisfying sausages, open late, fast service, polite cashier that remembers each group's order, cash-only. They ran out of bratwurst near closing time, so we got smoked chicken apple! The sausage was great and served with a crisp white bun. They have onions, relish, saeurkraut, ketchup, and mustards in the back to put on top. Expect to eat outside because there is very little room inside to chat with friends and eat without getting in the way of other people in line or waiting for their food. read more

Been going here for years. Great spot for either a mid-day snack or a late night snack. Be fore warned, if you go on the late night tip, the line is long and the abundance of CAL students, are a people watchers delight. Doesn't except debit or credit cards, so bring a lot of patience and a hearty appetite, bc getting just one, won't cut it. Five Trans Fats out of Five... read more

Wasn't that impressed by this place to be honest. They have a few cool hot dog options, but the taste of the top dog itself is nothing special. The prices here aren't anything to write home about, though I think that they are expected to be high given that real estate this close to campus is inevitably expensive. read more

Their open late and their workers are always extremely friendly.strange that they could be in Berkley and yet they don't treat me like craps because im clearly not a rich student or anybody important but they will make you feel comfortable and not be judgemental weirdos.so what I like to dress comfortably.thank you top dog. read more

Yum! As usual when this place gets busy, the cook will take as many orders as there are people in line. How he keeps them all straight in his head is beyond me! Must try: - lemon chicken dog - apple chicken dog - hot link dog YUM! Totally worth the wait! read more

Top Dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

Easily my first choice for a cheap, late night snack when I'm in the bay area, Top Dog is the perfect place to go. Quick turn around, tasty hot dogs, and great prices makes Top Dog my top pick when I want a snack to the spot whilst drunk. One thing, it's always been a cash-only place so bring some paper or risk not getting your Top Dog made fresh. A staple in Berkeley, anyone who lives in Unit 1 & 2 should definitely go during a night out after partying in the frats. Just remember to keep your drunk shenanigans in check. read more

The bratwurst here was so delicious! So was the potato salad. My friend and I drove in to Berkeley from SF just to try this place and it was well worth the trip. This is now one of our favorite places to eat in Berkeley for sure. The service is great too. read more

If you're into hotdogs this is the place. Poster child for a hole in the wall, great dogs.

There's something confronting about a no frills, cash only joint. The snap of the dog with a charred bun is really all you need in this life. I was impressed with the selection of sausages and my stomach only allowed me to select two: the polish and the hot link. Both were soul-comforting. My wife had the original frank and she said that it was one of the better hot dogs she's had in awhile. I love the self-serve condiment section. Obviously the $1.50 Costco dog still reigns supreme in my book (because of the value), but these guys have one of the best dogs in town. read more

If you like your hot-dogs with a scoop of Libertarian propaganda, this spot can't be beat. If you are offended by people propagandist messages everywhere, this is probably not your spot. Despite being in disagreement with all the posted rhetoric, I love this spot. The hot-dogs are delicious, the staff is surly, and the prices are wallet friendly. read more

The food here is great! The only thing that I can complain about is how small it is. There's pretty much a counter with 2 stools. Every time my friends and I eat here, we end up having to stand around outside. I mean it's great if the weather is nice, but not so much when it's raining or freezing. FYI, this place is CASH ONLY. However, everything is inexpensive. read more

Now living in Los Angeles I recently Yelped a review for "Pink's Hot Dog Stand." Pink's is "the dog" down here. The lines often stretch down the block, and there's a good chance those in line might be treated to seeing some celeb drive up and get a dog or two. But as I wrote in my review, Pink's is less than squat when going dogo-a-dogo against a "Top Dog." I doubt they're even in the same USDA food group! Many, many years ago my older sis attended UC, and I'd drive up there to soak in some college atmosphere. (Sadly I didn't attend college; I went to San Jose State.) While there she exposed me to the seamy Berkeley underbelly, including Barrington Hall (where she existed for a few semesters) and, of course, Top Dog. It's a pleasure to say that since then nothing much has changed at Top Dog. Why mess with perfection? Well, one thing has changed, the price. Back then a Top was only 75 cents! I knew I should of stocked up when I had the chance! Unfortunately I don't have the opportunity to frequent Top Dog much anymore, but we try to make a quick stop there a priority whenever we visit the Bay Area. Long live TOP DOG! read more

Top Dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

A pretty solid dog joint without a doubt. They had many incredible flavors and my friends and i were satisfied. The one negative was the grungy attitude the head chef had. With that said it played into the attitude and culture or the restaurant. Overall, tasty food! read more

Yell what you want over to the grill-master and your order will be ready in about 6 minutes. The Calabrese (Italian Sausage) is my go-to and never disappoints. Cash only and tip included in all the prices! read more

My Boyfriend and I decided to come here today on our leisure Sunday to enjoy some hot dogs. Upon arriving, there was only one man working behind the counter and providing extremely slow service. He seemed to not want to be there and have a very nonchalant attitude towards his job in general. My boyfriend is Muslim and so he cannot eat pork, so after viewing the menu he politely asked the worker behind the counter which sausages were all beef. The worker then responded that only the top dogs were all beef, despite it saying "all beef" for hot links on the menu. To this, my boyfriend asked "Really? not even the hot links?" The worker grew quiet and gave an unconfident No. It seemed like he had just said this to avoid taking out a different type of hot dog from the freezer. To make matters worse, after we received our food, My boyfriend asked for water and the worker told us that there was "no more water" because they were "closing soon." Keep in mind, we were here at 4PM in the afternoon. Yelp and Google both confirm that Top Dog does not in fact close until 2AM. Seemed like the worker just said whatever to avoid doing more work and has something against gay men. Definitely not returning. read more

It can get pretty crowded, but usually, the wait isn't too long even if it's crowded because the service is really fast. My favorites are the chicken apple and lemon chicken if I remember correctly. The owner is super nice and friendly. You can choose how toasty you want the bread to be. Also, the unlimited compliments is a plus! I've tried the potato salad too and it was bomb dot com! I'm usually really picky about potato salads, but I've gotta admit, Top Dog's makes some of the best potato salad I've eaten. However, it is really pricey for a hot dog ($3), but it's definitely something you should try. read more

Classic Berkeley. Gotta go at least once. Always great for a late night bite. Plenty of good memories here with a line out the door, crowds gathered around eating their hot dogs & people enjoying themselves. Service is quick, too. My favorite is the smoked chicken apple :) read more

Place is filthy. Dust and grease hanging from the cooktop vent. Cook didn't wear a mask. Cook used bare hands to prepare your food. Cook also works the cash register. When I ate there I noticed he did did not sanitize his hands after giving change to the next customer before going back to cook and serve a dog to the customer. Top Dog is a COVID hot spot. You might get COVID at no extra cost with your dog. Eat there at your own risk. If you are poor or a starving student, eating at Top Dog might be worth the risk. read more

What better way to end a night of drinking with your friends than eating a lemon chicken with kraut, onions,spicy spicy mustard (I bet you want to make out with me right now don't you?!?) and a diet coke (the only thing that makes up for the ridiculous amount of calories consumed during the evening's debauchery--HA.....who am I trying to kid). Without fail, Top Dog is one of those "Berzerkely" institutions that when my alumni pals and I get together to hit up the bars during football season, we all stampede towards. Knocking those poor unsuspecting freshmen over as we race for cheap and filling sausages or hotdogs. The grill master is just that--a master at getting your dog done and to you in a couple of minutes. He without fail is able to keep most orders straight and in order of receiving them so all is fair in love and top dog. The only bad thing? Sometimes it is a toss up between Top Dog and its neighbor La Burrita. read more

As delicious as I remembered it ... back when I attended Cal and walked (instead of drove) and lugged around a 30 lb backpack. Ahhh, those were the days. Everytime I walk around Berkeley, I miss it and wish I came back more often. It's good to go here when it's crowded, you get your hots dogs faster because the grill is turned up and cranking. $3.00 for a dog ... cash only. I know that I said I'd name my penis Fat Slice ... but if I had a second penis to name, it would be named Top Dog. read more