Top Dog was one of the first places that my RA took us to my freshman year. I was young, and on my own for the first time. Walking here seemed like it took forever, but as I look back...Clark Kerr isn't that far. Haha. The store is small, just a counter, the grill, condiments agains the wall and the exit. I ordered the chicken apple (my favorite) and stood there. The guy looked at me like I was a special kid because I was waiting to pay, and he said some sarcastic comment that made me want to cry. I finally got my chicken apple sausage with yummy grilled bun, paid, threw on condiments, and ran out of there! As I matured (well, at least I think I matured) and returned a bajillion more times, I realized that the sarcastic comments and bluntness is what makes Top Dog so special. Coming here after a night at the bars is hilarious because of all the drunk people and the cook spitting out witty comments. Almost better than paying for a comedy show! I would have given this place 5 stars, but I noticed that during my time in Berkeley, the prices slowly creeped up. I still crave Top Dog every once in a while, and I definitely miss that cook. P.S. There's a "Berkeley Dog" in SoCal, but it's just not the same. It has the same sausages as Top Dog but they don't have the spunk. read more

Top dog = Great food and great prices The San Jose location is FAR better than any of the Berkeley spots. It has lots of outdoor HEATED seating plus a 7-11 next door. The restaurant nearby shares the outdoor seating so you can eat a bowl of beet soup with your dog! read more

Sausages, sauerkraut and mustard: the requirements for an awesome hot dog. -------- Food: Out of four possible stars: three stars. Tog Dog's appeal is not so much in the preparation of the food as it is in the ingredients used. The rolls are not tasteless Wonderbread rolls, and the sausages are not your usual beef franks. Just a sampling of the selection: Calabrese, Kielbasa, Bratwurst and Chicken & Apple. The kicker is the vat of sauerkraut. It is not a hot dog without it. -------- Miscellaneous: Out of one possible star: zero stars. During peak hours, this Top Dog location can get absolutely packed. Yes, it is the product of being located next to dorms and frats, but it still gives me pause whenever I happen to get a Top Dog craving in South Side. read more

Ok, I like hot dogs here, but Let me ask you, Does any of you get disgusted when they take cash with bare hand and touch your hot dog and bun with that same bare hand? Please, use GLOVES. read more

Famous for a reason. The hot links are spicy, smoky, and have incredible crispy skin. Be ready to be aware and alert, the line moves fast and the man on the grill is not to be messed with. read more

Meh, over-rated. This is what hot dogs should taste like most of the time, not the cheap mystery-meat ones you get at the store. I come here on guilty occasion to get a sausage in my mouth. No, I didn't just make that sound awkward. $3 flat for any hot dog. Cash only. It might just be me, but I seriously can't taste the difference between most of the sausages except the ones that are blatantly flavored like something. They all taste like the beef, pork, chicken they're supposed to be though, which at least re-assures me its actually meat. I enjoy the french roll/bun they use here instead of the standard hot dog bun. I've had everything now here so here's my personal opinions: Top Dog Frankfurter - All Beef - particularly more salty than it is beefy - underwhelming, tastes like a saltier regular hot dog German Frankfurter - 3/4 Beef, 1/4 Pork, Garlic - tastes like a breakfast sausage, you know the ones that can come in patties too? yeah it's super salty too not really any garlic taste German Bockwurst - 1/2 Pork, 1/2 Veal, Milk, Eggs - okay this one is interesting because it's sort of the lighter/blander tasting sausage because it's not as salty, it breaks away easier when you bite into it because the casing seems to be thinner, you get a mild flavor so it goes great with mustard, onions and sauerkraut if you're into those Kielbasa/Polish - 2/3 Pork, 1/3 Beef - tastes like a....hot dog. it's just a different shape, seriously you can't really pick out any flavor except the salt, but what do you expect? German Bratwurst - Pork, Marjoram - aka it's the pork version of the break sausage, just bigger. You've probably tasted this before because it's just ground pork. No marjoram tasted. Portuguese Linguia - Pork, Wine Vinegar Cured, Oak Smoked - tangy sausage because of the vinegar, slight smokey aftertaste at the end, try it with ketchup and relish Italian Calabrese - Pork, Paprika, Chili, Fennel - my favorite probably, paprika gives it savory-sweet, chili gives it a bit of heat, and fennel gives it earthiness, top it with mustard and onions and you're set for some great flavors Louisiana Hot Link - Pork , Beef, Four Kinds of Pepper - real spicy, but you can't taste the pepper because your mouth is already burning from the cayenne hitting your tongue, good if you want the heat, I suggest ketchup and onions Bird Dog - Turkey, Red & Green Peppers, Cilantro - the less guilty option, but it tastes kinda bland because the peppers and cilantro are more like specs than actual pieces you can taste Lemon Chicken - Chicken, Fresh Lemon, and Garlic - less salty than the other sausages, VERY SLIGHT hint of lemon (wanted more), and trace of garlic, not that worth it Smoked Chicken Apple - Chicken, Apple - love/hate here depending on what you like, depends if you like a savory-sweet in your sausage, less salty than other options, and a pretty solid choice for first-timers The Wienie (Veggie) - Wheat Gluten, Eggplant, Bell Pepper, Onions, Garlic, Fennel, Red Wine - really awkward taste and consistency, I want it to taste like vegetables, but it really tastes just like a bad salty sausage that has a hint of confusing herbs mixed in there just to stick it to you even more Open late night for the drunk crowd, and the person behind the counter can be a a little impersonal depending on who it is. read more

I love hot dogs. It's the all American girl in me. Burgers, fries, dogs - the ultimate comfort food. We walked in and interrupted, errr I mean ordered a polish from the worker, no rapper at the counter singing along to Tupac's greatest hits. (gotta love Berkeley) $5.34 and One Pac song later we strode out of there with a polish dog cut in half and a 7 up to wash it down. If it were up to me I would have returned for an encore and another polish dog!! read more

Best hot dogs in the bay area as far as I'm concerned. I've had about half the dogs on the menu and tried all the mustards and have never EVER been disappointed, great food for a great price, eating here at any time of day or night is never a bad idea. Although it gets kind of crazy on game days. The service is definitely unique. There is no line (there's a sign mentioning this) and the cooks/cashiers will skip over you if you're indecisive. Some people are off put by this, since it's not exactly the friendliest customer service, but I think it definitely gives the place some character. It is reminiscent of getting drinks at a crowded bar, if you know exactly what you want, ordering and wait time are very short and painless. read more

Update 10/28/07: Did the lemon chicken shrink or somethin? I swear the guy before me got one too, but the worker said his was a bratwurst. He grabbed mine out of the bucket. What are those, the reject little sausages? I hope the owner reads this, but I doubt he would care anyway. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This was my favorite spot when I went to school at Cal, especially on the weekend around 2am. You don't have to be drunk to enjoy it though! I love the lemon chicken on that toasted bun with a bunch of onions, mustard, and a touch of ketchup. I know it sounds weird to get excited over a hot dog, but these are way better than anything you had before! Trust me! read more

My favorite: Bratwurst with spicy mustard and sauerkraut. The toasted bun is delicious. My daughter always gets a plain hot dog which is a testament to their perfection. You should love Top Dog for what it is: excellent dogs and sausages grilled, toasty buns, great condiments, great prices, fountain drinks. Open late! Don't criticize it for not being a vegetarian mecca (not everyone needs to cater to alternative lifestyles), for not being a comfy place to study, or have a romantic dinner. It's a hot dog place fer crissakes. read more

I've been here twice so far in my life, and both times did not dissapoint. Lemon chicken dogs? Hell yeah! The workers blunt and up front attitude for indecisive customers can be pretty funny to watch, just make sure you don't turn into one of them. Both times I came were after the A's winning games, so I'm pretty sure this will stay as the go-to spot. read more

Top Dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

Top Dog was everything my friends hyped it up to be and more. My friend insisted that we split the hot link - warning me that it would be spicy and blow my mind. The hot link was indeed savory, spicy, and juicy but it was the toasted sesame bun that won me over. When we returned to Top Dog the second night in a row, I opted for the "air dog" which was just the toasted bun which I stuffed with sauerkraut, hot mustard, and ketchup. My friends love the hot link and regular top dog. My vegetarian friend even got them to cook her veggie dog on foil so that it wouldn't touch the other meat sausages/hot dog links. I cannot wait for my next trip up to Northern California because a stop by Top Dog is inevitable. read more

Bockwurst: 1/2 Pork, 1/4 turkey, 1/4 veal, plus eggs and cream. Or at least that's what I (think I) had down pat in 2002, but the somewhat mystifying website currently challenges that notion: http://www.topdoghotdogs.com/colddogs.html Do you know how goddamn hard it is now to find a bockwurst anywhere, let alone one that tastes like the stuff here at the iconic Southside location? In the golden days, I had no idea. I took it all for granted. Top Dog on Durant might have been the first non-DC place where I ever ate in Berkeley when I was visiting the one friend I knew who was already at Cal. I had already enrolled in the school, sight unseen, and was being shown everything I had to look forward to. When I became a bona fide Bear, I found a total social scene here right after the bars closed. The line rivaled the mob at Blondie's, and was quickly forced outside because the place can only really fit four people at a time plus maybe two brokeass drunkies jostling about to jack a handful of burning hot sauerkraut on their stumble back up the hill (guil-ty!). During more decent hours, everyone was still doing it Top Doggystle at all hours of the day. Soon enough, the furtive professors and random locals in broad daylight looked no less manic than so many frat boys and Oakland teens in the cloak of night. By sophomore year, I'd easily eaten every sausage twice, whether I was aware of it or not. My favorites: Bockwurst as already mentioned, spicy Calabrese, filling Linguica, Lemon Chicken, Apple Chicken...yeah, that really doesn't narrow it down, but that says something, right? I learned a whole lot as well from the gruff men and enigmatic women who worked the counter solo. For example, freshman year, I got into a big phase of The Who. As I walked in, a strain of one of the band's more recognizable anthems struck up to accompany my entrance. Semi-wasted (no doubt because this dulled the caustic treatment by the no nonsense workers), I exclaimed, "YEAH! TEENAGE WASTELAND! I LOVE TEENAGE WASTELAND!" The brother behind the counter barked, "It's BABA O'RILEY." Then again, for emphasis, "BABA O'RILEY!!!" A friend of mine got schooled when she was on her cell phone and the man with the spatula shouted, "Get off daddy's cell phone and make your order, or get out!" So intense was my devotion to this place that I once found a quiet moment to ask for a job. A couple days later, I hauled ass to the Northside location (with a drastically different clientele of residential families and engineering students with the occasional hipster searching for something better than the shit rotting in the walk in friedge of their co-op) to meet the owner. He took a chance on me, and I worked a couple shifts in both main locations, which was about how long I lasted before I got my $20 pity tip from the jar from an awesome girl who helped train me and gave it up. It was in my few shifts as a Top Dogger that I learned some essential things, such as don't hand people a glass by the rim, don't hand people utensils with your fingers on the part that go in their mouths, don't leave a sack of coins on the street by the owner's car while you take in a 50 lb. box of Brats to try to impress him with your expediency. Funny how I didn't learn this from my anal-retentive parents, but from a go-with-the-flow grassroots entrepreneur who earned his street cred once and for all during the Age of Aquarius. I also got to see the inner workings of this. Did you know there's an office behind the counter? It's stacked to the ceilings with unruly papers. Can you believe that they line up your sausages chronolically by order, but can also identify them by sight at any stage of cooking in case you forget your place in line? Did you ever pay attention and realize that the workers still don't use electronic registers? They calculate all the tax inclusive prices in their heads while under pressure of a bunch of 'dog fiends, so think twice before you change up your drink selections and sizes, you dipshits! These people are hard core. In the end, I was the chaff that got separated from the very special army of top dogs who can really hang. But hey, I'm happy just to be a layman stuffing my face. It is way too ironic that the owner (whose name I have forgotten, probably out of pure shame at failing him, even if he was nice about it) was born to German immigrants in New York because I so heavily associate the dogs with one place only; that tiny ass shack in Berkeley as if it is independent of time or location...as if it is a concept or a fabrication floating through the universe of my memory. Also, I have yet to find dogs like this anywhere in the five boroughs, especially at such a selection or with the same ambience. Not that I've looked that hard. Why would I, so long as this place stands? read more

Oh my Top Dog! I miss you so much. SO much. Those were the days in Berkeley, I'd go get myself a hot link somewhere around 2 or 3 times a week. Incredible. And they serve RC Cola!! Seriously!? Who serves RC these days?! That's right, that's how these guys stick it to the system, and I love them for that. I love the anti-establishment propaganda on the wall. I love how the servers will berate you if you don't know what you want to order, but can instantly do complicated math calculations in their heads to determine how much change you are owed. And seriously, I haven't even gotten to the food yet. The buns - incredible, just, like, the perfect size, weight, and texture. Grilled up just a little bit for that extra crispiness around the outside. The mustard selection - stoneground AND brown mustard? I lesser stand would only give you one of those, maybe even only yellow, but the wonderful people at Top Dog want you to have just the right mustard for yourself. The sausages - man oh man. My personal favorite is the hot link, but I've never had a bad dog here. I don't know exactly, but they must have somewhere around 10 different sausages to choose from. I love this. This isn't Pink's, you don't get a choice of 2 types of sausages and then they just pile on the cheap toppings, Top Dog really focuses on the product: the dog. Damnit I hate writing these reviews because it just makes me want something I can no longer have. Why oh why can't you migrate down to Los Angeles? Why can't you just follow me anywhere I move? Really, I don't mind having a stalker if that stalker's inital's are T.D. (oh and happens to be a small hot dog establishment and not some creepy guy like Ted Daniels or Theo Davis). read more

It's so simple, but it's so good. I can't believe it, it's just a hot dog, but I crave Top Dog like a mad man! The drive to Berkeley to taste a Top Dog hot dog is worth it every single time for me. $3 for a juicy dog is a steal! My faves are lemon chicken, German Frankfurter, and the classic hot link. You should order 3-4 at a time because they're that good and you wont have to keep waiting for another one if you decide.There is no excuse not to love this place...the dogs are dirt cheap and the buns are toasty warm...yummm. CASH only, Standing room only although there are bar stools. Things nearby: BART station, Cal Berkeley campus, telegraph ave, ATMs. Also open until 2am so if you're from the city/peninsula you can decide to go as late as midnight and still have lots of eating time. read more

the workers here are so cheerful and kind, their good mood is sure to rub off! The price is very affordable($3.50-$3.75), I wouldn't go here toooo often because i feel like it would add up. They have a variety of great flavors (i tried the mango habanero and the garlic chicken). The dogs have a solid balance between greasy goodness and the toasty and chewy bread. They have a bunch of interesting satirical reads on their walls as you impatiently wait for 5 minutes of happiness that will leave you begging for more... complimentary condiments on the side! I do wish they would cover the relish/onions etc. read more

Decent dogs. Despite all the variety, I preferred the original Top Dog. There's a bit of a wait and it's a bit crowded in the venue since there's no space. I can't say it's the best dog I've had, but it's decent. A bit pricey though. It's once of those places you just have to try for the experience, right? Also, don't forget your cash. read more

The best hot dogs i have ever had. A couple of notes 1) The hot link is awesome - but very very hot 2) dont forget the potato salad - it is really good 3) don't go in here wearing any stanford gear (trust me here) 4) Be sure to pick up a 6pack of uncooked hot dogs & buns to grill at home yourself read more

um wtf? They have hot dogs that pop ever so crazily in your mouth. The bread has the right amount of flakiness to softness ratio that does wonders. Hot links are hot as F*** but whatever, I like it anyways. I love this place. OBVS sauerkraut must be added. Whoever doesn't add that condiment is an idiot. Oh yea the dude yells at you, so you better know what you're getting. read more

The only drawback to this place is.... if you've read any of my previous reviews... they don't serve beer! What goes better with one of the best bratwurst, knotworst or any other worst for that fact? When in Rome - nothing that a brown paper bag and a twelve pack can't cure. In fact, you'll fit in with the locals more so. Louisiana hot links are PHENOMENAL! Douse that with all the fixin's from the mustard to the sour kraut! Trick is to eat it without dropping any of it. If you're going to make the trip, it's gotta be a 3 dog minimum. Do try their many other varieties and like fine wine, it does take a while, 10-15 minutes, depending on if it's after frat party rush hour or not. Not a problem, during the wait, refer back to the paper bag scenario. Figure flying to Berkeley's cheaper than going over to Europe for a kick-ass dog! read more

AWFUL experience here - please, never go here if you want to be treated like a human being when and a CUSTOMER. I mean it. BOYCOTT THIS PLACE. The guy behind the counter (presumably the owner) chose to ignore me and take orders behind me as I waited patiently in line in the mess of a room for people whom I thought were ahead of me. Being a polite person, I asked one family if they had ordered; they said they had, so I was waiting for the person next to me to order. Well, apparently I wasn't fast enough for Top Dog Hot Shot because he proceeded to ignore me, take 3 orders ahead of me, deliberately ignore me, make rude comments about "people who are too confused to order", and laughed about it. Is this how one treats customers in Berkeley these days? I don't care how many students you deal with who accept this kind of behavior, but as an adult, I do not. I encourage every ADULT and STUDENT who wants to be treated with at least a modicum of respect at the counter to NEVER PATRON TOP DOG. In the end, I never even ordered a hot dog. The kind man behind the counter informed me that if I wanted a real line, I could go to La Burrida next door. I did. read more

Been living in the Bay Area my whole life, but visited Top Dog last night for the first time ever and I'm already craving it again. Being a vegetarian, its hard to find late night food that is both good and inexpensive. Top Dog's Wienie dog (vegetarian dog made from wheat gluten, eggplant, fennel, and some other good ingredients I can't remember now) is delicious. After you order, its done in about 5 minutes or less. Top Dog is a no frills place, but who needs that anyways when all you want is a tasty dog?!? This place is apparently a Berkeley icon as its been in business in the same location since 1966 and under ownership by the same family who started it (don't see that kind of loyalty anymore). I think my favorite part aside from the great tasting dog is that this place is open till 2am everyday. If I ever get late night cravings, you can bet I'll be heading to Top Dog for a quick fix. read more

Whenever I'm working near the UC campus, I always make time for a trip to Top Dog for my lunch. My personal favorite is the Calebrese which is an Italian sausage made of pork infused with paprika, fennel, and chili. The spices really does it for me. I would have given 5 stars, but they don't offer cheese as a condiment. I got to have my cheddar!! Oh well, love the German mustard. The people who work there are always friendly. Beats that national chain any day... read more

This place is probably 10x better when your drunk like those nights when you just step out of the club and those guys with portable grills are cooking up hot dogs with onions right outside. I mean its just a hot dog which uses the cheapest cuts of meat anyways and doesn't taste any better than the cheap hot dogs you get from Safeway. Its amazing how the smell of sizzling onions can draw in a crowd of drunkies! Anyways, this place gets a solid 4 for being that decent hot dog spot by the university that doesn't gouge us too bad with their prices but are open late enough for a snack that helps you sober out. Now if it tasted closer to the Costco Polish dog, I'd give it a solid 5 but until then, this score remains. Oh yea, the wait tikes here can be a bit crazy at times but the line moves fast. read more

Delicious and interesting flavors, addictive bread they use for buns, affordable prices, late night hours...what more can you want out of a hot dog joint? I'm craving one right now. Damn those buns! read more

It's really quite impossible to hate Top Dog. Actually, I don't understand how anyone can even dislike it. Top Dog has been and always will be one of the fondest memories of my times at Berkeley. When I had under $5 in my pocket and everything else was too expensive, Top Dog was there. When I had an intense case of munchies after a long inebriated night, Top Dog was there. When I just needed something interesting to read while chowing down on some of the best hot dogs that have ever invaded my taste buds, Top Dog was there. Everyone likes to do it their own way (that's what she said?), but my perfect hot dog goes like this: chicken apple on a slightly toasted bun, with relish, onions, tiny bit of mustard, and lots of ketchup. It...is...HEAVEN. read more

In honor of National Hot Dog Day! I had my interns compile a calendar of events so we could plan our content features for August/September, and it turns out that today is National Hot Dog Day. That's pretty cool. 'Cause, you know, I like hot dogs and sausages. By the way, I don't mean that sexually. I figure I should point that out since it's sometimes hard to convey context when there's so much to read between the lines. But my love for hot dogs is completely subtext-free, I assure you. Anyway, I thought I'd celebrate by eating a hot dog for dinner, and that got me thinking about where I wanted to get it. Here are my Top 5 Hot Dogs: 1. Top Dog (Berkeley, CA): All of my college memories are tied to this place and their awesome bratwursts. It's nice to eat something loaded with sentiments and nitrates. I think my favorites were the Louisiana Hot Link, Bockwurst (pork, veal, milk and eggs) and the Bird Dog (turkey, peppers and cilantro). 2. Toronto Dogs (Toronto, Canada...duh): I loved pretty much every single street vendor dog in Toronto. I think it's the variety of condiments that you can add, including olives and peppers, that rock my world. Well, that and back in the day the U.S. dollar had some value and I would laugh at the Canadian dollar with every delicious bite. 3. Tijuana Dogs (Tijuana, Mexico...duh again): The bacon-wrapped dogs that I tasted on my first and only trip to Tijuana were so damn good that they were my benchmark until I discovered Top Dog. The bacon-wrapped dogs you find outside clubs are alright, but I miss the mystery of the Tijuana versions. Is that really meat? Will it kill you? Oh, so much fun! 4. Jody Maroni's (Venice, CA): I know it's a chain, and that seems like a sell-out, but I actually really like their sausages. What I especially love is the pepper and onion mix they put on the dogs. Sure, digesting that mix usually results in friends and family members getting violently ill, but I think it's worth it. Sometimes I like to eat their garlic fries as a combo, but only when I feel down on society and think it's time to dish out some justice by finding the most crowded parts of the city and simply breathing amongst the people. 5. Let's Be Frank (Culver City, CA): Ok, so they cost $5 a piece and aren't all that filling, but they are reported to be healthier thanks to fewer nitrates and Omega-3 additives. All that balances out to eating 4-5 "healthy" hot dogs and a sizable bill. I like to pretend that I'm eating white sushi. So there you have it! Now go out there and chow down on some sausage. You can take that one sexually, if you want. read more

This IS the go to spot for the following: 1) If you're on a Budget 2) Want to hear the Cook yell at customers taking too long to order 3) Late Night munchies 4) Drunk and everything else is closed 5) Just want a Freaking Juicy Honest to God Good Chicken Apple Hot Dog 6) Drunk and just want to hang out I miss Top Dog! I can honestly say that with it's simple menu and quirky workers there's no other place that can come close to this Bezerkley landmark! read more

After hearing rave reviews, my girlfriend decided to check out Top Dog. Since, we have gone several times, but weren't impressed at all. Top Dog usually only has one employee at a time, and because of the usually large crowds, customer service is very poor. Combine that with how unclean the place is - for example, the employee will touch your coins and dollar bills, then grab your food with the same hands without any gloves and without washing his hands in-between - and Top Dog isn't a place we'd recommend. And that's before even reviewing their food. I'm a vegetarian, so I've tried the one veggie item they have twice, and think that even frozen veggie dogs that can be purchased from supermarkets taste a whole lot better. My girlfriend, who does eat meat, has tried a variety of items, but none of which she likes. I've heard a customer there say that the food is delicious when you're drunk, and maybe he's right: Top Dog is often packed late into the night, especially on weekends after bars and clubs let out. read more

This is a glorified hot dog stand. I mean it - really! There is no cash register - they do it all in their heads. Also, the same guy takes orders, cooks your dogs, has conversation with you, gets you drinks, adds your bill - even if it's 1am, even if it's noisy and crowded, even if you're drunk and don't know what you're ordering. The staff's that good. Plus, the other great thing about it is you can sit at the counter, if you don't feel like standing around outside and eating your hot dog. These hot dogs will make you feel better after a crazy night. And, out of all the Top Dogs, this is the one that has the best crowds and is open the latest (I think). My personal favorite is the chicken apple sausage dog. Plus, all the prices are really cheap. Then I wash it down with lemonade - or worse, get a boba across the street at Sweethearts. But more about that on my Sweethearts' Cafe review... read more

Top dog is a great place to go, whether you want a quick bite or you want to have a hot dog with a friend. It is a good hole in the wall place. The hot dogs are super juicy. I really like the bratwurst. It has a chewy and juicy inside. The outside of the hot dog is not to chewy. They are great with ketchup, onions, and sauerkraut. $4.00 is a good price for the size of the dog. read more

Very yummy dogs and I wasn't even drunk. I bet Top Dog is a top late night (after the bars) destination among Berkeley students. read more

2:30 A.M. on a Friday night, Elisa C. and I decided to stop by this bad boy (or should I say... BAD DOG? Ha ha ha) because we heard great things about it. So, there's hella people in the place even at that time of night, but our orders are taken within five minutes of us standing there and in our hands not more than seven minutes later. I quickly unwrap my garlic dog, put some onions in, and run outside just to unwrap it again to take my first delicious bite. I ran outside alone out of excitement to finally have food in my hands, and my friend made fun of me when he saw me stuffing that hot dog in my mouth... "Couldn't wait?" I felt so fat. But no, no I couldn't wait... sigh. A day later, I could still taste it in my mouth. Not in a disgusting I-didn't-brush-my-teeth way or anything (because I did brush my teeth). In a that-was-so-freaking-delicious-I-will-forever-remember-its-awesomeness way. Kudos, Top Dog, you have won my heart. read more

I will always love Top Dog. These are definitely not your average hot dogs. They're perfect for a late night snack after a night at the bars. That's also not coincidentally when the lines are the longest. I've only tried the chicken apple and mango habanero dogs but I would definitely highly recommend both of these! I like a little sweetness to balance out the saltiness. You can't go wrong with either of those. The french rolls are toasted directly on the grill next to the sausages and it gets this perfect crunchiness on the outside and stays nice and soft on the inside. Plenty of condiments and lots of toppings to top off your dog after you get it. Cash only. Know what you want to order. Don't waste the man's time, especially if you're there at 2am. He will not put up with you. But other than that, the top dog guy is very entertaining. It's amazing how he remembers order after order and still grilling and cooking the hot dogs at the same time. If you come to Berkeley, you have to visit Top Dog! read more

Smoked chicken apple FTW One of the first times I went here, I was pretty drunk. I thought it was the best hot dog I had ever tasted. I was hesitant to try it when I was sober, but when I did, I was extremely satisfied. Although the place doesn't look that great, the food more than makes up for it. Often, there may be a line waiting for food, but it goes pretty quick. There are clipped-out comics and articles along the walls to pass the few minutes of waiting. Every dog is $3 and there is a lot of different choices. Another thing to mention is that they only accept cash. A definite recommend to anybody looking for a delicious hot dog. read more

This place will always have a soft spot on my heart. They're not fancy and they don't showboat their hot dogs. What they do is make a good honest hotdog the same way as they have been for however long they've been around. My personal recommendation is their lemon chicken with a bit of sour kraut and a line of deli mustard. I've tried all of the hotdogs on their menu during my time at Cal and this is the one combo I've fallen in love with - I've been faithful ever since. It's been well over 5 years since i've graduated and their lemon chicken tastes exactly the same every time I get a chance to visit the bay area - this is always the first stop of many food destinations in berkeley. I hope to continue this love affair. read more

Cheap, quick, hole in the wall place to get hot dogs. I had the hot link and the chicken and apple. Both were good, but nothing amazing. I did like that they didn't use traditional hot dog buns but used sort of like baguettes like they do at Lee's sandwiches or something. They grill it along with the hot dogs, and the hot dogs come with grilled onions if you want. Overall, the hot dogs were pretty delicious, and the prices are very reasonable. The downside is that it's cash only, which is pretty lame especially considering the reputation/following this place has. I took off one star because when I went there, the guy handled a bunch of money and then cooked the food, using his hands on the dogs and stuff. Pretty unsanitary, if you ask me. Plus I got a rude vibe from him. If you're looking for a ghetto place to get a quick hotdog fix and eat standing up(seating is very limited) then this is the place for you. read more

Since I was visiting up in Berkeley, I HAD to try Top Dog because everyone is always raving about it. The menu's short and lists hot dogs in many varieties of meat. The wall is drowned with political angst. And the guy cooking the dogs is watching Arrested Development (I like!). However, he's not wearing gloves and he handles money and dogs all the same (bleh!). So, I get the dog part...but the top seems to have escaped me. It's much larger than most of the hot dogs I've eaten but the taste was mediocre. I blame the people who hyped it up. read more

If you like eggs, get the bockworst. Okay aside from that, why am I paying this much for a hotdog?!?! It's still a hotdog guys, even if it tastes good. I suggest you go to this place as an initiation into Berkeley, as it is very Berkeley-esque, and at least try the hotdogs that everyone raves about. They ARE good, but in the end..... It's still a hotdog, guys. read more

Wikipedia has the following history on hot dogs: "The American story of the invention of the hot dog, like the hamburger and ice cream cone, is often attributed to the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri. However, similar sausages were made and consumed in Europe, particularly in Germany, as early as 1864. The hot dog's association with baseball also predates the 1904 Exposition. St. Louis Browns owner Chris von der Ahe sold them at his ballpark in the 1880s. Hot dogs were frequently known as frankfurters or franks, but the name "hot dog" became popular by the 1890s. In the 1830s, it was widely rumored that the dogs that roamed urban streets were regularly rounded up (by "dog wagons") and made into sausages; by the 1840s, the term "dog sandwich" was used. The 1860s popular song "Der Deitcher's Dog" (written by Septimus Winner and known by the lyrics "Where oh where has my little dog gone?") contained: Und sausage is goot: Baloney, of course, Oh! where, oh! where can he be? Dey makes 'em mit dog, und dey makes 'em mit horse: I guess dey makes 'em mit he. " While I'm pretty sure the would never make a hot dog out of my weiner Lola, she was most welcome to come in while we waited to get our yummy gourmet dogs. The Top dog griller is cool, nice and fast! We came here on a Saturday afternoon and had a lemon sausage dog. with some onions, deli mustard and sauer kraut......supper yum! I don't consider myself a hot dog connoisseur but I have had many dogs in my life, and this my friends is probably the best!.....takes a bite of the lemon sausage dog......yum tangy....most definitely the bets hot dog around! Oh and you can buy uncooked dogs to go too! read more