The illustrious Top Dog. A Berkeley classic... come here for the cheapest and fastest meal you will every eat in this college town (about $5 for each hot dog). Mainly a late night snack due its late hours but perfect at all times of the day. The menu is simple (no seasonal changes, no fancy add ons, no confusing combos), you go in and order your dog to the griller, they look at you and nod, then you go to the register to pay. You wait outside til they call out your order and then add your own toppings as the counter. Minor admin: credit card for minimum $$ amount purchases, no seating, no parking read more

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When thinking about places to eat around UC Berkeley, I often hear about Top Dog. I thought to myself, it's just a hot dog place. Well this day, I decided to try and see what this hot dog place was all about. Looking at the menu, it seemed like the only all beef hot dog was the Top Dog. Which I didn't mind. I went ahead and ordered that with their chili, so I could go over the $5 limit to pay with my card haha. As soon as I ordered, the lady behind the counter took my payment and placed my dog on the griddle. She also put the bread on there to get it toasted. Oh, she also asked if I was taking it to go, because if I was, she could out the chili on the side to not make it soggy. That was a nice offer. Of course I ate it there though haha. So there are no tables or seats. It's basically you order, pick up your food and get out haha. My name was called, I got the dog and I was out of there haha, But I took my first bite right when I got outside the door. Man that first bite was so good! I don't think I ever had a hot dog with a "snap". That snap for some reason made the dog extra good haha. And the bread, even though it was big, seemed just right. The bread was very light, almost airy when eaten alone. Hard to explain haha. When I'm around the area, I am definitely getting myself another Top Dog! read more

"The ladies with the large order!" Yes, that's us. Not the best hotdog around, but it does satisfy my cravings. Simple, affordable, and open late. They offer a lot of different options for your hot dog. Bratwurst, Hot Link, Garlic Frankfurther, and Smoked Chicken Apple are all great. It's greasy, and could get pretty sloppy, but hits the spot when you have drunchies. read more

You haven't been to Berkeley if you haven't been to Top Dog. This is my go to hotdog joint since it is affordable, convenient, and open late. The Smoked Chicken Apple Sausage is delicious and they have a variety of toppings you can get. read more

Nothing is hitting more than Top Dog at 2 am! Every time I go here it's the same dude that's probably been grilling them dogs for years. This is one of the most iconic late night eats in the Bay Area. Best believe i'm loading that mf up with sauerkraut, mustard, and onions. read more

Everytime I visit home top dog is a must stop, specifically this one. It brings me back to my childhood. I pray it never shuts down, I would be devastated (so please stay open lol). The dogs are consistent and delicious, and the lady who was working, was so kind, and provided great service :) 10/10. read more

Top Dog was always a good time as a student and I'm glad to see this place is still thriving. There's nothing more refreshing than a nice crispy bun and a delicious hot dog to go with it. We bought four hot dogs and shared between three people (kielbasa, hot link, chicken and apple, and garlic frankfurter). There's no seating inside, this is more of a buy and eat as you go kind of deal. The workers are always super nice and they put condiments out next to the shop on game day to accommodate the inflow of people. This is a must to try while you're in Berkeley! read more

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What can I say after not having stopped by for over 15 years... still amazing. No frills, yummy hot dogs that are reasonably priced.

Great dogs! Been here a couple times, always a line out the door, but they are amazingly efficient. Just have to be patient and well worth the wait. read more

Top dog is one of the last remaining places in old Berkeley. A literal shack that serves hot dogs and only hot dogs. A gruff cook. No seating. Perfect. Prices there have skyrocketed and I swear the dogs have shrunk. And it's not just the cold. Top Dog is still in the increasingly rare "I just need lunch for $5" categories. Dogs were $4.50 as of June 2024. You'll get just one dog and it may not fill you up but it'll knock some of your hunger off especially if you pile on the free onion/relish/sauerkraut toppings. read more

Cool place to eat after your night out festivities ! My friends and I went here after a concert and for all three of us we paid a little over $13! Pretty great deal! I ordered the smoked chicken sausage. My friend ordered the hot link and my other friend ordered Italian. Service was great too , he was also the one making our hot dogs. Such a great casual spot to end a night out or for a quick bite out in the town. read more

Top Dog - Smoked Chicken Apple - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Just walked in for the first time, and the guy behind the counter is yelling and swearing at a customer trying to order. I think he was mad at the customer for double checking his order. It was hard to hear the customer because he wasn't yelling. I've never heard an employee swear that loudly over and over again at a customer in a threatening way. This was not a kid working behind the counter, this guy had grey hair. That employee ought to be ashamed of himself for throwing a tantrum like that. I bet the food is decent, but my word... This guy had a complete meltdown. I can't describe just how rude and nasty he was being to this customer over a misunderstanding read more

OK, this is undoubtedly partly the nostalgia talking, but when I come to Berkeley for any length of time, Top Dog is always on the menu. I've been grabbing a quick dog here since the early 1970s, and the consistency and flavors never fail to please. My personal fave is the hot link. It taught me as a kid that eating spicy food can be a thrill. Over the decades, they have changed locations, added stores, closed others, etc. But I can always depend on this spot for what I really crave. read more

Food was good, however; the man serving very pushing and rushing. Kind of rude. I do think it's unique. Every small. I would order another hot dog while visiting back home. The Bay Area has become very fast pace and crowded. I loved Berkeley, but lots of homeless and streets are getting dirty. I work recommend Top Dog. Hopefully man working is in a better mood and realizes it's ok to slow down a moment and enjoy your customer and not rush them or be rude. Definitely good for on the go or you want a yummy gourmet hotdog. read more

Top Dog - bill of rights picture - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

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A nice selection of tubular meats, and of highest quality. There isn't any place to sit, so plan for that. Prices are excellent for the quality. read more

The new worker, that's a woman made the best hot link! She toasted the bread to perfection!! It was so good I had to get in line for another

Best hot dogs and sausages in town. Get some before all locations close. The buns are great too.

The dogs were tasty and the service was excellent. It's been a few years since my last trip to Top Dog and it did not disappoint me when I returned back to the location read more

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Delicious dogs! Whenever I'm back in the area, I'm definitely hitting them up for more. Sad I only tried them on my last day here.

Never thought I'd have a 10/10 hot dog but I had one here. Doesn't even need condiments, really. It's grilled, juicy, and on a hard roll. The place is tiny, there was a line out the door when we got there. No place to eat, inside or out, so you either have to take it with you somewhere or just eat standing outside. Quite inexpensive--two Top Dogs and a lemonade was a little over ten dollars. read more

This is the best Hot dog in Berkeley. They are an institution on Telegraph. With so many old Berkeley Staples like Fat Slice gone it's heartwarming to know Top Dog is still there after all these years. read more

Sausage on a bread roll, mmm always tasty. I still remember 10 years ago when each was $3 instead of the $4.50 it is now. My favs are the Kielbasa, Calabrese, and Bratwurst. You can't go wrong with any of the options (except Bockwurst, that one has always tasted strange to me). A great snack any time of the day! read more

Top Dog has remained virtually untouched by time - same menu, same prices. same great quality snack for not only a college student, but for a functioning adult as well. I love the Louisiana style hot link ($4.00): the casing has a nice snap. It's spicy and flavorful. The grilled French roll is a excellent vehicle for the relish, onion, sauerkraut and mustard I love topping mine with. I also love the top dog frankfurter($4.00) on occasion as well - I would start there if you're a first timer. I think the magic lies in the fact that the sausages are grilled to a T AND they use a high quality French roll that is then grilled too. read more

Top Dog - louisiana hot link = $4.00 - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

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As out-of-towners visiting from PA, we were told we have to visit Top Dog on our way to Memorial Stadium while we were in town to see a Cal football game while visiting our daughter. We were glad we made that part of our trip. This place is a Berkeley institution. On game days, they have an outside grill going outside of their little indoor shop to help expedite ordering, which was a great idea. They provided their four most popular sandwich options and plenty of condiments to speed up fulfilling orders. If you want to order more customized sandwiches, you can go inside and deal with longer lines. But the outdoor ordering worked perfect for us. Prices are very reasonable, and service was super friendly. And the dogs/brats/sausages were all awesome. They had four really good options, and we tried all of them and weren't disappointed. Check it out next time you're in Berkeley! read more

Top Dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I'm a fan of the Costco hot dog, but my friends are always shocked when I told them I never had top dog, haha. So they treated me to one. The place is just a counter and stays open late (good for young bucks going out). Usually a long line too. I ordered a regular top dog and it's a skinny dog in a toasted bun. Very simple yet satisfying treat. The toasted bun is a nice touch. I would def visit again but maybe order a hotlink or polish dog. Parking sucks here as it's by the university and other eateries. You might get lucky in a side street though. read more

Top Dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

This place is an institution in Berkeley! No matter what time of day a Top Dog will hit the spot. Lemon chicken sausage topped with sauerkraut and brown mustard! read more

Wanted to try this iconic place for some time now and I finally got around to it. Cool one person band; they handle the orders and cooking. I think $5 was the minimum charge for card payments. The condiments are all laid out across from them, including sauerkraut (which was especially tangy!!). There were a few mustard varieties and ketchup (some relish too?) too. The kielbasa was maybe a little smaller than I expected, but delicious (got costco on the brain). It was juicy and flavorful. The fattiness of the sausage to the extra tangy acidity of the sauerkraut made for a winning combination. It was really good, and on a nice, soft, crisp, french roll. Simple but satisfying. Overall great experience and local spot for hot dogs!! read more

Top Dog - Kielbasa - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

Food is fire !! Cooks great good service It's dope !!! Right in Berkeley California

I miss this place the most out of all the places to eat from my college days. You kind of take it for granted and only after you graduate and move do you realize how good these hot dogs are - the quality of the meat, the amazing toasted fresh bread, the fair prices and efficient service, this is a Berkeley staple. read more

Disclaimer: Review is for a visit on December 26, 2021. Top Dog is a classic for a reason. I have loved Top Dog since their hot dogs were $2, which was a very long time ago - back when I was a child in Berkeley eating Top Dog for as many meals as I possibly could (this may or may not have contributed to subsequent childhood obesity and future eating disorders but the hot dogs were so good, I have no regrets). The hot dogs start at $4 now, which is honestly pretty fair given how inflation and supply chain crises are now doing their thing. Thanks, [Insert Most Recent President Person Dislikes For Other,, Unrelated Reasons]! The hot dogs are delicious, but the real great part comes from loading your hot dog up with an insane amount of condiments. The onions, relish, and sauerkraut are all amazing. However, the real GOAT item is the spicy Russian mustard from Beaverton, which was so good, I suffered withdrawal from lack of mustard when I went to college in the cold wastelands of Lovecraft Country (aka New England) and tried to directly order it from the supplier's website. I accidentally ordered 20 pounds instead. I had no regrets because the mustard was that great for reminding me of Top Dog. Anyways, it's a very horseradishy, flavorful mustard with just a bit of a sweet tinge that makes you want to eat more of it. In fact, I have some in my fridge and will probably eat it now. Also if you're bored, you can also read all of the libertarian literature lying around, because that's also kind of their thing. read more

Top Dog - hot dag - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I remember coming to Top Dog 20+ years ago for the first time when my uncle and aunt took my siblings and me to tour downtown Berkeley and their alma mater UC Berkeley. My family and I still come here for delicious hot dogs decades later! The quality hasn't changed which is crazy to say after all these years. Prices are extremely reasonable. I don't live in the East Bay but when I visit, I always make it a point to pick up dozens of cold dogs to bring back home and distribute to family members. My favorites are calabrese, kielbasa and the hot link sausages. But honestly, all of them are winners. Make sure to generously top your hot dog with all the delicious toppings, except the sauerkraut! read more

quick wait on a weekday at dinner Love coming to top dog for cheap eats and great flavorful sausages read more

Top Dog - quick wait on a weekday at dinner - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

I haven't had Top Dog in a looong time. I am so glad I got one today! Feeling very content :) Service: The staff were efficient. I did not have to wait long to get my food. Food: I got the Kielbasa, which is 2/3 pork and 1/3 beef. It was placed on a toasted french roll. The bread was perfectly crisp on the inside. It gave a nice crunchy texture. It was amazing. They have a variety of condiments, such as sauerkraut, relish, onions, mustard and ketchup, for you to add onto your hot dog. Overall, it's a must to come here if you like sausages and hot dogs! They offer a variety of sausages on the menu. I haven't tried all of them but I am sure they are all delicious! read more

Top Dog - Kielbasa - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

Love coming back to Top Dog when in town. Bird dog for the win. Onions, mustard sauerkraut

MENU AND FOOD: They offer a list of hot dogs and sausages! They provide ketchup, deli mustard, mustard, onions, relish and sauerkraut as condiments. SERVICE AND ATMOSPHERE: Service was friendly and efficient. Their indoor decor is simple and a bit dated. They don't have indoor seating, but they do have a nook. PARKING: Located in downtown Berkeley, they only have metered street parking. IMPRESSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: We had their top dog Frankfurter and the spicy mango chicken, both of which were delicious! The sausages were grilled nicely and served piping hot in a toasted French roll with sesame seeds. It's simple, small and a bit pricey, but it hits the spot! We'll be back! read more

Top Dog - Menu - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

Located on Durant Ave. along with many other popular joints, Top Dog has been a stand out in Berkeley for many years. No frills hot dogs and snacks made to order right away. I came in during opening hours and ordered the Top Dog Frankfurter, which was made ready to go and was delicious. Perfectly cooked, charred, with an amazing bun, and some sauerkraut. No frills, quick, and delicious; it's like a rite of passage for Berkeley students and visitors. The Hot Dog was around $5, great price considering you're in the bay area, but it's delicious and filling! read more

Top Dog - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

My uncle told us about this place and we drove all the way from Union City just to try it out. Service was great the lady who took care of us was sooo nice we even came back for a second round. So first I got the garlic sausage and then for the second i decided to have the mango chicken. Both so good, I love how there's a little condiment bar too im very picky about what goes on my hot dogs. Overall the vibes were great, it's a small area but just eating outside for a quick bite while people watching is really nice especially with good weather. read more

Top Dog - Mango Habanero - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

Hot link served right off the grill is such an enjoyable bite. The link bursts crisply and has lots of flavors that mix great with the topping options. A great quick meal for walking through campus. They do require $5 minimum for credit card so come with a friend if you don't eat a lot. read more

Top Dog - Hot Link - Hot Dogs Near Me - Berkeley, California

just had to update because I went back to try the other glizzies. If you enjoy hot dogs, this is the place for you. Although, they couldn't ever compare to the costco hot dogs imo. read more

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This place this hit the spot late at night. The menu is fairly simple. They got every classic hot from your average Joe to polish. The staff member seem to be present along with the cool. They seem to work very hard to attend patrons. They were both very nice and welcoming. I bought two veggie got dogs. Time wise it took a while but it was acceptable. Not much lounging area so either take your food to go or just a quick bite on one of their counters. Would prefer to have a vibe to eat there. The packing is okay, just make sure you ask them for a bag and some contienes for condiments and sauces. They're relish and sauerkraut are very good. Taste fresh and promising, marrying all the flavours do the veggie hot dog and the crispy bread. The flavour of the food did very well. The hot dogs very hot and tasty, full of seasoning and I was able to hear that link pop as I sank my almost thirty year old teeth into its soft flesh(veggie). The break seemed to be like a pretzel baguette with sesame seeds. You have the option to add all the ingredients you wish just right behind you as you have the kitchen. Price wise I feel it's somewhat fair but you are having a Berkeley classic. read more

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