Tip Top Meats

This place doesn't disappoint. I always come here to get my ham hocks for ham bone soup. The prices are good and they have every type of meat you can think of. They also have bones for dogs which is a plus for our household. They also sell a wide variety of beers, German sweets and delicacies. They also have a restaurant which seems very popular although I've never personally tried it, I've heard good things.

The restaurant here is great, but it can take a long time to put in an order, and almost as long to get your order. So plan ahead. Everything I've ever eaten here has been delicious, carefully made, and well prepared, but it would be great if they came up with a more efficient order taking system. The shop is the best European market and meat shop in the region. It's a treat every time.

Nice market and restaurant. Go early and expect to get in line. Delicious food and very, very reasonable price. Our Czech guest was extremely impressed and satisfied with his dinner! Excellent beer! If you want some of their menu items at home, you can always buy and cook at home. We will visit again.

This place was recommended to me for breakfast and I’m glad I went but I wasn’t expecting to stand in a line to order my food and then take a number to my table. The cheese omelette and home fries were good, the coffee was good and you get up to pour your own including water and soda. The place was clean and pretty crowded for a Monday morning at 11:30. The food and coffee is cheap and worth standing in line but we did have to wait 20 minutes at the table and people that came after us were getting their food first. The groceries are pretty expensive and there are a lot of empty shelves, not sure why but it looks like they do most of their business on the restaurant side.

Local staple. Gonna miss this place. Food is delicious. Wide variety of authentic dishes. Deli and Mart has multiple selections of items from overseas. House made sausages and even house made high quality dog food.

It is an interesting place. It's a corner grocery store with wines and beers, plus a decent butcher shop, plus, surprisingly, an attached restaurant. Everything feels very German, including the menu, it was a delight to experience something outside the usual melting pot merchants. You enter the restaurant through the grocery store, the food is very affordable, and, despite looking like it would be better suited for an older crowd, was really quite tasty. Excellent quality, and in satiating quantity. It's so much not the usual type restaurant that would attract me as a customer but it won me over. It will be returning to taste all their other offerings.

German roots in California paired with a lot of enthusiasm in serving and service food for affordable prices! This is what I have found on my way at the 101 in Carlsbad. Try the apple strudel, it is really delicious. The pain point is that the owner and founder paths away and his daughter is now looking for new place to move with her business. I do cross my fingers. Please stay with us and add this German flavor to the California dreams.

Wow! Hidden Gem in the neighborhood! Authentic German market and restaurant! Enjoyed a Dunkel beer, Brats and Ruben sandwiches. The best sauerkraut and German potato salad!!! Yum!! Great service and reasonable prices! Returned a tear later for breakfast. So good!! Best Germsn food around! and Such nice service!!

DO YOU KNOW WHAT TODAY IS? TODAY IS TOMORROW! High atop a wooded hill called Gobbler's Knob, there lives a celebrity groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil. Every year on Feb. 2nd, thousands of people gather here in person, millions more watch online, and everyone awaits this centenarian hog-school-dropout's next weather forecast. If Phil sees his shadow, winter lasts 6 more weeks. If he doesn't, spring is near. That's it. That's his whole system. Even though we have satellites, supercomputers, Doppler radar-- and apps that reliably amalgamate this data -- we're still, "Yeah, but what does that random rodent say?" The tradition started 150 years ago when Dutch immigrants reinvented the German custom of using a badger to determine the weather. When they got to America, they were like, "There's no badgers... but we do have this chubby little fellow who needs a bath and a haircut. Close enough." One oddity about Phil is he is immortal. He's the SAME forever-groundhog since the 1800s?!. Most groundhogs live 10-14 years, but Phil gets a magic potion every summer, "The Elixir of Life". Each dose gives him seven more years. Hence the name "Groundhog Day". Not "Groundhogs Day." And because it's 2026, there are now OTHER poser groundhogs with ring-lights making their own predictions on TikTok. When other ratfluencers are trying to steal your shtick, but with short, comedic, lip-synched shadow-dances... you know you're in for an Influencer mega-battle.. So what does this vampire varmit do to compete? Is he gonna just chilli up in a tree, sip his hog-elixir, and ignore DMs from Podcasters asking for a Zoom? Nope. He leverages his brand. He gets out in public in his Phil‑mobile-- a bus with a platform where he waves to the crowds like the furry little dictator that he is. Legend. Pro tip: Having received their own "Elixir of Life", Tip Top Meats will be continuing it's 50+ year run in Carlsbad by re-opening on Groundhog Day 2/2/26 in the same location, but a smaller, upscale footprint. This "Groundhog Day" style do-over will focus on core menu items, butcher offerings, and takeout service. My favorites were always the Reuben, Big John Breakfast, and the imported cheese and sausages.

I have eaten at Tip Top Meats periodically for years. I usually make the trip for a special day in September to have a huge breakfast and buy a gigantic steak to grill later in the evening. Today I wanted to check the opening hours and found out that they have closed. This is an absolute shame! This was one of the last OG spots in the county that offered something else besides tacos. Not that I don't love tacos, but it was nice to have variety. I really hope they open another restaurant/butcher shop somewhere else, but this time they BUY THE BUILDING AND THE LAND so they don't get squeezed out by the corporations. Such a sad time for San Diego. Without these OG spots, San Diego is becoming one big corporate eatery.

A classic in Carlsbad. Great pricing and great meat! A great dining area with lots of space to sit. Great for kids!

This month our team picked Tip Top Meats for lunch. I tried the country ribs special with double fries. It came with beef barley soup which had a tasty flavor and I loved the beef which was tender and had a delicious flavor. Fries were crispy and I liked the potato flavor. Ribs appear to be baked. Pork was tender and good quality meat. Not much flavor. Good thing they give you lots of the sweet and tangy bbq sauce. I wouldn't order this dish as I was mostly tasting just the bbq sauce. For bbq I'd prefer to drive up to Oceanside to Felix's Bbq where they cook their ribs in wood pit burning hickory for southern style bbq. The grocery store area had an awesome selection of meat and other groceries. I bought a few items to try. Smoked turkey drumsticks was over 1.5lbs of turkey and I ate it over 2 meals. Turkey was tender and I loved the smoky flavor. I stir fried it with some cabbage I had in the fridge. Ham had a smoky flavor I loved. Light salty flavor. Tasted great in a sandwich. Really different from the Farmer John type hams I see in the grocery store at Thanksgiving. Those hams were good but pretty salty. Grape Hanks soda. Sweet with lots of grape flavor. Delicious grape soda. Staff was nice. I wanna get another ham before they close at the end of September.

Est. 1967- Tip Top Meats has been on my bucket list for a very long time. Unfortunately, after 57 years, this beloved European-style meat market, butcher shop and sit-down delicatessen will close its doors on September 30th of this year (2024). An expired lease has forced my hand, and I had to come down for a special visit. The big John breakfast is world famous. It would be sacrilegious to visit, without having the 'Signature Plate'. Three eggs, Home Fried Potatoes, Toast and all the meat you want. They start you off with a choice of two. I chose the Polish Sausage and the Bratwurst - Filling, hearty and delicious. The French Toast breakfast with Eggs and Pork Sausage links is very good, and the French Toast is fluffy, with just the right amount of powdered sugar. We also tried the Beef Barley Soup, which is not the prettiest color, but definitely tasty. A hearty soup with a thick broth. While the focus here is quality food, the limited service staff is friendly and helpful. The self-serve coffee and soda/water stations are convenient. The staff brings out the food, and all other needs are self-serve. Utensils consist of plastic forks and metal spoons & knives. I think this is done because it's easier to wash spoons & knives, than it is forks. Regardless, the plastic doesn't ruin the experience. Tip Top Meats is a special place. The butcher shop still seems well stocked, but the shelves in the market are becoming a bit bare. It is sad to see this place close. I missed the glory days of Tip Top, but I'm glad I could have the experience in their final days. The owners hope to continue on, in another location. "While our operations are coming to a pause, we believe they will not be coming to an end." Tip Top Meats.

This is a great local gem! The food was Tip Top ;) If you like German food, and hand cut meat this is the spot. You can actually pick out a cut of meat, they will season it and cook it to your liking. Prices were very reasonable considering the area. The service was great, the staff was very helpful. I had a Reuben sandwich and it was enough for two people. I also tried a Bee Sting for dessert, that was freaking delicious! Must stop if you are in the area. We went just after lunch and it was still pretty busy.

This food was just as good as it always was. I got the jagerschnitzel, which was really good. The potato salad tasted differently than in the past, which wasn't as good as I remember it. Maybe too much vinegar? I felt the waitstaff this time around was more rude than in the past to the customers. I also learned that they will be closing their doors come the end of September, which is a huge disappointment as I really love the food here and shop at the market for high quality meats. I do hope they consider reopening at a different location.

When are the people involved with this loved restaurant going to grow up and get the business going again. If nothing else but for John!!! The food is amazing and the store was my favorite.

I'm surprised people complained about the speed of service. They take your order, you serve yourself to soda or coffee (unlimited refills) and find a table. There's a market for browsing if you can't sit still. We arrived at 9:00, waited in line which took about 10 minutes and it's 9:36 and we got our order. 2 breakfast with coffee was about $20. Insanely inexpensive compared to the prices of other places, including Dennys. And it is located literally down the street from Legoland and Carlsbad Flowers.

I met up with my long time friend and her family for breakfast at their favorite place. We enjoyed a nice breakfast. I ordered the veggie omelette that came with a side of roasted potatoes and crispy bacon. The portions were really big and we were all super stuffed! This restaurant is a very busy deli and market. It was packed when we were there.

I don't know why, but one of my older Korean lady friends invited me here and from the name, I thought it would've been a barbecue place, but it's serves German-American/Americanized German cuisine. As someone who was an American expat in Germany and spent my gap year and a half there, I gathered some sort of idea how authentic German food is supposed to taste. She told me that they prepare their dishes in-house, but I have a feeling some of it is imported. I really wasn't expecting much because I've tried some of the "German food" places in Orange County, and none of them lived up to my expectations nor standards. I stopped seeking because if I want real German food, I'll fly back to Europe. This place had an overwhelming amount of options, and the food portions were quite reasonable, yet I wasn't WOW-d by the food quality. It seemed to be a bit more seasoned than other smaller restaurants I've been to, but it's like comparing American Aldis here to the German Aldi/Lidl markets. I wish I spent more time looking at what they have to offer because they sell products (that are most likely made in Germany) in the market section of the business, which is attached to the restaurant itself. For whatever reason the interior reminded me of a seafood market... The menu is expansive and runs along the wall and there's also options on the flip side. They have a breakfast menu and a bunch of traditional fare. I was surprised to see the more beloved Sauerbraten, Rouladen, and Rostbrätel, since I'm used to seeing other places having simple stuff like Würste, Spätzle, and Schnitzel. The pictures on Yelp do look promising. Since it was my first time, I was worried that I would dislike the flavors, or that it wouldn't be to my liking, so I decided to try the Bratwurst and Hungarian sausages. They also gave half Rotkohl (my favorite)/Sauerkraut, mashed potatoes with gravy, a side salad, a pickle, and a dinner roll on top of that, for the plate, which was more than enough food for a sitting. I think she ordered some sort of steak that also came with a beer. If I'm not mistaken, it was Warsteiner on tap. I hoped that they would have other brands, too, but when she asked for German beer, the cashier defaulted to that. I was so busy talking with her that I didn't jump into the food and beverage right away, so that might've affected my judgment, since the food had cooled, and the drink had warmed. Customer service was better than expected, and you pay at the counter before seating yourself. I ended up packing most of it to-go. We were chatting for quite a bit, so I lost track of time for a while, but it felt like we had to wait quite a bit for the food. The green 45-minute parking spots were confusing. Alas, I ended up staying here for a while after dining in. I felt so bad that I didn't have cash on me, since my friend used card and wouldn't let me pay. I literally wanted to run to the 7-Eleven ATM to leave something behind for the employees, but she said we would definitely return and make sure to tip them gratuitously. I hope they did not mind that we were talking so much, but it was not super crowded at the time (Tuesday afternoon). It was worth driving down here from Orange County because the atmosphere was inviting, almost resembles the pubs, beer halls, breweries, and Biergärten in Germany. Even though the Oktoberfest held here or nothing like the ones in München. I love seeing the German texts on the menu wall. It was a very nice touch. Prices are good, and I'd recommend this place to others.

I've been several times over a span of many years but have not written a review. My last visit was a couple of months ago. I only ordered a side of bacon, toast and coffee. However the person who took our order was impatient with me. She kept telling me I needed to order eggs and I told her I only wanted bacon. Maybe she got confused because my friend ordered the Big John's breakfast with all you can eat meat (doesn't include bacon?). Anyway I felt her impatience was a bit rude. Fast forward to yesterday's visit, I told my friend (first timer) we should be prepared to order to avoid what I went through last time. This time there was a line so my friend had time to find a pamphlet menu which I didn't see the last time. They do have a limited menu they post above the counter. Right before placing our order someone in line asked if they could see a menu so we gave them ours. Our order taker wasn't the same as last one . She was friendly and helpful. They had #OxtailSoup featured and I wanted to give it a try. She recommended it and said it was delicious. My friend and I split a #PastramiSandwich on rye with fries. There was hardly a wait once we were seated - which was right after we placed our order. The Oxtail Soup was not what I expected. It wasn't in a clear broth and was a dark brown thick soup. The oxtail was puréed and not chunky as I was expecting. It wasn't bad and I thought it could probably just need more salt or saltine crackers. I kept it healthy (less sodium) and ate it as is. The Pastrami Sandwich came grilled to my liking but it probably would be better if there was cheese. My friend didn't want dairy but commented she saw an order with cheese and it looked really good. Next time I won't split it. I wanted a light lunch today. The pastrami was tasty and I added yellow mustard to my half of the sandwich; my friend added Dijon to hers. We polished it off . My real reason for visiting was to pick up #EggNoodles from their #Market. They have a wide variety of #BechtleGermanEggNoodles #MiniLasagnaEggNoodles is what I came back for So delicious when I made them for a #BeefStroganoff recipe. I love the texture and presentation of these noodles too. I will come back to try their other types of noodles. I also picked up #ABCHotAndSweetChiliSauce I been wanting to try and #JuniperBerries that was needed in one of my recipes but I couldn't find it at a local grocery store. I plan to keep trying the menu items until I find a favorite as their Market will keep me coming back for sure.

Sad news, after 57 years this favorite of mine is closing later in September. Do stop by for a meal and sign in their guest book with your email to hear any future news. This morning I enjoyed Big John's Breakfast with bratwurst and coffee. Tasty and filling as always.

I came here with my friend because she told me they are about to close. The restaurant had really long lines because it was closing. I was SO IMPRESSED with how affordable everything was. I got a filet mignon for $18 (usually this is $70+ at other restaurants) Everyone here was super nice and they were so helpful. The SOUP here (I got lentil soup) WAS SO DELICIOUS! I also loved my cheesecake :) I would recommend!

I really really wanted to like/love Tip Top! It has been such a local staple for many years and since my favorite German food place went under, I was craving something similar to them. I normally go to their butcher shop, which is amazing, but decided to check out the restaurant instead since their lease isn't getting renewed. We ordered the Jaeger Schnitzel and Holsteiner Schnitzel. My niece loved the Jaeger Schnitzel, but I'm not sure if I got a really bad piece but it was so overcooked and dry that it was more like jerky. The jaeger sauce was ok, not the best and wasn't a fan of the red cabbage and the mashed potatoes was the only good thing on the plate for me. My husband enjoyed his Holsteiner Schnitzel and it was so big that he ate it for 2 meals. I'm sure there are other things on the menu that are amazing because the line to sit down in the restaurant was out the door even an hr before closing, but I'll come back for either their breakfast or their Stroganoff. Sorry to say this but the Schnitzel gets a nein from me.

We came around 12:45pm on a Thursday. The line to order was long and very slow moving. The lady taking orders was very nice. We decided to order the bacon cheeseburgers and fries and they were pretty disappointing. They asked what we wanted (or didn't want) on ours and despite inputting how we wanted the burgers, they both came out cooked the same way and had all of the toppings on them. The seating area was pretty busy and all of the empty tables were dirty except 2 booths right next to the order line. If you go, be prepared for a wait and don't get the burger.

I have very little experience with German food, but this stuff was good and the prices were better. They have tons of sandwich options, steaks and meat. It's in the back of a German grocery store that is also very well stocked with meat if you want to cook at home. Every meat entree comes with a roll, soup or salad, sauerkraut and or red cabbage, and a potato dish. All of that for an average of $12 is crazy. You will have two meals worth of food here. Now to be honest it's not anything life changing in terms of innovation or flavor. But if you want a huge meal after the beach or shopping at the outlets, this place is it. This place has been here for many generations, family owned. The unfortunate part is that they're closing September 30th because their lease is up and won't renew there. They're not sure if they'll try to move somewhere else, but if they do, I'll try to follow.

We only discovered Tip Top 2-3 years ago, and it instantly became our favorite restaurant from that first visit, so we left recently with a heavy heart to learn that their greedy landlord is kicking them out at the end of this year! D: Those who have dined here will understand this rollercoaster of emotion. Those who haven't yet: Tip Top Meats/Deli is shielded in a time capsule from the Clinton era. Case in point: last week I ordered the Steak & Stein for $18.69, which includes a humongo piece (14~16 oz boneless) of New York Strip (since the Filet Mignon charged at the same price was sold out by the time I got to the cash register) + a stein of beer + soup or salad + 2 sides... all for $19 in June 2024. These prices may not be as outrageous in other parts of the country with lower costs of living, but food prices as low as this is rare to come by in California! I'm convinced it would cost more to grill that piece of stek at home! not to mention the time spent cooking... Cheap meals are one thing (and mostly a thing of the past), but cheap + delicious? That's Tip Top's specialty! Beyond the amazing steaks, everything on their menu has impressed us. The restaurant is connected to the deli of the European grocery store in front, so all the sandwiches are loaded with fresh meats and the tops, their sausages are fantastic (natürlich!), the Jägerschnitzel ($13.49) transported us back to Munich during Oktoberfest, the Osso Bucco ($16.61) was saucy and tender. And possibly the star of all the stars is the Big John Breakfast ($10.38): 3 eggs, home fried potatoes, toast and AYCE pork links, bratwurst, Polish sausage and ham, served from 6am to noon. Pro-tip: since the line for the cashier is nonstop in the mornings (likely because of this deal!) we were able to get meat/sausage refills from one of the nearby servers! Food aside, the service is equally stellar! In our 6+ visits, the restaurant has always buzzed with hungry diners (and for good reason!), yet the servers and cashiers remain friendly and efficient! When you speak to the servers, they treat you as if time stands still and they are completely attentive, and then 30 seconds later, they seamlessly return to feeding the masses! The level of service here harkens back to a bygone era where servers really cared about making connection with patrons... and the cozy décor and well-worn, yet impeccably tidy and spotless trays play into the continuity of this nostalgic ambiance. Tip Top Meats is a breeze -- the location is conveniently off the 5 freeway, near LEGOLAND and the temporarily closed Carlsbad flower fields. There's ample parking available in the surface lot. Once you arrive, just stroll past the grocery store (but make sure to peruse their awesome and affordable selections before you leave!), join the queue and place your order at the cash register, then find an available table. It's that easy! Oh, and remember to bring cash for tipping... strangely you can't leave tip on their Clover POS system D: And lastly, a PSA to any benevolent baller food enthusiasts out there to save Tip Top Meats from closing so the 99% can continue to enjoy affordable, hearty German-American dishes in California. Thanks in advance!! :D

Very unique and rare to find. It's a combo of market and restaurant with specialty in German fare. For the price, you get great value that doesn't break the bank for German food that typically isn't served at your local diner. In the market there is a lot of frozen options of meats that you can't find in other places especially German sausages or meats for your sandwiches. The restaurant has a cafeteria type of set up where you order your food and pay at the counter then find your own seat. Such a great gem.

We were introduced to this unpretentious and affordable German market and restaurant. Most people come for the restaurant. It's cafeteria style with a line to order before sitting down. Be ready to wait. There's only one line to order and only one person working at the register when we were there. We waited 25-30 minutes before reaching the front and waited around the same amount to pick up our food. But given so many people were willing to wait, we had a good feeling about it. While our food was being prepared, we shopped around the market for some German and European goodies. We took our food back to where we're staying and had a variety of options to share. The sauerbraten, is pickled roast beef, was really delicious. The jagersnitzel was fried and seasoned well. I also liked the lentil soup, stroganoff, baked potato, German potato salad.

Found this little supermarket when wanting to grab a bite to eat before hitting the gym. Super cute local spot and the food is to die for! True diner style eating! I had their Reuben sandwich, recommended by the lady at the counter. One of the best Reuben sandwiches I've ever had! I hope businesses like this continue to thrive, as they truly offer a unique taste compared to large franchises. Support your local small businesses!

5 star while in Carlsbad!! Anyone know where their new location is?? I've asked on their FB but no response.

I ordered a roast beef on rye for pick up. When I came in, I skipped the line and went to the pick up area. That was nice. The sandwich was very good. I needed to add a little mayonnaise to moisten it up, and some salt to enhance the roast beef. But it was quite a good sandwich. The service was great both at the counter for the deli and at the cashier for the grocery store. I would come here again.

Attached a receipt on this review.!! Last place you can get a serious meal at a good price. Hope this place finds a new location soon before they lose their lease.

Combination market and restaurant. Really good, unpretentious German food.l! I guess this is called casual dining - you wait in line to order and take a number to your table, so you can be found when your food arrives. The market had a great assortment of meats, baked and prepackaged goods. Their Napoleons looks great so I brought 1 home (I prefer custard between the layers, but theirs were a cream based filling). I've been told that Tip Top Meats is closing at the end of Sept, ( https://www.sandiegoville.com/2024/06/north-county-san-diegos-57-year-old-tip.html?m=1)

love it. does anyone know address of new location ? love the burgers. the best. love the breakfast. just great food and high quality. great prices.

Visited 6/26/2023 Wow What a great visit to this extraordinary Meat Market - Restaurant- Butcher Shop - Bakery located in Carlsbad Ca. I've had in on my wish list for some time now so yesterday we took a drive down to grab a bite and see what they had to offer. Large place with several great meat display counter with amazing cuts of meat and a very large selection of Handmade Sausages of all types. To many other foodie supplies to mention. It's a must visit. As for the Restaurant there is a quite large menu to choose from. You order from the Deli Counter and seat yourself. Lots of seating available. They have nice selection of Cold Beer and Wines to have with Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Loretta chose to have The European Sausage Plate with Fries. $9.98 See Menu. The Sausage was plump and delicious. I chose The Braised Short Ribs in Gravy. $17.98 The Short Ribs were super fall off the bone tender and the gravy was great also on the mashed Potatoes that were nice not just out of a box. All in all I'm looking forward to returning to try more of the menu and perhaps grab some Fresh Sausages to take home for my home grill. Worth a visit.

This place is an oldie but a goodie. The restaurant is located in the back of the store. The store carries a huge variety of meats, sausages and all the German sides you can think of. There is actually a butcher at the store. The staff is super friendly and helpful. The restaurant is older and shows signs of ware. The food is super authentic and delicious, hence the following it has. The prices are beyond reasonable for what you get. We had the liver and onions and the European sausage dish. Both outstanding! It is a real service yourself kind of place. You stand in line place your order and take your number to a table. If you need something that's not at the table you get up and get it. The tables are long for large parties and indicative of the beer garden style in Germany. All in all still love this place after all these years!

First trip back to the restaurant since pre pandemic days and the restaurant hasn't changed a bit! Very happy to come to see the quality is still the same, as well as the portion sizes. My friend and I split our plate and it was still too much for 2 people. Our other friend ordered the steak and stein and was pleasantly full with the amount of food. He was very excited to hear we had a German restaurant nearby and even more bummed that there's not one near him in Colorado. I'm looking forward to returning as well as making a trip to the butcher side of the market to pick up some meat for grilling.

This place has become more nostalgic than anything. The food is ok - quality isn't the same as it was when the owner was alive and more actively involved. But we keep coming back because we like the market and the sandwiches. The employees look like they've just about had enough. The decor inside is a bit tired and neglected. Old cracked plastic cups, mismatched utensils that belonged to a 50's diner that found new life here, and not so clean food trays. Their veggie soup was cooked beyond recognition. There were strands of veggies that were unrecognizable. Good flavor if you added a little salt. Parking isn't really an issue. You may have to drive around the back to find a spot. We never had to wait for a spot to open. The market had specialty items for quite a bit of a mark up. Candy, jams, spaghetti sauce from a local restaurant (Spiritu's), dried meats, etc.

So sad they are closing. We drove down from OC to have breakfast for the last time. Thank you for the years of great food!

This place is a hidden gem at Carlsbad. The meat is super fresh and they have a ton of selection. They even had a turducking (turkey steeped with a duck and a chicken). The staff were super friendly and ready to help out. They also have a restaurant if you don't want to cook your own. Big open isles with really good stocked up food. Love the feel of this place. Try the German chocolate cake it was delicious.

Soooo delicious! Great quantity/ value ratio. Place has closed while they're looking for a new location. Can't wait til they open back up.

Back To Tip Top for another amazing breakfast. Dinner here is excellent as well. Prime Rib and Tri Tip dinners are affordable quality cut of meat and large .

Came here for breakfast this morning and everything was soooo good! The sausages from the Big John breakfast are still all you can eat but when you order you can only order 2 of the meat choices at a time. After you finish those you can order more, except the bacon. The potatoes were amazing! They were my favorite. The med cooked eggs were perfect. I love that they have ketchup and Tobasco on the table (among other condiments). Portions were a great deal in relation to the price and it was very clean for being there since 1967!!! Pork chops were delicious, so were the polish dog and the bratwurst. I can't decide which sausage I liked more! Would love to come back before they close and do lunch and dinner. We got there at like 11 am on a Thursday and there was a few minute wait, but it was well worth it. Food took a bit but again, the food was so good and the company I was with (my husband and mom) made this experience so fun and enjoyable. Staff was pleasant and were constantly on the move. Please re-open!! It's too bad they have to close, the esthetic fits the vibe.

The first time we went was on st Patrick's day! I had heard nothing but great things about this place. I was not disappointed and still am not! The second time we went on a Sunday. I got the Reuben. It was delicious! Had to pick up some candy from the store as well! Next time I will have to get some baked goods and try some of the German beers!

The old Tip Top Meats was well managed, great pricing of favorite plates, ample sitting space. Now under new ownership, a new / revised menu of take out foods with increased pricing, for take out only foods. Grand reopening in 6-8 weeks in the old, "Fish Market" section of former restaurant (20% of old restsurant space).

the cheapest eats in carlsbad!! such a cozy and quaint little store. service can be a bit slow but that's bc its busy. i love walking around the store and looking at all the unique goodies they have. im a steak and stein stan. so much food for the price. i heard its closing soon though unfortunately. tip top is truly a gem

Noooooooo! Tip Top Meats has lost their lease. It's over September 30. They say they're looking to relocate and it isn't 'over'. I'll hope for the best, but I'll make some extra trips to Carlsbad to enjoy their extra-generous breakfast deals before then. Best deal going today: $5 Brat & Beer - a single brat with a toasted roll and a pickle, plus a beer. The beer alone is close to $5.

We ate here two nights in a row while staying at LEGOLAND. This place is awesome!! We came on a Wednesday and Thursday night, but we got there early like 5pm or maybe even earlier. You walk up to the counter, order your food, they give you a number (or take your name if doing takeout), and you either sit down with your number showing or wait for your takeout. A few things to keep in mind: The line to order food gets very long once it gets later! It looked pretty busy/crazy after 6pm. I noticed a lot of mistakes in people's orders while waiting (missing items or things like that). So double check your orders. Portions are generous! Overall the food was really yummy. First night my wife got a Filet Mignon (medium rare) and I got the Pork Osso Bucco. The filet was super tender and cooked perfectly. The pork hock was incredibly tender as well (no knife needed) and the gravy was delicious. Sides were also great, mashed potatoes, baked potato, sauerkraut, and German potato salad. The second night I did takeout and we got a French Dip (soooo good and au jus was perfect) and I got a Holsteiner Schnitzel (this was good but not stellar). We also got a chocolate cake that was good! Beers are well priced and their grocery section had a lot of interesting items. I found a Belgium Sour Cherry ale that was fantastic (but sort of pricey). This place is a gem, prices are a HUGE draw considering what you get, so having a few quirks here are there are totally fine by me. I wish this place was close to me!!

Interesting and quirky atmosphere -- just like Oma's house. Reuben was described as "grilled," but in reality it was served on dry toast. Cheese was not melted, and there was no dressing. Meat was tasty. People were very friendly. Store was quite interesting with many different rye breads and German sausages.

I miss it and I hear it is coming back , which I hope is true . They had a lot of things I could not find anywhere else in the county . Friendly service . Amazing meat department and knowledgeable butchers

My favorite place. Broke my heart to hear it will close its doors at the end of September. This iconic place will always have a special place in my heart.

Wow! Outstanding. Very homey feel with filling, delicious food. Located in a restaurant/deli/grocery store combo. There is a covered patio which is dog friendly! You walk through the restaurant and take a left. Prices are just outstanding. A meal and two sides with soup or salad runs $10-$15. You can pick your own steak and have them cook it as well. You can also order from the lunch menu which has a wide variety of sandwiches. A pitcher of house beer runs $12. For dog lovers, they have different bones for really reasonable prices you can buy! I bought some to give my dogs while I ate my delicious lunch. Bring cash to tip! Their credit card machine doesn't let you tip :)

Tip Top Meats is a Carlsbad institution. They are a meat market, delicatessen, European-style market, restaurant and catering service that has been serving the North County community for decades. ___H I G H L I G H T S___ -Meats: They have a nice assortment of meats in the cases. The butchers are knowledgeable and are willing to help you out if you need custom cuts. They make European-style sausages in-house too. Brautwurst, knockwurst, bockwurst, currywurst, Swiss-style brats, Hungarian sausages, Moroccan lamb sausage. I also appreciate that they carry scrapple. -Imported Alcohol: You will find a varitey of beers and wines at Tip Top Meets. I like picking up a few bottles of hefeweizen for my FIL and a couple different dunkels for myself. -Breads: They have several kinds of German-style breads baked by local-ish bakeries. -Dessert Counter: I always try to swing by a pick up something for my wife. There are normally a few cheesecake options and other desserts. Our personal favorites are the black forrest cake and the bee sting cake (bienenstich). -Restaurant: Has a real old-school vibe. They serve up some classics (pork chops, steaks, schnitzel, osso bucco, meat loaf, sandwiches). Not much in terms of innovation. They just make food well. The line may be long, but service is quick. you typically won't have to wait too long after placing your order. We loved Tip Top Meats and coming up here to stock up on specialty products. I hope they open back up.

Tip Top Meats has a 80's cafeteria feel. I say that not as a bad thing, but just to set the tone. You order from the counter where you can see the menu on the wall or use the paper menu (I recommend the paper menu as it's just easier to read and understand all the options). After ordering from the counter you get a number and they bring you your food. The restaurant itself is decorated in 80's home kitchen vibe; from small curtains above the window to the random decor, etc. it's simple, no fuss, cozy place. The menu is huge with lots of options and from our experience from all the years going here the food is always alright, with the exceptional highlights. The food is also VERY reasonably priced and is probably one of the draws for this place. For example our French Dip Sandwich was about $10. For the food, again, what we tried was pretty average (not bad, not great), with the exception of the French Dip ... more on that in a moment. The macaroni salad, chicken noodle soup (very salty), and Black Forest Cake were all 2-3 stars ... average. But the French Dip was a solid 5 star considering the price. Nice chewy/breast French roll, good meat, and the rosemary au jus was fantastic! We'd come back for the French Dip, but would try some other options next time for the rest. The staff is all friendly and welcoming, albeit not always the most efficient.

When in the Carlsbad area no trip is complete with a stop at Tip Top Meats! It's a restaurant, it's a butcher shop, it's a deli and so much more. Meals are high quality with a German theme. Portions are large and prices are very affordable and competitive. They have breakfast, lunch and dinner and offer kids options too. Do miss out on visiting this place!

Top Top is just the best. It has everything. It is a corner market, a butcher shop, a deli, and a great place to have breakfast or lunch. Everything is great so get what you like and you will be happy. From simple egg breakfast to steak and some of the best sausages, they have it all. It reminds me of an old German restaurant, but it is not. Don't get me wrong, they have the best selection of sausage, that you can have there, take away, or get it at the deli and cook at home. The service is ever so nice. It does get a tad crowded, but you will be seated fast enough. It is worth a little wait. Parking is easy. The prices are really fair. We also love their burgers and any type of steak they have. They know how to cook. You can eat and then get some cool stuff to take home later to cook. Have the best time.

The Holstein schnitzel had a small piece of blue paper in it. The primerib had a piece of clear plastic glove underneath it. It was not trimmed and still had tough silver skin attached. The bathroom sink had no working drain, just a bucket underneath. Desserts look great though.