Top Dog

Top Dog, with spots in Berkeley, Piedmont, and Oakland, is hands down one of the best hot dog joints around. It’s super local, affordable, and fast. They offer unique options like lime chicken or mango jalapeño, and even the fountain drinks are special, made with cane sugar. I’ve been to both the Berkeley and Piedmont locations, and the vibe is always great, with lines out the door even at 1 AM. I can’t get enough!

I've been here 7 years ago it's as good as I remembered. I had the polish one and the German one this time. Love the polish one a lot more. The bread was amazing not like any hotdog bun I ever had. The store is small but packed with interesting details. There were three different types of mustard and tasty toppings. This place is a must go.

If you love hot dogs or even just like them as a snack, give this place a test. The higher ratings for something as simple as a hot dog speaks for itself. Nothing fancy about the dogs except for the nice flavor of the meat. Juicy, crisp hot dog break, simple toppings. It’s a small shop so there really isn’t room for lounging around here. It’s an in and out situation, but the weight isn’t terribly long. I’m sure it can get hectic on game days and or events at the university it is next to. Saying that, parking can be hectic too. There are paid spots on the street, but very limited, but there are garages around. I don’t know if there was a whole staff but the man and cook of the hot dogs was friendly and helpful with the small questions.

Love top dog, always have. Felt the need to leave a review. There’s a tall younger dude with glasses who I now know to avoid or stop in if he’s working. He just gave me a totally crispy, flaky, burnt bun and filled my cup with 85% ice and I feel like it was on purpose. Oh well, it is it what it is.

This is a classic Berkeley restaurant from decades past. It is open very late and is inexpensive. There is no seating so you just have to eat on the sidewalk but the hotdogs and sausages are terrific.

A fast and affordable hot dog shop that offers not just beef but pork and other meat options! They have plenty of topics including sauerkraut. The hot dogs are half of the size of what you'd expect, but have good flavor. There is no indoor seating, but you can eat outside/around. Not sure if it's a bit or the culture, but the staff might be terse, rude, and impatient; however, don't let that detract from your experience.

Tiny little hot dog place that is a true staple of Berkeley. I am rarely here sober and I love it every time. The chicken apple sausage is so rich and flavorful - always cooked to crispy perfection. Served on a crunchy exterior, soft interior baguette. Very cool interior, been around since the 60s. Fun place to drop by. Always a line but never a crazy wait, always worth it!!

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!

This place is "top" not only the food, but these guys found my wallet on the sidewalk, tracked me down and returned it with all the money still in. They had to Google to find me as my contact info was not in the wallet. Way above and beyond. These guys deserve your business and I wish every business was like this, they rock!

Top Dog is an institution in Berkeley and in the East Bay. I'm not sure if this is the first location, but it's one of the most popular on Durant within walking distance of the U.C. Berkeley campus. I've never had a dog there I didn't like but my favorite is the hot link or bratwurst. I enjoy ketchup and relish on my hot dogs, but at Top Dog I pile the sauerkrat as well as the hot mustard. Hot dogs there are now $4.25-$4.50. The staff are nice there and they tend to turn around orders pretty quickly. There isn't space inside to eat, but there's a plenty of space outside to eat in the area by campus. I enjoy going there, it also makes me feel young.

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!

This spot is simple, straightforward, and delicious. While many associate hotdogs with sporting events or late-night food, this place proves they can be much more. Topdog offers a variety of options, from Hot Link and Garlic Frank to Kielbasa and more. Each comes on a crispy French roll, with a self-serve condiment station offering ketchup, various mustards, sauerkraut, and raw onions. Aside from hotdogs, they also sell chips and soda--keeping it simple and to the point. The hotdogs are grilled fresh when you order and are tasty, usually gone in just three bites. Since the place is small, people tend to wait outside until their food is ready. The people who run this spot have been around for quite some time, and I've always had friendly interactions with them.

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!

Top dog is always a good go to choice when in the area or treating the top dogs in your life. Went here on a Sunday night and the streets had lots of people! It will be best to find parking on a different street. I got the garlic frankfurt and it was delicious. The hot dog was juicy and had a hint of garlic! For $5 it wasnt bad at all!

This place is very nostalgic for me since I used to come here during my college days and also when I came back to campus for Cal football games. The service is friendly and the place is like a time machine because it still looks and feels like it did when I was there many years ago. Luckily the prices are still very reasonable for such yummy hot dogs and sausages. I love how flavorful the dogs are and all the condiments that are available including the warm sauerkraut. The food is warmed to order but it is worth the 5-10 minutes wait. My go to are the top dog, chicken and apple and the hot link. Go give this place a try!

Came here again after 3 years. The food was amazing as always. I got the hot links and my boyfriend got the the garlic Frankfurt ? Haha the service was fast and quick. The place is super small but honestly the quality of the meat was amazing .

Top Dog is absolutely the one of the top sausage/hot dog places I've been to. As a New Yorker, it's been Nathan's, those Papaya places (Gray's, Papaya Dog, and Papaya King,) and of yesteryear Nedick's. In college, I'd go to any time of day or night to Pittsburgh's Original (a.k.a. Dirty O's) in Oakland (PA) to get a chili cheese dog and a boat of fries. Certainly, Top Dog is the type of place college kids flock to, but if you're in Berkeley you don't need to be collage age to stop by this exceptional hole in the wall Top Dog for experiencing a fantastic "frankfurter" or one of their many types of sausage! WOW! Fair prices and served on a crusty French roll, Top Dog's sausages come in their classic 100% beef Frankfurter, Garlic (beef & pork), Hot Link (Louisiana style beef with 4 kinds of pepper), Smoked chicken apple, Italian Calabrese, Polish Kielbasa, German Bockwurst or Bratwurst, Lemon Chicken, Spicy Mango, or the Wienie (vegetarian). The toppings shelves provide complementary onions, relish, sauerkraut, ketchup and assorted mustards. Chili topping is extra and sold as a side. Top Dog sells also potato salad, but you can't get fries. (Hey, another dog would be a great substitute for a large fries!) I wanted to try their classic Top Dog Frankfurter and Bratwurst. So glad I did! They all grill right in front of you. Added kraut, onions, and mustard on both (Sweet mustard on the bratwurst.) The roll was fresh and crusty. Both delicious sausages snapped like they should! The flavors - amazin'! [Note - No seating. Only a tiny ledge and a nominal counter that I imagine always, as then, were obstructed by people waiting.] Top Dog is awesome! Wish I had one in NYC! Yeah, we have Nathan's and those different Papaya guys, but fuggetaboutit! I'd like a Top Dog! (Btw, a location of Artichoke Basille's Pizza, originally from our East Village, is next to it, but I find their slices are really geared for tourists and non-native New Yorkers. When in NYC, just go to Joe's! See my review.) From my understanding, Top Dog's owners are old and uncertain of its future beyond them, so make sure you enjoy this amazing while you can! Long live Top Dog!

Delicious hole in the wall hot dog joint. From what I've seen on their website, there's a couple of these around, but my boyfriend took me here saying it's one of his favorite places and a nostalgic childhood spot for him. You can tell the locals and the sports ball enjoyers loves this place as lots of them were talking about a game/some game(s) that have either happened recently or have happened the day of. Despite the rainy weather, there was a line almost out the door and a huddled mass near the exit trying to enjoy their hot dogs afterwards. Even with the crowds the 2 workers, the one working the cashier, taking orders, and giving food to customers and the one working the grill worked very quickly. Around $4 a hot dog, it's not a bad deal considering they're dogs of different flavors, seasonings, and taste, much different from the average fair you'd get at an actual sports ball game or amusement park. We got the: 1) Calabrese: -This is an Italian style hot dog. -It's made from pork, paprika, chili, and fennel. -Nice strong fennel taste to the pork, absolutely delicious. 2) Hot Link: -This is Louisiana style. -It's made from beef and 4 kinds of peppers. -Actually a pretty decent spicy kick to it. I enjoyed this one a lot. 3) Mango with Jalapeno: -This one is made with chicken and as the name implies, mango and jalapeno. -Slight fruity taste to it, but you mostly taste the kick of the jalapeno. -Unique and tasty. Another winning point to Top Dog is the all you can scoop, squart, and eat self serve condiment bar. There's the standard relish, ketchup, and several kinds of mustards (the spicy one is really good!), sauerkraut, diced onions, etc. Open pretty dang late, affordable delicious hot dogs, 5 stars from me EZ.

Now overpriced. They made their dogs and buns smaller. Rather enjoy a nice dog from Costco.

Always tasty and reliable in its anarchist glory since my college years. A mandatory pilgrimage with every Berkeley visit.

Me and my BF were in Berkeley and we were hungry and wanted to get something quick to eat. A quick bite and we seen this place and decided to try a new hotdog place. When I walked it I was greeted right away and placed my order very quickly! I ordered us a chili hotdog. I really wish it came with cheddar cheese on top. I felt like that would've made the hotdog way better but unfortunately they don't have cheddar cheese. Overall the hotdog was really good just wished it had cheddar cheese on top that really would have topped it off! Definitely would come back whenever I'm craving a hotdog and I'm in B town I'd stop by here again!

I love this spot. I heard about this place and wanted to visit soon after. It was said that they are the best, and they were not lying. The hot dogs are a little small filled with lots of flavor. I ordered a bratwurst and chicken & apple. I also got a side of chili. Lots of veggies and no meat really. You should really know what you want by the time you get inside the door. This is the type of place that moves quickly since it is an establishment. There's no seating, so you'll have to expect to eat outside or in your car or even on the go. Once you get your order, you'll find the toppings on a counter. You can find onions, relish, sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup, and deli mustard.

I stopped here in a drunken stupor (as does everyone else) and still managed to snap a photo of the restaurant exterior for my self anticipated Yelp review. I ordered a BRATWURST and it was delicious! There's no seating inside so it's a to-go order thing but the wait is fairly quick. This place saved my life that night... and for a reasonable price! I'd definitely recommend for a Hot Dog in the area. They also have all beef hot dogs!

"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.

Working overnight, had a craving for something but didn't feel like having fast food. 7 mins away this place was open. BUSSIN' that's all I got to say. I should have gotten more but the parking situation was getting outta hand.

After coming to top dog, I get it. I get why it's been around for so long and still continues to be so popular. It's affordable, fast, and a perfect snack/lunch depending on what you're in the mood for. I love the potato salad, so if that's your thing and you're a bit hungry, I recommend getting that in addition to a dog! My friend also likes to buy their dogs/buns in bulk and bring them home to eat. So that's also an option if you need! I think they sell them in packs of ten and the buns are separate so it might be helpful for a large gathering!

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.

My first time here. 9pm on a Monday and this place was still so busy. There were probably 4 or 5 parties in front of us. The person working seemed like he was nice, making jokes with a little kid. But as soon as someone asked for something slightly inconvenient you could see his mood change. Got a garlic dog, and it came out super hot and super delicious. Not too much garlic flavor, but I would definitely get again. The place is standing room only, and there's no where outside to sit. But there's a couple places a short walk away to sit. Or just walk and eat.

I never went here when I was a student here, but my partner decided to drop by to get a hot dog recently while we were in the area, so I decided to order a chicken apple sausage dog. First of all, the bun is barely edible. Second, the sausage did not taste like chicken apple. Not worth the time, money, or calories. Do not come here.

A grand tradition with the same great quality and fixings that this location had when I attended Cal in the 80s. Great hot dog casing snap and Top Dog flavor. Miss that they no longer serve the New Yorker. Takes credit cards for orders over $5 so I had to add a soda to make the bar.

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.

I've been coming here my entire life and love the food. The hot dogs and sausages are always super delicious with lots of flavor. The buns have a nice crusty exterior while the bread itself is soft which creates a nice textural difference. I'm a big fan of the condiment section which is self-service and features ketchup, relish, onions, sauerkraut, and a few types of mustard. During my last visit, the worker was strange to say the least; he made a weird, semi-vulgar joke to our party and used profanity multiple times. Honestly, it made me feel a bit uncomfortable and I thought it was very unprofessional. Fortunately, nothing like this has happened during any of my previous visits so I'm hoping it's just an isolated incident.

Predatory practices. Hot dogs cost between 4.50 to 4.75, but you can't purchase just one with a debit/credit card. There is a $5 minimum and of course the store doesn't offer small additions such as ranch etc. So to complete your purchase you NEED to buy a drink or chips. I requested that I just be charged the extra 50 cents, but apparently I needed to buy even more. I find it ridiculuous for a place that caters to college students to throw on unnecessary fees/requirements. We are just trying to eat.

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

Hot dog so great. The guy working in there is epic. Got a soda and chips- all you need in life.

Great hot dogs. I love the buns. The guy working Wednesday afternoon was super friendly and had great energy. It's a small location but has a real folksy, down-home atmosphere.

The white dude taking orders was f-cking rude. He yelled at me when i raised my phone, but I wasn't filming, just using my phone to zoom in to see the menu. I explained but he just wanna be an ass-h. I wanted my sausage to be cut in the middle, and he said no f-cking way, too busy. F this place. Deserved to be canceled!

I have been having Top Dog hot dogs here for *mumble* years, when La Val's was still around and before Blue Nile closed. Hot dogs are still a good value, and delicious. Also available late at night still. Russian mustard. NO ketchup.

For vegetarians, this is actually an awesome "street dog" option before a cal game or walking around campus, service is efficient, hot dog is grilled perfectly and more flavorful than a typical soy-base dog.

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!

I got two topdogs my husband got a garlic frankfurter and the mango chicken dog. They were all so good! The service was great as he was cooking and taking payment at the same time. He did it so effortlessly yet enthusiastically. It's a small place but I think that's what makes it so cool.

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.

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!

Top dog is the perfect name for this place! They have some quality hot dogs and the buns are always on point. I took my 3 year old here and he loved it ! They make it fresh on the grill right in front of you, and I love that they are always open late. Perfect place for if you want something quick and good

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.

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.

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.

Best hotdog in town. Hot links is my favorite. After a spicy one, I like something non spicy. Polish, lemon chicken, garlic Frankfurter, bratwurst to choose from. Great for snack. Bun is small so not much carb. Staff is nice. Sauerkraut and chopped onions are fresh. 3 kinds of mustard to choose from. It's just delicious!

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.

This is an extremely regular hotdog. Nothing special at all. The guy taking orders was just throwing things around rolling his eyes and has no customer service whatsoever! The building is small and rundown. I have no idea how this place got so many stars so underwhelming

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

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!!

After 2 fishbowls from Kips this hotdog cured my soul. Service was fine considering a bunch of drunk people pushing their way to order their food and our dawgs came out quick. Was super surprised that the sausages were actually spicy and punched a lot of heat and flavor. So good and the perfect way to end the night!

I've heard a lot about top dog and since I was in the area, I finally got the chance to give it a try. We got the garlic one which was pretty inexpensive but quick. Several sausages were already cooked and sitting on the grill which were just reheated and the guy working wasn't wearing gloves and kept touching other things and then proceeded cooking which I sorta wish I didn't see. The topping bar had everything I would've wanted from onions, relish, a big container of warm sauerkraut, and several types of mustard. When we finally got to try it, we loved it. It was flavorful and not too salty. I definitely would've wanted to get more but we were already planning on grabbing more food elsewhere. I really liked the bun because it was different and the texture with the sesame seeds was great too. We also got a potato salad to get our total above 5 to pay with card. It was nothing too special and a relatively small container but good if you're in the same situation, but honestly for the price of it, i would just get a second hot dog. I would've given 5 stars if it wasn't for the cleanliness. It's also a very small shop with no seating besides some tables for standing

You'll likely find a long line outside of Top Dog on a night out. It's a great snack at the end - or whenever really - of a big night. They sell various types of dogs, from chicken to beef, some even flavored. I personally ordered the mango hot dog, which featured a mango habanero chicken dog in their oddly shaped buns which are flat at the ends. They have a variety of different condiments which you can add, such as ketchup, relish, horseradish mustard, onions, etc. It's not too expensive but note the hot dog isn't the biggest!

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.

The list of available is amazing. I don't eat pork anymore but the beef selections is good I loved the service. It's a good place to eat if you need a quick bite. The ambiance is ok to say the least. Not space really to sit and eat just a grab and go type of setting. It gets real busy on weekends but I love how it stays open late.