Top Dog

Late nights and hot dogs just go together. We don’t make the rules. This kind-of-a-dive hot dog institution near the UC Berkeley campus (it’s been around since the ‘60s and is open until 3am), is a rite of passage for Cal students, or anyone motivated by the greased-up, meaty aroma of blistering kielbasa, hot links, brats, and franks. Order at the counter with cash in hand ($5 credit card minimum and most dogs are $4.50), wait outside for the dog (and, likely, be chatted up by a local who “remembers coming here back when…”), and then slather on the mustard and fresh onions.

photo credit: Virginia Mae Rollison