Certainly not OT, since a Top Dog visit happens every home game day for me.

Barring a Hail Mary, the Lakeshore location is slated to close imminently. Hence the original Durant home will have to carry the entire load going forward.

https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/berkeley-top-dog-closing-oakland-location-21102867.php

Rag weed, stale rolls and dried out sausages. Man, I tell you, those were the days.

The owners are in their late golden years. Hopefully they will hand off the store to someone who loves it as much as we all do.

Well the Durant Top Dog was the only one we could stumble to late night after a quick trip to Fentons to finish off the study evening.

North Side was a quick walk from the bowels of Evan's, armloads of computer cards and all.

That's a shame, I used to live in that Lakeshore neighborhood and liked having a Top Dog around.

sycasey said:

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That's a shame, I used to live in that Lakeshore neighborhood and liked having a Top Dog around.

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Me too. Still not too, too far away (closer to Lakeshore than to Durant). Sad news.

Bobodeluxe said:

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North Side was a quick walk from the bowels of Evan's, armloads of computer cards and all.

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Northside Top Dog was the best because it was the quirkiest.

sycasey said:

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That's a shame, I used to live in that Lakeshore neighborhood and liked having a Top Dog around.

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me too. Those businesses over there are constantly getting robbed and cars bipped. Hopefully Arizmendi doesn't go anywhere..but don't get me going on oakland…. having lived there 35 years and still a homeowner there.

Big C said:

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Bobodeluxe said:

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North Side was a quick walk from the bowels of Evan's, armloads of computer cards and all.

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Northside Top Dog was the best because it was the quirkiest.

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Yup - I still look for the TD sign as I walk up Hearst to CMS - I know it won't be there, but can't help myself. Northside was such a little jewel in the '70s: Northside Books, donut shop, Giant Hamburger, La Val's, Swenson's Ice Cream, Rather Ripped Records, Stuffed Inn and a Chinese restaurant next door, Seven Thieves for groceries, Northside Theater (saw "The Harder They Come" there), Cheshire Cat for Anchor Steam. All these places long gone (except Seven Thieves and La Val's), but it still seems like a handy area to live near.

Big C said:

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Bobodeluxe said:

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North Side was a quick walk from the bowels of Evan's, armloads of computer cards and all.

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Northside Top Dog was the best because it was the quirkiest.

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Where was that located?
I'm not familiar with everything as you are.

concordtom said:

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Big C said:

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Bobodeluxe said:

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North Side was a quick walk from the bowels of Evan's, armloads of computer cards and all.

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Northside Top Dog was the best because it was the quirkiest.

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Where was that located?
I'm not familiar with everything as you are.

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About 200 feet east of Euclid. Outdoor seating, and all.

Dammit! So sad to hear this. I live a few blocks away and will pay a final visit soon. Sucks. But retail is brutal these days.

cal83dls79 said:

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sycasey said:

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That's a shame, I used to live in that Lakeshore neighborhood and liked having a Top Dog around.

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me too. Those businesses over there are constantly getting robbed and cars bipped. Hopefully Arizmendi doesn't go anywhere..but don't get me going on oakland…. having lived there 35 years and still a homeowner there.

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We can agree on Arizmendi. Try the new Crazy Cheesecakes down the block w fantastic BBQ brisket, lamb, dinosaur bone, etc.

HearstMining said:

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Big C said:

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Bobodeluxe said:

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North Side was a quick walk from the bowels of Evan's, armloads of computer cards and all.

---

Northside Top Dog was the best because it was the quirkiest.

---

Yup - I still look for the TD sign as I walk up Hearst to CMS - I know it won't be there, but can't help myself. Northside was such a little jewel in the '70s: Northside Books, donut shop, Giant Hamburger, La Val's, Swenson's Ice Cream, Rather Ripped Records, Stuffed Inn and a Chinese restaurant next door, Seven Thieves for groceries, Northside Theater (saw "The Harder They Come" there), Cheshire Cat for Anchor Steam. All these places long gone (except Seven Thieves and La Val's), but it still seems like a handy area to live near.

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^ respect, thank you sir (or madam)
signed, in stebbins coop's first floor, shared with my better half for a couple years, a looong time ago, more than 50 actually # forgot the rest

um, another late stebbins find, w/subsripts btw..

smh said:

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HearstMining said:

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Big C said:

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Bobodeluxe said:

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North Side was a quick walk from the bowels of Evan's, armloads of computer cards and all.

---

Northside Top Dog was the best because it was the quirkiest.

---

Yup - I still look for the TD sign as I walk up Hearst to CMS - I know it won't be there, but can't help myself. Northside was such a little jewel in the '70s: Northside Books, donut shop, Giant Hamburger, La Val's, Swenson's Ice Cream, Rather Ripped Records, Stuffed Inn and a Chinese restaurant next door, Seven Thieves for groceries, Northside Theater (saw "The Harder They Come" there), Cheshire Cat for Anchor Steam. All these places long gone (except Seven Thieves and La Val's), but it still seems like a handy area to live near.

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^ respect, thank you sir (or madam)
signed, in stebbins coop's first floor, shared with my better half for a couple years, a looong time ago, more than 50 actually # forgot the rest

um, another late stebbins find, w/subsripts btw..

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I was at Stebbins my senior year, '75-'76. after a year at Ridge Project (now Casa Z). Co-ops were certainly rustic, but I don't recall it being as trashy as shown in the Youtube video. Of course, my perspective is different than it was 50 years ago. Stebbins was a "high-points" house, meaning that it took some priority points to get in there (unless you were a gal - they generally struggled for a reasonable M/F ratio). I recall some of the long-timers were a bit cliquish, but everyone got along. I had several co-op romances, but none with a conclusion like yours. My GFs were all smart, though, and of course had good taste. 8^)

Quote:

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> I was at Stebbins my senior year, '75-'76. after a year at Ridge Project (now Casa Z). Co-ops were certainly rustic, but I don't recall it being as trashy as shown in the Youtube video. Of course, my perspective is different than it was 50 years ago. Stebbins was a "high-points" house, meaning that it took some priority points to get in there (unless you were a gal - they generally struggled for a reasonable M/F ratio). I recall some of the long-timers were a bit cliquish, but everyone got along. I had several co-op romances, but none with a conclusion like yours. My GFs were all smart, though, and of course had good taste. 8^)

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Tnx for sharing HM. Me and my gal were in the (already) Green Hands place just a few years earlier, and got married months after some wicked *first* Sierra backpacking trips, starting with a weeklong loop out of Mineral King, after a brief shared summertime stay at Cloyne Court.
# snack night sweets -> good times // aww to be young again

anyways, take care, aand Eat Dessert First.

HearstMining said:

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smh said:

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HearstMining said:

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Big C said:

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Bobodeluxe said:

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North Side was a quick walk from the bowels of Evan's, armloads of computer cards and all.

---

Northside Top Dog was the best because it was the quirkiest.

---

Yup - I still look for the TD sign as I walk up Hearst to CMS - I know it won't be there, but can't help myself. Northside was such a little jewel in the '70s: Northside Books, donut shop, Giant Hamburger, La Val's, Swenson's Ice Cream, Rather Ripped Records, Stuffed Inn and a Chinese restaurant next door, Seven Thieves for groceries, Northside Theater (saw "The Harder They Come" there), Cheshire Cat for Anchor Steam. All these places long gone (except Seven Thieves and La Val's), but it still seems like a handy area to live near.

---

^ respect, thank you sir (or madam)
signed, in stebbins coop's first floor, shared with my better half for a couple years, a looong time ago, more than 50 actually # forgot the rest

um, another late stebbins find, w/subsripts btw..

---

I was at Stebbins my senior year, '75-'76. after a year at Ridge Project (now Casa Z). Co-ops were certainly rustic, but I don't recall it being as trashy as shown in the Youtube video. Of course, my perspective is different than it was 50 years ago. Stebbins was a "high-points" house, meaning that it took some priority points to get in there (unless you were a gal - they generally struggled for a reasonable M/F ratio). I recall some of the long-timers were a bit cliquish, but everyone got along. I had several co-op romances, but none with a conclusion like yours. My GFs were all smart, though, and of course had good taste. 8^)

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The Coops looked even grungier in the 80s-90s, with a couple of exceptions like the Davis House, which is a Julia Morgan building. They've got the coop dingy carpets and sofas, but managed to preserve the fine redwood paneling and trims.

> The Coops looked even grungier in the 80s-90s, with a couple of exceptions like the Davis House, which is a Julia Morgan building. They've got the coop dingy carpets and sofas, but managed to preserve the fine redwood paneling and trims..

eye of the beholder rules, ahh to be deeply in love again
sighned, gob ears

I stopped in the Lakeshore location today and was lucky enough to meet the owner "Renie." She's very sweet. I told her that the Cal community LOVES them and is heartbroken that they're closing this location. I suggested she visit this discussion forum and post an appeal for help. And then when I got home today, it occurred to me to post it myself.

She could use some legal real estate assistance with interpreting her lease and knowing her rights and legal options. So I naturally thought of this crowd as a potential gold mine of legal minds who could consult her.

Anyone out there who can offer some experienced legal assistance?

Please PM me and I'll put you in contact with her.

Much appreciated.

Go Top Dog!!!

PS I did happen to say I've been BEGGING Gordo's to open a Lakeshore location for years now. If Top Dog fails to keep this store open, I'll pop into Gordo's again and beg some more!!!

I've gone by that location, it always seems slow. That area appears to be less their demographic now, a losing battle? Either way, best wishes.

Well my week suddenly got really busy, so my attentions were pulled elsewhere.

I must say, I'm a little surprised to see such little interest in my suggestion and reply to this post. With all the love for Top Dog shown over the years, I would have expected a little more response to this request. Sure, it's not THE Top Dog location we know and love. But it's the same company and owner.


Movielover, their predicament has nothing to do with foot traffic or their location, as far as I know.

It's an issue with their lease. Lots of popular retail locations have closed due reasons unrelated to a store's success. Commercial real estate makes little sense in many areas. Just look at San Francisco where building owners prefer to leave their storefronts vacant for YEARS, collecting zero rent, and apparently prefer to use the vacancy as a tax write-off.

The Lakeshore shopping district remains vibrant and active in Oakland. Our Spashpad farmer's market across from the Grand Lake Theater is a long-time resounding success in local neighborhood participation. This is also the largest farmer's market in Oakland.

So can I implore the Cal community out there with some experience to come forward and offer some sage advice for the owner?

Thanks in advance.

Go Bears! Go Top Dog!

I didn't find that area until my sophomore year but routinely ate at one of those places nearly every day after that. Spent most of my time in Evans, Etcheverry, and others around there. Loved that Top Dog too because of the seating.

Started going to TD in the fall of my senior year in high school in '71.
PB was Spring Quarter '75: 5 Germans after a night pounding them at Big Art's across the street…:probably listening to Delta Wires or Grayson Street.*

*Some of you old guys that are in to music might retrieve some memories here:

https://rockprosopography101.blogspot.com/2021/02/bay-area-rock-nightclub-survey-berkeley.html?m=1