I am no Dane Cook, so I have to admit to stealing a joke. My alleged dream was lifted from a Robert Klein bit 50 years ago:

"In the fifties I had dreams about touching a naked woman and she would turn to bronze or the dream about hot dogs chasing donuts through the Lincoln Tunnel."
-Robert Klein

In reply to wifeisafurd

wifeisafurd said:

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Article says Top Dog is just closing temporary and will be part of a new building being constructed.



https://sfgate.com/food/article/top-dog-berkeley-closed-19442353.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=share-by-email&utm_medium=email

The iconic hot dog eatery's building is slated to be razed for a new high-rise.

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Yes. The OP thread title is not correct. Top Dog will return to Center Street when the new building is completed.

Cal Alum has insane cal knowledge although I have an Oski story …so in any event oski should be like 5'5" …somewhere Oski became like 6'5.

In reply to calumnus

calumnus said:

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wifeisafurd said:

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Article says Top Dog is just closing temporary and will be part of a new building being constructed.



https://sfgate.com/food/article/top-dog-berkeley-closed-19442353.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=share-by-email&utm_medium=email

The iconic hot dog eatery's building is slated to be razed for a new high-rise.

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Yes. The OP thread title is not correct. Top Dog will return to Center Street when the new building is completed.

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New monster building on Center St.

In reply to bear2034

bear2034 said:

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calumnus said:

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wifeisafurd said:

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Article says Top Dog is just closing temporary and will be part of a new building being constructed.



https://sfgate.com/food/article/top-dog-berkeley-closed-19442353.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=share-by-email&utm_medium=email

The iconic hot dog eatery's building is slated to be razed for a new high-rise.

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Yes. The OP thread title is not correct. Top Dog will return to Center Street when the new building is completed.

---

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Well that's gonna take a while. What a monstrosity!

In reply to bearister

bearister said:

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I am no Dane Cook, so I have to admit to stealing a joke. My alleged dream was lifted from a Robert Klein bit 50 years ago:

"In the fifties I had dreams about touching a naked woman and she would turn to bronze or the dream about hot dogs chasing donuts through the Lincoln Tunnel."
-Robert Klein

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Was it a King Pin glazed?

In reply to JimSox

JimSox said:

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bear2034 said:

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calumnus said:

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wifeisafurd said:

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Article says Top Dog is just closing temporary and will be part of a new building being constructed.



https://sfgate.com/food/article/top-dog-berkeley-closed-19442353.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=share-by-email&utm_medium=email

The iconic hot dog eatery's building is slated to be razed for a new high-rise.

---

Yes. The OP thread title is not correct. Top Dog will return to Center Street when the new building is completed.

---

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Well that's gonna take a while. What a monstrosity!

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The housing is needed, but it is going to obstruct some Bay views from campus.

In reply to wifeisafurd

wifeisafurd said:

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Article says Top Dog is just closing temporary and will be part of a new building being constructed.



https://sfgate.com/food/article/top-dog-berkeley-closed-19442353.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=share-by-email&utm_medium=email

The iconic hot dog eatery's building is slated to be razed for a new high-rise.

---

Comment from one of the owners in the SFGate article: "Downtown Berkeley is really almost nothing but a ghost town right now."

Does this mean it's gotten even worse? I know I've ranted about this before, but I grew up in Berkeley during the 1960s-1970s when Berkeley's downtown had everything you could want: hardware stores, sporting goods, toys, men's and women's clothing, Edy's, Palmer's, the movie theaters, furniture, etc. As a kid, it was rare that I didn't bump into somebody or their parent or sibling when I went downtown. I've only been in town occasionally since the early 1980s, but it's honestly seemed like a ghost town since then, but apparently it's even worse. Any opinions on why this is the case? Upper Shattuck (gourmet ghetto) seems healthy and vibrant.

As an aside, does anybody remember the Top Dog on Shattuck just south of University serving apple pie? I seem to recall it was very good and very cheap. If I missed the #7 bus and had to wait another twenty minutes, it was a pleasant diversion, along with the magazine rack in Palmers.

EDIT - I just thought of one of the reasons: Amazon. But still, downtown Berkeley was headed downhill long before that.

In reply to HearstMining Berkeley has turned into the Wild West like Oakland (except less murders). Shootings, carjackings, store thefts and car burglaries all in broad daylight.
Read a few of the stories on Berkeley Scanner, run by Cal grad Emelie Raguso. I check in with her website a few times a week.

The Berkeley Scanner: Independent daily crime and safety news


https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/

In reply to MSaviolives

MSaviolives said:

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cal83dls79 said:

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MSaviolives said:

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Big C said:

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BearBoarBlarney said:

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Big C said:

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La Val's closed?!? I was just there in November...

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I think @cal83dls79 was referring to the old La Val's on Durant, in that same complex that used to have a Tower Records. I think the southside La Val's close in the late-90's/early-00's. Pretty sure northside La Val's is going strong, as their website is active and accepting orders.

I don't recall a "Cheshire Cat" in Berkeley, however. And I'm old having graduated in the early nineties.

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What I'd give to be as "old" as you (I got maybe a dozen years on you)...

Cheshire Cat was disgusting, maybe in a good way, depending on your POV... it was right near N, side LaVal's, maybe in the same alcove. On Thursday's, they had 99 cent pitchers of PBR and the pitchers were pretty big, at that. I don't know anyone that ever went there except Thursdays. The men's room was dark... and you were glad it was, the floor was all sticky. You had to decide if washing your hands after you peed would improve your hygiene situation, or make it worse. Probably the latter, as the sink was only semi-functional and there were no paper towels.

No surprise that Cheshire Cat didn't last until the '90s.

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I literally saw dudes pissing in that sink when there was a line up at the urinals

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my bad

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To be fair, this isn't the only place I have seen dudes pissing in sinks. Maybe we should start a thread on "things I have witnessed in public bathrooms."

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Monkey Inn, back in the 60s. Everything bad you ever thought of, and then some. The classic: a party of 6, 3 Coeds and many pitchers. One of the Coeds asks if. it is raining - down her leg.

In reply to HearstMining

HearstMining said:

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wifeisafurd said:

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Article says Top Dog is just closing temporary and will be part of a new building being constructed.



https://sfgate.com/food/article/top-dog-berkeley-closed-19442353.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=share-by-email&utm_medium=email

The iconic hot dog eatery's building is slated to be razed for a new high-rise.

---

Comment from one of the owners in the SFGate article: "Downtown Berkeley is really almost nothing but a ghost town right now."

Does this mean it's gotten even worse? I know I've ranted about this before, but I grew up in Berkeley during the 1960s-1970s when Berkeley's downtown had everything you could want: hardware stores, sporting goods, toys, men's and women's clothing, Edy's, Palmer's, the movie theaters, furniture, etc. As a kid, it was rare that I didn't bump into somebody or their parent or sibling when I went downtown. I've only been in town occasionally since the early 1980s, but it's honestly seemed like a ghost town since then, but apparently it's even worse. Any opinions on why this is the case? Upper Shattuck (gourmet ghetto) seems healthy and vibrant.

As an aside, does anybody remember the Top Dog on Shattuck just south of University serving apple pie? I seem to recall it was very good and very cheap. If I missed the #7 bus and had to wait another twenty minutes, it was a pleasant diversion, along with the magazine rack in Palmers.

EDIT - I just thought of one of the reasons: Amazon. But still, downtown Berkeley was headed downhill long before that.

---

it's not a ghost town. If you were there in the 80s it was a mess. They have replaced lots of vacant lots and car showrooms with high end apartments and health clubs. King Dong survives however

Story I read in the chronicle said it MIGHT come back. Stuff is going into storage and they may bring it back or open a different location, but they're in their mid-80s (the owners) and aren't sure, but they'd like to see it open again.

In reply to cal83dls79

cal83dls79 said:

---

HearstMining said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

Article says Top Dog is just closing temporary and will be part of a new building being constructed.



https://sfgate.com/food/article/top-dog-berkeley-closed-19442353.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=share-by-email&utm_medium=email

The iconic hot dog eatery's building is slated to be razed for a new high-rise.

---

Comment from one of the owners in the SFGate article: "Downtown Berkeley is really almost nothing but a ghost town right now."

Does this mean it's gotten even worse? I know I've ranted about this before, but I grew up in Berkeley during the 1960s-1970s when Berkeley's downtown had everything you could want: hardware stores, sporting goods, toys, men's and women's clothing, Edy's, Palmer's, the movie theaters, furniture, etc. As a kid, it was rare that I didn't bump into somebody or their parent or sibling when I went downtown. I've only been in town occasionally since the early 1980s, but it's honestly seemed like a ghost town since then, but apparently it's even worse. Any opinions on why this is the case? Upper Shattuck (gourmet ghetto) seems healthy and vibrant.

As an aside, does anybody remember the Top Dog on Shattuck just south of University serving apple pie? I seem to recall it was very good and very cheap. If I missed the #7 bus and had to wait another twenty minutes, it was a pleasant diversion, along with the magazine rack in Palmers.

EDIT - I just thought of one of the reasons: Amazon. But still, downtown Berkeley was headed downhill long before that.

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it's not a ghost town. If you were there in the 80s it was a mess. They have replaced lots of vacant lots and car showrooms with high end apartments and health clubs. King Dong survives however

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I actually have fond memories of King Dong.

Berkeley is Where it's At these days. Sorry I missed this exciting modern era by 50 years.

Shootings and gunfire in Berkeley, CA - The Berkeley Scanner


https://www.berkeleyscanner.com/topic/shootings/

In reply to calumnus

calumnus said:

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JimSox said:

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bear2034 said:

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calumnus said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

Article says Top Dog is just closing temporary and will be part of a new building being constructed.



https://sfgate.com/food/article/top-dog-berkeley-closed-19442353.php?utm_campaign=CMS%20Sharing%20Tools%20(Premium)&utm_source=share-by-email&utm_medium=email

The iconic hot dog eatery's building is slated to be razed for a new high-rise.

---

Yes. The OP thread title is not correct. Top Dog will return to Center Street when the new building is completed.

---

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Well that's gonna take a while. What a monstrosity!

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The housing is needed, but it is going to obstruct some Bay views from campus.

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While I totally "get" the urban density idea, I don't see why these building right near campus should be any more than 6-8 stories. When I'm on campus, I want a view; when I'm away from campus I want to view... the campus.

This is why I didn't vote for that Berkeley mayor for State Senate (or Assembly, or whatever he was running for). And I have no idea if he okayed those buildings, or what. Just didn't vote for him. Also, he's a tub of goo.

There are a bunch of new buildings in Oakland that are 10+ stories, without being set back from the sidewalk one bit, even buildings at the corners of intersections. Makes me feel claustrophobic. Bad planning.

In reply to philbert

philbert said:

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cal83dls79 said:

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it's not a ghost town. If you were there in the 80s it was a mess. They have replaced lots of vacant lots and car showrooms with high end apartments and health clubs. King Dong survives however

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I never ate there, but King Dong went kaput earlier this year.

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Yeah. Very recently. I was surprised to see that. But Shattuck is not a ghost town by any means. The movie theaters are gone, which is a bummer. But there is plenty of economic activity. Try Sliver in the BART Plaza. Pizza that rivals the Cheeseboard. And they sell by the slice.

In reply to operbear

operbear said:

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MSaviolives said:

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cal83dls79 said:

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MSaviolives said:

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Big C said:

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BearBoarBlarney said:

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Big C said:

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La Val's closed?!? I was just there in November...

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I think @cal83dls79 was referring to the old La Val's on Durant, in that same complex that used to have a Tower Records. I think the southside La Val's close in the late-90's/early-00's. Pretty sure northside La Val's is going strong, as their website is active and accepting orders.

I don't recall a "Cheshire Cat" in Berkeley, however. And I'm old having graduated in the early nineties.

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What I'd give to be as "old" as you (I got maybe a dozen years on you)...

Cheshire Cat was disgusting, maybe in a good way, depending on your POV... it was right near N, side LaVal's, maybe in the same alcove. On Thursday's, they had 99 cent pitchers of PBR and the pitchers were pretty big, at that. I don't know anyone that ever went there except Thursdays. The men's room was dark... and you were glad it was, the floor was all sticky. You had to decide if washing your hands after you peed would improve your hygiene situation, or make it worse. Probably the latter, as the sink was only semi-functional and there were no paper towels.

No surprise that Cheshire Cat didn't last until the '90s.

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I literally saw dudes pissing in that sink when there was a line up at the urinals

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my bad

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To be fair, this isn't the only place I have seen dudes pissing in sinks. Maybe we should start a thread on "things I have witnessed in public bathrooms."

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Monkey Inn, back in the 60s. Everything bad you ever thought of, and then some. The classic: a party of 6, 3 Coeds and many pitchers. One of the Coeds asks if. it is raining - down her leg.

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For me, just a sample of things I have seen in public bathrooms:

• Lots of times dudes doing lines
• Hetero couple in stall doing their thing
• Gay cruisers in stall doing their thing at rest stops
• Being hit on by said gay cruisers at rest stops
• Several incidents of ladies crashing in because their line is too long

In reply to JimSox

JimSox said:

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philbert said:

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cal83dls79 said:

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it's not a ghost town. If you were there in the 80s it was a mess. They have replaced lots of vacant lots and car showrooms with high end apartments and health clubs. King Dong survives however

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I never ate there, but King Dong went kaput earlier this year.

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Yeah. Very recently. I was surprised to see that. But Shattuck is not a ghost town by any means. The movie theaters are gone, which is a bummer. But there is plenty of economic activity. Try Sliver in the BART Plaza. Pizza that rivals the Cheeseboard. And they sell by the slice.

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The person who made the "ghost town" statement probably has a very short frame of reference and is clearly prone to exaggeration,