Nice write up and thank you. I really enjoy seeing this from an insiders prospective. It helps understand what Coach Wilcox is doing and how he is doing it. Great that former well known CAL alum ballers got involved as well. I'm real curious how Jaden Rashada's visit went and if he provided any feedback. He needs to ask himself two questions before he commits anywhere but CAL: 1. Where will CAL be as a program by the time he gets a chance to play, which is most likely 3 to 4 years, and 2. Where is the best place for him to play for his family and friends to come out watch him? Then he can think about all the other great reasons, like the education, Top Dog...
I realize this will shock you. I graduated from Cal never going to Top Dog. No real reason. I lived at Cheese Board, Zachary's, Stuffed Inn. Hot dogs have always grossed me out, I guess that's my reason. I read something about the production of hot dogs as a kid and that did it.
Top Dog on Northside. Fortunately I got a rent controlled 1BR apartment at 1799 Euclid after sophomore year which was $420/mo. My budget for Calabreses was hardly impacted. Rent now at the same complex is $2895. Man I'm old.
Ya, we’re old…my 2BR/2 BA SF apt at Bay & Hyde across from Russian Hill park & just up from Buena Vista was $1550…shudder to think what it was in 2020 before COVID
They are not hot dogs! They are sausages and used to be from Saag's (don't know if that is still the case). They were made from the highest quality ingredients. Top Dog Brats, on their buns, with sauerkraut, relish, onions, brown mustard and ketchup were on the Michelin 5 star list for great food available at 3:00 a.m. on college campuses. It was definitely the stop after the party on the way home when you had the munchies. Actually, Top Dog was GREAT anytime!! ;-) You need to try one.
IIRC, Top Dog used Saag’s, Aidell’s & Schwarz...in our formative HS years, Newellbany and I “cut our teeth” at the old Montclair Top Dog, just down the way from Crogan’s...multiple visits a week. Fond memories of proprietor Bo and his B Town Zoo albums...miss that place.
EVERY town in the country could use a Top Dog. Every...single...one.....
That doesn’t surprise me at all, however it is totally fixable...I find your endless positivity regarding the smoldering dumpster fire that is the Cal Men’s Basketball program to be far less so. ;-). Totally kidding, Calbear91. ;-)
I don’t think I’ve ever actually had just the top dog AT Top Dog...had it at a Big Game tailgate at ‘Furd once tho - I always go sausage, because Top Dog is just flat out good sausage. I was a Bird Dog aficionado myself, but alas it’s extinct (pause for a moment of silence)...it’s been replaced by the mango chicken habanero, which while still good, is no Bird. I’m on a lemon chicken kick now...usually bring a dozen uncooked back to SB after every visit home, along with some kielbasas or bockwurst...whatever I’m feeling when at the counter. Give it a shot next time you’re in town, and try the smoked chicken apple...also a delight.
I don't generally follow recruiting news, but we absolutely need to sign Rico Flores Jr. With the length of his arms, we'd be able to block every field goal and PAT that our opponents attempt.
Thank you. Given the alumni of the program, it is so wonderful to have some show up and support their Bears. I see Mike Saffle in the photo too, and what a recruiter he must be. The combination of academics and athletics are of course, hard to beat. Add in the team culture and coaching culture that Wilcox has established, and it's hard to see why a young man with the brains and character to be a Bear wouldn't attend. I know I'm biased. Maybe we don't shower our recruits with money and hook ups like some, but those guys wouldn't like Cal anyway.
Nice write up and thank you. I really enjoy seeing this from an insiders prospective. It helps understand what Coach Wilcox is doing and how he is doing it. Great that former well known CAL alum ballers got involved as well. I'm real curious how Jaden Rashada's visit went and if he provided any feedback. He needs to ask himself two questions before he commits anywhere but CAL: 1. Where will CAL be as a program by the time he gets a chance to play, which is most likely 3 to 4 years, and 2. Where is the best place for him to play for his family and friends to come out watch him? Then he can think about all the other great reasons, like the education, Top Dog...
I realize this will shock you. I graduated from Cal never going to Top Dog. No real reason. I lived at Cheese Board, Zachary's, Stuffed Inn. Hot dogs have always grossed me out, I guess that's my reason. I read something about the production of hot dogs as a kid and that did it.
Top Dog on Northside. Fortunately I got a rent controlled 1BR apartment at 1799 Euclid after sophomore year which was $420/mo. My budget for Calabreses was hardly impacted. Rent now at the same complex is $2895. Man I'm old.
Ya, we’re old…my 2BR/2 BA SF apt at Bay & Hyde across from Russian Hill park & just up from Buena Vista was $1550…shudder to think what it was in 2020 before COVID
They are not hot dogs! They are sausages and used to be from Saag's (don't know if that is still the case). They were made from the highest quality ingredients. Top Dog Brats, on their buns, with sauerkraut, relish, onions, brown mustard and ketchup were on the Michelin 5 star list for great food available at 3:00 a.m. on college campuses. It was definitely the stop after the party on the way home when you had the munchies. Actually, Top Dog was GREAT anytime!! ;-) You need to try one.
IIRC, Top Dog used Saag’s, Aidell’s & Schwarz...in our formative HS years, Newellbany and I “cut our teeth” at the old Montclair Top Dog, just down the way from Crogan’s...multiple visits a week. Fond memories of proprietor Bo and his B Town Zoo albums...miss that place.
EVERY town in the country could use a Top Dog. Every...single...one.....
That doesn’t surprise me at all, however it is totally fixable...I find your endless positivity regarding the smoldering dumpster fire that is the Cal Men’s Basketball program to be far less so. ;-). Totally kidding, Calbear91. ;-)
I don’t think I’ve ever actually had just the top dog AT Top Dog...had it at a Big Game tailgate at ‘Furd once tho - I always go sausage, because Top Dog is just flat out good sausage. I was a Bird Dog aficionado myself, but alas it’s extinct (pause for a moment of silence)...it’s been replaced by the mango chicken habanero, which while still good, is no Bird. I’m on a lemon chicken kick now...usually bring a dozen uncooked back to SB after every visit home, along with some kielbasas or bockwurst...whatever I’m feeling when at the counter. Give it a shot next time you’re in town, and try the smoked chicken apple...also a delight.
Whenever we come up to the Bay, Top Dog is LITERALLY our first stop. Before seeing relatives and friends...my wife, son, we all demand it.
Well played, alpha.
Top Dog is a national f-ing treasure & should be the centerpiece of every Berkeley recruiting pitch.
Top Dog is unrivaled. No place else can boast Top Dog!
They should take every recruit to Top Dog at least once on a recruiting trip and bring along the commitment letters. ;-)
I don't generally follow recruiting news, but we absolutely need to sign Rico Flores Jr. With the length of his arms, we'd be able to block every field goal and PAT that our opponents attempt.
Thank you. Given the alumni of the program, it is so wonderful to have some show up and support their Bears. I see Mike Saffle in the photo too, and what a recruiter he must be. The combination of academics and athletics are of course, hard to beat. Add in the team culture and coaching culture that Wilcox has established, and it's hard to see why a young man with the brains and character to be a Bear wouldn't attend. I know I'm biased. Maybe we don't shower our recruits with money and hook ups like some, but those guys wouldn't like Cal anyway.
I guarantee you Saffell has had more than a couple of Top Dogs!
Nice! Great article Avi. Love seeing that Cam, Marshawn, Riverboat & Silver joined the party!