REVIEW: TOP DAWG 2014 DEL PASO BOULEVARD

Today I left work early. Quite frankly, I just couldn't take it anymore.

So around 11:45AM I found myself driving down Del Paso Boulevard.

Then I spotted it! Sacramento Top Dawg! Lunchtime!!!

Sacramento Top Dawg is located in the heart of North Sacramento at 2014 Del Paso Boulevard.

I had been reading some reviews about this place from my rivals on the Internet & thought I would check it out.

Pulling up to the front of the business I made sure my car doors were locked.

When I walked in I was greeted with Diana Ross blaring on the radio. It was in fact a halfway clean restaurant. A couple of ladies had just ordered & took a seat. It looked like this was their first "Top Dawg" experience as well.

I approached the counter & looked over the menu board. I was greeted by a very polite & cute employee. She appeared to be in her 20's.

I decided on a Kraut dawg, fries & a small diet Pepsi.

She wrote down my order on a small pad & than rang it up on the register. Your total is $7.07 she said.

After paying her, I grabbed a table & took the place in. Diana Ross continued to sing. I noticed another lady behind the counter on her cell phone. Perhaps she was the owner.

Just then an older gentleman walked in. He had a injury to his face, like he either fell down or was punched my someone. It appeared that he was a regular.

The lady on the cell phone walked over & chatted with him, giving him a hug.

The old guy ordered a peanut butter milkshake.

The two ladies that had arrived before me were really into the place, talking loudly about the items on the menu board. They got sweet potato fries? Lord have mercy, that sounds good girl! They got Ribs too. Oh Hell yes!

They were in heaven!

The three of us started talking to one of the employees. Apparently, Thursday is the day to eat at Top Dawg. They have BBQ ribs, greens, Tri Tip Sandwiches & BBQ Chicken.

So if you go there to eat, go on a Thursday.

With our conversation coming to an end a new song started to blare on the radio. It was that song Band of Gold.

Just then a construction worker walked in, got a cool drink & left.

After a few minutes my order was brought over to me.

What a killer lunch! It had been awhile since I ate a good hot dog & this one hit the spot! The beef hot dog was tasty, the bun toasted on the grill & the Sauerkraut was off the hook. The fries were fresh & crispy!

For $7.07 it was a good lunch. As I enjoyed my Kraut Dawg, I looked out the window onto Del Paso Boulevard watching the dregs of society walk by. Lots of homeless, tweakers & gang bangers.

It was the hood & I kept an extra close eye on my car.

The two ladies finally wrapped up their meal, thanked the employees & left. They didn't leave anything in the tip jar.

So that just left me and the old guy. I started talking with him about Del Paso Boulevard.

As it turned out he was loaded with historical information about the street. We talked about Lil Joe's, the North Star, the Night Hawk, Sammy's & the Bob Les Club. I mentioned a cowboy place that used to be on the corner of Arden & Del Paso, but we couldn't figure out the name of it.

He told me that he had lived on Del Paso Boulevard for 19 years. He told me that the place we were eating in was once a Chinese restaurant. He also told me that he doesn't go out at night. Hmmm....

As I was finishing up the last of my fries a young man walked in. He had on baggy jeans & a white T shirt that was 18 sizes to big for him.

His right forearm covered in tattoos.

He practically laid down on the counter & said to one of the girls working there, what's up girl?

Yo Yo, what's up?

He got up off of the counter & started to sway back & forth. How ya'll doin? he asked. Yo... Yo... hook me up with a corn dog.... Yo... yo.... Hey girl, he continued... What's up? Yo... yo.... Can you give me a hot dog? C'mon girl, hook me up...

Can I gets a hot dog? Yo, can I gets a hot dog? C'mon girl... What's up? Yo, yo.... Makes me a hot dog, cool?

Swaying back & forth he said, what are you doing tonight? C'mon girl, hook me up...

The old man sitting next to me mumbled, "God Damn Del Paso Boulevard"

The ladies behind the counter resisted. They were not giving this guy anything for free.

What a loser, he couldn't even afford a hot dog.

After a few minutes the Casanova gave up & left, without a free hot dog.

I cleaned my plate & got up to leave. The old timer told me to have a good day.

I kicked up a couple of bucks into the tip jar & thanked the ladies for a great lunch. I also asked, was that guy trying to get a free hot dog from you?

She just waved her hand & rolled her eyes.

As I left the restaurant I noticed the Casanova a couple of doors down hanging out in front of the Barber Shop.

Talk about class.....

Anyway, overall it was a good lunch for a decent price.

Will I go back to Top Dawg? Yes I will, on Thursday for a Trip Tip Sandwich.

I give Top Dawg 2 1/2 stars out of 4 stars...

For a higher rating, turn down the volume down on Diana Ross & get rid of the beggars....

Have a great weekend!

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