Founded on the idea of cloning the famous Top Dog in Berkeley with the blessing of that hot-dog godhead and permission to buy from the same purveyors, these kings of NorCal hot dogs have opened three locations in our county in less than two years. So we must either have a lot of UC Berkeley alums who long for the dogs of their alma mater, or maybe the rolls and sausages from the East Bay really do create the ideal balance of bread, meat and toppings. It all starts with a sesame-seeded, crusty, baguette-style roll that's not too large for the tube steak and maintains a crusty chew even when loaded with heavy, wet ingredients such as chili. The kosher beef hot dogs are griddled, not boiled, and have just the right amount of char. A well-spiced dog not flavorful enough for you? A dozen sausages are on the menu for $3.85 each, including a classic German bockwurst, a spicy Louisiana hot link and an Italian sausage made by a 60-year-old purveyor in San Francisco. $$