Wow, this place is anything but tip top... More like Flip Flop! The menu is on this dimly lit sign above the deli area and you are hurting your neck trying to read everything. You order at the register and pick up your food.

Good:
1) Yes the prices are great, for this much meat, you can't beat it.
2) Good portion size
3) Mashed potatoes. Brown gravy helps!
4) The wait staff. You can tell the woman that buses your table after you're done works hard. I hope they're paying her well.

Bad:
1) Service! The woman over the counter gave my group and I the worse welcome you have ever seen. "UHHH MOVE INTO A SINGLE LINE!" In the most abrupt voice. My friend and I were turned off by her attitude being as that we were waiting in line to order. It was like she was PMSing!
2) Salads here are pre-made... limited choices in dressing (no Caesar)
3) Prime rib was dry and chewy
4) Gives you this big honkin broccoli instead of cutting it into more decent sized pieces.

Remember that your customers is what makes your business successful and having an attitude doesn't help bring them back. I don't think I'll be returning anytime soon.

Think of it as a candy store for carnivorous adults.

The butchers are very friendly and knowledgeable, one even made me a quick rub for a rib-eye which, with his instructions on how to prepare, resulted in a great meal.

They have a monster smoker, so every Thanksgiving they smoke a bunch of turkeys which quickly sell out, so reserve early.

Their sausages have no equal. The smoked brats are usually my fave, but the smoked kielbasa with jalapeno & cheddar are without a doubt one of the great sausages on planet earth.

You can pick up some nice beers (Celebrators!) or wines, and they have the best mustard selection in San Diego.

If you go for breakfast on a weekend, go early or beware the crowd of blue-hairs...

We love German food and Tip Top offers the fixings in its stores--or as a menu item served in its restaurant. Love their sausages--and availability of Scandinavian specialities especially during the Christmas season. The butcher shop here is top shelf!

The store itself is pretty wonderful, I agree: unusual offerings in the meat (helpful butchers), dairy (mmm...cheese), and treat (yay for European chocolate!) departments. If you like wine, the selection looks good, but don't take my word for that. Do take to heart this review of the deli's food: greasy, unhealthy, unappealing, unsatisfying! Even the salad was disappointing, with its lackluster lettuce and plastic-packaged dressing. I've been coerced into trying breakfast and lunch over the years, but assume dinner is a duplicate.
The main reason to go is its proximity to the Carlsbad Ranch Market! Opt for their hot and cold food bar for a healthier alternative to Tip Top, and get a sample of their freshest fruit while you're in there.

We were looking for a quick bite when we happened upon this gem. Unassuming on the outside, the market and restaurant area inside makes you feel as if you were in Europe. I could have spent hours exploring the market. I especially loved the wide selection of Haribo candy and the availability of Kinder and Bacci (two amazing chocolates difficult to find in the US).

The restaurant was wonderful. The prices were great, especially for the huge portions. It's definitely a great value if that's what you are looking for. The food was average though. My friend's mashed potatoes tasted as if it came from a box. In sum, the place is wonderful if you're looking for a good value and hard to find items from Europe.