Nagle’s Top Dog & Malt Shoppe

I had high hopes for the place as I appreciate non-​chain establishments that try to give a local flavor to the food scene.
Here is what works:
Not pretentious. Décor probably has not changed in a number of years and is a bit dated but that adds to the charm. There are indeed lots of used books for sale for $ 1 or less. The place is heated with a wood stove (could have used a bit more fan blowing though) and the people are rather friendly. It has a general feel of a classic dive.
Where is what does not:
I order one of their self-​described big breakfast sandwich. It is rather pricey $ 6 for what you get. It was a decent sandwich with the egg, slice of cheese and three types of meat on Texas toast but it lacked a «pow» flavor. Basically it was breakfast taken from a plate and put between big toast. Needs more spice or a decadent mayo with siracha, etc.
It took way too long for the order to be filled. I was there for over 14 minutes and after awhile I could only peruse the book section so long.
So glad I went once but have no plans to return as the price does not merit the flavor factor or the time waiting.

Do you like breakfast? Would you like your whole breakfast put between two pieces of grilled Texas toast for convenience and deliciousness? Of course you do. Then come to Top Dog and grab a Breakwich, you won’t be sorry.

Perfect hangover food! The big breakwich is the BEST breakfast sandwich!!! Greasy flavorful and does the job!

Nagle’s is the sort of place you fear is going to disappear one day in the age of chains and shining, sterile standardization.
Nagle’s is a greasy spoon and I mean that in the best way possible. I’ve never had lunch there but I think their breakfasts are the signature attraction. It’s a dog and shake shop so maybe I don’t know what I’m talking about? They offer the normal compliment of breakfast plates, egg burritos, etc., but the feature item is their breakwichs. The breakwich is basically an egg, cheese, and meat breakfast sandwich on Texas toast. It is customizable for size, content, and layers but always delicious in any combination. It tastes like a heart attack and I, again, mean that in the best way possible. The food has that great flat-​top grill, made to order, hot-​off-​the-​metal goodness. It’s rich in flavor but real, not just salt, flavor.
The atmosphere is great too. It’s the sort of place you imagine old men meet to sip coffee and talk politics and fishing. The restaurant is usually sparsely attended in actuality but they get plenty of morning carryout business of working people getting a filling meal in the AM. There is a wood stove that they run in the chilly seasons to heat the dining room. The walls are lined with used books that can be purchased for a buck or less. There’s a few tables but mostly it’s old, diner-​style hard booths. It’s not fancy or modern but the dining room matches the classic greatness of the food.
Again, it’s the sort of place you want to visit, support, and cherish if you want an old-​fashioned, blue collar, greasy spoon.

Top Dog leads the pack for Kalamazoo burger and shake venders because they have kept the old style hamburger alive with a fresh bun and a hand-​formed patty cooked on a flat-​top grill. And there are malts! There are few places on God’s green earth where you can find goddamn good malts. Patronize this place and eat well.

If your in the mood for the best junk food in Kalamazoo, head to Nagle’s top dog!
Greasy foods, coca cola, weirdos galore!

Cheap, tasty, cozy and friendly… there’s nothing not to like about this Kalamazoo establishment.
From the outside you might think they only do hotdogs, but inside it’s clear there’s so much more.
The staff aren’t shy about recommending a breakfast sandwich, even if you come in around lunchtime. You shouldn’t be shy either, as they’ve got the best breakfast sandwiches in town. $ 3.99 gets you a Big Breakwich, with double meat, eggs, and cheese on Texas toast. Flawless execution: hot, meaty, salty, and oozing with American cheese. No fake fast-​food eggs, either. They remind me of the wonderful breakfast sandwiches at New York delis.
If you’re more in the mood for lunch (or want to kill both bird/​meals with one stone), add a burger to your order (most are $ 2.65) or get a hot dog (all below $ 2).
As you enjoy your grilled goodies, warm up by the fire in their wood-​burning stove, or read one of the hundreds of romance novels (for sale!) on their shelves and windowsill.
Surprisingly, the hotdogs are merely average.
Next time you’re thinking about a breakfast sandwich, skip the chains, and hit the drive thru-​at Nagle’s Top Dog. You’ll never look back.