Hot dog days return to iconic, triangular Temescal building

For more than two decades, ever since the Original Kasper’s Hot Dogs location closed in 2003, the funky, triangular building where Shattuck, Telegraph and 46th Street converge has sat vacant and boarded, a gallery for vivid graffiti pieces.

Now, the building has been brought back to life and is once again dishing out hot dogs.

4521 Telegraph Ave., Oakland; https://winkydinkydogs.com

Hours: Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

On Jan. 24, Tyranny Allen opened the second location of Winky Dinky Dogs in the iconic Temescal building, drawing long lines of people eager to check out the dogs, ribs, and revived 80-year-old building with a fresh, colorful exterior, outdoor seating, and an additional streetside grill that beckoned passersby with enticing aromas.

Allen, a former member of Digital Underground and serial entrepreneur who also opened Lucky’s Barber Shops, first launched Winky Dinky Dogs as a cart around 2020 and then opened the first brick-and-mortar location at 19th and Harrison Streets in 2023.

He said he wanted to honor the history of the building and what it meant to the neighborhood back in the day,and when I mentioned the way Kaspar and Harry sometimes fed kids who couldn’t afford to buy food, he said he’d consider it, but would want to see a good report card! He said he hoped this new spot would be a lively place where people could gather to enjoy the unique location while appreciating the food.

Customers lined up to sample the Winky Dinky Dogs menu during its grand opening on Jan. 24, 2026. Credit: Ariel Nava Photography

On Saturday in Temescal, staff in black Winky Dinky Dogs T-shirts helped keep the lines moving and delivered food to patrons. The choices are plentiful: the Original Dog (available as beef, pork, chicken, or vegan), the Mistah F.A.B Mac n Chez dog (available with the same options, along with “world famous” mac and cheese), the Oaklandish (my choice), a chicken or beef dog which comes smothered with tasty, cheese-topped Winky chili. Allen passed out samples of the marinated pork ribs to those waiting in line, and, as the menu boasts, they were “hella good.” If spicy is your style, the menu also offers a Creole Carol’s hot sausage sandwich that comes with grilled onions and cherry peppers.

In addition to the dogs, the menu includes a chicken sandwich with red hot ranch aioli sauce, and a smash burger — also known as the MC Hammer.

A streetside grill with hot dogs and ribs enticed passersby to stop at the new Winky Dinky Dogs location in Temescal. Credit: Ariel Nava Photography

There are “Winky Dinky Wangs” (flavored with garlic pepper, sweet and hot, or parmesan) and “The Beastmode Loaded Fries,” topped with garlic sauce and jerk chicken.

Kaspar Koojoolian first opened Original Kasper’s Hot Dogs in the wedge-shaped building in 1943, and the business was later taken over by his son-in-law, Harry Yaglijian.

This is the second Winky Dinky Dogs location for Tyranny Allen, a serial entrepreneur who has opened several businesses in the East Bay. Credit: Ariel Nava Photography

As Nosh reported, in 2022 plans were underway to remodel the historic Telegraph Avenue building after it sat dormant for two decades, but those plans fell through and the building was sold once again. It remained vacant until work finally began to upgrade and replace everything in the kitchen and reimagine the space. It’s still small inside, though: maximum occupancy is listed at 8.

Allen was drawn to the project in part because it was an opportunity to revitalize a small structure with a big history in a vibrant Oakland neighborhood. He also said his goal is to serve “good food to great people.”

Hot dog days return to iconic, triangular Temescal building

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