Tip Top Meats in Carlsbad

[Ziggy]

For those of us in San Diego county who know of Tip Top meats....Big John Haedrich has passed away @ 94 yrs.
Close friend of our family. His smile and friendly personality was genuine and highly infectious. Best butcher & freshest restaurant food you can imagine.

Ruhe in Frieden mein Freund.

 

[Clank123]

Hey thanks for posting this.
Heard about his passing this morning.
I’ve known Big John since 1984 when I put the Draft Beer system in Tip Top Meats.
Over the years I’ve had more breakfasts with him than I can count.
Had a lot of fun with him at many of the Carlsbad Octoberfests in the early years of the event.
We live about 80 yards from each other.
Whenever we met it was with a handshake and a hug.
He always told me I was the only man in Carlsbad that he could properly shake hands with. I have big hands and a strong grip but He had some big mitts for sure.
Carlsbad will not be the same without Big John!!
RIP Sir. The world was a better place with you in it.

Anybody local that wants to do a breakfast meet up at Tip Top…I’m in!

 

[bilz]

Didn't know him but always enjoyed the breakfasts.
Rest in peace.

 

[HotRod82]

Big John's breakfast is the best anywhere, RIPJohn!

 

[Ducksquasher]

RIP...God Bless.

 

[Pivot]

Damn, I've had countless 'big john' breakfast there.
Carlsbad icon. 94, wow

 

[Boatymcboatface]

Big johns on the bottom steak and eggs on top. You really can’t beat this place! Amazing deli and great food!! RIP

 

[Clank123]

Big johns on the bottom steak and eggs on top. You really can’t beat this place! Amazing deli and great food!! RIP View attachment 1200254

Nice!
Veteran call right there!
For those that don’t know…the Big John Breakfast is all you can eat meat!
Catch is that you can’t order bacon on your re-order, so you go double Bacon on the original order…then you start in on the Bratwurst, Knochwurst and Ham.
Tough to beat.

Got thinking last night and I remembered when he was at my house for a Super Bowl party, there was about 50 people here and it was the year Whitney Houston sang the National Anthem.
He was sitting out on the patio watching the pregame and when she started singing he stood up and put his hand over his heart, the whole backyard came to a stop to watch the Anthem because of him.
He loved his adopted country for sure.

 

[DaytonaBabe]

Sorry for the loss of your friend, Zig

 

[westair]

Have enjoyed Tip Tops for years and recommended it to probably everyone I know .... RIP John

 

[Cdog]

Gott sei Dank!

Never met him but have had several great German meals at his restaurant. Tip top meats is always on my list of places to eat when I'm in Carlsbad.

 

[78DiMarco]

For those of us in San Diego county who know of Tip Top meats....Big John Haedrich has passed away @ 94 yrs.
Close friend of our family. His smile and friendly personality was genuine and highly infectious. Best butcher & freshest restaurant food you can imagine.
View attachment 1200171
Ruhe in Frieden mein Freund.

Sounds like a man I would have loved to meet and know.... God Speed

 

[Tremor Therapy]

Have made the trip from Murrieta to Carlsbad many times just for that breakfast. RIP sir, you were one of the best!

 

[Ziggy]

Gott sei Dank!

Never met him but have had several great German meals at his restaurant. Tip top meats is always on my list of places to eat when I'm in Carlsbad.

If you went there, it's a 99.9% chance he was there. The happiest workaholic, ever. Very likely why he reached 94. He and my parents were within a year of the same age. My folks didn't fare so well compared to him.

 

[DLC]

RIP Big John!!

I’m sure they are having a big Prime Rib dinner in heaven tonight !!

eaten there many times and have gotten a lot of Christmas Rib eye roasts ….

Sounds like we lost another one of our Great Americans in our country !!

 

[Cdog]

If you went there, it's a 99.9% chance he was there. The happiest workaholic, ever. Very likely why he reached 94. He and my parents were within a year of the same age. My folks didn't fare so well compared to him.

Great restaurant! Always met friendly talkative people while in there with the family too.

 

[Boatymcboatface]

Nice!
Veteran call right there!
For those that don’t know…the Big John Breakfast is all you can eat meat!
Catch is that you can’t order bacon on your re-order, so you go double Bacon on the original order…then you start in on the Bratwurst, Knochwurst and Ham.
Tough to beat.

Got thinking last night and I remembered when he was at my house for a Super Bowl party, there was about 50 people here and it was the year Whitney Houston sang the National Anthem.
He was sitting out on the patio watching the pregame and when she started singing he stood up and put his hand over his heart, the whole backyard came to a stop to watch the Anthem because of him.
He loved his adopted country for sure.

Always double bacon! Should’ve took pictures of the two meat refills.

Back when I still drank we were the crew everyone would give the stink eye as they walked us our 1st pitcher of beer at 7am on a weekday morning. The main lady at the register would start filling it when we were in line. Her greeting was always “Oh it’s you clowns”!

 

[84miller]

Live up the street, and yes I knew John. I needed extra income and was lucky enough to be hired part time. Worked for two years and it was a great place to work and have fun. John's life was created through hard work and efforts to deliver quality, a true role model. He had true American values and went out of his way to honor veterans.

 

[Clank123]

Sad day coming soon!
End of an era!
Had the Big John breakfast on Wednesday morning!
So many memories of John and his restaurant.
Hopefully they do re-open in another location!

North County San Diego's 57-Year-Old Tip Top Meats European Grocery & Restaurant Set To Close Later This Year

After 57-years in business, North County San Diego's Tip Top Meats European grocery and restaurant is closing its doors later this year.

www.sandiegoville.com

 

[Ziggy]

Sad day coming soon!
End of an era!
Had the Big John breakfast on Wednesday morning!
So many memories of John and his restaurant.
Hopefully they do re-open in another location!

North County San Diego's 57-Year-Old Tip Top Meats European Grocery & Restaurant Set To Close Later This Year

After 57-years in business, North County San Diego's Tip Top Meats European grocery and restaurant is closing its doors later this year.

www.sandiegoville.com

Was just there this morning to pick up some goodies.

 

[bilz]

That's a bummer, don't get out there often but it's always great to know a great place to grub. Comfort food I guess, hope they are able to find a place.

 

[Ziggy]

Just having my last Big John breakfast.🥹

 

[Singleton]

Just having my last Big John breakfast.🥹 View attachment 1426155

Going to miss that place

 

[Ziggy]

Going to miss that place

By all accounts, it appears they may relocate. When ?

 

[Clank123]

Went with 5 other guys last week.
Have they set the date yet?

Edit…just looked up an article that says lease is up September 30th.
Planning on taking a group there next Saturday before we go to Bayfair

 

[MissB]

I don't think they closed yet! Hopefully Zig is correct they will relocate.