Ted’s began as a horse-drawn hot dog cart in Buffalo in the 1920s. It became a permanently-anchored hot dog stand under the Peace Bridge in 1927; and opened as a bigger store on Sheridan Drive in 1948. There are now eight Ted’s in Western New York, and one in Tempe, Arizona. We’ve never been disappointed at any of them.
Natural-casing Sahlen’s brand franks, available regular length or foot-long, are cooked on a grate over charcoal that infuses each one with pungent smoke flavor and makes the skin crackling-crisp. As they cook, the chef pokes them with a fork, slaps them squeezes them, and otherwise abuses them, thus puncturing the skin and allowing them to suck in maximum smoky taste.
In consultation with a person behind the counter known as “the dresser,” you decide how you want to garnish your tube steak. The stand-out condiment is Ted’s hot sauce, a peppery concoction laced with bits of relish. You also want onion rings, sold as tangled webs of crisp fried batter and limp onion. Better yet: half & half, which is onion rings and French fries. To accompany a foot-long and O-rings, the beverage of choice in these parts is loganberry juice, which is a kind of grand cru Kool-Aid.
Sunday | 10:30 am - 11 pm |
Monday | 10:30 am - 11 pm |
Tuesday | 10:30 am - 11 pm |
Wednesday | 10:30 am - 11 pm |
Thursday | 10:30 am - 11 pm |
Friday | 10:30 am - 11 pm |
Saturday | 10:30 am - 11 pm |
Other Nearby Restaurants
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Swan Street Diner
Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo’s Swan St. Diner is an impeccably restored 1937 Sterling dining car serving hash house classics made with 21st century brio. Must-eat: hot mini-donuts.
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Elmo’s
Getzville, New YorkElmo’s is a Buffalo sports-bar tavern popular among locals and college students, known to wing fanciers for its grilled-and-double-dipped treatment.
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Mammoser’s Tavern
Hamburg, New YorkHot wings with peppery bite make this Hamburg, New York, tavern an essential stop on the Buffalo Wing Trail. Bourbon BBQ wings also are a standout.
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Bar-Bill Tavern
East Aurora, New YorkGorgeous (and delicious) Buffalo wings and masterfully built beef on weck sandwiches put Bar-Bill Tavern on the must-eat list of western New York.
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Kelly’s Korner
Buffalo, New YorkPub grub means wings n’ weck at this late-night drinking hole. It’s a locals’ place that has been serving Buffalo classics and pouring beer since 1967.
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Mike’s Candy Shop
Cheektowaga, New YorkOf Buffalo’s many great candy shops, Mike’s is among the best. Sponge candy is superb, as are the city’s unique Charlie Chaplins, made with fresh marshmallow.