Ted's Hot Dogs

2312 Sheridan Dr, Tonawanda, NY - (716) 834-6287

Overview Reviews(4) Rate Restaurant Upload Photos Bookmark Email

Posted By Stephen Rushmore on 6/6/2006 9:31:00 PM

True Buffalonians can argue passionately over the city's best tasting namesake wings or famous beef on weck, but when asked for their first choice for hot dogs, the answer is unanimous: Ted's. There are several Ted's locations in the Buffalo area, but the experience at the Tonawanda location (which is the original) is my favorite. (Its proximity to Anderson's frozen custard-- creamiest in town! --might be a contributing factor.)

The smell of the charcoal grill wafts as you enter Ted's and choose from two grilling stations to place your order. Both lines allow a perfect view of the red-hot charcoal grill, just on the opposite side of a glass separator. The ordering process is streamlined: you start your order with your meat choice--hot dog or burger. Then move to the side order--onion rings or fries--followed by drinks and finally condiments to finish the order. The foot-long dog with "the works"--mustard, hot sauce, onions, relish, pickle wedge--along with an order of onion rings makes a plentiful lunch.

The hot dog is cooked to charred perfection. During the grilling, steam is allowed to escape via fork punctures to prevent splitting and ensure the hot dog has a blackened exterior that provides a snappy casing for the meat. The overall flavor is a balanced mix of fresh meat and peppery spice.

The onion rings are top-quality: thinly sliced and dipped in a light batter, which becomes a flaky exterior when fried. They are sweeter than the average onion ring, delightfully pleasant when paired with the relish and hot sauce of "the works" hot dog. The thin-cut-style French fries have good flavor as well as a slight crunch.

If you arrive at Ted's during lunch hours, expect a short wait. There is indoor dining available, as well as outdoor wooden picnic tables that make for enjoyable warm weather dining.

Scorecard

Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace

Foot Long Hot Dog	Onion Rings
Hot Dog	French Fries

Rate this place

Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

"The only thing missing is dessert. "
Stephen Rushmore

"Homecut fries and vinegar compliment any grilled foods."
Stephen Rushmore

"These deliciously sweet and crispy onion rings didn't last too long after I took this photo."
Stephen Rushmore

"Notice how close the coals are to the grill? This helps make the outer casing of the hotdog snappy."
Stephen Rushmore

"The regular and footlong charred dogs that make Ted's famous in upstate New York."
Stephen Rushmore

"Just say "I'll have the works" and they will take care of everything for you."
Stephen Rushmore

"Watching your hot dog get charcoal-grilled right in front of you, and the anticipation of that first bite, are part of the Ted's experience."
Cliff Strutz

"The Sterns once referred to local favorite loganberry as tasting ''like bug juice at sleep-away camp''!"
Cliff Strutz

""Everything, with extra pickles"."
JW

"What else would you drink?"
JW

"Inside the Sheridan Drive location."
JW

"The smokey grill smell will lure you in when you pull into this parking lot."
Stephen Rushmore