Ted's Hot Dogs looks like something straight out of a movie, and you can just feel (and taste) the…read morenostalgia. The second you walk in, you immediately smell the real hardwood lump charcoal they've been grilling over since they first started in the late 1920s, and you can actually watch them cook your food to order (which I love). The place oozes a casual backyard BBQ energy, and it feels like an old school Buffalo institution that might no longer be in its heyday, but it clearly still has a hardcore group of local fans.
It was confusing as first time diners to figure out how it all works. First, you go in and place your order with the person behind the grill. The nice lady immediately started grilling our meats. Next comes the toppings that can be customized, and then any additional side orders. You pay, get your food, and seat yourself.
The dining room is clean but delightfully frozen in time, looking very late-'70s retro in a way that feels exactly right. The seating is old, dingy, and uncomfortable, so this isn't a restaurant where you'd want to sit and linger.
Food-wise, this is definitely a spot for beef and sausage lovers. If you're not into that, fair warning: my grilled chicken was pretty mediocre and mostly just tasted like charcoal (which some people might love, but it wasn't doing much for me). The flavor was exactly like what I'd eat when my Uncle would break out the charcoal grill in the backyard during my childhood. The smell and taste brought back pleasant memories, but I guess I'm so used to gas grills or wood grills now that charcoal seems so dated.
Meanwhile, my husband's sausage on a bun absolutely stole the show. His was loaded with grilled onions, juicy, smoky, and genuinely drool-worthy. I was a little jealous just looking at it. If you eat sausages, I would recommend ordering that here. There's not a lot for non-red meat eaters, and certainly this isn't the place for vegetarians!
Despite my disappointing chicken breast, there were plenty of wins. The buns were especially soft and delicious, and I loved the fresh leaf lettuce and tomato on my sandwich. The produce tasted fresh and bright and wasn't wilted at all, which genuinely surprised me.
We split the half-and-half side (which was half fries and half onion rings). The fries were nothing noteworthy, but the onion rings were the real star. Get those crispy, flavorful rings and thank me later! Also, shoutout to the two free pickles on the side, which is a small touch that equalled big happiness. There's also a self-serve soda fountain with free refills of Pepsi products!
I'm glad I spotted Ted's and decided to stop in. I couldn't resist the old school exterior, and I can see why this continues to stay in business (despite it not being crowded at all the night we dined there). It might not be the best pick if you're avoiding beef or sausage, but it's still a fun, very Buffalo place to try. Between the smoky grill, the retro atmosphere, and those killer onion rings, it feels like a local rite of passage. I'm glad we did it.