History

Greek immigrant Theodore Spiro Liaros opened Ted's Hot Dogs on March 24, 1927 in Buffalo. The Sheridan Drive location opened in 1948 and became the flagship. The Sahlen's frankfurter, the charcoal-broil technique and the homemade hot chili sauce are the canonical Buffalo hot dog combination, still family-owned across nine Western New York locations.

Common allergens: Gluten, Mustard

Make it at home

Yield Serves 4Hands-on 15 minTotal 25 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 4 Sahlen's frankfurters (or any high-quality natural-casing dog)
  • 4 soft hot dog buns
  • Yellow mustard
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • Pickle slices
  • 1 cup ground beef
  • 1 small onion, diced (for chili)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • Charcoal grill

Method

  1. Brown the ground beef and chili-onion in a pan. Stir in chili powder, cayenne and tomato sauce. Simmer 20 minutes until thickened.
  2. Light a charcoal grill and let coals burn down to glowing.
  3. Slash each frankfurter at a slight diagonal in 2 or 3 spots to allow the heat in.
  4. Grill the dogs over hot coals 3 to 5 minutes per side, turning to char all sides.
  5. Lightly toast the buns at the edge of the grill.
  6. Build: dog in bun, spoonful of hot chili sauce, mustard, diced onion, pickle slices.
  7. Serve immediately with the rest of the chili on the side.

Tip from the editors. Sahlen's is the canonical Buffalo brand. If you can't find it, use any natural-casing all-beef frankfurter with a deep snap.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat charcoal-broiled hot dog (ted's-style)

Charcoal-broiled hot dog (Ted's-style) in Buffalo

Ted's Hot Dogs ★ 4.5

Daily 11:00-21:00

Why locals love it: A 1948 charcoal-broiled hot dog counter on Sheridan, Sahlen's franks and homemade hot chili sauce most tourists never reach.

Tip: Order a foot-long with hot chili sauce, a side of onion rings and the loganberry drink. Pure Buffalo.

2312 Sheridan Dr, Tonawanda, NY 14150

More cities are in research. Want charcoal-broiled hot dog (ted's-style) covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

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