A Sahlen's-brand frankfurter charcoal-broiled to order, served on a soft roll with Ted's homemade hot chili sauce, mustard, onion and pickle. Buffalo's signature regional hot dog since 1927.

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.

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

1 editor pick for Charcoal-broiled hot dog (Ted's-style) in Buffalo, ranked by editorial score. All Buffalo signature dishes · Charcoal-broiled hot dog (Ted's-style) across every city.

  • Ted's Hot Dogs

    Ted's Hot Dogs at the Sheridan Drive flagship has been charcoal-broiling Sahlen's franks since 1948, with hand-cut onion rings and the secret hot chili sauce.

    DetailsDirections

Make it at home

Serves 425 minEasy

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.

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

Common allergens: Gluten, Mustard.