Ted's Hot Dogs is an american diner restaurant in Tonawanda, Buffalo.
Editorially verified June 4, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
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.
Address: 2312 Sheridan Dr, Tonawanda, NY 14150, Buffalo
Five Points Bakery and Toast Cafe is a west side bakery and toast cafe milling its own wheat, far from tourist itineraries but defended by buffalo bread fans.
Why locals love it: A West Side bakery and toast cafe milling its own wheat, far from tourist itineraries but defended by Buffalo bread fans.
Tip: Order a thick slice of whole-grain toast with jam and a drip coffee. The bread alone is worth the West Side trip.
West Seneca's beef-on-weck institution since 1837, rare top round on a kummelweck roll with horseradish, German potato salad, beets and vinegar coleslaw.
Why locals love it: Visitors stop at Anchor Bar for wings and miss Buffalo's older signature dish a twenty-minute drive south at Schwabl's in West Seneca, open since 1837.
Tip: Get the beef on weck with horseradish on the side and German potato salad. The kummelweck roll caraway is the point.
Wiechec's Lounge in Buffalo: An East Side neighborhood lounge that serves a haddock fish fry hanging off the plate, far from any tourist itinerary.
Why locals love it: An East Side neighborhood lounge that serves a haddock fish fry hanging off the plate, far from any tourist itinerary.
Tip: Friday or Saturday for the haddock fish fry. The half portion is still bigger than most full portions in town.
Parkside Candy in Buffalo: A 1927 oval Adam-period soda fountain on Main Street that visitors walk past, with phosphates and homemade sponge candy.
Why locals love it: A 1927 oval Adam-period soda fountain on Main Street that visitors walk past, with phosphates and homemade sponge candy.
Tip: Order the chocolate phosphate at the soda fountain counter. Buy a box of sponge candy on the way out.
Sophia's Restaurant is a greek-american breakfast diner on military road locals defend privately, with massive omelets and weekend lines around the block.
Why locals love it: A Greek-American breakfast diner on Military Road locals defend privately, with massive omelets and weekend lines around the block.
Tip: Get the Greek omelet with feta and a side of home fries. Arrive before 09:00 on weekends or expect a wait.
Buffalo Italian-American institution at Seneca and Chicago since 1923, spaghetti parmesan, homemade red sauce; Billittier family at the helm since the 1950s.
Why locals love it: Buffalo's century-old spaghetti parm room on Seneca Street downtown, family-owned by Billittiers since 1923 and still a quiet local favorite.
Tip: Order the spaghetti parm and a glass of house red. Mid-week dinner is the easiest walk-in for the downtown room.
