TC's Dinner Ride - Ted's Hot Dogs

When Greek immigrant Theodore Spiro Liaros came to America in 1913, he came with empty pockets and completely devoid of the English language.  Possessing boundless energy, optimism and work ethic found in so many immigrants, Ted, as he became known, invested years in a variety of ventures and innovations which culminated into one of Western New York’s most beloved and iconic traditions.  

In a very early iteration of the modern Western New York Food Truck, Ted operated a horse-drawn hot dog cart in a park on Buffalo’s West Side in proximity to the construction site of the area’s newest innovation – the Peace Bridge.  The sister of the bridge construction foreman was selling sandwiches to workers and passersby out of tiny tool shed right under the bridge.  Upon completion in 1927, she offered to sell the tool shed to Ted.  And the beginnings of a near century old tradition took root at the foot of Massachusetts Avenue under the Peace Bridge.  

Ted loathed back kitchens always believing that the best place to be was out front, and he knew his customers by their
first name.

Call it what you like, customer-facing food preparation, forward-facing food presentation, but the latest craze in fast-service food restaurant blueprint is simply something that Ted’s knows as tradition.  We know.  We invented it.

In 1948, Ted’s opened its second location on Sheridan Drive in the Town of Tonawanda.  Despite several competing hot dog stands springing up in the area, only one truly captured hearts and satisfied appetites of customers.

As Western New Yorkers’ love affair with Ted’s grew, so too did the number of locations and the menu.  New items such as hamburgers, chicken and sausages were added to compliment the charcoal broiled hot dogs, homemade onion rings and real milkshakes.  We do it the Authentic and Classic way by serving our customers other iconic local brands such as Sahlen’s and Mineo & Sapio.  And more will follow soon.

Our charcoal goodness is transcendent from generation to generation as parents pass the tradition of Ted’s to their children and their children’s children.

Today, nearly a century after establishing the first store, the family owned and operated business has grown to nine locations across Western New York, our Charcoal Chariot Food Truck and one location in Tempe, Arizona.

The principles established by Ted in 1927, continue as our cornerstone today.  We strive to serve the highest quality food, cooked to order in a clean and friendly atmosphere.  Even better, we cook over open fire.  While others shy away from real charcoal, we embrace it.  

KSU:  6:30 PM from Desert Wind Harley-Davidson

Road Captain:  Chuck Case