Ted's Hot Dogs — Restaurant in Town of Amherst

The Wyck Recommendation: Ted's Hot Dogs (Amherst NY) Rating: 4.5/5 Toronto Lost the Hot Dog War (We Didn't Need a Bed. We Needed a Bun.)

We were headed back to downtown Toronto after a long day across the border. Two choices: get a hotel or go get a hot dog and drive home. We chose the dog. And Ted’s didn’t just deliver it converted us. One hour before close and the place was packed. Fifteen people in line more showing up no one complaining. That’s when you know something’s working. This wasn’t hype it was a system.

What Was Ordered One footlong charcoal grilled hot dog with the works One order of crispy chaotic onion rings No drinks. No frills. Just flavor and discipline.

The dog had snap. Char. Toppings layered like a short story. Onion rings were hand cut lacy and the exact kind of greasy that makes you feel alive for 30 minutes.

Service Commentary All teens. No adults in sight. And they ran that place like a Michelin prep line. Orders flying buns grilled trays out with zero attitude and full efficiency. One kid in a camo bandana was flipping hot dogs like a battlefield surgeon. Not a single weak link.

Vibe Check Not cool not cute not curated. But alive. People actually happy to be in line. Adults standing in silence watching a team of teenagers outperform half the city’s restaurants. It felt like a ritual.

The Space Itself Brick walls tile ceiling fluorescent lights digital menus pretending to be vintage. It’s not a vibe it’s a cafeteria. But nobody’s here for atmosphere. The real action is on the grill line. Outside seating helps. The parking lot picnic table felt more honest than most patios.

About the Neighborhood Amherst is a strip mall town with no reason to pull over unless it’s for Ted’s. Easy to miss if you’re not looking. But judging by the crowd word of mouth is louder than signage.

Hits and Misses ✓ Charcoal grilled hot dog with real snap ✓ Surprisingly addictive onion rings ✓ Teen staff running a flawless system ✓ Outdoor seating that works in warm weather ✗ Long line at off hours ✗ Interior feels like a school lunchroom ✗ Menu isn’t deep but it doesn’t need to be

Final Verdict Ted’s isn’t just a hot dog joint. It’s proof that execution beats everything. No frills no gimmicks just food made right by people who know exactly what they’re doing even if they’re barely old enough to vote. Buffalo didn’t just beat Toronto it made us skip the hotel.

Perfect For Driving until your standards kick in Witnessing Gen Z run a better kitchen than...

It had been since 2016 when I last set foot in Buffalo, NY, and crossed into Toronto, Canada. This time, I was making my way back, crossing the Rainbow Bridge after taking one last look at the majestic falls. I had four hours to spare before heading home, and as fate would have it, my family was hangry.

There was only one solution: Ted’s Hot Dogs home of the best hot dogs on the planet. No debates. We pulled up around 11:30 AM, and the line was already spilling out the door like a viral TikTok challenge. I told the family to grab a seat and text me their orders this was my mission now.

About 30 people were ahead of me. As I waited, I was tortured in the best way watching others walk by with plates stacked high with hot dogs, sausages, cheeseburgers, and Ted’s iconic splits: half fries, half onion rings. My stomach was staging a protest.

After 30 deliciously agonizing minutes, I made it to the grill. The grill master took our order like a symphony conductor. My little one went with a hot dog crowned in bacon, cheese, and grilled onions, plus a split. My wife and I ordered Polish sausages loaded with grilled onions and cheese also with splits, because obviously.

I watched the magic happen hot dogs hitting the charcoal grill, sizzling, blistering, and bursting with juice as they charred to perfection. That aroma could summon the soul of a carnivore from a mile away.

Tray in hand, I made my way to my family. I took my first bite and I swear, I ascended. It was a flavor so divine, I half-expected the dancing bird from my screen saver to pop out and start vibing to a heavenly beat.

This wasn’t just a meal. It was a pilgrimage. A hot dog...

I was in Buffalo for a night and looking to try something new. Ted’s Hot Dogs showed up in my search and looked right up my alley. About 40 people in line as I walked in the door on a Wednesday at 6pm giving me plenty of time to second guess how much to order as a lot of the menu looked intriguing. I settled on a regular dog, a single patty cheeseburger, an order of onion rings, and a fountain drink.

I’m not usually a fan of a charred dog off the grill but this one was just slightly that way and didn’t detract from the flavor in any way. Had mine with ketchup, mustard, raw onions, and chili which had a pleasant kick. All of this on a Super soft hot dog bun. This was easy the tastiest part of the meal.

The single patty cheeseburger (which is somewhere between a smash burger and regular burger patty in thickness) was fairly plain in flavor and needed the condiments (same as I had on the hotdog) to give it some separation from any other burger place. Just an average burger overall.

Lastly the onion rings… they are something a little different being thinly cut and lightly battered. They have good sweet flavor, but do get soggy pretty quickly. I should have eaten those first, but that was a rookie mistake on my part and I don’t hold that against anyone but myself. I definitely enjoyed them and would get them again.

The service was friendly/efficient and the restaurant was clean. Total cost was $21.76 with tax.

Overall a good comfort food type meal and I’d recommend getting a...