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 half of Toronto
Gerard Dunn
Fabulous hot dogs and food. The line can be long which is my only complaint. Old school comfort foods! Buffalo classic!
Nayely Porter
Had a single cheese burger, and I had to be one of the best burgers I had in a while. I really liked the choice of toppings. The staff was very friendly.
Devin
Definitely something to try if you’re ever in this neck of the woods.
Denovan Tomas
Indoor, made to order, real charbroiled burgers and hots. Their onion rings are lightly breaded so there's a slight crunch without the gobs of grease. My boys had double and triple burgers, the best they ever had from any restaurant. I had a foot long. Vinegar as a condiment is a classic imo. You know you're in a quality food spot when that's available for your fries or rings. Definitely coming back
Tom Clark
Our hot dogs were ok. The roll was not warm. The onion rings were burnt. This will be our last trip into Ted’s after 40 years. The restaurant was dirty and the door windows were filthy. Plenty of people working as they were sitting around in back. We were in on July7th around 5:15 pm. Very disappointing.
Brian Hahn
Usually hit Ted's up quiet a few times. Well today was the last. The new kiosks coupled with the not so personal staff has capped off me and my family never eating there again. Loved when you ordered with the cook, watched your hot grilled the way you like it (extra dark) to being able to have the employee place more or less of the condiments on your item. Today's order came out sub par cooked the way we like them. The poor girl has to keep turning around to look what condiments go on what item. I can tell you alot of people came back up with wrongly prepared item in the short time we were there. One size of fries which were too much for my girlfriend to finish. Might as well just go to McDonalds if you want a standard made item. All to save what, two employees salary? No personal touch any more. Well it looks like Tony's Bayview or Taffys from now on. 😔 😟 😊
Don Robertson
Their new order kiosks, roadhouse pagers, and rude avoidant staff is TERRIBLE. The new order process will make me stop eating at teds. Its easy to make the same exact brand hotdogs at home.
Patricia Moran
We love the Ted's on Transit Road. We went there today and had a wonderful experience. Too cold to eat outdoors but we usually do with fur baby. The food and service was great.
Debbie Caruana
If it isn't broken, don't fix it! The new ordering system at Union Road location, via a worker with a tablet, is terrible! They got part of my order wrong, and I waited 45 minutes for a replacement. And it was very busy with many customers complaining about the wait, and the manager was on his lunch break during the dinner hour, 6pm -7pm. I stopped going to Ted's after having gone there for over 50 years, when you took the Jumbo burger off the menu, and went back about 2 years ago. Before this new way of ordering, and the food was sub-par. I took my mom there for her belated Mother's day dinner, and this happened. It took more than 45 minutes for my new hot dog to be made, and completely ruined what my mom always said was her favorite hot dog place. After today, I may never go back again. And I know at least 2 customers that were given incorrect items today when I was there, feel the same way. It is a Shame!
We take my parents there three times a month. My parents are in their 90s. The food is the same. The staff however. They need to get their act together. SUCK
Linda Kasprzak
Not happy with no more small soda and tonight with no more small orders of fries. Much too much food and soda for an older person.
Steve Szymura
Yes I like Ted's... Who doesn't?
Timothy Coleman
Heaven in a
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ricky Sieck
Great service Great food! Western New York at its finest!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Foot Long Hot Dog, Sahlens Hot Dogs, Hot Dog
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 half of Toronto
Fabulous hot dogs and food. The line can be long which is my only complaint. Old school comfort foods! Buffalo classic!
Had a single cheese burger, and I had to be one of the best burgers I had in a while. I really liked the choice of toppings. The staff was very friendly.
Definitely something to try if you’re ever in this neck of the woods.
Indoor, made to order, real charbroiled burgers and hots. Their onion rings are lightly breaded so there's a slight crunch without the gobs of grease. My boys had double and triple burgers, the best they ever had from any restaurant. I had a foot long. Vinegar as a condiment is a classic imo. You know you're in a quality food spot when that's available for your fries or rings. Definitely coming back
Our hot dogs were ok. The roll was not warm. The onion rings were burnt. This will be our last trip into Ted’s after 40 years. The restaurant was dirty and the door windows were filthy. Plenty of people working as they were sitting around in back. We were in on July7th around 5:15 pm. Very disappointing.
Usually hit Ted's up quiet a few times. Well today was the last. The new kiosks coupled with the not so personal staff has capped off me and my family never eating there again. Loved when you ordered with the cook, watched your hot grilled the way you like it (extra dark) to being able to have the employee place more or less of the condiments on your item. Today's order came out sub par cooked the way we like them. The poor girl has to keep turning around to look what condiments go on what item. I can tell you alot of people came back up with wrongly prepared item in the short time we were there. One size of fries which were too much for my girlfriend to finish. Might as well just go to McDonalds if you want a standard made item. All to save what, two employees salary? No personal touch any more. Well it looks like Tony's Bayview or Taffys from now on. 😔 😟 😊
Their new order kiosks, roadhouse pagers, and rude avoidant staff is TERRIBLE. The new order process will make me stop eating at teds. Its easy to make the same exact brand hotdogs at home.
We love the Ted's on Transit Road. We went there today and had a wonderful experience. Too cold to eat outdoors but we usually do with fur baby. The food and service was great.
If it isn't broken, don't fix it! The new ordering system at Union Road location, via a worker with a tablet, is terrible! They got part of my order wrong, and I waited 45 minutes for a replacement. And it was very busy with many customers complaining about the wait, and the manager was on his lunch break during the dinner hour, 6pm -7pm. I stopped going to Ted's after having gone there for over 50 years, when you took the Jumbo burger off the menu, and went back about 2 years ago. Before this new way of ordering, and the food was sub-par. I took my mom there for her belated Mother's day dinner, and this happened. It took more than 45 minutes for my new hot dog to be made, and completely ruined what my mom always said was her favorite hot dog place. After today, I may never go back again. And I know at least 2 customers that were given incorrect items today when I was there, feel the same way. It is a Shame!
Restaurantji Recommends
We take my parents there three times a month. My parents are in their 90s. The food is the same. The staff however. They need to get their act together. SUCK
Not happy with no more small soda and tonight with no more small orders of fries. Much too much food and soda for an older person.
Yes I like Ted's... Who doesn't?
Heaven in a
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great service Great food! Western New York at its finest!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Foot Long Hot Dog, Sahlens Hot Dogs, Hot Dog
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