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.
Locations: Buffalo, Tonawanda, Orchard Park, Cheektowaga, Williamsville, Amherst, North Tonawanda, Depew
