Hot dogs are inherently nostalgic. They’re ingrained in the red, white and blue vision of a classic American summer. The simple frank-on-a-bun combination has been a staple at ballparks, state fairs, picnics and backyard cookouts for generations.
In Tempe, one spot known for its hot dogs has also been a staple for generations. Ted’s Hot Dogs, a chain from Buffalo, New York, opened a lone Arizona location on the southwest corner of Broadway Road and McClintock Drive in 1983. For the following 43 years, it has churned out charcoal-grilled hot dogs of multiple shapes and sizes on a large grill behind the counter.
Over the decades, the Tempe eatery has undergone a few facelifts, with modern TV screen menus hung above the counter and a fresh lick of red paint in the dining room. But for neighbors and students from nearby Arizona State University, Ted’s has been a consistent destination for old-school eats for years…