I'm speaking as a Typhlosion trainer in SoulSilver.
Cyndaquil is the shittiest Fire starter in existence, and Chikorita is the shittiest Grass starter. Totodile easily trumps them both by default, but ever since the Physical/Special split gave Feraligatr the power to rape your shit with Waterfall, Ice Punch, and Crunch, the little blue lizard has leapt several tiers above its Johto-borne brethren.