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STEAMED HAMS For understated, old fashioned, high quality --the kind Principal Skinner could only dream of making--you gotta pick Ted's. You roll the dice on showing up for a seat but even if you decide to take out you're treated to a quality hamburger that scratches an itch you didn't know you had. There's a variety of additional menu items that reflect some creativity to add on, but the burgers is why you come. If you decide to dine in (a good party of. Roadtrip!) you can enjoy the diner aesthetic and open kitchen and picture yourself in the place of someone who's enjoyed Ted's back when they first opened. A great destination to put on your burger bucket list!
Food was great. Hubs and I each had a single cheese with everything and shared an order of fries. The burgers were huge and delicious. The fries were great-crispy outside and potatoey inside. The service was quick and friendly and our orders came out practically instantly. It was spotless inside. While I was dubious at first this was a very pleasant surprise!!
The famous Ted's Steamed Burgers! I wanted to try them since moving to Meriden but they weren't open when I previously tried to go. Finally had the chance to get takeout one day and went for it. Parking is a bit inconvenient as it's limited street parking. The interior is likewise small and limited seating. Thankfully I went to enjoy it at home. The burger was tasty. I didn't love the bread choice because it can get soggy and break down easily, but it was a good burger.
Come here for the food and bucket list check off. The staff was friendly and service was quick. Overall ambiance of the establishment is a small counter and tight dining area. What it lacks for in that, is made up for with the quality of the burger. If you only come here once you have to have the steamed hamburger. I decided to go with the BBQ Bacon and it was great. Amazing flavor and the cheese melted and infused with everything made it a tasty mess. Onion rings were good and I had to polish it off with a milk shake. Probably not the healthiest choice you will ever make, but you aren't coming here because you wanted a salad.
My husband saw this place featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri and really wanted to try the "steamed cheeseburgers" from here. No parking lot, but there's plenty of free street parking. They have 3 booths for indoor seating and 4 picnic tables for outdoor seating, depending on your preference. We got the double steamed cheeseburgers and 2 regular steamed cheeseburgers (1 plain and the other with toppings). All the food came out fairly quick, and the server always had a smile while taking and giving us our order. The burgers were served on vienna rolls instead of your traditional burger bun, which made it taste even better topped with swiss? cheese and your choice of toppings. They were moist and tasty with more than enough melted cheese to add an additional flavor profile. However, I thought the patty could be bigger/ flattened since there were more cheese and bread than meat. We've never had steamed burgers before, but these were definitely better (maybe healthier) than your typical Five Guys or fast food burgers. If you're traveling to Connecticut or in the area, try Ted's :)
This was a Burger Connoisseur's bucket list item of mine for years: Steamed Hamburgers in Connecticut! I had no idea what to expect other than that the burgers would be completely different than any I'd ever had before. That was absolutely the truth! Steamed hamburgers are like none I've ever had before, and not likely since. Imagine a well cooked hamburger with no loss of flavor or a charred or burnt taste. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the steaming doesn't take away from the experience of tasting the meat. It makes the experience a little more messy because there's a lot more moisture. In no way did it make the experience less enjoyable, and actually made it unique. So much so that I would by my own "steam chest" to have this as a burger prep option at home. The service was super helpful and friendly, and very proud of the unique contribution of Connecticut to the Hamburger World! If you're heading to Boston, the Cape, Maine, etc, add Meriden to your stops and hit up Ted's for steamed hamburgers!
Well....I really wanted to love this place especially because I pass by it almost everyday. Unfortunately, I was very underwhelmed to say the least. We walked in and I am one for customer service...almost non-existent. The young lady said, "hello do you know what you want to order?" I responded, no, this is our first time and she handed me a menu. What I don't understand is WHY they have a menu with absolutely no pricing?! I could see that online but in-person is just silly. There are a couple booths for those who want to dine-in. We ordered 1 double cheeseburger (l,t,o,m,p and bacon) - $15.85! No fries, just the burger. I said to my husband, this burger must be amazing at that price. Ted's is known for 'steamed burgers'. We saw a man pressing ground beef into a little pans and popping them in a steamer box. No seasoning. No salt and pepper. And you could taste that when eating it. The bread was an untoasted Portuguese roll. We received our order pretty quick - 7 mins tops. It reminded me of my childhood when my mom would make homemade burgers in a pan - Except she seasoned the meat. Honestly, the best part of the burger was the stringy gooey cheese. Almost like the cheese in a mozzarella stick. I feel bad for having to leave this low review but I must be honest with my Yelp community.
Got a steamed cheese with onion and ketchup on a fresh hard roll. And a side of real potato home fries. The staff was friendly and the food delicious.
A central CT icon, Ted's original burger and the shop that serves it has not changed much even if the menu has expanded quite a bit in recent years. Fresh toppings, fresh roll and that melted gooey cheese makes this a must try burger. They now offer a multitude of sides, chicken sandwiches, etc. I always go with my standard - cheeseburger with sautéed onions and mushrooms and home fries with cheese. Walking in is like stepping back in time. The TV's on the wall are the only real give away. Service is always great. It's a no frills lunch and I hope it always stays that way.
5 years ago
Ted's is a place of pride locally! They were once featured on the food channel for their famous steamed cheeseburgers, so if you go, I'd highly recommend saving the chicken for another day and getting a burger! The ingredients are noticeably fresh, and the cheese actually is what stands out flavor-wise!! -- so good! Lots of toppings available, and the cooks are flexible with special requests/food allergies. read more
I was here back on Feb 15th due to being in the area and hearing many good things about this place. Well, they were partially true. Decent place. Good service that we ordered from the waitress to go. But the cheese fries were very bland. See pic. Just some American cheese thrown on and melted. Lacked flavor. The hot dog was alright. The cheeseburger while good was not amazing. Seemed and tasted just like many other cheeseburgers out there despite being steamed. No difference to us. May try them again to see if any difference in the future if in the area. Cute cozy small clean place though. Easy parking on the street right out front. read more
5 years ago
A steamed cheeseburger may SOUND like a terrible idea, BUT....yeah. It is. Both my friend and I agreed that this was the worst burger we've ever had. The steaming process results in a flavorless patty with a gross, loose texture. I wish I could say the shakes made up for it, but they were fine at best, and my friend's shake had a giant mass of chocolate sprinkles at the end. We weren't fans. read more
Finally got to try this joint !! We were a party of four & we arrived around 3:pm after just having an amazing experience over @ Frank Pepe's .... We nailed it..... great timing this joint was empty but their steamer hot box was loaded with super moist steamed burgers & lovely melted cheese..... Omg, was definitely worth the extra 20 minute drive over here... the place is small maybe 14 seats total ... very clean & neat ... The steam burger man ... sorry I didn't get his name had some tats was very friendly and answered all our questions.... told us what to order since it was our first time over here ... The steamed cheese burger with raw onion; the meat was super moist, good quality chop meat.. Tip; must add salt & pepper & of course ketchup !! The cheese is in its own class; it comes out of the steamer hot ooey & gooey & like melts & covers the burger perfectly..... For me I would like a sharper cheese but this one works .... it's like a mild white cheddar .... It's amazing to watch theses burgers & cheese come out of the mini box steamers !!! Their bun for us was a lil disappointing...... we all agree that if they would use Martin Potato buns wow this would put their burger over the top .... All & all love this joint & our waitress was a lil sweet heart !!! Thanks for the great food & friendly service !! Hope to see ya's soon !!! Greg D & Family read more
My uncle took me to Ted's years ago and I became obsessed. Maybe it was doing something special with my uncle or that nobody (not even my uncle) would take me there again later. I think a little of it had to do with that my only exposure to steamed burgers was White Castle and I was surprised that a steamed burger could be substantive and tasty. What I like about steamed burgers are twofold. For one thing, they're well-done but still juicy. For another thing, the steamed cheese on top is other-worldly! It is somehow a little aerated and squishy - kinda like a really dense quiche. I am itching to try the cheese on top of the fries! I've tried a number of burgers including the basic cheeseburger, Hot and Spicy, Hawaii Five-O, and California Steamin'. My favorite is the California Steamin' because of the contrast of the rich burger flavors with the refreshing, crisp vegetables. The other burgers are a little too heavy and one-note to me. For example, I expected the Hot and Spicy to be interesting, but it tasted kinda like a regular bacon cheeseburger (except with limp, chewy bacon) and barbecue sauce. The pickled jalapenos were super mild and didn't add anything. Ted's has veggie and chicken burgers for folks who don't eat beef. They have a number of other menu items too, but I only go for the steamed burgers, fries and milk shakes. The fries are really good. I like that they look as if they're cut from real potatoes. I like the seasoning too (I've tried garlic and Cajun). As I mentioned earlier, I'm itching to try their cheese fries! They've messed up every single time I've ordered a milk shake. I've ordered a peanut butter milk shake twice and I got vanilla the first time and cookies and cream the second time. I was on the road when I figured it out and it wasn't worth going back to have them fix it. I recommend you try your milk shake immediately to make sure it's what you ordered. In regards to ambiance. Well. You park on the street (and it's a pretty busy street) and walk up to the window. I ordered online once and they didn't have it. I had to show them the receipt on my phone and they filled the order for me. Since then, I've ordered in person. You queue up outside and order from the window. Way back when, you could go inside and sit at the counter. Now you can sit outside at picnic tables between the restaurant and an auto mechanic and watch people vacuum their cars at the car wash across the street. read more
3 years ago
Oh my goodness so good!!! We got there right before close got off late The employees were so nice and served us anyways and helped us decide what to get since it was our first time! The hamburgers were huge! We could have split one and the Cajun fries so good! I got the western cheese burger and my husband got the hot and spicy one Thank you for a great experience!! read more
2 years ago
I ate their chicken sandwich and enjoyed the complimentary barbecue sauce and fries. This meal was memorable and the people serving the food were nice. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
If you are in Connecticut and you are a burger fanatic then you have to have a steamed cheeseburger and of course you get it at the place where they have been serving it since 1959!!! It's a tiny house but the food is made fresh to order and tastes great! I'm not gonna lie to you and tell you it's the greatest burger I've had... I like a bit more meat and I love the char on my burgers! And I do like my buns warmed up and buttered on the grille... but each to his own! I wish they would serve a softer bread... I think it would complement the burger better... But you cannot get better cheese melted on top of your burger than what I had here! It's melted and gooey and just enough chew to make it not a secondary add on but probably the main attraction! The regular fries are served crisp and complements the soft burger well! I didn't enjoy the home fries with chili and cheese as much (except for the cheese)... But if you're ever in CT... you have to come and try it for yourself... especially if you are a burger nut! read more
I am an absolute diehard fan of Adam Richmond. After seeing Ted's on Man vs. Food I've been trying for years to get up here. Luckily I had some training for work in Connecticut so I figured I would schedule this in. Unfortunately it just did not live up to the hype of being world famous. My favorite part was the home fries with cheese, which are really just french fries slow roasted. The burger however was juicy but had zero flavor to it. It tasted like someone took a hamburger right out of the store package and through it in boiling water and put it on a bun. Absolutely tasteless. I tried the double cheeseburger, loaded french fries and home fries with just cheese. Problem with the cheese is it's 100 % like mozzarella. Once it gets a little cold, you have to rip it apart. It's not like a runny cheese at all. It took me years to get up here and I'm sorry, but I will never return. Just not my type of burger. I prefer flavor to my food. read more
I'm not sure where I read up on this "steamed" burgers thing but when I did, I bookmarked Ted's and here I am. Slow on a weeknight at around 8pm but a few take out orders were picked up while I enjoyed my meal so they're doing good business. They have a pretty good list of burger toppings already thought up, including bacon, barbecue sauce, various vegetables, different cheese and such. Home fries and french fries also available topped. I ordered the "everything" cheeseburger (LTO, pickles, mayo, ketchip) with small fries. The burger didn't take too long to be prepared and brought to my table as ordered. Stil super hot from the steamer and the cheese on top was almost a liquid when I bit into it and some of the juicy goodness poured onto my hands. Delicious. A completely different flavor than grilled or fire cooked burgers. Much meatier and certainly juicier. Well worth the stop that is just off the highway anyway! read more
4 years ago
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4 years ago
Teds burgers are amazing best burgers in Meriden I go nowhere else my go to burger at Ted's is the chipotle burger with onion strings it's amazing like any place. You have to wait a few minutes to get rewarded with good tasting food although it's really not that long of a wait, I recommend this place highly I take my food seriously being that I am Hawaiian and Hawaiian's love to eat. I am a cook myself these burgers are so good Aloha. read more
6 years ago
We visited Ted's during the pandemic so we weren't able to go inside however we placed an order online and it was done a few minutes early and delivered to our car. My husband has wanted to try this place since he was a kid and they did not disappoint! My husband had the Hot and Spicy Cheeseburger and I had the California Steamin' and they were both amazing. We also ordered the fries with steamed cheese and it was delicious. The ingredients were high quality and if we are back in this area we would definitely come back. My only small complaint is that I paid extra for the fried onion strings but my burger didn't have them. read more
Quite possibly the best burger I've ever had! My fiancé lived in CT at one point in his career, and he mandated that we stop here while traveling through the area. Due to COVID there is no inside service available, and all orders must be placed at the exterior walk-up window. The restaurant does have a few outdoor tables available, but based on the amount of patron traffic we observed while visiting I wouldn't recommend planning on having a place to sit and eat. But it doesn't matter -- these burgers are so good that I would be okay with sitting on the curb to eat. They're steamed (not grilled) so the meat is an amazing combination of soft, juicy, flavorful perfection encased in a puffy kaiser bun. The cheese is chewy perfection, but it's not your typical cheeseburger cheese since it doesn't over melt from the steaming process. This burger needs no condiments, veggies, or other toppings -- like a great steak, it stands alone. Did I mention the fries? Also some of the best I've ever had! They approach potato wedge size (but not quite), and they're dusted in a coating before being cooked which makes them very crispy on the outsize with plenty of soft potato on the inside. They also have an assortment of local soft drinks in addition to the regular big-brand sodas. There's a plethora of other items on the menu for the non-burger crowd, but I don't think I could order anything else from here now that I've had my first "steamed ham" (as my fiancé refers to them). 100% delish! read more
A CT Staple. Steamed Cheeseburgers And Ooooooh that Gooey Cheese I came with a group of 3 and 2 of us got burgers the other chicken. We split cheese & bacon fries and all really enjoyed the meal Not many tables but we were able to snag one. Street parking is not an issue in this area. We will definitely be back for another round soon read more
4 years ago
Got a hamburger from Ted's food truck at a festival and it was good but nothing crazy. If you're feeling hungry and want a quick bite then this is it! read more
4 years ago
I came all the way from Detroit to experience steamed cheeseburgers and I didn't leave disappointed. Service was quick and to be honest that was the best burger I've ever eaten. My Cajun fries were cooked and seasoned perfectly. If you're in the New England area, give this place a shot. If you don't like spicy, there is a huge list of special burgers, or you can build your own from scratch. Somewhat typical New England situation regarding parking. You guy are used to it but, but you will need to parallel park to access this restaurant. Price was $21 for both items and the burger is essentially two servings, so I'll be eating the other half for dinner. Great shake selection. Lactose intolerant, sorry. read more
4 years ago
One of the those must try restaurants when in Connecticut. The stream burgers are good but that steamed cheese takes it over the top. My suggestion is in addition to the burger try the chicken sandwich with cheese... amazing! read more
I'm having a tough time reviewing this place however I did a quick search for "nearest restaurant" with the most reviews to my hotel and this place came up so I went. I'd say this is hangover food. After eating here I didn't understand the nostalgia behind the steamed burger it tasted pretty bland and soggy. I'll stick with a seasoned burger with sear marks for texture or chargrilled. Price-$ inexpensive Value- the portion was inline with the cost Service- the server that took my order - didn't get it right. I asked for a double cheeseburger with bacon and pickle (not complicated) I got a single patty. Ambiance- I actually liked the mom and pop vibe but the server made me just want to eat and leave, no small talk just "here's your check". read more
I had seen this place on TV and wanted to check it out for awhile now. We took the drive and I'm so glad we weren't disappointed. The place isn't big but lucky for us it was busy so we got a table right away. The waitress was nice and brought us water and menus right away. I decided to go with the everything burger (minus the onions),some chili cheese fries and a cookies and cream milkshake. Our order came out super fast which I was happy about since I was starving. I have to say the burger was super juicy and had a great flavor. The fries had the same melted cheese and the chili was excellent. The milkshake was a little thin but it did the trick. I came with three friends and all four of us were very satisfied and enjoyed our lunch. The prices are also very cheap at least for this New Yorker. read more
7 years ago
Dont compare this with other burgers. Steamed Burger is something else. It taste so good with that melted cheese. I want to be back and have this three times a day. Amazing! read more
Ted's is supposedly where the steamed cheeseburger was invented, and Ted's customized steamer trays certainly create some gooey, cheesy deliciousness on a bun. My only complaint with the burger is that I wondered if the steaming process might not blanch a bit of the meat's flavor out of the burger. However, it was fairly juicy and the oozing slab of white cheese more than compensated for any concerns that I may have had about flavor sacrifice. I was less impressed with Ted's fries which I felt were fairly basic, but to be fair, it was only after I had wolfed down my meal that I noticed Ted's huge selection of sauces. I'm certain that these would have made my burger and fries really pop. What I certain about Ted's is that they serve up a uniquely yummy cheeseburger and that, unlike other burgers, it microwaves up very well the next morning (yes, we had several burgers too many). read more
It's been over 40 years since I've had a steamed cheeseburger. Didn't like them at all when I was a kid, so that impression was stuck in my head all this time. Today on the way home from work, I stopped at Ted's in Meriden. Ordered a steamed cheeseburger with pickles and mushrooms. Burger was prepared and given to me in less than 2 minutes. Honestly, the burger wasn't as horrible as my childhood memories. But it wasn't really that great either. Maybe it's an "acquired taste" ? It might not be another 40 years before I have my next steamed cheeseburger, but I won't be exactly running back for one either. read more
11 years ago
Took a small detour that added two hours to our trip to try this place out. My wife and I were very impressed. It's a burger joint that does not have easy access or a lot of space. We took it out on a busy lunch day and parked on a neighborhood street to enjoy our burger and cheese fries. It was so good we drove back and ordered some more for the road. One of the most memorable burgers and fries I have had in my life. I do not have a favorite or place foods as they are unique in their own way. Teds will always be in the top 5. I would detour an extra three hours to hit this spot again. read more
Seems like steamed burger is a specialty of Meriden. I never saw it anywhere else. It is something everybody should try. Instead of grilling the patty, it is steamed. Cheese is also steamed and melted. Cheese is really delicious. I even went for a home fries with melted cheese and chilli. That was also really good. I loved everything, mostly because of the cheese. Steaming is slightly healthier than frying or grilling. read more
The steamed cheeseburger. Sounds a little weird but let me tell you....it was fantastic! Came here for lunch today to try it out. Ordered a cheeseburger with onions and mustard and a Pepsi. Total was $6.00. The workers were nice and the little place is neat. The burger itself was really really good. It was hot, moist and delicious! The cheese they put on top was gooey and great. Its a hell of an operation they have there. Just a little counter and a few booths. 2 stainless steel contraptions that cook the meat and cheese and then like a topping bar. If I lived close I would be a frequent visitor. Good bun, great meat and great cheese. It all worked! I just feel bad my buddy couldn't eat it because he was ill. He was looking forward to this steamed burger for awhile. We will have to come back again ;-). read more
5 years ago
I was hoping to have something special but instead I had a good burger that needed the help of condiments. The meat itself didn't have much taste and he gooey cheese was a little bland. I loved the place itself. I took a seat at the counter and watched them cook the burgers in their special steamer. I am not sure if it is worth a special trip but there is a novelty to getting a burger cooked in a way that no where else really does. read more
More info about Ted's Restaurant
1046 Broad St
Meriden, CT 06450
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(855) 860-8646
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http://www.tedsrestaurant.com/
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