Ted’s Restaurant

The burgers were atrocious and soggy. Not my type of burger. I had it awhile ago but im sure it’s the same. My bf loves it there so idk I feel like the burgers were awful. And my home fries were pretty much chopped up mulch.

I have visited Teds scores of times because I’m a local. I work around the corner from the place. Here’s an honest, no hype review. I go in there mainly when I missed lunch, and have been running around, and getting hungry late in the afternoon. Teds burgers are basically a part of history in town, and steamed cheeseburgers are a regional specially. The problem with Teds burgers is that the base has no flavor. The meat is steam cooked, and meat is well done with this method. Because of this, all of the fats all come out and basically make the meat tasteless. It also comes out hot temperature-​wise, but gets cold very fast. They don’t add any spices whatsoever to the meat, so the burger basically tastes like what you put on it. Additionally, the cheese that they use is a non-​descript, white block that is also steamed, and it does not have much flavor either. The other problem with Teds is that the buns are very dry, chewy, white bread that is much larger than the square burger that is on it. The burger is like a big lump in the middle of bread… where’s the beef! They should change the steaming trays to make the burger larger, flatter, and more round to match the bread. I go there because the service is usually fast even when busy, and the food is something that i have become accustomed to, although many other locals I know don’t appreciate it. I see alot of non-​locals in there, and i have to laugh because they are either reading the menu intensely (it’s not that complicated people!) or are talking about Teds being featured in a TV show. If you are going to go to Teds, get one of their specialty burgers, the Hawaii-​50 or California Steam’in being the favorites, because they actually have toppings that give flavor. Or get extra cheese and extra mayo with lettuce and tomato for flavor, and add salt and perhaps onion. If you want traditional fries, forget it, or go to the Cromwell location of Teds which is new, spacious and has a bigger menu by a long shot. They don’t have a friolator in the Meriden location, which means only potatoes frying constantly on the grill are available. Which is a real shame because there are no good places for fries in town. The cheese fries (home fries), I usually skip because they kind of suck… the outside are usually cooked but inside is starchy, and because the cheese cools quick on these cooler potatoes, the cheese normally sits on top of the fries and does not really join with them… kind of like a cheese blob that you eat separately from the actual potatoes. I usually put mayo on the burger but heavy on the ketchup on the potatoes. The other problem with Teds is that pricing is on the high side for me. You could ring up a fifteen dollar bill for one person to get the burger and potatoes with extra cheese and made to a point where its a decent burger. The best steamed cheeseburger in town is just a mile away from Teds, at Allen’s Cup and Saucer restaurant in Meriden, but Allen’s has its own problems like cleanliness, although I hear that it’s getting better lately. Allen’s fried burgers are also more tasty than their steamed burgers and the owner there agrees with me. Allens also has decent fries. Also, you can get a decent, perhaps better steamed cheeseburger than Teds at a restaurant that is directly across the street from Teds, Quality Time, which is like a sports bar. Quality Time’s burger is good but I think it also costs about $ 10. Better yet, drive to Middletown and go to Five Guys, which is my ultimate favorite and their fries totally rule. Skip K Lemays, not a fan at all. Also don’t go to Wayback burger in Meriden, it totally sucks and is barely edible; you might as well to go to Wendy’s next door. I actually think that many customers that visit Teds builds up the experience in their head, rather than taste the food.

icraked. Contacted this company two days ago to have an apple device repaired. I contacted them from the positive reviews here on Unilocal.No Bueno! They have not even contacted me with the exception of a automated email that was sent immediately after my initial inquiry. I would never do business with someone who cannot even follow up with a phone/​text, etc. to set up an appt. with in 24 hours. Will not recommend to friends or family.

Awesome!!! One of the best and most unique burgers around. You can never go wrong with a teds burger. Their fried are also very good but occasionally under cooked.

Meriden staple! I’ve been eating at this place for almost 30 years now. I recommend to everyone that they should try it once in their lives and I know they won’t regret it!

Burgers are juicy and moist. The melted cheese just makes it even more awesome. The bun is soft and chewy. Great burger. It’s worth the trip whether you’re traveling north or south.

This was my first steamed hamburger and I have to say that it wasn’t bad. I went in knowing that a $ 6 steamed hamburger from a shop that’s been around for 50+ years would taste different than a grilled $ 18 hamburger from a gourmet shop. It was good to check out this historic place and I’ll be back if I’m in the Meriden area!

Stopped for a steamed cheeseburger and bacon cheese fries. Great as always A classic Meriden landmark

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.

You get a good size burger and tons of cheese but the burger itself has no flavor, a little salt and pepper is what it needs

Me and my friend ordered from here for the first time. We had burgers and home fries with cheese to go. They were very busy for a Sunday evening. Our meal was very good. It was well worth the price.

There Are Things I Couldn’t Picture Life Without: My iPhone, Rice Krispies Treats. And Burgers! Not Specifically In That Order.
Ted’s Knows Exactly What A Burger Is Supposed To Be. Juicy, More Meat Than Lettuce, & Good Bread To Hold Everything Together.
Don’t Get Me Wrong The Place Is Small ! But For A Damn Good Burger? I’m Cool With That. I Had A Basic Cheeseburger With Chili. The Cheese Oozed Out Of Every Corner It Could Find. My Brother Told Me «Your Going To Burn Your Mouth When You Bite Into It So Let It Cool Down «But I Already Had My Mindset. I Was Going To Sacrifice My Tongue For A Bite Of Heaven. Boy Was That Burger Everything I Thought It Would Be! My Brother Had HomeFries. I Wasn’t A Fan, I Felt They Were Too Thick. Reminded Me Of Potato Wedges. I Had To Get A Extra Burger To Go.
Overall. I’m Looking Towards Becoming A Regular Customer At Teds. No Home Fries, Strictly Burgers.

I don’t know… they’ve been on Food TV …
They are kind of famous.. I’ve had their burgers in house and through their food truck. They are good-​but not great. The burgers are juicy-​hands down. The bun is TOO BIG. We aren’t here for the bun so either make the burger bigger, or use smaller buns. The novelty of steam doesn’t carry it. Sorry :-(

Terrible
It’s with great sadness that I have to honestly write this review about the legendary Ted’s in Meriden, CT. I personally went 80 miles out of my way while returning from a trip to NYC to make sure I tried Ted’s.
What a waste of time. One of the worst hamburgers that I have ever had. Let me just describe what I tried to eat. My wife and I ordered the simple steamed cheeseburger with lettuce and tomato. We also got a side of fries (home fries with cheese).
You get a steamed cheese burger on a cold Kaiser roll with lettuce and tomato that doesn’t really belong. The burger itself is famously steamed, but has absolutely no favor and the bun is too big for the burger and its not grilled, nor soft, or warm. It is topped with a blob of flavorless white cheese, I can’t tell you what kind because I could taste anything.
The other terrible item was the awful cold old home fries with another blob of this awful cheese making the potatoes even mushier then they were plain.
Overall the whole experience was a mess. It was about 4:30 in the afternoon and the place was completely empty, so that has to tell you something. I usually love old school places serving throw back food items, but this place is just serving a product that isn’t good.
Sorry I have to be honest.
Thanks

I kind of agree with a bunch of the Unilocalers on here that I think Ted’s (and maybe steamed burgers) are a bit overrated. I ordered the black and blue burger and the fully loaded home fries. Even though all the toppings on the burger were delicious it couldn’t hide that the steamed burger was not seasoned, lacked a good fat consistency and hence wasn’t too tasty. Not a huge fan of home fries either so not the best one to review them. Overall, probably wouldn’t give Teds or the steamed cheeseburger another chance.

Ted’s is completely overrated. My steamed cheeseburger was no more than overlooked meat (no seasonings, onion, etc.) and a huge serving of mozzarella.

Não equivale a fama que tem. Não compensa sair de New Haven para comer o steamed cheseburger.

The steamed burgers here are ridiculously good. Don’t forget to get plenty of napkins. I haven’t been here in a while, and forgot what I was missing. If you in Meriden stop by Teds. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Burger seemed precooked and over-​cooked/​steamed. Literally took less than two minutes from order to table. Steamed meat was not moist but the saving item was the steamed cheese on the burger. I guess I should have ordered steamed cheese on a plate.

We had a party of 6 and we split 2 orders of Home Fries that were smothered and delicious. Between the 6 of us after a home we could not finish them. I preferred the Home Fries over the burger to be honest.
I ordered the Bleu Burger that I thought only had Bleu cheese but it had another thick layer of cheese on the top. There was very little BBQ sauce and onions. I asked for no mushrooms and they got that right!
The machine they use to steam the burgers is really neat. I’m certain I’ve seen the steamer contraption before.
We sat outside because then inside was too small for a party of 6. I think it was a great set up for their space.
The staff was super friendly. If I lived here I’m sure I’d go back but I’m just visiting so I won’t go back because there are other places to try!

Nothing but love for this place. Burgers are always consistent and on point… and the home fries are like a roman orgy on my tongue. They’ve recently added some new sandwich options to the menu and all are worth a try.
Service is always speedy and thorough and the prices are reasonable. Really nothing bad to say about this place. If you haven’t tried it… try it. If you have tried it… go again. A culinary slam dunk.