Steamed cheeseburger facts for kids
A steamed cheeseburger, also called a steamer or cheeseburg, is a unique hamburger topped with cheese. What makes it special is how it's cooked: it's made using steam instead of being fried or grilled! This tasty burger first became popular in central Connecticut in the United States. Even though you can find them in a few other places now, they are still quite rare outside of Connecticut.
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How Steamed Cheeseburgers Are Made
The way a steamed cheeseburger is prepared makes it very different from other burgers. Instead of cooking the meat on a grill or in a pan, both the burger patty and the cheese are steamed. They are placed in special stainless-steel cabinets with trays.
When the meat is steamed, its fats melt away. These fats then drain out of the tray, making the burger less greasy. The steaming process also helps the burger stay very moist and juicy. Once the patty is fully cooked, it's scooped onto a bun. Then, the warm, melted cheese is poured right over the meat. You can add your favorite sauces and toppings to finish your delicious steamed cheeseburger!
Where Did They Come From?
People believe the steamed cheeseburger was first invented a long time ago, in the 1920s or 1930s. It all started at a restaurant called Jack's Lunch in Middletown, Connecticut. Jack Fitzgerald ran this restaurant for 44 years.
At Jack's Lunch, the steamed cheeseburgers were cooked in a tall copper box. This box was filled with simmering water, and it held 18 tin trays. Each tray had a square patty of ground beef. You could even add cheddar cheese for a little extra money. One idea about why steaming became popular is that in the 1920s, many people thought steamed food was healthier and easier to digest than fried food.
Finding a Steamed Cheeseburger
Ted's Restaurant in Meriden, Connecticut, is the most famous place to get a steamed cheeseburger. This is because many TV shows and news articles have featured them. But you can also find these burgers in nearby towns like Wallingford, Middletown, Portland, and Cromwell. They are also available further east in East Hampton and south in North Haven.
Ted's Restaurant even has a special food truck called the "Steam Machine." This truck travels to different places, selling steamed cheeseburgers. You might find it at UConn Huskies football games in East Hartford, or at Bushnell Park and the Xfinity Theatre in downtown Hartford. Ted's also has a food stand inside the XL Center arena in Hartford.
A Baseball Team's Special Game!
In 2018, a Minor League Baseball team called the Hartford Yard Goats did something fun. For one home game, they changed their name to the "Hartford Steamed Cheeseburgers"! The players even wore special uniforms that looked like the famous food item. And of course, fans at the game could buy fresh, made-to-order steamed cheeseburgers from Ted's Restaurant. It was a unique way to celebrate a local favorite!
