Ted's Restaurant facts for kids
Ted's Restaurant is a famous place to eat that opened in 1959. It is well-known for its special steamed cheeseburger. The first Ted's Restaurant is in Meriden, Connecticut, in the United States. Ted's also has a food truck and a concession stand where you can buy their unique burgers.
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The Start of Ted's Restaurant
The idea of a steamed cheeseburger, sometimes called a "steamer," began in the 1930s. It is thought to have started at a place called "Jack's Lunch" in Middletown, Connecticut. In 1959, Ted Duberek opened his own restaurant in Meriden. He served these special steamed burgers. Many factory workers in the area loved Ted's food. Because the factories worked all day and night, Ted's Restaurant used to stay open until 4:00 A.M. to feed them.
How Steamed Cheeseburgers Are Made
At Ted's Restaurant, steamed cheeseburgers are cooked differently from regular burgers. Instead of being fried or grilled, they are steamed. The burgers cook inside a special stainless-steel cabinet. This cabinet has small trays for each hamburger patty and chunks of cheese.
This steaming method makes the fat melt away from the meat. The fat then drains from the tray when the burger is ready. The result is a very moist and juicy burger. After cooking, the meat is scooped onto a bun. Then, the melted cheese is poured right over the burger. You can also add your favorite toppings.
Who Owned Ted's Over Time
Over the years, many local factories moved their work to other countries. Ted's Restaurant stayed open, but with shorter hours. Ted Duberek passed away in the early 1970s. His son, Paul Duberek, then took over the business. Paul ran Ted's until 2007.
In 2007, Paul sold the restaurant to his nephew, Bill Foreman. Bill had worked at Ted's when he was in high school and college. Bill has kept the restaurant running much the same way. The steamed cheeseburger is still the most popular item on the menu.
Trying to Grow the Business
In the 2010s, Ted's tried to open more restaurants. They added two new locations in Cromwell, Connecticut and North Haven, Connecticut. However, by 2018, both of these new restaurants had closed down.
Ted's in the Spotlight
Ted's Restaurant has been featured on television shows. In December 2009, it appeared on Man v. Food, a show on the Travel Channel. Then, in June 2013, it was shown again on another Travel Channel show called Burger Land.
The "Steam Machine" Food Truck
Ted's also has a food truck called the "Steam Machine." This truck sells steamed cheeseburgers in different places. You can find it at Bushnell Park in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. It also sells burgers at the Xfinity Theatre amphitheatre in Hartford. The "Steam Machine" also serves fans at UConn Huskies football games. These games are held at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut.
Ted's at PeoplesBank Arena
Ted's Restaurant also has a concession stand inside the PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, Connecticut. This stand is located behind section 101. Fans can buy steamed cheeseburgers there during events.
Hartford Yard Goats Special Event
In August 2018, Ted's was part of a special event with the Hartford Yard Goats. This is a minor league baseball team. For one home game, the Yard Goats changed their name to the "Hartford Steamed Cheeseburgers." They even wore special uniforms that looked like the food item! Ted's sold fresh steamed cheeseburgers to fans at a special cart in the stadium.
See also
- List of Connecticut companies
- List of hamburger restaurants
