Business Details
50+ Years
experience
World-Famous Steamed Cheeseburgers Since 1959
Since 1959, Ted's Restaurant has been a cornerstone of Connecticut's culinary landscape, renowned for our signature steamed cheeseburgers crafted with a proprietary method that ensures unmatched tenderness and flavor. As a family-owned establishment, we've preserved the original values of quality and hospitality introduced by founder Ted Dubarek, while innovating through our food trucks and catering services.Our retro diner atmosphere welcomes guests to experience a piece of local history, complemented by national recognition from Food Network Magazine and Connecticut Magazine. With three operational food trucks serving events statewide, we combine tradition with modern convenience, maintaining our commitment to fresh ingredients and community engagement across generations.
Services
Steamed Cheeseburgers
Catering Services
Food Truck Rentals
Coffee & Ice Cream Truck
Event Dessert Service
Details
- Year established: 1959
Highlights and features
- Family-owned since 1959 with generations of burger-making expertise
- Patented steam-cooking method preserves burger integrity and flavor
- Award-winning restaurant featured in Food Network Magazine
- Full-service catering with customizable menus for events up to 60+ guests
- Community legacy serving three generations of Connecticut families
Services
Steamed Cheeseburgers
Our iconic steamed cheeseburgers use a proprietary cooking method developed in 1959 that gently steams beef patties while melting cheese directly into the meat. This creates a uniquely tender texture with concentrated flavor, using twice-ground beef and specially selected cheddar cheese that maintains integrity during steaming. Available with multiple topping combinations, each burger represents six decades of perfected technique.
Catering Services
Full-service catering brings Teds signature flavors to private and corporate events across Connecticut. Our team customizes menus for groups of 6-60+ guests, offering buffet or plated options featuring steamed burgers, sandwiches, and sides. Services include on-site food truck preparation, professional delivery with setup, and dietary accommodation planning to ensure memorable dining experiences at weddings, festivals, and business functions.
Food Truck Rentals
Three specialized food trucks deliver Teds experience to Connecticut events year-round. Two trucks focus on burger service while the third offers coffee and ice cream options. Each vehicle maintains our signature preparation methods using onboard steam equipment, serving festivals, sports events, and private bookings with the same quality as our Meriden location while providing unique mobile dining experiences.
Dessert Options
Comprehensive dessert offerings complement our savory menu with classic and specialty items. Vanilla ice cream serves as base for Foxon Park floats and milkshakes featuring seasonal flavors. The coffee & ice cream truck provides mobile dessert service at community events, offering sweet endings that mirror our commitment to quality ingredients and traditional preparation methods.
Event Planning
Custom event solutions combine culinary expertise with logistical planning for Connecticut gatherings. Our team coordinates timing, presentation, and service flow to match event themes while maintaining food quality standards. Services include menu adaptation for special dietary needs, equipment transport logistics, and on-site staff management to ensure seamless execution of weddings, corporate events, and community celebrations.
People
Ted Dubarek
Founder
Established Ted's Restaurant in 1959, creating the original steamed cheeseburger recipe that became Connecticut's culinary icon. His innovative approach to burger preparation laid the foundation for a multi-generational family business.
Paul Dubarek
Second-Generation Owner
Refined the cheeseburger recipe after inheriting the business, implementing twice-ground beef and specialized cheddar selection. Developed the steam box and trays still used today, maintaining quality while scaling operations.
Bill Foreman
Current Owner
Nephew of Paul Dubarek who assumed ownership in 2008, expanding Teds reach through food trucks and catering services while preserving the restaurant's historic character and culinary traditions.
Questions
What makes Teds steamed cheeseburgers unique?
Our burgers use a patented steam-cooking method since 1959 that melts cheese directly into twice-ground beef patties, creating unmatched tenderness and flavor concentration.
Do you offer catering services for large events?
Yes, our catering division serves events from 6 to 60+ guests with customizable menus featuring our signature burgers, sandwiches, and sides through food trucks or delivery setups.
Can I book a food truck for my Connecticut event?
We have three operational trucks available year-round for festivals, weddings, and corporate events across Connecticut, including specialty units for burgers and dessert options.
What dining atmospheres does Teds provide?
Experience our retro diner in Meriden or enjoy mobile service at events. Both maintain our family-friendly environment with classic Connecticut charm and quality service.
Are there dietary accommodation options available?
Our catering team customizes menus for special dietary needs while maintaining our signature flavors, offering alternatives that preserve the quality standards of our traditional offerings.
