Steamed Burgers.
What an odd concept.
Why would anyone choose to steam a cheeseburger?

It seems like the reason is historical.
Restauranteurs need a way to cook burgers quickly and cheaply.
Steam is an efficient way to cook. So sure, let’s say that is it.
The meat and cheese in a steamed cheeseburger are both steam cooked.
Ted’s Restaurant in Meriden is the quintessential place for steamed cheeseburgers.
While K Lamay’s Steamed Cheeseburgers, also in Meriden, is in competition.
So who has the better Steamed Cheeseburger, possibly the best steamed cheeseburger in Connecticut? Let’s find out.
First up: Ted’s Restaurant

The cheese is solid, and has that great melty quality to it.
The bun is a bit much for the burger. Maybe if you get a double cheeseburger the bread to meat ratio is less imbalanced, but with their namesake single cheeseburger, there is too much bread.
The ground beef breaks apart a lot. Not like its formed into a burger, more like a Salisbury steak consistency, but overall it just tastes like the color grey.
The Rating: Ted’s Resataurant
5.5/10
Second up: K LaMay’s Steamed Cheeseburgers

Here the meat is slightly seasoned, which is more than I can say at Ted’s.
The roll is a bit lighter and the meat a bit bigger, bringing the bread to meat ratio to better proportions.
Where this place shines is the cheese.
The cheese tastes like a combination of super sharp cheddar cheese and parmesan. Like a parmesan crisp with Wisconsin sharp cheddar melted in.
The Rating:
7/10
The Winner:
K LaMay’s
The best steamed cheeseburger in this head to head is K LaMay’s, whose excellent cheese and better bread to meat ratio make it the superior option.

K LaMay’s Steamed Cheeseburgers
Address: 690 E Main St, Meriden, CT 06450
Open everyday at 10:30am
Menu
Phone: (203) 237-8326