While hamburger origin stories are numerous, one of the most enduring (and recognized by the Library of Congress) is that it was first cooked up by Louis’ Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut. No matter where it was invented, it didn’t take long for burgers to start featuring cheese–a trend that became popular during the 1920s and 30s. Connecticut’s modern-day burger joints range from seasonal stands to gourmet affairs serving up just about every type of cheeseburger you can imagine. One notable offering you’re not likely to find outside the state is the steamed cheeseburger (or steamer), served almost exclusively in Central Connecticut.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Cheeseburger in Connecticut are as follows:
- Lake Zoar Drive-In - Stevenson
- Dew Drop Inn - Derby
- Burgers, Shakes & Fries - Greenwich
- K LaMay's Steamed Cheeseburgers - Meriden
- Sara J’s - Wallingford
- Ted's Restaurant - Meriden
- Prime 16 Tap House + Burgers - New Haven
- Louis' Lunch - New Haven
- Shady Glen - Manchester
- American Steamed Cheeseburgers - Wallingford
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts CT Bites, Taylor Hicks (State Plate), Eric D. Lehman, Tracey Medeiros, Cindi D. Pietrzyk and Mike Urban were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of the state food scene.
Congratulations to all these winning restaurants!
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The Experts
CT Bites
CT Bites is a web-based community built by and for... Read More
CT Bites is a web-based community built by and for people who are passionate about food in Connecticut. We love to scout, celebrate and tease out the new and noteworthy and share it with you so you can then go forth and discover it for yourself. We aim to try each and every restaurant, diner and dive; we visit every bakery, farmer’s market and fishmonger, and are thrilled when we can speak with fellow writers, bakers and chefs. CT Bites is a curated site, celebrating the very best CT has to offer our diners. If there is one thing we know for certain, it’s that life is way too short to settle for bad food. You can find us online, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
CT Bites
CT Bites is a web-based community built by and for people who are passionate about food in Connecticut. We love to scout, celebrate and tease out the new and noteworthy and share it with you so you can then go forth and discover it for yourself. We aim to try each and every restaurant, diner and dive; we visit every bakery, farmer’s market and fishmonger, and are thrilled when we can speak with fellow writers, bakers and chefs. CT Bites is a curated site, celebrating the very best CT has to offer our diners. If there is one thing we know for certain, it’s that life is way too short to settle for bad food. You can find us online, on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Taylor Hicks
Having received 64 million votes, Taylor Hicks is... Read More
Having received 64 million votes, Taylor Hicks is one of the most beloved American Idol winners of all time. More than 200 million viewers worldwide tuned in to see him crowned as the season five winner. Hicks’s career has included stints on Broadway, a national tour with a hit musical, as well as headlining Paris, Las Vegas and other Caesars Entertainment properties all over the United States. He is currently the host of the award-winning culinary travel series State Plate, which can be seen on the INSP television network, and his new album will be out this fall.
Taylor Hicks
Having received 64 million votes, Taylor Hicks is one of the most beloved American Idol winners of all time. More than 200 million viewers worldwide tuned in to see him crowned as the season five winner. Hicks’s career has included stints on Broadway, a national tour with a hit musical, as well as headlining Paris, Las Vegas and other Caesars Entertainment properties all over the United States. He is currently the host of the award-winning culinary travel series State Plate, which can be seen on the INSP television network, and his new album will be out this fall.
Eric D. Lehman
Eric D. Lehman teaches literature and creative... Read More
Eric D. Lehman teaches literature and creative writing at the University of Bridgeport and his essays, reviews, and stories have been published in dozens of journals and magazines, from Edible Nutmeg toThe Wayfarer. He is the author of a dozen books, including Afoot in Connecticut, A History of Connecticut Food, Shadows of Paris, Becoming Tom Thumb, History of Connecticut Wine, and the Insiders' Guide to Connecticut. Follow him on Twitter or Instagram.
Eric D. Lehman
Eric D. Lehman teaches literature and creative writing at the University of Bridgeport and his essays, reviews, and stories have been published in dozens of journals and magazines, from Edible Nutmeg toThe Wayfarer. He is the author of a dozen books, including Afoot in Connecticut, A History of Connecticut Food, Shadows of Paris, Becoming Tom Thumb, History of Connecticut Wine, and the Insiders' Guide to Connecticut. Follow him on Twitter or Instagram.
Tracey Medeiros
Tracey Medeiros is the author of The Vermont... Read More
Tracey Medeiros is the author of The Vermont Non-GMO Cookbook (Skyhorse Publishing, October 2017), The Connecticut Farm Table Cookbook (Countryman Press, 2015), The Vermont Farm Table Cookbook (Countryman Press 2013) and Dishing Up Vermont (Storey Publishing, 2008). She writes The Farmhouse Kitchen: A Guide to Eating Local column for Edible Green Mountains Magazine and is also a freelance food writer, food stylist and recipe developer and tester. She is often seen on various television cooking segments preparing one of her favorite recipes while sharing helpful culinary tips with the viewing audience. Tracey travels regionally as a guest speaker and cooking instructor, emphasizing her commitment to the sustainable food movement by using locally produced fresh ingredients to create dishes that are healthy and delicious. Follow Tracey on Facebook and Twitter.
Tracey Medeiros
Tracey Medeiros is the author of The Vermont Non-GMO Cookbook (Skyhorse Publishing, October 2017), The Connecticut Farm Table Cookbook (Countryman Press, 2015), The Vermont Farm Table Cookbook (Countryman Press 2013) and Dishing Up Vermont (Storey Publishing, 2008). She writes The Farmhouse Kitchen: A Guide to Eating Local column for Edible Green Mountains Magazine and is also a freelance food writer, food stylist and recipe developer and tester. She is often seen on various television cooking segments preparing one of her favorite recipes while sharing helpful culinary tips with the viewing audience. Tracey travels regionally as a guest speaker and cooking instructor, emphasizing her commitment to the sustainable food movement by using locally produced fresh ingredients to create dishes that are healthy and delicious. Follow Tracey on Facebook and Twitter.
Cindi D. Pietrzyk
Cindi D. Pietrzyk is an author and editor based in... Read More
Cindi D. Pietrzyk is an author and editor based in Connecticut. She has published four books and has worked on countless others. She has been in the publishing industry since 1992 when she published her first article in Univeristy of Connecticut's Daily Campus. From there she went on to become an editor at her hometown newspaper, the Durham Gazette, where she edited and wrote numerous articles. Eventually she moved into book publishing, which, as a friend said, is like learning to fast dance to a waltz. But, she found her niche and has been there ever since. She began her book publishing career at Globe Pequot Press, where she spent four years as an in-house editor before leaving to begin her family. While she left the life of an in-house editor, she started her freelance career, which she continues today. Cindi lives with her husband, three daughters, three dogs, and three cats. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Cindi D. Pietrzyk
Cindi D. Pietrzyk is an author and editor based in Connecticut. She has published four books and has worked on countless others. She has been in the publishing industry since 1992 when she published her first article in Univeristy of Connecticut's Daily Campus. From there she went on to become an editor at her hometown newspaper, the Durham Gazette, where she edited and wrote numerous articles. Eventually she moved into book publishing, which, as a friend said, is like learning to fast dance to a waltz. But, she found her niche and has been there ever since. She began her book publishing career at Globe Pequot Press, where she spent four years as an in-house editor before leaving to begin her family. While she left the life of an in-house editor, she started her freelance career, which she continues today. Cindi lives with her husband, three daughters, three dogs, and three cats. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Mike Urban
Mike Urban is a food and travel writer and the... Read More
Mike Urban is a food and travel writer and the author of The New England Diner Cookbook and three other food-related books. He’s a regular contributor to Yankee magazine’s New England Today. He resides in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, and enjoys steamed cheeseburgers whenever he can get them.
Mike Urban
Mike Urban is a food and travel writer and the author of The New England Diner Cookbook and three other food-related books. He’s a regular contributor to Yankee magazine’s New England Today. He resides in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, and enjoys steamed cheeseburgers whenever he can get them.
10Best Editors
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased... Read More
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
