A better burger

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers chief marketing officer Matt Stula and operating partner Cliff Jones show off some of the eatery’s offerings.

Since opening its doors at the foot of Diamond Head in 1998, Teddy’s Bigger Burgers has continued to build on its popular menu that includes freshly made hamburger patties and quality beef that multiple generations of local diners have come to love over the years.

This diner-style restaurant now features locations all over the island, as well as Maui, the mainland, and even Japan and the Philippines.

Beyond Burger ($11.99)

“We always try to bring the best that we can through the design of the stores, the mu sic, the awesome staff and the focus on the quality of food,” says Matt Stula, chief marketing and technology officer. “It ultimately comes down to each and every guest’s individual experience because that is the only thing that really matters.”

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers got its start, as many great ideas do, as part of the backyard cookouts of owners Ted Tsakiris and Rich Stula. The duo loved great-tasting, freshly cooked burgers but couldn’t understand why there weren’t any local fast-food restaurants that offered the quality of their home-cooked burgers in a quick service environment.

Crunch Berries Shake ($7.99)

The conversations sparked a concept as Tsakiris and Rich set out to create a restaurant that served the best quality burgers in an energetic, fast-paced environment. After studying the simple menus of the iconic 1950s burger eateries, the restau rateurs decided to “reinvent the burger joint” with a wistful ’50s theme and a simple menu composed of burgers, fries and shakes.

Recipes were developed and the menu was built out after companies and vendors were found that could supply the quality products that set Teddy’s apart from the competition.

Kanak Attack ($20.98)

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers uses only 100% fresh chilled ground chuck, without any fillers or binders, and the burgers are handcrafted daily and always charbroiled to order. Super Sauce is Teddy’s signature sweet and tangy creation, not the typical thousand island dressing. Even Teddy’s teriyaki sauce features a recipe made from scratch, and the produce and buns are of the highest quality and delivered fresh daily.

“We still serve the same exact burger from 1998, and the same seasoning,” Matt adds.

Garlic Chicken Tenders ($10.99, three pieces)

Take a crack at the Kanak Attack ($20.98), a massive 1-pound triple-patty burger that has a penchant for, as the name suggests, inducing a post-meal nap.

The Beyond Burger ($11.99) is quickly becoming a go-to meal option as the 100% vegan patty is “the closest thing to eating real meat,” and it is delicious as is within the bun or customized with one’s favorite accompaniments.

Umami Fries ($5.75, small)

“We were looking to bring some meatless options but the quality and flavor were never up to our Teddy’s standards,” Matt explains. “Beyond Meat (the company that makes the patties) updated their recipe and the flavors were almost indistinguishable to our meat once we added our seasonings and toppings. We were quite proud to add that to the menu.”

Reach for an order of Umami Fries ($5.75 small, $7.49 large), as these pair well with any burger or sandwich, and are coated with garlic butter and drizzled with Sriracha aioli before being sprinkled with furikake. Also, be sure to try Garlic Chicken Tenders ($10.99, three pieces), which are packed with incredible flavor in each bite with notes of garlic, Parmesan and parsley.

Don’t forget to order a delicious, thick real ice cream milkshake to complete one’s meal, including the popular Crunch Berries Shake ($7.99).