Teddy's Bigger Burgers - Gateway Ekamai

Teddy's Bigger Burgers is a burger restaurant originating from Hawaii, USA.

In late 2017, I had the opportunity to visit Hawaii and was introduced to this restaurant by a local friend. He told me it was a famous Hawaiian burger joint and his personal favorite.

Recently, I discovered that Teddy's Bigger Burgers has opened a franchise branch in Thailand. I couldn't resist the chance to try it again, and there are currently three branches in Bangkok:

  • Gateway Ekamai, G Floor - near MaxValu
  • Central Plaza Pinklao, G Floor
  • Central World, 7th Floor - near Top Supermarket

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This time, I tried the Gateway Ekamai branch, which is the first branch in Thailand and opened in July 2015. … When I had the opportunity to talk and get to know them better, I saw the difference from other burger restaurants. When I tried it, I could tell that they used good quality ingredients, so the price might be higher than other burger restaurants.

More importantly, this place changed my mind that burgers are just fast food because they are not. … They are different, have their own unique selling points, and it's no wonder why this restaurant is recognized as the best burger restaurant in Hawaii and has expanded to other states in the mainland of the United States before expanding to other countries in Asia such as Japan, Philippines, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia.

The interior design of the Ekkamai branch is spacious and airy, with surfboards decorating various corners, creating the atmosphere of a Hawaiian beach, the origin of the restaurant.

The front of the restaurant's kitchen features a large, clear glass panel that allows customers to observe the cooking process from outside without any obstructions.

Teddy's Bigger Burgers: A Hawaiian Burger Haven

Teddy's Bigger Burgers has earned its reputation as one of Hawaii's top burger destinations for several compelling reasons:

  • Freshness: Unlike fast-food chains, Teddy's prepares each burger to order, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor.
  • Quality Ingredients: They use 100% Ground Chuck beef, free from fillers like flour, bread, or onions.
  • Natural Goodness: Their commitment to quality extends to using only the finest ingredients, free from artificial additives and preservatives.
  • DIY Customization: Teddy's empowers customers to create their ideal burger experience. Options include double patties, mix-and-match toppings and sauces, and a plethora of additional toppings.
  • Flavorful Variety: The restaurant boasts six signature sauces (spicy, Teddy's special, black pepper, BBQ, wasabi, teriyaki) and over 20 topping choices, guaranteeing a unique and satisfying experience for every palate.


For those who don't eat beef, the restaurant also offers a variety of other burger options, including pork, grilled chicken, fried chicken, and fish. There are also other side dishes, soups, salads, spaghetti, and a children's menu.

Another special feature of this restaurant's burgers is the "potato bun." This is a bread dough made from potatoes, which is softer, slightly chewy, and has a slightly sweet potato flavor. This is different from other breads... If you don't want to eat bread, the restaurant also offers a lettuce wrap option without bread.

For the "beef burger" menu, you can choose the size of the meat and the level of doneness you want. The beef size is divided into 3 sizes:
* 5 ounces (big)
* 7 ounces (bigger)
* 9 ounces (biggest)

In Thailand, they use numbers to indicate size, making it easy to understand... But in Hawaii, they use the terms big - bigger - biggest as shown in parentheses. At first, I was confused, thinking that the burgers came in different sizes. It turns out that they were referring to the size of the meat patty itself. Other meat menus do not have size options.

Furthermore, the beef burger menu allows customers to choose the level of doneness of the meat, from rare to well-done. This customization option is a welcome feature, setting this restaurant apart from other fast-food burger joints.






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Let's try the burger menu that the restaurant has prepared for us ... It's a pity that I didn't get to try all of them because they really served a lot. Some of them were sold out before I could get to them, haha. 555+

First menu: Teddy's Original Beef Burger
Price 300.- baht
Original recipe beef burger from Hawaii using 7 ounces of beef.

Grilled to medium rare, leaving the meat slightly juicy.



The first menu we tried was the **Teddy's Special Sauce Burger**, and it was absolutely delicious! As a meat lover, I could tell that the patty was made with high-quality beef. The rich flavor of the meat was perfectly complemented by the restaurant's signature Teddy's Special Sauce, which added a sweet and savory touch. The burger was all about the meat, and it was cooked to perfection.

++ Cut in half to show the juicy filling ++


While visiting Hawaii, I ordered a bacon and avocado dish, but I regret not trying their original beef burger. However, I believe that the burgers at our local branch are just as delicious as the original.

Price: 280 Baht

This burger features a grilled chicken breast patty topped with bacon, avocado, and cheese. The name "Bacado" is a playful combination of "bacon" and "avocado," similar to the Hawaiian term.

This menu item is a healthy option for those who prefer chicken breast. However, in our personal opinion, the grilled chicken was a bit dry, possibly due to having just eaten the previous menu item, which had more succulent meat and sauce.

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Menu 3: Volcano Cheese Burger
Price: 270 Baht
A burger with cheese stuffed in the middle, which can be chosen as pork or beef.



Besides beef, he also loves cheese. When he cut it in half, the cheese filling flowed out like lava (hence the name volcano). This is mouthwatering. They are allergic to gooey cheese.

The name of this menu also reminds us of Hawaii. Because in addition to the famous surfing of this state, Hawaii also has beautiful nature and volcanoes. On the Big Island, there is a volcano with lava flowing into the sea. You can take a boat to see it (the lava there is not from an eruption, but flows out along the cracks in the earth's crust).

Ah... I'm starting to get off topic again. Let's go back to tasting delicious food ^^”

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Menu 4: Pork Hawaiian Burger
Price: 225 THB
Choose between beef or pork, but the restaurant recommends trying the pork option. This burger features a homemade teriyaki sauce, a Hawaiian recipe.


The unique aspect of this dish is the basting of the grilled meat with a sauce while it is still on the grill. The heat causes the sugar in the sauce to caramelize, coating the meat and creating a sweet and savory flavor. The grilled pineapple, with its tangy acidity, cuts through the richness of the meat, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.

Unfortunately, I couldn't try this menu item because it was sold out before I arrived. 😭

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Menu 5: Beef Western Burger + Topping
Price: 325 + 85 = 410 Baht
5-ounce double beef patty (2 patties) with cheddar cheese, bacon, fried onions, and barbecue sauce.


This meat-focused menu is perfect for carnivores, as it features minimal vegetables and delivers a rich, bold flavor. It's a top seller at our restaurant.

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Let's take a look at some side dishes...

First on the menu: **Cheezzee Fries (deep-fried fries with cheese sauce)**
Price: 75 THB

The restaurant uses unpeeled potatoes (skin on) to emphasize freshness. When fried, the most delicious part of the potato is the part under the skin... This dish is served fresh with hot cheddar cheese sauce.

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Price: 75 Baht

This dish is similar to hash browns, but made in the shape of small, round cylinders.




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Menu 3: New Orleans Chicken (New Orleans Chicken Wings)
Price: 110 Baht


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Price:

  • Beef: 145 THB
  • Pork: 125 THB

Description:

Choose between juicy beef or tender pork meatballs, generously coated in a rich tomato sauce and topped with a layer of melted cheese. The dish is then baked to perfection, creating a warm and comforting meal.


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In addition to the a la carte menu, the restaurant also offers combo sets that include appetizers and drinks. There are two options to choose from:

  1. Add 70 baht for French fries and a choice of soft drink or lemon tea.
  2. Add 90 baht and choose one appetizer from cheezzee fries, onion rings, or tater tots, plus a soft drink or lemon tea.



++ The Combo Set actually comes with a soft drink, not this glass. But it will look something like this. ++

For group dining, the restaurant also offers value sets. These sets are priced for 1-4 people, starting at 179 Baht per set. Each set includes a burger, a drink, and a snack.

Other Drinks Menu …

Italian Soda (95 THB per glass) is available in a variety of flavors and colors:

  • Waikiki (Apple Flavor)
  • Aloha Hawaii (Orange Flavor)
  • Volcano (Strawberry Flavor)
  • Freshy Rainbow (Raspberry Flavor)
  • Deep Ocean (Blue Hawaii Flavor)

This menu item is a large glass, and I love the name, which evokes images of Hawaii. However, Hawaiian restaurants only serve soft drinks.


Shake menu, including vanilla, coffee, chocolate, and strawberry.
Price per glass: 120 THB.

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The first time I tried Teddy's Bigger Burgers was in Hawaii, and the second time was in Thailand, just 2-3 months later. I'd like to compare the original Hawaiian branch with the Thai franchise branch to see how they are similar and different.

**Differences between BANGKOK and HAWAII**

**Service**

  • Hawaii: Self-service. Order at the counter, pay, and bring your food to your table.
  • Thailand: Table service. You receive better service, but the menu prices do not include a 10% service charge.

**Menu**

  • Thailand: More menu items than the original, including a pork burger. Thailand also has more appetizers, such as spaghetti, fried chicken wings, and Italian soda.
  • Hawaii: No pork burger, only bacon burger (because Hawaiians prefer beef to pork).

**Beverage Menu**

  • Thailand: More variety of drinks, including soft drinks, Italian soda, and shakes, sold by the glass.
  • Hawaii: Refillable soft drinks, self-service.

**Food Presentation**

  • Hawaii: Wrapped in paper and served in a cardboard box. This made Teddy's Bigger Burger feel like any other fast food restaurant when I first saw it in Hawaii.
  • Thailand: More visually appealing and carefully prepared. The burgers are served with a flag (more of a gimmick), wrapped in paper, and placed on a plate. The attentive service and presentation make it look better than a typical burger restaurant and not like fast food.

**++ In Hawaii, it looks like this... Our house looks much better. ++**


((Bun – Bread))
* Thai >> Only potato bun (potato bread) or lettuce are available.
* Hawaiian >> One more type, wheat, is added.



In terms of overall experience, Thailand may have made some minor adjustments to the menu and service to better suit local preferences. However, the core flavors and certain ingredients, especially the homemade sauce (Teddy's homemade special sauce), remain true to the original recipe, delivering an authentic taste experience. Personally, we found the menu in Thailand to offer greater variety compared to the Hawaiian location.



++ The atmosphere in the restaurant in Hawaii with friends on the way to Kailua Beach ++

The price of burgers at this restaurant may be higher than at other burger restaurants, but if you get to know them and try them, you will know that they only use the best ingredients and are meticulous in their preparation. In addition, the fact that they have not grown rapidly to become a global brand (currently with 28 branches worldwide in 5 countries) means that they have been able to maintain their quality, and the main branch in Hawaii is still able to provide comprehensive care.



To discover why Teddy's Bigger Burgers has been voted "Hawaii's Best Burger," try it for yourself.

"TEDDY'S BIGGER BURGERS"

Authentic Hawaiian Craft Burgers: A Taste of Satisfaction


More information ...
Page : Teddy's Bigger Burgers Thailand
https://www.facebook.com/teddysburgersth/


Finally, please follow my page:
Nina's Journey: Eat as a priority, rest as a trip
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