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Merritt Canteen
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for Merritt Canteen
Review Highlights
"Their chili for their hot dogs is very hot but has a great..."
(in 6 reviews)
"You can get chili/cheese on all the classics."
(in 4 reviews)
"best kept secret are the deep fried brownies."
(in 3 reviews)
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Cameron H.
Dover, MA
10/29/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I've got to say, this one surprised me. At first sight, one may simply dismiss this as another quick and mediocre in and out stop. A glance of the menu may even enforce this theory, with the typical burgers and fries type selection you may find at a beach side eatery. However, once I managed to grab my food and a table, I was nothing but smiles.
The word "canteen" in the name should give some indication of the style of restaurant this is. If you're looking for a nice place to bring a date, have a business meeting, or you're in a rush, look elsewhere. While they don't serve anything elaborate or complex, what they do serve is quality basic food made the right way. Buns are toasted correctly, fries really deep fried, and actual chicken and beef made on a grill. Place is constantly crowded, but I've never had trouble finding a table or had to wait an extended period of time to be served. Prices are reasonable, parking ample, and I've never walked away hungry.
Few minor annoyances, such as a lack of ketchup bottles, and some o the... less savory cliental that can frequent the place, but all in all, it was an enjoyable experience, and one that I would gladly repeat. -
Review from Lisa M.
1/12/2012
This place is what America is all about--burgers, hot dogs, fried food and milkshakes.
My partner and I were instructed to post in the city so we decided to grab lunch while we could. While debating what to have for lunch today, I remembered that there was some place in Bridgeport that had been featured on the Food Network so after looking up the address, we decided to head over. Reading a few reviews, it was clear this place is a favorite for many people and I can see why now.
After waiting a short time in line, I stepped up to the counter and rattled off my order. Without typing anything up or writing anything down, the girl shouted my order to the kitchen and a few minutes later my order was bagged up, exactly as I ordered it--impressive! I had a bison cheeseburger (perfectly cooked, great flavor and how many places can you get bison?!), a chili dog (they are not kidding, folks, this dog has got some heat but don't let that deter you, it tastes great, too!), french fries (standard issue, a bit soggy and almost undercooked for me) and to wash it all down, a black and white milkshake. With a meal like that, I didn't eat anything the rest of the day! My partner followed suit, with a chili cheesedog, a bacon, egg and cheeseburger, onion rings and a chocolate milkshake. We were one well-fed happy ambulance crew today (and that truly is an unusual thing in this business!). We hope to be back here and I'd suggest it to anyone in the area--they've been around for decades, so they've gotta be doing something right! -
Review from Crave'n'dc L.
Washington, DC
11/9/2011
I'm a Bridgeport girl at heart, so whenever I come home to visit there are a list of places I have to go to...Meritt Canteen is one of those must haves
Canteen has the three Gs: Good, greasy & grilled *im can't go wrong with that combo*
The chilli is no joke...it will set your mouth on fire so be prepared for it -
Review from Megas X.
Fairfield, CT
1/29/2012
My brother showed me this joint years ago, before they were open ridiculously late which is incredibly convenient! and i have loved it ever since. Burgers, fries, dogs, poppers, and don't forget the pepsi! all incredible at the Merritt, the food is always made to order and fresh as can be. the staff is awesome and incredibly friendly! we love taking our weekly and sometimes more trips to the Merritt for dinner! Breakfast is great too! Definitely go there for a snack and dinner, it is well worth it!
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Review from DrGrace G.
Trumbull, CT
7/31/2011
Friendly staff, quick service, clean tables and delicious food. They even have bison burgers which I love because the meat is superior quality.
Fresh veggies every time and the fries are plump and crispy.
Their fish sandwich and fried scallops are juicy, never overdone or chewy and they make cheese fries and other yummies for people who like super fattening foods as well, lol. I prefer my junk food on the healthy side. They have something for every one, every appetite and every craving. Good size servings and good prices.
Parking lot in front for their customers.Listed in: Connecticut
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Review from melissa w.
Bronx, NY
I feel like most everything has been said, so I'll keep this short. Busy place, decent food. On the sign next to the chili dog it says "VERY HOT", and boy, they ain't lyin. Caesar salad was pretty good. I got the deep fried cheesecake bites. They were weird. I liked them, but I probably wouldn't order again. I'd love to try the deep fried brownie.
They DO take credit cards! Minimum $10 (or $1 service fee). It was no problem using a card at all.
I don't know how the girl behind the counter did it, but she got everyone's order right, and repeated it to the kitchen staff, and was able to very quickly ring you up while repeating it all back to you (usually after having taken the person behind you-'s order!). -
Review from Adi H.
Boston, MA
10/3/2011
I had been wanting to try this place forever. I got the 1/3 lb. cheeseburger with chili on it. They skimp on the chili- but only because it's actually spicy. I have an unusually high spice threshold, so I had them double it and add some sauerkraut and it was juuuuust right. The burger meat itself was flavorful and juicy, and the chili, though soupier than I prefer, was SO tasty and added a great kick. All-around bangin' burger- recommended (and less than $5!). I'm sure their other menu items are worth trying too!
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Review from Julie L.
New York, NY
2/13/2011
The best fast food joint in Connecticut.
Get a chili dog with bacon, sauerkraut, mustard, relish and onions. I'm salivating right now just thinking about it! Their chili is unbeatable.
Scrumptious buffalo wings. Lathered in their buffalo sauce, juicy and CRISPY. Eat these slowly so you can enjoy the light crunch of their moist exteriors.
The cashier relays your entire order to the staff by memory! Without fail. Every time. I would definitely throw some loose change into the tip jar if one existed. -
Review from Joe R.
Seymour, CT
7/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
I was going to write a long review here. That's not necessary.
Just do this.
Order a Bison Burger with cheese (works, no mayo for me, when they ask), a cheese dog-light chili (because it's very hot) with bacon, an order of french fries (well done) and a large Del's (Yes, Rhode Island, Del's) to drink.
Thank me later. -
Review from anne c.
Fairfield, CT
8/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
A pinnacle of greasy spoons
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Review from Lauren B.
Worcester, MA
Having gone to high school very close to the Bridgeport line, the Merritt Canteen was a staple for a late, after-school lunch with my friends at least once a week my senior year.
While their chicken sandwiches are my favorite, their cheeseburgers are also very delicious - add fries and a bangin' milkshake and you really can't go wrong with anything you order here.
There's a reason this place is so busy at all hours of the day - it comes highly recommended by both myself and almost everyone I know. -
Review from Graham C.
4/20/2008 1 Check-in Here
How the hell am I the first one to review this place. If you find yourself on the Merritt Parkway and hungry, screw all the places you've been before and stop here. They have great burgers and clam rolls and all the other things that a good drive in would have.
But the chili. Get the chili cheese dog with everything, which means onions, kraut, mustard and bacon. And then go buy The King James Bible and some toilet paper at Costco, as you'll be spending some alone time. But man is it good. I highly recommend this place.
Oh and go rings over fries as they're lightly battered and incredibly tasty. -
Review from Pete S.
Somerville, MA
12/10/2008
When I look back on my life and realize that I have come within a mile of Merritt Canteen at least a hundred times and never knew about it until this week, it occurs to me that I'm at least still correcting some of the oversights and shortcomings of my life.
What a find. If you're like me and you love a good local-institution grease pit that still makes a good living by sticking to honest, delicious, high-quality greasy food, then you'll love the Merritt Canteen. The ingredients are fresh, the dogs and burgers grilled fresh, fast, and flavorful, and the service is speedy and direct yet still friendly.
How often do you get a chili dog with chili that makes you think you'd like a bowl of it? Merritt Canteen's is stand-alone good, not some runny brown sludge, and I found myself shamelessly scopping up the globs that fell onto my plate, licking the mess off my fingers as I went.
The burger bun was fresh, as were the lettuce, tomato, and onion -- none wilted -- and the meat hot and juicy.
I can only imagine that if I grew up near this place as a kid, I'd be double my size now, with arteries that look like butter dishes inside. Looks like I'll have to make up for lost time.
(Best reached from Exit 48 off the Merritt Parkway (Route 111 south), which happens to be Connecticut's first single-point urban interchange [SPUI], a sort of recent highway-design landmark in these parts. Stop and get a picture.)Listed in: Good hot dogs in Connecticut
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Review from Becky G.
Wellfleet, MA
10/26/2010
Oh, the Canteen.
I'm sure I was taken here as a kid, as my parents are Bridgeport folks tried and true. But it wasn't till my late teens/early 20's that I discovered it for myself.
If you're craving fried, or buttered, or meaty... just go here. I'm not one for chili on my meat, but a straight up hot dog or burger is miles beyond anyplace else. Also, they make a grilled cheese to die for.
A true classic. I hope they never disappear. -
Review from Sarah N.
Seymour, CT
10/22/2010
I gotta agree. The canteen is where it's at. I LOVE THIS PLACE!!! When I first moved to CT from RI, this place totally made me feel at home. Some people say "how can you get a burger and fries wrong?" But ask anybody, theres a burger, and then theres a canteen burger. They are just in a whole different league.
I seriously can't write a review good enough for this place, just sorry it's located in the ghetto. :-/ -
Review from Ian S.
White Plains, NY
12/23/2009
The Merritt Canteen is, in my opinion, the highest standard of fast food deliciousness. It is the benchmark to which all other burger joints should be compared: The food is cheap, plentiful, greasy and super tasty and they are open all night. Everything is cooked to order and they have plenty of toppings and condiments to choose from. I don't venture up to Bridgeport often, but if I'm ever even remotely close by, I always make a stop here and sample the goods. They have a great variety of food (hot dogs, burgers, seafood, chicken) and everything I've ever tasted has been extra yummy.
Bottom Line- If you live in the area and have been getting your junk food fix from any other restaurant, shame on you! -
Review from Freesia S.
Meriden, CT
8/12/2011
There's nothing like good, cheap fast food in the summertime, and that's what I got last week when I went to Merritt Canteen for the first time. I wanted absolutely everything on the menu - it all sounded so good and was pretty cheap. Eventually I got a double cheeseburger on a Portuguese roll, onion rings, fries, and a large chocolate milkshake. The cheeseburger was fantastic. The meat was fresh and juicy, the roll was nice and soft, and with the cheese, every bite was melt-in-your-mouth. The onion rings were nice and crispy (just needed a little salt), and the chocolate milkshake was a wonderful way to wash it all down. A friend of mine got the red hot with chili, which I had to try. It was good and spicy, and I would like a chili dog next time. He also got a cherry shake, which was a wonderful flavor. Another friend and I really wanted some clam chowder, but they didn't have any at the time, so we have to go back. Basically, Merritt Canteen has all the greasy bad-for-you-foods you crave, and it's really good. I'm definitely stopping in when I'm in the area again.
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Review from Jessica K.
Trumbull, CT
6/8/2011
Awesome food and their ordering system is fascinating. Their burgers are perfect, fresh meat and toppings. Their chili for their hot dogs is very hot but has a great balanced flavor.
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Review from Cat M.
Yonkers, NY
4/25/2011
I LOVE LOVE LOVE their Brutal Dog!!!! The BEST chili dog I have EVER had. HOTTTT and WONDERFUL (could be hotter but that's just me)
Unfortunately, I didn't care much for their Bacon Dog. It was small pieces of bacon sprinkled on the hotdog. (cheap) Most of the crumbs fell off before they wrapped it up. COME ON!!!! Wrap that bad boy in a piece or 2 of bacon, then fry it.
They told me cash only and I had to take out money from their ATM.
GREAT place to eat! -
Review from Stefanie G.
Cambridge, MA
3/29/2009
After a long week of driving up and down the Eastern shore, one becomes tired of fast food. Last night, after I had driven from D.C. to Connecticut, I couldn't have stomached another Burger King meat puck if I had been dying of hunger. And then the Merritt Canteen emerged from the dark like a beacon of bacon-y light, a greasy star upon the horizon.
The BLT was light and perfect. I asked for pickles, there were pickles. Delicious french fries that you can order "well-done"(!!!) The other traveling Wilbury on my journey thoroughly enjoyed his hot dogs. They have breakfast all day and all is right with the world. -
Review from Mike C.
Bridgeport, CT
10/13/2008
Few greasy spoons could match wits with this institution.
The burgers probably get the edge over the hot dogs.
Good, varied menu with a decent dining area. -
Review from Mike H.
Fairfield, CT
12/20/2010
Great burgers and dogs.....best kept secret are the deep fried brownies. Try it out
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Review from Dude O.
Westport, CT
5/1/2010 1 photo
Consistency is the most important word to describe Merritt Canteen. Every single time I go I get quality food and service at a great price. It's so good I usually order more than I need to; I love that.
Dogs, Burgers, Rings, fries and seafood that come out fast and tasty. Props. -
Review from John T.
Flushing, Queens, NY
6/16/2008
I've only been here a few times but for what they do they are pretty damn good. They have awesome burgers and other assorted classics and they are quick and cheap!
I know for a while there was a girl who worked there that would go down a line of like 20 or 30 people and take everyone's order -- from memory! Amazing. And she didn't mess up a single one. I was dumbfounded. I don't think she works there anymore but definitely stop in here if you need some quick, good eats. -
Review from Jeff D.
Milford, CT
1/23/2009
The Merritt Canteen is one of my absolute favorite places to go. The burgers, dogs and fries are amazing! The milkshakes are old fashion and syrupy. Plus, the prices are quite reasonable. Often times I will order a burger, hot dog and a small fry or small drink and the total is usually $6 or under.
If you're a regular you know the proper way to order your hot dogs or hamburgers. If you happen to be reading this and aren't a regular don't worry. It's just that Merritt Canteen has such unique way of calling out their orders to the speedy staff assembling your food.
Love, love, LOVE this place. Five stars all the way! -
Review from C S.
Greenwich, CT
6/27/2009
Okay so my friend swears by this place. Every time we make dinner "plans" we always end up coming to the Merritt. It's cheap, great food and is open super late.
Let's start with the food. One thing that's great about this place is that they have an extensive menu and almost everything is great (I don't eat seafood so I can't comment on that). My favorites are the burgers, sweet potato fries, chili cheese fries, jalapeno poppers, chocolate milkshakes and brownie bites. They also use crushed ice in their sodas and while it tastes good, the amount of soda you get is definitely less than with regular ice cubes. Everything is reasonably priced and when I mean reasonable I mean cheap.
Most of the high kids come here late at night and I usually see a bunch of cops chillin' in the booths being fatties. So if your looking for a place that's open late, has great, greasy, cheap food then this is the place for you. -
Review from Nick R.
Bridgeport, CT
6/19/2011
Great Hot Dogs. Better when you go for a late night snack after a night of drinking. The burgers are good also, I get a hotdog with works a hamburger with fried onions and onion rings to die for. Oh and the chili is 7 alarm hottttttt!!!!
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Review from Bex D.
Bridgeport, CT
10/6/2008
Fast food, cheap, but not some humungous national chain - works for me. I like the burger/dog express window. Haven't tried the fries yet.
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Review from Sarah W.
Coventry, CT
5/5/2010
Very enjoyable food... a classic "greasy spoon" type place. You order at a window/counter inside and can sit at booths or take out. You can get chili/cheese on all the classics. I recommend the chili cheese dog with the works (awesome)... but if you are like me, you will need a pepcid afterward, but well worth it.
Also, its inexpensive which is always a plus. Was one of the first places I ate in Bridgeport, and I return often. If your in the area and in the mood for something quick to eat, stop here you won't be sorry. -
Review from Erick A.
Bridgeport, CT
3/17/2010
The French Frys are disgusting they just basically take regular old plain bag French fries from Stop&Shop and throw 2 slices of America's Choice cheese slices melt it for 10 seconds and call it cheese fries. Although the prices are good I dont agree with the food. The burgers look like they were made on a cheap 10 year old Fake George Forman Grill. Go to another place instead.
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Review from Raiden K.
Somerville, MA
12/23/2009
Yes! Yes! Yes! and more yes. i'm originally from the meritt canteen area and spent many a highschool skip day chowin down their delicious made to order and made fast meals. i returned for the holidays and stopped by to find nothing has changed except for the better. the menu has been extended to include my favorite Bison burgers along with many other selections. the staff is outgoing and easy to engage and devoted open to 3 am on the regular as well as christmas and new years they never stop. and if you love HOT try the chili cheese fries or dogs and get a glass of milk. you cant go wrong w the canteen
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Review from Andy D.
Brooklyn, NY
10/19/2009
This is what a greasy spoon should be. Cheap and delicious.
