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Teddy's Restaurant

851 Black River Boulevard North, Rome, NY - (315) 336-7839
Posted By Bill Homan on 1/24/2008 11:17:00 PM
Every time I go to Rome, NY to visit my family, I always stop for dinner at Teddy's. I'm not sure exactly how long they've been around, but I've been eating there close to 15 years now, and I love it every time!

Dinners at Teddy's start with a basket of warm, crusty bread. The floury cream of broccoli soup is just OK. The chicken parmigiana consists of two huge boneless breasts, pounded flat, breaded and pan-fried, topped with lots of provolone cheese and smothered in plenty of flavorful marinara sauce. On the side is a hefty portion of spaghetti covered in more marinara.

I'm a huge fan of chicken parmigiana; I've eaten it in many restaurants across the U.S. in my search for the best. This is still the yardstick by which I measure all other chicken parm dishes. The way Teddy's pounds the chicken makes it very tender and the breading gives it a particular crispness. The provolone is melted and gooey and the marinara sauce is thick with fresh chunks of tomatoes, adding a richness to this dish without making it heavy. The spaghetti is a perfect accompaniment. I usually finish this dish by tearing off a hunk of the bread and scooping up any remaining sauce on my plate.

Teddy's is also known for the regional specialty chicken riggies. This is a dish that almost every Italian restaurant in the Rome-Utica area has on their menu. It's become so popular that a "Riggiefest" is held in Utica each year. The "riggie" part is rigatoni pasta. It's smothered in sweet peppers, mushrooms, onions, black olives and a light wine/tomato/cream sauce. Teddy's offers it with or without hot cherry peppers (as do most restaurants). With the peppers, this very filling dish is on the money, unlike anything else I've ever had. The portion is hefty; it makes a great late-nite snack or lunch the next day.

Another dish of note is the Humongous Onion Rings. They really are humongous (and very good). I could fit one around my closed fist like a bracelet. Beer batter dipped and fried, with a sweet onion ring inside, they are the best! Also try to sample the broccoli and red pepper garlic pasta and the shaved steak and greens (escarole) sandwich.

The staff is always friendly, and the owners Brian and Carlos are really great guys who keep the locals coming back for more.

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Scorecard

4 - Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Chicken Parmesan
Steak & Greens Sandwich
Chicken Riggies
Hot Caramel Apple Pie
Humongous Onion Rings
Italian Style Greens
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Toll House Pie
Blueberry Pie
Peaches & Cream Pie
Broccoli & Red Pepper Garlic Pasta with Shrimp
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Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

Teddy's chicken parm: crisp crust, gooey cheese, and lots of flavorful marinara sauce.
"Teddy's chicken parm: crisp crust, gooey cheese, and lots of flavorful marinara sauce."
Bill Homan





A melange of textures and flavors make this dish a real winner.
"A melange of textures and flavors make this dish a real winner."
Bill Homan


The award winning local dish; lots of spice and rich in flavor (this one with shrimp).
"The award winning local dish; lots of spice and rich in flavor (this one with shrimp). "
Bill Homan


Another variation of the local classic dish.
"Another variation of the local classic dish."
Bill Homan


If you're not in the mood for a whole platter of their chicken parmesan, this sandwich with fries will fill you up quite nicely.
"If you're not in the mood for a whole platter of their chicken parmesan, this sandwich with fries will fill you up quite nicely."
Bill Homan


Homemade Toll House pie with ice cream is a very rich end to many of the meals I've had here over the years.
"Homemade Toll House pie with ice cream is a very rich end to many of the meals I've had here over the years."
Bill Homan


An amazing homemade blueberry pie brimming with fresh blueberries and surrounded by a wonderful flaky crust
"An amazing homemade blueberry pie brimming with fresh blueberries and surrounded by a wonderful flaky crust"
Bill Homan


When the Peaches & Cream pie shows up on the dessert menu, order it.
"When the Peaches & Cream pie shows up on the dessert menu, order it."
Bill Homan


Greens (sauteed escarole) are another local specialty and Teddy's are top notch.
"Greens (sauteed escarole) are another local specialty and Teddy's are top notch."
Bill Homan


Hot and crispy, with a subtle hint of beer in the batter.
"Hot and crispy, with a subtle hint of beer in the batter."
Bill Homan


Yet another way Romans have found to eat their greens (sauteed escarole).
"Yet another way Romans have found to eat their greens (sauteed escarole)."
Bill Homan


One of Donna's homemade desserts!
"One of Donna's homemade desserts! "
Bill Homan


So many homemade desserts to choose from! Click on the photo to read the blackboard.
"So many homemade desserts to choose from! Click on the photo to read the blackboard."
Bill Homan


In addition to TR, (teddy) bears are the other side of the theme behind the name Teddy's.
"In addition to TR, (teddy) bears are the other side of the theme behind the name Teddy's."
Bill Homan


Riggies are a local dish going back to the mid 1980s and Teddy's serves up an excellent version.
"Riggies are a local dish going back to the mid 1980s and Teddy's serves up an excellent version."
Bill Homan


Good eats await beneath this likeness of TR.
"Good eats await beneath this likeness of TR."
Bill Homan


A local institution, Teddy's really likes Teddy Roosevelt.
"A local institution, Teddy's really likes Teddy Roosevelt."
Bill Homan



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