Merritt Canteen — Restaurant in Bridgeport

Due to travel and the pandemic, it's been over one year since I visited Merritt Canteen, and I finally stopped in today Sept. 1, '20.  I've been a patron for 30 years and never had an experience to complain about until now.  Actually, this is more of constructive criticism than a complaint, that the conditions there have really slipped compared to how air-tight it normally has been. Upon ordering, I was not asked what I wanted on my bacon & egg burger. I had to announce it myself. When delivered to my table and presented the bill, there was a $2.00 charge for a small cup of water, which I refused. They never charged for water before, and nobody else charges for a cup of water. I'm fine with paying a small price for a cup of water, but come on, $2.00...?  My regular sized order of onion rings, at $3.50, was only eight skinny medium sized rings - (See attached picture). Much too expensive for the quantity/volume given even considering they are very good rings.  After providing my credit card to pay, I asked for ketchup which was forgotten by the staff and I had to approach the counter and ask again. Finally, the place was clean, but several fruit flies kept me company hovering all around me and my food while I ate. If this is the new normal at Merritt Canteen, I am definitely not inclined to return again when there are so many other decent burger joint options available in the bordering area offering a better...

There are restaurants, and then there are institutions. Merritt Canteen is the latter — a Bridgeport landmark that’s been feeding this city’s soul since 1942. Walk through the door and you’re not just ordering food, you’re stepping into decades of grit, flavor, and history.

The chili dog is non-negotiable — messy, meaty, unapologetic, and perfect. The burgers are exactly what they should be: hefty, charred, and honest. Onion rings, curly fries, fried shrimp — all done with the kind of confidence that comes from knowing who you are. This isn’t fast food, it’s real food served fast.

But the secret ingredient here isn’t just what’s on the grill. It’s Jay Rodriguez, the man behind the counter and the soul behind the name. Jay doesn’t just run Merritt Canteen — he protects it. He makes sure the chili tastes like it did decades ago, that the menu evolves without ever selling out its DNA, and that every late-night customer leaves with the same satisfaction as the lunch crowd.

If you want to taste Bridgeport — not the polished, postcard version, but the real, beating heart of the city — you come here. And you thank Jay for keeping the flame alive.

Five stars...

The Merritt Canteen. How do I even begin to describe this incredible establishment. My roommate and I had gotten some recommendations to try it out over the last year, and we decided, why not give it a try? Last night we headed over to the Merritt Canteen and had the best dinner of our lives. I ordered the patty melt with mozzarella sticks, and my roommate ordered the cajun chicken sandwich with mac and cheese bites. Both meals were so good that I couldn't put into words how delicious the food was. The staff was also so helpful in giving suggestions on what to order. So, in having such a good experience, we decided to go again for dinner tonight and brought a few more of our friends along. We once again had an amazing experience with the food and staff. We had the pleasure of meeting the owner, and we got to talk to him a little bit about his experience being on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," the television show. And at the end of our meal, one of the staff members brought us over a plate of fried Oreos on the house with an Oreo for each of us🥺. I love the Merritt Canteen and will be coming back again. I'm striving to achieve that customer of the...