Quality Customer Service Runs in the Family at Ted's Luncheonette

For as long as Jimmy Stoupas, 42, can remember his family has been in the restaurant business.

His father, Ted, bought in 1979, when it was known as “Coffee Break” and served just doughnuts.

Doughnut making was the Stoupas family’s business when they lived in Connecticut. So when they came to Florida, the purchase of the existing doughnut shop on Clearwater-Largo Road made sense.

At Ted's the family connection continues in the kitchen. Jimmy Stoupas and his brother George, 36, do all of the cooking. Running the restaurant is “pretty much second-nature,” Stoupas said.

Customer service winner.

Value and the friendly staff are important to customers.

“The waitresses are excellent. The restaurant is clean,” said Verne Koppin. “The prices are fair. You get a good bang for your buck.”

Food is made to order at Ted’s.

“Ask for crisp bacon and you get it. They do a good job on a regular basis. Prices are reasonable,” said Veter Vasil.

Sometimes customer requests, like the "garbage omelet," end up on the menu.

“Go ahead and make me an omelet with everything you have. Use all the meats and all the veggies,” Jimmy Stoupas said, on the origin of the popular menu item.

Ted's has been on TV.

In addition to being popular with locals, celebrities have dined at Ted’s.

In 1999, John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson filmed the MTV awards at the restaurant.  The filming went from around 2:30 p.m. until 4:00 a.m.

The actors were “normal people. They didn’t act like they were above you. They were down to earth,” Stoupas said.

Want coffee on Patch?

Our Patch RV will be there during breakfast.