Cheeseburger in Paradise in Atlanta Review

There aren't too many of these restaurants out there, and from what I understand, they don't plan on franchising any time soon, so if you run across a Cheeseburger in Paradise, GO EAT THERE!

Jimmy Buffet opened Cheeseburger in Paradise. He got the idea when he was on his boat crossing the Mona Passage between Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. His ice had melted, and all he could think about was a hot cheeseburger, yet all he had to eat was canned foods and peanut butter. So, when he docked on the island of Tortoia, Buffet and the crew stopped at a restaurant to find an American cheeseburger was on the menu. That started the idea of Cheeseburger in Paradise.

The restaurant has gone through many changes throughout the years, but they have always provided hot foods and great drinks.

They use fresh chicken, seafood, and 100% ground choice chuck beef (that's never frozen). They use the highest quality ingredients and make their own salad dressing, sauces, and seasonings. But, don't be scared, they're great!

If you're old enough, check out the Tiki Bar, and try their signature beer or mixed drink.

There's a lot to check out when you're at a Cheeseburger in Paradise, and you'll want to spend a little time trying everything out.

While in Atlanta, my boyfriend and I were trying to find places we'd never tried. Cheeseburger in Paradise was among a few that we had to have. It sounded different, and looked interesting. When we walked up to the door, all we could smell was seafood, which excited us both, but when we got the menu, there really wasn't that many seafood options to choose from. That wasn't bad because there were still plenty of options to check out.

The Food

We started the meal with fried pickles as the appetizer. If you've never had fried pickles, you should try them; if you try them at every restaurant you go to (like we do), you'll be surprised. The fried pickles had a thicker batter than most places use, but it was wonderful! We got a cup of the homemade horseradish sauce and one of ranch. I prefer the ranch, but the house dipping sauce wasn't bad either. These were by far the best fried pickles, I've ever eaten, and I've tried a good number of places. These weren't overly greasy, nor were they just heated pickles. They were great.

I ordered the buffalo chicken wrap. I'm a big fan of spicy food, but this wrap was nearly uneatable. The thing was that 1) it didn't look like it even had any hot sauce on it and 2) it still had a good taste. Typically, when food is too spicy hot, it won't have a good flavor, but the wrap did. Now, I can't guarantee that I would order it again, but it was still pretty good. When we told the waitress about the heat of the wrap, she actually said people complained about it not being hot enough, so they changed the sauce recipe... Yea, it's definitely spicy now.

The wrap came with fries, that were lightly seasoned. I'm not a big fry fan, but these weren't soggy, greasy, or too thick. Somehow, the cook knows the right amounts to cook their food.

My boyfriend, ordered the Cuban hamburger. I had different types of meat on it. We both expected it to be huge and too big to put in his mouth, but it was cooked just right. The buns were flipped inside out so that the top was on the inside of the hamburger, which made it flatter and easier to eat.

With the hamburger he had a choice of two sides. He ordered the fries, which he didn't care for, and teriyaki broccoli, which he loved. He even asked for a cup of the teriyaki sauce to dip his broccoli in because it was just that good.

I ordered the buffalo chicken wrap. I'm a big fan of spicy food, but this wrap was nearly uneatable. The thing was that 1) it didn't look like it even had any hot sauce on it and 2) it still had a good taste. Typically, when food is too spicy hot, it won't have a good flavor, but the wrap did. Now, I can't guarantee that I would order it again, but it was still pretty good. When we told the waitress about the heat of the wrap, she actually said people complained about it not being hot enough, so they changed the sauce recipe... Yea, it's definitely spicy now.

The wrap came with fries, that were lightly seasoned. I'm not a big fry fan, but these weren't soggy, greasy, or too thick. Somehow, the cook knows the right amounts to cook their food.

My boyfriend, ordered the Cuban hamburger. I had different types of meat on it. We both expected it to be huge and too big to put in his mouth, but it was cooked just right. The buns were flipped inside out so that the top was on the inside of the hamburger, which made it flatter and easier to eat.

With the hamburger he had a choice of two sides. He ordered the fries, which he didn't care for, and teriyaki broccoli, which he loved. He even asked for a cup of the teriyaki sauce to dip his broccoli in because it was just that good.

The Drinks

I'm not a big drinker, but I had to order the signature drink. It just looked so good on the menu cover. The drink includes frozen layers of Parrot Bay Rum Pina Colada, Cruzan Estate Dark Rum Runner, Margarittaville Margarita, and Strawberry Daiguiri, and then topped with fruit and juices and surrounded by an ocean of Hiram Walker Blue Curacoa.

The drink is pretty big, and two people could drink it, but you can order a group sized drink as well.

It's a sweet drink, so if you're not used to it, you may not be able to finish it, but the good thing is that it doesn't have an alcohol taste to it, which would make it popular among those who like to drink but hate that after taste. Just make sure that you have a designated driver because you don't realize how much you're really drinking since it doesn't taste like alcohol. But, because it's so big, and if you eat with the drink, you'll probably be pretty full before you want a second or third.

Cheeseburger in Paradise even has a signature beer. If you're a beer drinker, it's work tasting a sample. You don't have to buy a whole glass. It's a darker beer and has a good taste, but it's got an after taste that's a little weird.

Overall

Cheeseburger in Paradise is definitely a place that I would go to again if given the opportunity and option. The food had great flavor, and it wasn't completely unaffordable. For the price, you definitely get your money's worth in food (quantity and taste), atmosphere, and drinks.

I plan on going to the restaurant whenever possible, but then I only live about 2 hours away from Atlanta, so it's not too bad of a drive. It would be a little harder if I was just passing through. Cheeseburger in Paradise is definitely a place that you should try at least once.

Even if you're not really hungry but you want to sit, watch the game, and drink with the guys or gals, Cheeseburger in Paradise is still your place. You can sit, drink, and relax. The drinks are relatively priced, and the atmosphere is great. The waiters and bartenders are pretty friendly and talkative, but that will vary on which location you go to who is working, I'm sure.

The restaurant chain is actually planning on turning their locations into sports bars, so you may be surprised if it's been a while since you're last visit, but it'll be a pleasant surprise. The food will stay, but they're adding more televisions.

If you can't find a location near you, just try to catch one the next time you go on vacation because even if you have the finances, they're not branching out anytime soon.

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