Mrs Sweet Willie and I both think Jimmy Buffett sucks but seeing as one of his places opened in our town, we went to go try it.

Went on a Friday night after we both had rough weeks.

Had longneck beers and for only $1 more, one can get a shooter of the various flavored margaritas offered. The margaritas are of course frozen overly sweet junk but they were only $1 more right?

Starting to feel good after a couple brews and shooters when our starters arrive.

Mini-cheeseburgers and the Tropical Mixed Grill Satay

Mini-cheeseburgers sucked, dry and flavorless.

The Mixed Grill Satay is Thai marinated stips of chicken and skirt steak. This was outstanding, not in an authentic Thai manner but the meat was cooked perfectly and the marinade was wonderful. I will for sure make this my meal or have a meal with these strips (there are some sandwiches and a salad) next time as this is the one redeeming factor we found about this place.

Our entrees arrived

El Cubano and a Son of a Son of a Sailor Salad.

I've been fortunate enough to have had many a S FL cuban sandwich so this sandwich of course came up way short.

Salad was so-so.

Long and short of it, there are some other sandwiches that read well on the menu and while we wouldn't have gone back just for those "maybes", the fact that the satay was so good, we will go back and try this restaurant again, and I can't believe that I'm going to revisit anything having to do with Jimmy Buffett! http://www.cheeseburgerinparadise.com/

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Did you go to the one in Lombard? Or did another location just open?

These places have been around quite a while -- the oldest one I recall is the Lahaina, Maui location...and then about 5 years ago, one opened in Puerto Vallarta (which has since renamed to "Paradise Burger" or "Burger on the Bay" -- I can't remember exactly).

I kind of equate these places to a TGIFriday's...nothing special but fills the need.

And I concur about Jimmy Buffet.

OK, just for the heck of it, I'll mention that there is a joint called "Cheeseburger in Paradise" on the island of St. Croix, but I believe it is completely independent of Mr. Jimmy Buffet's chain or anyone else's.

But what a great memory!

Not just independent of Jimmy Buffett, but if my memory is correct, he sued them over the name and the owners had to pay him a lot of money to continue using it.

Its a sordid story.

Buffett fan wanted to open a restaurant called "Cheeseburger in Paradise" in Hawaii the early 80's. (Before Buffett became a corporation). Wrote Buffett a letter, asked permission, he said "sure". She opened 1-2 more with the same name in the islands.

Fast forward to the late 90's, one of Jimmy's MBA's figured out that there was money to be made off of the "Cheeseburger in Paradise" name, and slapped a cease and desist the the fan when she tried to open a new one. Lawsuits abound, the settlement came, she could keep the "Paradise" name for the old ones, the new ones are just called "Cheeseburger" now. Any new "Cheeseburger in Paradise" restaurants are licensed out by Buffett to be run by Outback for big $$$.

Oh yeah, about the time he slaps the C&D on the fan, Buffett officially becomes a sellout.

There is one in Waikiki. Out in front of the DoubleTree Hotel on Ala Moana Blvd. Open air, cold Kona beer, and great cheeseburgers. If you're looking for place to kick back and enjoy the atmosphere of Waikiki without all the b.s. this is a great spot.

I went to the opening week of what I think is or was the original Buffet-owned Margaritaville in Key West back in the 80's. Jimmy played there occaisonally and the "Cheeseburger in Paradise" was indeed very, very good.

Jimmy Buffett is a very appropriate subject for FT as the guy is a great old airplanes enthusiast, and has owned several over the years including a Grumman Albatross, the same sort of seaplane that Chalks Airlines use from Miami to the Bahamas. He has written several books about the aircraft and aviation in general, they are sold in the stores attached to the restaurants.

After again sampling the UK's contribution to "Mexican" chain restaurants this last weekend I can say that his Margaritas are indeed the best made. maybe his places will come to London some day (although his music was little-known over here).

Can't go off-topic talking about Margaritas can we? The Berkely hotel's Blue Bar has the best Margaritas and Mojitos in London. They are very, very expensive though!

It is fantastic location - I agree with that. It is also a good place to go if you are eating solo as you can eat at the bar. However, every meal I have had there as been less than stellar and certainly not great.

Agreed.

And the view from across Kalakaua Avenue is just as good, if not better.

I've been to the one in Florida, attached to a hotel. I would describe it more as a nightclub that served food. They had good drinks and good live music.

Steve

Also agree. Food/service average at best.

I think I went to one with the same name in Maui just recently.

The hamburgers were GREAT!

They did have the mini-burgers, but I stayed away from them.....

I agree the hamburgers are really good. I've eaten there a few times for the fun atmosphere and while I'm here in Virginia I feel like I'm in the tropics for a little bit And I'm very happy that Jimmy Buffett sued the restaurant because the restaurant screams Jimmy Buffett and majority of the memorabalia inside has a link to him. I love Jimmy Buffett and his music so I really enjoy the restaurant.