Cheeseburger in Paradise
2500 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96815
Telephone: (808) 923-3731
(Serve breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week; open from 8:00 a.m.; additional branches in Wailea, Lahaina & Las Vegas & Puerta Vallarta)


HISTORY

Cheeseburger in Paradise (the restaurant) was the brainchild of Laren Gartner & Edna Bayliff, two successful framers from Southern California who used to hawk their wares at the Orange County Fair Swap Meet. Many of their annual vacations were spent in Maui. It was on one such vacation, after eating the daily fish special day after day, that they craved a big juicy cheeseburger; hence, the idea was born. With the backing of friends and absolutely no restaurant experience, they opened their original location in Lahaina in 1989. On that first disorganized day, they made $5000. The Honolulu branch opened in Waikiki on November 1, 1997. Today their combined five locations make $20 million per year. That's not bad considering that their advertising is limited to in-flight materials on incoming flights to the Islands. Basically, their prime locations help to sell themselves. All of their restaurants are typified by their fun, tropical atmosphere, great food, and abundant Aloha spirit. This appeals to the westbound visitor, as well as to the Eastbound visitor captivated by the American culture. Their motto is "Cheeseburgers, Mai Tais, and Rock N Roll."


DECOR

As one might expect, the interior is awash with plenty of rattan, as well as bamboo walls covered in tiki-type kitsch. Other walls are painted with scenes of Diamond Head and the beach. As you enter the front of the restaurant, you'll find the reception area to be a thatched hut. Shutters in the front and the side open to a picture-perfect view of the beach and Kalakaua Avenue. A server wearing a grass skirt over his/her pants/shorts will lead you to your seat. Or you can bypass the food completely and head straight for the bar in the back.


BREAKFAST MENU

Breakfast features eggs served up any way your heart desires, with potatoes or rice, wheat toast & ham, bacon, or linguica (Portuguese sausage). There are also traditional three egg omelettes. If you're feeling more adventurous, try the Hawaiian (linguica, pineapple & jack, colby & cheddar cheeses), the Paradise (cheddar, jack, pineapple & ham), or the Provencal omelette (green onions, tomatoes & bacon with Provencal tomato sauce & cheese). These come with wheat toast & your choice of potatoes or rice as well. Essentials such as French toast, pancakes, bagels, cereal and milk, or fruit can be found on the menu. However, the French toast is made from Portuguese sweet bread, and one of the pancake choices features macadania nuts. Anyone who's been to the Islands knows how popular Spam is. Thus, it's no surprise that the ubiquitous Spam and eggs are on the menu. Another Island staple served at breakfast is the Loco Moco – two scoops of rice topped with a beef patty covered with eggs, onions and brown gravy. Not only do they offer the normal pineapple, orange, grapefruit and cranberry juices, but also guava juice and very veggie juice. For that morning alcohol fix, go for a Bloody Mary, a Screwdriver, a Madras (vodka, orange and cranberry), or a spicy red beer (any of their beers with homemade Mary mix or very veggie juice).


LUNCH/DINNER MENU

The burgers, their main attraction, are made using only Meyer natural Angus beef. Their sesame seed and whole wheat buns are baked fresh daily. Basic burgers arrive dressed in 1000 Island dressing, with tomatoes, lettuce & sautéed onions. They do not, however, come with fries. They do come with a pineapple slice, but fries are an additional $3.50. Believe me, there are plenty of other burgers to choose from. Take the Shrooms & Swiss cheeseburger (sautéed mushrooms & melted Jarlsberg Swiss cheese), for instance. If that doesn't grab your fancy, try the Paniolo chili cheeseburger (a straightforward chili cheeseburger), the Island style cheeseburger (grilled pineapple & ginger dressing), or the black & blue burger (crumbled blue cheese and crisp bacon). For the avowed vegetarians, you may choose from Gardenburgers or Tofu burgers. Most burgers cost around $8.00 or $9.00, thus a burger and a drink will average about $12.00. Compared to Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers, these cheeseburgers seriously kick some butt!

If you're more of a sandwich connoisseur, there are BLTs, calamari sandwiches, cheese dogs, and grilled cheese sandwiches, all of which arrive with pineapple cole slaw and two onion rings. Nothing on the menu should strain you financially.

Sides such as grilled Ortega chilies, cole slaw, bacon, grilled pineapple and homemade guacamole are listed under "More Way$ for U$ to Make A Buck!" If that doesn't make you smile, their wine choices are either "cheap white wine" or "cheap red wine."

Being a creature of habit, I decided on the Black & Blue burger on my last visit. The burger looked a little greasy at first glance, but that turned out to be a good thing. It was cooked to perfection; juicy, tasty, and quite filling. The bacon was perfect, too; I so prefer crunchy over soggy/chewy!


SERVICE

I was seated immediately, but my waiter wasn't memorable in any way. He provided very basic, albeit slow, service and was pleasant.


ETC.

Cheeseburger in Paradise shamelessly hawks her merchandise (T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, coffee mugs) under "You're Your Paradise to Go" on the menu. They also offer up a cheeseburger and a T-shirt. The 'buy something" methodology is reinforced with the words "Don't say bye-bye, say buy-buy!"



Recommended: Yes