Cheeseburger in Paradise - Margaritaville Cafe in Orlando
Written: Jan 25 '05 (Updated May 11 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fantastic Caribbean food, Jimmy Buffet shrine
Cons: Sometimes crowded with a 2 hour wait
The Bottom Line: Truly a paradise! Very enjoyable for Parrotheads!
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| xyzwyatt's Full Review: Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville Cafe |
This is my favorite restaurant in Orlando. The music draws me to it and the smell of the food takes me right on up to the door. Margaritaville has an atmosphere that is perfect for friends and family to gather and enjoy a cold one.
Location
Let me start by saying that I am basing my review solely off of the Margaritaville in Orlando, Florida. There are other locations such as Key West, Myrtle Beach, New Orleans, and Las Vegas.
The Orlando Margaritaville is located at Citywalk which is a tourist attraction just outside of Universal Studios theme park. There is no admission to Citywalk but parking is $8.00 for the day. Parking is free after 6PM.
Searching for My Lost Shaker of Salt
Let’s face it, they don’t call it “Margaretaville” because they serve good milkshakes! A margarita is one of my favorite drinks so I had high hopes to get an outstanding one at a place called “Margaritaville”. After all, they advertise “World Famous Margaritas”. I think perhaps they’re famous from the marketing of the song and not of the drink itself. I was extremely disappointed with my margarita. I was sitting on the restaurant side so perhaps a barstool may have produced a more favorable drink. The $6 drink came in a generic tea glass and was mostly ice. My other tasters agreed they have had better. Hopefully others will have better luck with their margaritas.
I have occasionally had other mixed drinks which were much tastier. There are a lot to choose from such as Bahama Mama, Pina Colada, Rum Runner, Euphoria Daiquiris, and every flavor imaginable of margaritas. Mixed drinks are either $6.75 or $7.25 depending on the concoction.
There is a large selection of premium beers such as Heineken, Corona, and Amstel to name a few and are priced at $4.75. Domestic beers such as Bud, Coors, Miller and Michelob are priced at $4.00. Draft beer is $3.75 - $4.50.
This Cheeseburger in Paradise lunch room becomes a Why Don’t We Get Drunk bar in the evenings. Groups gather inside, on the deck, and on the patio bar. They are quite frankly Wasted Away in Margaritaville. The caf� is truly a hot spot for drinkers and with such reasonable drink prices who can blame them. There is a live band that plays each night around 5:00PM and 9:00PM. A calendar of events can be found on their website at http://www.margaritavilleorlando.com/EVENTS.htm
Like all of the bars at Citywalk, there is a cover charge after 10PM. The $5.00 fee is waived for those who have dined there earlier in the day or who went to Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios that day.
Environment to suit a Parrot Head
The environment is one of the first things that will catch your eye. It is truly a paradise inside just like I envisioned it to be from to songs. It looks like a beach house with boat wheels, bright colors and beach attire. Jimmy Buffet paraphernalia is everywhere.
One of my favorite functional decorations inside is a huge erupting volcano. Every few minutes you will hear the volcano rumble and at least once during your visit you will see the volcano erupt and margarita mix will spill out into a large blender.
There are TV’s around the room so that everyone can see it. Music videos can be seen from all seats. The music is strictly Jimmy Buffet so sometimes you hear the same songs if you are there awhile.
The room is pretty loud so probably is not somewhere you’d want to go if you want to sit and talk. If you are sitting at a round table for larger crowds, it is sometimes difficult to hear the other side of the table.
The room is dim even during the day which is one of the only things that I don’t like. There are dim lights at the booths which are mostly for ambience. When sitting at a booth it is difficult to see the menu or what your food looks like so I prefer a table instead.
Menu
The menu is based off a Caribbean style theme which is slightly spicy. I absolutely love the food and the proportions are humongous. If I get an appetizer I am unable to finish my plate, there’s just too much food. Likewise, if I get a soup or salad there is not enough room for the main course. Who can say no to corn and crab chowder?
It’s hard for me to pass up the “Cheeseburger in Paradise” sandwich. It is a whopping big hamburger and has actually won awards. I like mine with lettuce and tomato Heinz Fifty-Seven and French fried potatoes. No, really. My husband favors the Jerk chicken.
I can’t help myself, I’m crazy for Nachos. I love their Volcano Nachos topped with chili, cheese, guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos, tomato and scallions for just $8.00. I usually get this “for the kids” so I don’t look like such a glutton.
There is a variety of sandwiches such as Hawaiian BBQ pork, Fish, Club wrap, a variety of hamburger sandwiches, Monterey chicken, Cuban meatloaf, Crab cake, and Veggie burger sandwiches all are served with French fries and range from $8.50-$9.00. I’m working my way through the menu, there is not anything that I haven’t liked so far!
There is a large selection of dinner entrees such as Jambalaya, Jerk shrimp or chicken, Coconut shrimp, Crab Cakes, BBQ ribs, Vegetarian pasta, and more. Prices are $14-$16 a plate.
Is this a place to take kids?
This is a hot drinking spot on the weekends so we do not take our children there on Friday or Saturday nights because the place is packed and the drinking is heavy. There is a bar in back which we avoid altogether in fact I think you have to be 21 to even be there.
We usually eat there during lunch time when there’s less of a crowd. Our children usually have an appetizer and eat off of our plate. They absolutely love the atmosphere; the TV and volcano entertain them for a little while. The host will also provide crayons and something to color.
Service
We always take our out-of-town guests to Margaritaville and they have all loved both the atmosphere and the food. The waitresses are always very friendly and efficient.
Store
There is a gift shop attached to the restaurant where you can buy Jimmy Buffet paraphernalia. The gift shop can be accessed from the patio so even if you don’t have a bite to eat you can still shop.
Overall
Obviously since this is my favorite place to eat I’m going to be recommending it. There are lots of opportunities to visit Margaritaville, perhaps after a movie at the cinema or on your way home from Islands of Adventure. For those over 21 it’s a really hot hang out in the evenings especially Friday and Saturday nights.
The only drawback that I have ever found was the wait. Two to three hour wait times are not uncommon on the weekend. They are absolutely packed. Reservations can be made at the door or by phone.
Hours 11AM – 2AM
Payment Options: Master card / Visa
Address: 6000 Universal Blvd. Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: 407-224-2155
Recommended:
Yes
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xyzwyatt
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