From April 2006 edition of MetroFamily

Let’s Eat Restaurant Review: Cheeseburger in Paradise

Do you feel the need to get away to Margaritaville? Have you lost your shaker of salt? Oops—wrong song. If you’re ready for the tropics, you don’t have to travel far. Just head down the road to Oklahoma City’s Cheeseburger in Paradise. You’ll feel your troubles slip away when you’re surrounded by the grass roofs, beach decor, and Jimmy Buffet-inspired music.
 
I made this getaway with MFM Editor Denise, and her sister-in-law, Robin. The wait staff and atmosphere put us in a lighthearted mood, ready to try some delicious island-style food. We kicked off our evening with an order of Citrus-Jalapeno Clipper Wings ($6.75)—an order of ten juicy wings, with five different flavors to choose from. No matter which variation you choose, you’ll be licking your fingers to get all the sauce. Don’t rush when ordering or you might overlook the onion six-strings or the mini cheeseburgers.
 
Denise has eaten at other Cheeseburger in Paradise locations around the country and already knew exactly that she wanted—the Cheeseburger in Paradise ($7.79), a juicy burger with lettuce, tomato, Heinz 57 sauce, mustard, cheddar and American cheeses, and pickle served with fries. You have to figure out how to get your mouth around it! The signature mini cheeseburgers, a plate of six, are also offered under the dinner selections.
 
Robin went uptown with the El Charrasco Steak ($14.95). It was a seasoned skirt steak, grilled and rolled, served with crispy onion strings and a yummy chimichurri sauce which would be great with almost anything!
 
Everything sounded light and tropical—the Dockside Burger, Jerk Chicken Wrap. But I decided on the grilled Caribbean Chicken Sandwich ($7.75). It was a delicious marinated chicken breast, sliced and covered with balsamic onions, roasted red and yellow peppers, and Swiss cheese served on a toasted tomato focaccia bun with a red pepper aioli spread. It was accompanied by the signature sweet potato chips that were crispy with a slight sweetness—I was surprised by how tasty they were.
 
Along with our meal, we sampled a bowl of the Captain’s Crab & Corn Chowder. It was a thick mixture with lots of both ingredients. We declared it seaworthy. We also enjoyed a house salad that was more than a simple plate of lettuce. It had mixed greens, green onions, carrots, mild cucumber, wonton strips, blue cheese, and a balsamic vinegar dressing. I must say, it was a salad worth diving into.
 
Conversation all but stopped while we enjoyed our food. You might want to request a doggie bag so you can enjoy a dessert. A word of advice: share—the desserts are large. We had the Chocolate Nachos ($5.95). Sound odd? They were a sight to behold. Flour tortillas, fried and sweetened and covered with chocolate sauce, strawberries, and colored sprinkles were served with three flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Sadly, we weren't able to polish it off, but we savored every bite.
 
 
By the time you finish your meal, you’ll feel like you’ve visited the islands—refreshed, but maybe missing a tan. When your waiters dance around enjoying themselves, how can you not have a good time? Just be careful not to “blow out your flip-flops” as you make your way there!
 
Cheeseburger in Paradise
3109 W Memorial Road, OKC, 748-8922
Hours: Sunday 4pm-10pm; Monday-Wednesday 4pm–11pm; Thursday–Saturday 4pm-1am
Prices: $2.95-$15.95; Children’s Menu: $1.95-$4.95