Cheeseburger in Paradise discovered in the Caribbean on the Island of Tortola

Cheeseburger in Paradise from Margaritaville Cafe

America’s love for cheeseburgers and our lifestyle filled with  “carnivorous habits” leads us to the shores of the island of Tortola, located in the British Virgin Islands. Despite the various rumors and tall tales, Buffett admits a Tortola seaside eatery truly inspired the tale of the infamous “Cheeseburger in Paradise” recorded first in 1978.

Jimmy himself tells the story of how the "Cheeseburger" song lyrics came to be during a long trip on his first boat, Euphoria. They had run into some bad weather near Puerto Rico and their bow sprit broke. They had no ice to preserve their food and were living on peanut butter and canned goods. He was constantly taunted by dreams of delicious cheeseburgers and longed for the American treat.

When they finally made their way to Road Town, on the island of Tortola, to their delight, a brand-new
marina and bar sat on the end of the dock. Buffett and his guests were surprised when the menu actually featured American cheeseburgers. They were all famished and had been dreaming of cheeseburgers for days and they were eager to place their orders.

Each one gave particular instructions to the waiter on exactly how they wanted them cooked and what was wanted on them… “I like mine with lettuce and tomato, Heinz 57 and French fried potatoes….” they may have requested. When the “Cheeseburgers in Paradise” arrived, the burgers were overdone and the burned buns may have looked less than desirable, but to the hungry sailors, they tasted like “manna from heaven” says Buffett. “That's the true story. I've heard other people and places claim that I stopped or cooked in their restaurants, but this is the way it happened.”

Read Buffet’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise” story and  see his list of favorite places to grab a burger. 

                           
                       The Island of Tortola, BVI                             Photo by:  Vicki Shivers