An Angry Letter to Jimmy Buffett

[sunray]

I was at Sangster waiting to board my flight a few years ago. I went into the Margaritaville, (don't know if it is still there) sat at a table, a middle aged jamaican waiter came over to me after a while and said I had to order something to sit there. He didn't ask if I wanted anything. This guy made the assumption I only wanted to sit in the fabulous airport bar / restaurant, no one had come over to give me a menu or serve me. I told him I would have a Red Stripe, he said that I had to order food, so I left the restaurant. WTF???? Normally I would have asked for the manager, but I thought I can't be bothered.. Buffet can shove it.

[Mrs Wilson]

Thanks Marley. I've added Sunset After Dark to my book. I don't normally eat burgers in Negril, but I've heard it's really great. Seasplash makes a good burger too I think.

[MissBlue]

saying that you dislike something and explaining why - is NOT bashing. i don't know why the minute someone doesn't like something and says so, it's called 'bashing'..... one of the MOST annoying things about internet discussions.

the place IS geared toward tourists - whether in MoBay or Maui; it's not anything remotely authentic or genuine that has something to do with the culture of a specific destination - it's a generic chain restaurant that has the same decorations the world over. that's not bashing, it's fact.

and to the OP -- not sure what you expected, but any 'chain' restaurant with a 'theme' as its' main draw, is not necessarily going to be good quality food - if you do get decent food, it's a bonus. that's to be expected. i would also say that the food isn't why people go there.

also, even though it has JB's name on it, he isn't involved in the everyday operations of many of these worldwide franchises. He has probably nothing to do with the operations and management of individual restaurants. the person to speak to about the food quality, or lack thereof, is the manager at the restaurant you went to. S/He is the only one who can do something about it.

[Ti2m]

also, even though it has JB's name on it, he isn't involved in the everyday operations of many (maybe hundreds?) of these worldwide franchises. He has probably nothing to do with the operations and management of individual restaurants. the person to speak to about the food quality, or lack thereof, is the manager at the restaurant you went to. S/He is the only one who can do something about it.

I respectfully disagree. If JB's name is on it I am sure he can do something about it. If JB gets that letter I'm sure the OP will get a refund or a coupon for more over-priced awful food. As much as I hate Margaritavilles everywhere, I must admit they have a great beach set up in Negril.

[MissBlue]

i hear you Tim.
perhaps. It's possible - but imho, not likely.

[yetta]

No disrespect to anyone...glad it provides jobs for locals...but it just isn't my bag. This visit, upon leaving the island, my husband wanted a burger. He opted for Marg'ville at the airport. I wasn't really that hungry but I knew that I needed to eat before boarding. I looked over the menu, with a less than enthusiastic employee waiting. I asked if I could just get a quarter chicken. No go..told that I could get half a jerked chicken for the price of a meal...15.00 US. Hold up....15 bucks for half a jerked chicken,no sides....no way!!
So, then opted for a bowl of conch soup. Then, with a rather screw face waitress....was told, conch was out of season. PLEASE, spare me the BS. Had several conch dishes in the past 23 days. With that, mi husband ordered his burger and I told the waitress that I would share his....as I left to go to the restroom, deciding that I would hang out a while looking about and just opt out of this crap. Guess nuff said, not my bag...."mi no into dat"..........

[Negrillled]

SOLUTION: Eat Jamaican fare, made by Jamaicans at a joint owned by Jamaicans. Besides, what did you expect from a tourist trap owned by an American who likely has't even been to the place since he muscled it away??

[Island Girl]

Nick, from the replies here I can see there are a lot of Newbies who don't remember what the original Cheeseburger in Paradise tasted like- and many of your critics sound as if they haven't ever eaten there, so as they say take it with a grain of salt... As someone who can't eat a lot of Jamaican food (no fish for example) I totally looked forward to that Cheeseburger to finally have something to fill my tummy besides fruit and eggs, LOL. It was pure heaven, and when they put Margaritaville in the airport it was a great place to cry in your beer about going home. I am sad to hear of the demise of quality food, and hope Jimmy gets your message loud and clear! Hopefully you also sent him a link to this board, LOL. IRIE! *IG

[cinnni]

The last time we went into Margaritaville, they were out of 2 things that I tried ordering. I gave up and just ordered fries which to be honest were terrible. Hubby ordered the cheeseburger and he said it was terrible. I can't even say I go into the Negril Margaritaville for the vibz as the 3 times I have gone in, country music was playing. For me personally, not my cup of tea or the kind of vibz I was looking for. I've been in the M'ville in Ochi and eaten there and the food was much better as were the vibz. Drinks are super expensive there too but I still stop there sometimes. One of these days I'll make it out to the water trampoline lol. And I understand the chain food isn't going to be fabulous...however I agree that it shouldn't be so dang terrible either especially for the prices they charge for it.

[suzengrace]

What da you expect from a tourist trap?? ?Over-priced, sub-par food with a "Cheesy" (no pun intended ) setting...With all the other places offered in Negril-why on earth would you go there?? Next time-check out the "Local places"-if not sure ask around...Step out of your comfort zone and exp. some local food..(unless you just had to have a cheese burger-i understand-but there are other locally run places that have killer burgers from what i've read)