Cheeburger Cheeburger in Sanibel Island

I’ve been a Cheeburger Cheeburger fan since they opened in Miami back in April 1998. The location is now a Sushi Maki (11531 SW 88th Street, Miami).

Back then, I worked at Best Buy and ate there with some regularity. A bunch of us tried to get on the exclusive Wall of Fame for folks who ate 2 of their famous pounders. Only Jurgen Ugalde and I were able to accomplish the feat.

After about a five-year run, they left South Florida. But not before; I ate there a bunch of times. It was later that I found out the original location was still open in Sanibel Island, Florida.

I made a road food trip to visit and get reacquainted with my long-lost one-pound friend and fresh-cut fries. Of course, I came hungry.

The burger was exactly as I remembered it, and those fries always hit the spot. I skipped out on any of the dipping sauces and think you should too.

Cheeburger Cheeburger
1975 Periwinkle Way
Sanibel, FL
(239) 472-6111

Website – https://www.cheeburger.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/cheeburgerofficial

Monday 11:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 11:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 11:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Thursday 11:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday 11:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday 11:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Sunday 11:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Cheeburger Cheeburger History

Cheeburger Cheeburger was founded in Sanibel Island, Florida, in 1986 by Bruce Zicari. The name “Cheeburger Cheeburger” is derived from a Saturday Night Live sketch in which John Belushi famously exclaimed, “No Coke, Pepsi. No fries, Cheeburger Cheeburger.”

The restaurant quickly gained popularity for its retro-style diner atmosphere, with 1950s and 1960s memorabilia and a menu of burgers, shakes, and comfort food. During the late 1980s and 1990s, Cheeburger Cheeburger expanded by franchising with multiple locations across the United States.

Cheeburger Cheeburger became known for its “Pounder Challenge,” where customers could attempt to eat a one-pound burger and a large order of fries within a specific time limit to win a prize and their picture on their Wall of Fame.

Cheeburger Cheeburger Famous Pounder Wall of Pictures
Cheeburger Cheeburger Famous Pounder Wall of Pictures

Over the years, Cheeburger Cheeburger faced some challenges, including changing consumer preferences and competition from other burger chains. The “Pounder Challenge” and large portion sizes became less popular as health-conscious dining trends grew.

To adapt to changing times and tastes, Cheeburger Cheeburger underwent a rebranding and modernization process in the early 2010s. The menu was updated to include more diverse and health-conscious options, including salads, turkey, and vegetarian burgers, plus the classic burgers and shakes.

In November 2017, Cheeburger Cheeburger was acquired by Premier Restaurant Group. Since then, many locations have closed. Currently, there are restaurants in Des Peres (Missouri), plus a Cheeburger Cheeburger Express at the Richmond (Virginia) International Airport and another at the Sanford (Florida) International Airport.

Yes, the original location in Sanibel Island is also still going. It re-opened in Summer 2023 after suffering major damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022.

Cheeburger Cheeburger in West Palm Beach, Florida – CLOSED

Cheeburger Cheeburger Express Sign in West Palm Beach, Florida
Cheeburger Cheeburger Express Sign in West Palm Beach, Florida

April 4th, 2010Posted by Caveman: Cheeburger Cheeburger used to have several locations in Miami-Dade and Broward County with a good selection of burgers (sizes) and shakes. Back then, they offered a one lb. burger challenge that I attempted and completed.

Not too long after that, all South Florida Cheeburger Cheeburger locations closed. Now, express locations have opened in airports, and some rest stops offer a smaller menu but still the same good food and shakes.

On the turnpike, returning home from Ft. Pierce recently, I saw a sign that said Cheeburger Cheeburger at the next rest stop. So, I pulled into the West Palm Beach rest stop area and approached the counter.

Fresh-cut Fries from the Cheeburger Cheeburger in West Palm Beach, Florida
Fresh-cut Fries

I noticed a Wall Of Fame and asked how to be on it. The answer? “Eat a 10oz burger, fries, and a shake of your choice.” The challenge has no time limit, so I wanted to be the first to set a timed record.

I received my order and was surprised that the burgers were just how I remembered them: thick and juicy.

Famous Pounder from Cheeburger Cheeburger Express in West Palm Beach, Florida
10oz Cheese Burger

The fries are reminiscent of 5 Guys fresh-cuts, which was great. I had an Oreo-Chocolate shake; it was nice and thick. The shake is what made the meal the meal for me.

Back to the Challenge

I finished the challenge in 5:25 min and set the time standard for the challenge at this Cheeburger Cheeburger location. If you find yourself on the turnpike, you should stop by and see if you can beat my time.

Cheeburger Cheeburger Express is CLOSED
West Palm Beach, Florida, rest stop off the Florida Turnpike

Cheeburger Cheeburger in Naples, Florida – CLOSED

Outside the Cheeburger Cheeburger in Naples, Florida
Outside the Cheeburger Cheeburger

October 29th, 2009 – There was no doubt when I convinced everyone to eat at Cheeburger Cheeburger that my intentions were anything other than eating their Famous Pounder. We had a lot of fun at Cheeburger Cheeburger. How could we not? My Parents, my wife Marcela, cousin Fred, and good friend Yislin were all along for the ride this time.

Cheeburger Cheeburger Door in Naples, Florida
The Door

I think we drove the waitress up the wall with the amount of ordered food. She wasn’t prepared for us but handled it rather well.

When we walked in, there was no one there. Once seated, it sounded like a minimum of a dozen people talking, not 6. I guess that’s the Miami way.

Best of Both Basket from Cheeburger Cheeburger in Naples, Florida
Best of Both Basket with Rings & Fries

We had a couple of orders of their Best of Both Baskets with fries and onion rings. The fries and rings are made daily and fried in peanut oil (a double awesome). While fresh-cut fries and hand-breaded onion rings tasted fine solo, a bunch of dipping sauces couldn’t hurt.

We’re talking cheese, horseradish, jalapeño, sweet popper, and garden vegetables. I love the fries and onion rings here, and with the added feature of sauces, it’s a win.

What Did We Eat?

Yislin, because she’s the difficult order, gets the grilled chicken melt, which is pretty much a chicken patty melt. Mom orders chicken strips for some reason, while my pops and Marcela order the Semi-Serious (1/3 pound).

Fred and I, of course, go for the Famous Pounder. How else are we going to get our picture on the wall?

Fred about to go in at Cheeburger Cheeburger in Naples, Florida
Fred is about to do some Van Damage on the Pounder

Yislin’s chicken melt was good, but I’ll stick to their burgers. Mom’s chicken strips were of the bagged Costco-style variety, so they were okay.

Famous Pounder from Cheeburger Cheeburger in Naples, Florida
Famous Pounder

Now, our burgers were great. Oh, did I forget to mention we had bacon on it also?

The one thing about Cheeburger Cheeburger is that quite a few people swear by this place, while I also encounter those who would never go back. So, how did we do with the pounder?

Fred is an eating machine but a slow-eating machine. I eat much quicker than he does.

Are we on the wall? Maybe you should take a trip to Cheeburger Cheeburger and find out.

Cheeburger Cheeburger is Closed
505 5th Avenue South, Naples, FL
239-435-9796

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