Two Restaurants Under One Roof: Delicious

Paradise Grille and Paradise South of the Border are under one owner and offer a two-part cuisine. The two eateries meet in the middle of the building, joined together by a mini-arcade.

Owners Jess Durham and Jeff Hunt opened Paradise Grille nine years ago. The Mexican restaurant next door closed in 2008. Durham and Hurt decided to purchase the Mexican restaurant. They tore down the wall dividing the two restaurants and kept the Mexican cuisine.

There is an enormous patio where live music and special events take place. The restaurants offer food and drink specials throughout the week.

Paradise Grille presents “American Food with a Coastal Flair” offering a variety of starters, soups, sandwiches, burgers, salads, wraps, pastas, wings, items “from the Sea”, and much more. The Grille also offers numerous sides including vegetables, toast, okra, beans, and much more.

Paradise South of the Border offers combinations with Chalupas, Enchiladas, Tacos, Burritos, Fajitas, and many more traditional Mexican dishes. 

I visited Paradise Grille on a Wednesday evening, not expecting a wait time. I was given a buzzer and told that it would be about ten-minutes before I was seated.  The hostess explained that there are two restaurants combined into one, and this was actually a quiet day. 

Paradise Grille consists of a bar separated from the dining room of tables, booths, and televisions. The 16 televisions in the dining area feature different channels for viewer convenience. Some of the channels include: ESPN, Fox News, the Poker channel, and the Cartoon Network. You don’t have to watch sports if you aren’t a fan.

Each server is dressed in Paradise Grille logo t-shirts and jeans. The restaurant serves a variety of guests: teenagers, families, and elders.  The tables are close together. Servers move quickly around them to serve hungry customers.

I was seated and handed a menu before the buzzer went off. The menu is arranged from starters to desserts. Many choices in between. The server offered me a drink and recommended the “Fried Pickle Basket” ($4.45). She said that it is a 6 oz. portion of pickle slices; one of their signature items. I ordered it.

The Fried Pickle Basket was served. The pickle slices are fried and served with ranch dressing.  Although the pickles are deep-fried, they taste tangy and crisp, made to perfection with a crunchy breading.  The acidity of the pickle stands up well to the breading and frying.

I ordered the Buffalo Wrap ($7.95). This entrée comes with a side of fries, House chips, potato salad, pasta salad, mashed potatoes, black beans and rice, or coleslaw. The House chips are made at Paradise Grille, and are a popular side item, according to my server.  I had to taste the House chips.

The Buffalo wrap was delivered cut in half and accompanied by House chips on the side.  The Buffalo wrap consists of crispy fried chicken tenders, mixed in Buffalo sauce. The chicken is rolled up with romaine lettuce and creamy bleu cheese dressing.  The chicken fingers are fresh and delicious, and when you combine it with the lettuce and bleu cheese dressing it’s a winning combination.  

In 1853 George Crum invented the first “thin French fry," now known as the potato chip. Paradise Grille invented their House chip in 2001. These crisp, not-too-salty chips are a real treat. Many people do not like to indulge while eating potato chips, but do try a few when you visit Paradise Grille.

Paradise Grille is a tasty place to bring the entire family. The televised sports and kids channels will please both Dad and the kids. Paradise Grill is located at 3605 Sandy Plains Road. Restaurant Hours: Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Friday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.