The Chattaway: Burger done Reggae

Okay. So I promised to cover the Chattaway and I am here to deliver. As a St. Pete native, and especially as a realtor, I am often asked where the best dives are. I am not fond of labeling anything as "the best" because I find that people who do so often miss out on trying and finding new places. But as far as a great place to get a great burger goes, Chattaway is definitely one of the best in St. Pete. When you pull up to the Chattaway, you immediately know that you've found something special. The entire parking lot in front of the Chattaway has, not only never been paved, but has no clearly defined parking spaces. When your tires hit the gravel and sand, you hear that comfortable rolling crunch that lets you know that you have arrived at the Chattaway. Then, upon exiting your car, you are treated to an assault on your visual senses as you take in the lush greenery surrounding the restaurant.

This is no franchise chain garnished with "cool". No, at the Chattaway, the fanciest props you will find are old bathtubs turned into planters. But that's what works about the Chattaway's charm. It has evolved over time, but somehow remains unchanged. I remember eating burgers at the Chattaway as a kid, and I always seem to remember it the same way.
But I digress. Where were we? Oh yes, the landscape. The only way to enter the Chattaway is through a jasmine oovered archway and over a small wooden bridge that rises over a small creek that includes a waterfall and goldfish pond where young children have thrown hundreds of pennies. Then you meander your way into the courtyard where you finally get a good look at the Chattaway restaurant. The courtyard is filled with painted green picnic tables, some covered and some not depending on your taste, and on top of them lay the familiar and simple arrangement of ketchup, mustard, and a roll of paper towels. Ahhh...the fabulous etiquette of a good burger joint. Nothing beats it. So you make your way to your favorite table, listening to the soft sounds of the lone guitar player sitting on a stool on the stage playing "I shot the sheriff" by Bob Marley, and you look at the menu. Here is where the Chattaway excels. The menu, of course, is not filled with pages of foods that have no relationship to each other. You never once have to furrow your brow and think really hard about making once decision over the other. You have a very simple choice at the Chattaway....cheese Chattaburger or no cheese Chattaburger. Yes, there are other comfort foods available at the Chattaway. And, yes, they are all good for the price. But when you go to the Chattaway for the first time, you absolutely must get a Chattaburger. Anything else would be sacrilege. So, yes! Excellent! You selected the cheese Chattaburger with fries. As you wait for your meal to arrive, sipping an ice cold beer, listening to the guitar player, you realize that birds are chirping and that everyone seems to be in a really good mood. Inevitably you start to hear Jimmy Buffett's "Cheeseburger in Paradise" in your head because that's what you are about to do...you are about to eat a cheeseburger in a local sort of paradise. The open air courtyard, the guitar player, the lights in the trees, the people chatting away happily (hence the name), the bar top covered with pictures of the Chattaway "family", Greg (the long haired bohemian son of the owner) walking around and greeting old friends.....it all adds up to a magical equation that equals one helluva good burger joint. When your food arrives, you tear into the juicy and perfectly cooked Chattaburger and you are in heaven. Make no mistakes, Chattaway's is not going to hand you a basket with the fanciest or biggest burger you've ever had. But the simplicity of eating a delicious, cheese for me of course, burger in the warm and embracing atmosphere of Chattaway's is something you will never forget. The burgers are awesome, big and juicy and loaded with pickles, onions, lettuce, and tomato. The french fries are hot, crispy and fresh. Overall, a great burger for a great price.

The last time I was at the Chattaway's, I met a lovely couple from Portugal that decided that they wanted to buy a property in St. Petersburg not far from the Chattaway. Now often when I approach people as a realtor, there is a certain amount of hesitance. Its as if people are afraid I'm going to start stalking them, which of course some realtors obviously do. But because we were at the Chattaway, we started talking about the neighborhood they wanted to live in and we ended up chatting over ice cold beers for two hours. The very next day, I found them a home and they signed a contract. They have since flown back to Portugal, but we have already agreed to celebrate the closing at, you guessed it, the Chattaway. That's the famous mojo of the Chattaway. I know its cliche to say it, but it truly isn't just a burger joint. Its an extension of your own family and an extension of what is so awesome about living in St. Petersburg Florida.
So, there it is. My honest and true opinion of the Chattaway. I apologize for any meandering or self aggrandizing real estate talk, but hey, bidness is bidness.
You can find the Chattaway here:
358 22nd Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33705
www.thechattaway.com


Well, until next time friends. I have not decided what I want to write about next time......oops......something just popped into my head. Yup. I'm drifting into seafood next time. You'll love this place!
So until next time, eat well and give me a shout if you need help buying or selling real estate.
Erik Helsen
727-459-6463
erikhelsen@gmail.com