South Beach's local gem Cheeseburger Baby - which counts superstars like Gabrielle Union and Jay-Z as two of its biggest supporters - has been feeding A-listers for almost 10 years. And this past New Year's weekend was no exception, when celebs like rapper Big Boi, actress Meagan Good and Jaleel White (aka Steve Urkel) polished off 2010 with some late-night burgers, except for White who opted for a chilli dog and cheese fries.
So why do these stars keep coming back to this underground spot? According to owner Stephanie Vittori, it's all about the laid-back atmosphere (and the burgers, of course).
"We don't bother anybody, and nobody really bothers them," said Vittori. "We look out for them, because at the end of the day, we want them to be comfortable."
She added, when referring to celeb-favorite orders: "I'm still waiting for someone to come in and order the "Punisher," that's our five pound burger…so we'll see."
Vittori - who dishes out classic hip-hop tunes along with her all-beef patties - said doubling her burger joint as a nightlife spot has also proved to be imperative when catering to the celebs and the South Beach set.
"We're definitely a late-night spot, especially after the clubs," she explained. "I think it's important to incorporate that [a nightlife element] here, it brings an entertainment value -- we always say we're cook-tenders instead of bartenders -- you really get to know us. "
Still, Vittori says while she is unbelievably grateful for the massive celebrity support, it's the locals who really are her bread and butter (or buns in this case).
"Your locals are your biggest supporters," she said. "At the end of the day, without them, it [Cheeseburger Baby] wouldn't be what it is."
