The "The Death Of An SXM Icon" Story

"Andy"

It was an ordinary day.  Reading the online obituary for one of my favorite restaurateurs, Andrew J. Jr. Susko, known to all his friends as just "Andy."  For Carol and I, he made the best "Mussels a la Andy" in the Caribbean.  For some he was a big, lovable, plump, jovial guy, while for others he was an obnoxious buffoon.  His personality was hard to figure for some, but if you took the time to know him, I mean REALLY know him, he was a sincere and loyal friend.  Andy was born in 1941 in New York, NY.  He lived there for 23 years before moving to Garfield, NJ for 13, Saddle Brook, NJ for 17 and then finally settling in St. Martin some 30 years ago.  He first opened up shop in the little town of Grand Case, St. Martin which is known as the gourmet capital of the Caribbean.  Later moved to nearby Orient Beach where he opened a beach bar and grill known as "Baywatch".  

"Baywatch

It was here that Carol and I got to know Andy and his cooking.  First time we visited "Baywatch" we walked up the front couple of badly worn stairs of the place on the beach with the stars and stripes proudly flying from the pole out front and were greeted by one of the most eclectic restaurants we have ever visited.  

Carol in the foreground with
Andy talking to his customers.

Bright baby blue picnic tables and chairs with bright yellow trim and a ceiling painted in a pale-blue with license plates from every state in the union as well as some foreign countries hanging from every open space in the the rafters as well as posts that held the roof in place.  We knew we were in the Caribbean the moment we stepped foot in the place.  That is why we came to the Caribbean and fell in love with it.  But, the guy with the dirty apron, sweaty sleeveless t-shirt and gray ponytail protruding from the rear of his cap who wondered around the place was another story.  "He's the cook?" my wife said to me the first time we ate there.  Yep, he was the cook and when I tasted that "You're In Paradise Cheeseburger" for the first time I knew we were in for a lifetime of great meals while seated maybe fifty yards from the most beautifully colored aqua water and pure white sand in the world.  He sure knew how to make a burger!  

License plates adorn the ceiling beams.  The one in
the center "CAW-LWW" is the one I gave him.

Then we got to meet him on maybe our third or fourth visit and found him to be warm and contagious.  The good and nice kind of contagious.  Over the years I made some morning visits on my photo treks and talked with him as he had a cup of coffee.  Interesting guy who had a wealth of knowledge about the island he now called home.  

Cheryl and LDub

Also got to know Cheryl, one of the greeters and waitresses who eventually became Andy's wife.  After a few years of visiting "Baywatch", we heard that it had moved to a new larger nearby site and was renamed "Andy & Cheryl's Baywatch Bar &  Grill."  Same old staff, eye-catching colors, license plates on the ceiling beams and good old Andy and Cheryl.  About three or four years ago my wife ordered his special "Mussels a la Andy" and whooped the whole meal down in record time.  She told me how great it was.  

The new "Andy and Cheryl's Baywatch Bar & Grill

Wasn't long before we made a return trip that year and I also had the same meal.  The Prince Edward Island mussels which he prepared in the most fantastic sauce became our yearly ritual when we visited.  Our only fear, with the passing of our good friend and chef, is that our favorite meal will be no more.  

But our loss will be minute compared to the loss that will effect the entire Orient Beach clientele who knew Andy.  

Pix of Andy from one of my
early morning visits to Orient Beach

He will be sorely missed.  The kind of "missed" that can never be replaced by anyone.  We're hoping Cheryl will continue to operate the business that they shared and find someone who can prepare the same great meals with just a pinch of Andy as part of them.  We will certainly be back to patronize our favorite beach restaurant on St. Martin.  Here's hoping Andy will find his proper place in Heaven where he can continue to dress in his own unique style and enjoy making his famous "Mussels a la Andy."  RIP, Andy!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - check out a few more photos from Baywatch and our friend Andy.

View from "Baywatch" looking over Orient Beach and Bay. 

Busy day at "Baywatch."

Andy and Cheryl

"Specials of the Day"

Cover of a menu I bought as a souvenir 

Rear of the menu.  The "Ode to Baywatch" says it all!!  Click on the photo to make it easier to read.