Tropicana Cuban Restaurant

This place is bumping!
I didn’t have much time to eat one day, so I planned on getting a Cuban to go before heading back to work.
Upon arriving around lunchtime, the restaurant was nearly full, buzzing with the sounds of music from overhead and lively conversations from table to table. The service was quick and the server signaled me to pick-​up my Cuban to-​go about 5 minutes after ordering.
«That’ll be $ 7.15 Mami…»
I hand over some cash, including tip.
«Bless you Mami». My pleasure Papi.
The Cuban was pretty good, with two slices of crispy bread, stuffed to the limits with ham, pork and ooey-​gooey cheese. However, it was just good, not crazy good. Definitely not good enough that I’m jonsing to come back and order another one.
However, I can tell this place has a loyal following based on how crowded it was at lunch and so many photos of incredibly looking food. Next time, I’ll be sure to stop by when I have time to dine-​in and get the full experience.

this place was «slap yo mama» good. I bought 3 traditional sandwiches. 2 tamals. 2 beef empanadas. 1 Cubanito monster burger and 1 mango shake. also got 1 small coffee while waiting. $ 48. we had a lot of leftovers. the burger feeds 2 normal humans. the mango shake incited a riot.

My parents are Cuban and I was born and raised in Miami, so forget every other review here and just read this one. Everything I tried in this visit was SPOT ON, authentic Cuban! Besides the exact flavor I would expect from a typical Cuban restaurant in Miami, the vibe in this restaurant made me feel like I was in Miami. The lechón (pork) in particular was delicious and could hold its own, and even surpasses, some of the pork dishes I had in some Miami restaurants.
Once I received the bill, it was good to see that the prices are very reasonable. Definitely a good value for the good quality of the food. In conclusion, I am Cuban, and I approve this restaurant!

Amazing Cuban shots-​espresso. Made very well! I’m a coffee snob. Lol
The wait staff was super nice, the portions were really, well, large! Which is amazing since as a family we always wanna try each other’s. And the prices were fantastic as well! Keep it comin guys!

Have only been here 1 time but I’m in love! Got the Cuban coffee which I’ve been dying for, tostones were amazing, chicken was awesome and the rice and beans were fabulous! If I lived next door to this place I would be there everyday!

One of the most authentic Cuban cuisine places in Austin. You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu; from their burgers to their «ropa vieja.»

Had the cubano, and it is everything. The bread is perfectly crispy, the pork is flavorful. It is truly a great sandwich. I had a side of sweet plantain that were wonderful.
It was an early afternoon, and they were briskly busy.
I got some cookies to go from the bakery case.
Service was quick and friendly. Very low key chill spot.

I’m not a Cuban expert, but this came highly recommended from a Cuban friend whose taste in food is similar to my own. The appetizer plate was full of deep-​fried deliciousness with a magical white dipping sauce I wanted to bathe in. Split between two of us diners, it left little room for the main courses, which were also generous helpings. I enjoyed the crispy, salty tastiness of the pork masitas with the confri and plantains. The Cuban sandwich was enough (in size and flavor) for 4 people. We washed everything down with café Cubano and minty mojitos. I’ll definitely be going back to try the medianoche as well! Attentive – but not annoying – staff and, as previously stated, delicious food!

These are some of the best tostones, and emphanadas, I have had. All and all this is a fun little Cuban café to stop by if you’re in the area. The Cuban Sandwich is truly delicious as well.

This place is AMAZING. Their service was phenomenal, as the server was SO SWEET and kind, it felt like my boyfriend and I were dining in her own home. So hospitable!
The food almost made me teary eyed, as it’s been SO hard to find authentic Cuban food since I’ve moved to TX from Miami 10 years ago. Everything was so fresh, incredibly rich in flavor and was enough to take home to defeat the munchies later. We order the Cuban burger-​which was the biggest burger I’ve ever seen and according to my bf, one of the top 3 burgers he has ever had. I order the ropa vieja which was just pure awesomeness. Their plantains are also PERFECT, along with their flan-i’m a sucker for both. They also have cuban coffee, and luckily this place is close to my job, so I know I will be a regular. We will be back to keep trying everything on the menu-can;t wait to order the oxtail next time!

I love this place. That waited he was so nice, the food was delicious I will come back again.

I ordered here for carry out. I got theeir oxtail dish which came with black beans/​rice, macaroni salad, plantains, and bread. I love me some good Cuban food, and for me, this isn’t it. It’s ok, but I’ve definitely had better. The flavor was ok. The oxtail was a bit dry. The woman who took my order and checked me out was nice so they get an extra star for that. I can’t say I’ll be back. I can’t say fully that I wouldn’t give them another try either.

So much protein! This way a delicious decision for brunch today, and the food is both award-​winning and television-​worthy. You really can’t go wrong ordering anything from the menu, and while the Café Cubano is a bit more bitter than I’m used to it was still delicious, and the tamal was just like my grandmother makes! Definitely visiting next time I’m in town!

Delicious! Delicious! Delicious!
I was impressed with how authentic everything tasted. My Cuban family left full and with great opinions of the restaurant.

I was in the mood for an empanada and their grilled chicken sandwich. I called ahead and they had it ready upon arrival. The customer service was better and I walked out with my order smiling. Look this husband and wife team have a good thing going. They were recently on the food channel for some of their dishes. You do realize you’re doing something right to garner air time. Give the place a try and you’ll be pleasantly surprised and full.

Went halfsies on the Cuban and the Medianoche with a coworker. For me, (a little older, a little wiser) this had a lot of meat. Ten years ago, I would have loved that but now I prefer more veggies in my diet. These meat amalgamations though are damn tasty. My coworker liked the compressed sweeter bread of the Medianoche, where I liked the fluffier, softer bread of the Cuban. I had no issues with service or getting my check either.
FYI, I saw the Frankenstein that is their burger and holy moly that thing looked good. You might be able to feed a village with one burger, if that village was the size of say Luckenbach.

I wasn’t sure what to expect but was thoroughly impressed. I ordered a Cuban sandwich which was delish and too big to eat in one sitting. I also ordered an appetizer plate to try samples of some of their other dishes. The tamal, tostones, empanada and papa rellena were all to die for. I will definitely come back.
P. S. the Café Cubano is so good that it should be illegal.

Last week, a friend brought me a Cuban Sandwich that I fell in love with. It was awesome! I had to look up this Cuban Sandwich Café and check out the menu. I felt as if I was in Miami on Calle 8. Immediately, I called my fellow foodie to meet me at the Cuban Sandwich Café, and I was buyin’. My buddy was running a little late so I ordered an beef empanada which was tasty but not extraordinary (I’m still looking for las empanadas Chilenas). Once my friend arrived, I ordered the appetizers plate (1 tamal (tamale), 1 croquet, 1 papa rellena, 1 beef empanada and yucca frita) and tostones. For my main, I had the Cuban sandwich, Cuban bread, ham, Swiss cheese, shredded pork, mayo and mustard. It was beyond measure. My friend had the Cubanito (Little Cuban) Burger, beef patty, shredded pork, thick crisp bacon, Swiss and American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, mayo and mustard. It was HUGE! Looked like something straight out of Man vs Food. Our beautiful waitress Maria and the Cuban/​Salsa music added an extra touch. I didn’t notice the bar with refreshments of authority until it was too late so I had settled for the Cuban sodas which were great and ice cold. I was full, sleepy and ready for a nap. Nevertheless, I shall return.

I just love Cuban food. You can tell this is a local’s hang out because I was there on a weekday during lunch and construction workers and families, alike, were in there enjoying the delicious grub.
I thought the staff was very friendly and accomodating. I had to ask some questions because I’m not as familiar with the naming conventions of Cuban food as I am, say, Mexican food… but it’s slowly becoming one of my favorites when I’m needing some comfort food or spice in my life.
I tried the steak sandwich and it was delicious. The bread was perfectly crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, just how I like it.
I’ll try the cuban sandwich next time!

I don’t know what Cuban food is supposed to taste like nor is Cuban food even my favorite genre of food, but I can tell you that everything that I tried here was really good!
My boyfriend and I came here this past weekend because of a
deal. We got the café con leche, yuca frita, the Medianoche sandwich, the giant El Cubanito burger, and the arroz con leche (to go because we were so full after the dinner)! The café con leche was tasty, the yuca frita and the tangy sauce it was served with was great, and the Medianonche sandwich hit the spot. Actually everything was so filling that I only ended up getting half way through the sandwich. My boyfriend said the El Cubanito was the best burger he’s ever had and from the few bites I stole from his burger I could tell it was definitely really good. Even the fries it was served with were great — they even tasted good cold! And finally, the arroz con leche was delicious and the perfect way to end the meal.
The atmosphere and music were fun, the service was fast and polite (nothing like the other reviews I’ve read here), and the food was great. It wasn’t holy shit 5 stars best thing in the world but I will definitely be back!