La Tropicana Cafe
| Address: | 1822 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605, USA |
| Phone: | +1 813-247-4040 |
| Rating: | 3.7 |
| Working: | 8AM–3PM 8AM–3PM 8AM–3PM 8AM–3PM 8AM–3PM 8AM–3PM Closed |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 14
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Allison Burke
I went today with 4 others around 12pm. We met a couple there so I cannot comment on wait time, but it was pretty empty. Everyone loved their deviled crabs (I did not order one). I ordered a sm cuban, spanish bean soup, and a stuffed potato. The waitress asked if I wanted the spanish bean soup and 1/2 cuban special, I said no, I wanted it all. I got served the 1/2 Cuban Special anyway, and when I bit into my stuffed potato, the beef was still frozen. The explanation I got for that was something like, "Oh yeah, well since they flash deep fry it sometimes the beef.." and she trailed off. I dont care why this beef is cold, but its cold, and I dont want it, but if thats the reason youre giving me, you are either full of it or its an actual problem that they know about but wont fix. The spanish bean soup was fine, and the cuban was fine, but it was "pressed" and the meat was cold and it had lettuce and tomato.
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A Private User
I live in Clearwater about 25 minutes form this establishment and drove over to meet some friends I hadnt seen for years. The atmosphere is great. I had their deviled crab and "famous" cuban sandwich. The deviled crab was second to none, but the cuban sandwich was cold, and dare I say, had lettuce and tomato on it. Cubans are supposed to be hot pressed with ham, roasted pork, swiss, mayo, mustard, and pickles. Ive bought much better cubans from a convinence store that have a small deli. This was not even close to the best Tampa and the surroundng area has to offer in a cuban sandwich. It wasnt a bad sandwich,but it wasnt authentic. The half sandwich and deviled crab was about 8.00. Ill stop in for the deviled crab in the future, but not for a cuban sandwich.
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Chip Wagner
We went there for lunch because the place had lots of good reviews. However it was not good at all. My son and I ordered fish, and it was the first time in Tampa that we had fish that tasted like old fishy, gross fish. The sandwiches were nothing special, and my Wife didnt even get pickles with Cuban the sandwiches. Not to mention the service was terrible it took forever for them to come by our table serve the food, and even get us our ticket. I thought because it was a local hole in the wall, it might be a hidden gem. But turns out it was just a hole in the wall. Wouldve been better off going to Subway.
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Anne Wussow
Went for first time. Ordered Cubans. Did not ask if we wanted lettuce or tomato, etc as most places do. Assumed they would be pressed as they are supposed to be Cubans. The food came quick but Cubans not pressed and had lettuce and tomato on them. There was only a couple shreds of roast pork in them and the pork was served in the sandwich cold! Also ordered a Cuban to go and they also gave me and charged me for a stuffed potato I did not order. Maybe the entrees are better but we wont go back to find out. Took like 10 min just to get a couple bags to take our left overs home.
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Joe Fabel
Hands down the best Cuban sandwich in town! The devil crabs are absolutely delicious! I was introduced to La Tropicana as a child when my mother and father would go there on Saturday mornings to enjoy a Cafe con leche and a fresh Cuban toast! Now nearly 50 years later I still frequent them with my mother and continue the tradition of good food and friends! Owner Ray and manager Bobby make the experience worth the trip as they treat you like one of the family during your visit. A piece of Tampas Ybor history right here! Dont pass it up !
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Pyra-Danny V
CASH ONLY ESTABLISHMENT... and this is one of the few breakfast to lunch dining places in Ybor City. Sandwiches have a great, crisp texture while the flavors seem somewhat muted (At least that means they dont go crazy covering stuff with sauce). They claim their Cuban Sandwiches are their best seller... good, but nothing to scream about. I hear its not authentic. Deviled crab is second best seller... very bready, crispy outside and soft inside but delicious with hot sauce. HUGE for the cheap price. Friendly and conversational staff.
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Charles Dewitt
The last of the great cuban cafés. The Silver ring is gone. They were there since the 1940s. J Ds soup and sandwich has been gone for many years. On Fridays they had sirloin tips. Served with fried plantains and black beans and rice with onions, man I really miss it. I worked at Gene Vega Auto Parts for ten years in Ybor City and really miss the Cuban food. We would have cafe con leche with cuban toast. I am in Mississippi now for ten years and these people like food as bland as they can get it.
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Ric Rini
In my opinion hands down the best devil crabs and stuffed potatoes in Tampa!! There is no other than the "Trop" a Tampa staple located in Ybor City. There Spanish bean soup is also so delectable it will have you craving a second bowl. There Cubans and roast pork sandwiches are what you would expect as well just wholesome good Cuban eats served up here. And for my taste, some oft he best cafe con leche in town but that comment always causes an argument!
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Jackie Caruso
if you are looking for a real cuban sandwhich and real homemade devil crabd or cuban food in general this is the only place to go they never disappoint i drive over 45 minutes just to get a cuban and a devil crab that should say it all....... i wont eat cuban food from anywhere else... love love love them keep up the great work been coming there since 1970 this Mehaffey family love them some La Tropicana Cafe
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Audre Cook
A wonderful place with an amazing atmosphere! I stumbled onto it looking for breakfast on a cold morning with my sister and didnt know what to expect other than, well, breakfast =) terrific prices, yummy food, and a great atmosphere! The only requirement is that you must love happy people who are not afraid to laugh, smile and talk loud. Hint* the parking lot is on the side and back, not on 7th Ave.
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Jim De Mauro
This restaurant is a dearly beloved tradition for Ybor and Tampa "townies". It has a long history for being the place to be seen and to see the movers and shakers in Tampa. It is true to its origins and is one of the few remaining 60s style eateries. Great Cubans, specially for breakfast and DONT MISS Garbanzo soup.
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Lupi288 H
Not the cuban place to go. Well not for a Cuban sandwich, cuban coffee, or spanish drinks. Cuban sandwich had lettuce and tomato( which shouldnt) and wasnt pressed. Also the server didnt know what a cafe con leche was. Really. Maybe its the new management but it really sucked. Bad turndown for Cuban food.
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anitra mathis
Horrible!!!! Over charged and slow service. Told me a price for one thing and charged me a different price. felt like I was being scammed to buy more food then I actually wanted even after I told our server what we had was enough. Dirty tables and slow service. First and last time I will ever eat here.
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MTBound
Very decieving by the name, looks and location. (The heart of tampa) Ybor City! You would think the cuban sandwiches would be authentic and done right. NOPE! Very dissapointed. A place like this with the image it is giving should have more pride in what they are serving and doing
