At one point and many years ago. This place was a decent place to visit. Now it's a dump. It looks old. However is clean and staff gives you decent service. I am currently eating a chicken breast with black beans and rice. I must tell you the worse Cuban beans I have ever tasted. It's overly salted and it has a faint smell of being in a pot for two days and put away under a broken refrigerator full of fungus. The chicken was unfrozen 1 hour ago and it's texture is of a Chinese cardboard milk on a hot day in Nevada. Pretty disgusting. Place empty. Won't be around for good. If you must go, order the superb free bread and a nice Cuban coffee with little sugar. Yelp this is no ethnic food.
(1)
Crystal G.
The food was good but the restaurant inside looked kind of rundown. My waiter was nice and cordial. Don't think I'd go back.
(3)
Ac A.
Took some of my clients there for dinner, restaurant was empty and now I know why! Food was horrible! Ordered shrimp as appetizer and they stunk, churrasco for the main course and steak just tasted old! Spent $105 for three people!
(1)
Sergio F.
Not the best Cuban food, not the worst either. Came here for a quick breakfast with some family. The cafe con leche was good and the batido de trigo was really yummy. The price for the tostada con jamon y queso was a little steep considering that I've had way better for less money at other Cuban restaurants. Very few people there and even then the service was a little slow, but nothing horrible. This is a decent stop if you're in the area and want some decent Cuban food, but not a place to really plan on going. Lots of better Cuban places in nearby Hialeah.
(3)
Jamison E.
Great authentic Cuban food. Had a yummy Cuban sandwich. Will definitely come back!
(4)
Gustavo A. L.
Not all El Tropicos are the same, but they are pretty dismal. We live in Cuban cuisine heaven- unfortunately these guys just mass produce it and it shows. The service is dicey and the food is greasy, not exactly that home taste that you look for when you visit an authentic restaurant. Revisiting the service comment, it is just way too informal and they just don't engage you. I feel like I am just one more patron- and even if I am... When I am paying bill and tip it is reasonable to expect a certain degree of good service. The food.... BLAH ... there are many other choices. move along.
(2)
Wendy H.
We came for breakfast, should be pretty clean in the am they just opened, right? WRONG! The place is filthy, we had a fly and a spider on our table. It really is just terribly dirty, walls, floor, silverware, etc. There were food pieces from the dinner service all over the floor (looked days old) kicked around to the edges of the wall. If that is what the dining room is like, I am scared to see the kitchen. We left--couldn't stomach eating there.
(1)
Keno C.
great service, bountiful portions, quality food offerings. nothing much to the decor, but remember that this is doral. best for lunch.
(4)
Jack S.
My friends and I tried this place while visiting Florida. It was located near our hotel and looked promising. Unfortunately all I recall is the loud tv in the dining area. The food was simply o.k.--nothing exceptional. Service was decent.
(2)
Christian L.
I arrived for lunch and was expecting to have a regular Media Noche Sandwich. I was surprised when my sandwich had actual moist, tender ham and not the dried out ham used in most sandwiches. The cheese was warm and actually melted. The sandwich was served with plantain chips sprinkled on top which was unusual for that type of sandwich. The sandwich was good even though the ham was a little fatty. I tried the fried pork chunks and they were very soft and tender. The seasoning was great and they weren't fatty and hard. The wheat shake was on the watery side so I wouldn't order that there. But the food was good even though the service was meh. I would go again if I'm in the area.
(3)
Trena G.
Service was good. Food was good and large Portions. Restaurant looked a little dated.
(3)
Carla L.
I don't love the other El Tropico in Doral, so when everyone wanted to come here I let out a silent inner groan. I was very surprised in a pleasant way. We were here for lunch. Service was great, and the Vaca Frita was HUGE! Enough for later. The food was good and the prices were too. I have a new found respect for this place. Oh and of course the coffee was Cubalicious.
(3)
Cesar L.
I agree with other reviews, this was a great place to visit at some point in the past. I don't know what happened here. Let me begin by saying that I used to frequent this place a lot and it was unique. This is my second visit for lunch this month and it will be my last. A few weeks ago, I ordered chicken churrasco and while it wasn't great, it was manageable. Today, I ordered to go the bistec de palomilla (pan fried steak or thin cut butterfly steak) with tostones. The steak was very tender and tasty, however no onions, parsley or sauce was included. Now, this is the part that makes me mad; this is South Florida, how can you messed tostones up so bad in a Latin restaurant??? They were dripping in oil. Want to know how much? Well, to the point the color was changed to dark brown, not yellow and crispy as normal, but very dark brown & soaked! Folks, stay away from this place and take your hard earned money someplace else. The customer service is always good, but let's be honest, while an essential part of the package, we go to restaurants to eat good food not customer service. I won't be back.
(1)
Pierre K.
Tucked in a strip mall in Doral, this place is nothing special but serves decent cuban cuisine. I usually judge a good cuban place but how good their pork is. In this case, i had the lechon and it was on par. Portion was copious, it had some skin (yum!) but some pieces were a bit dry and it did come with the usual onions and mojo. Their sandwiches are good as well; I had the surtido, medianoche and croqueta preparada and I would recommend them all. Overall, this is a decent place and would recommend it for lunch.
We went to this place for breakfast on a sunday morning ,you are just another customer .The service is distant ,slow,disorganize ,food was greasy ,will never go back .
(1)
Danny M.
My favorite Cuban restaurant in Doral. Love their grilled chicken, prices are great, and they make the best cuban coffee.. Serive is pretty good, as there is a large staff working during lunch hours.
(4)
tim j.
I went here for lunch yesterday. I go here every time I am in Miami for work. In fact, it is the first place I stop. I have been here numerous times. Every time, I go I end up getting the same thing. I can't get away from Bistec Palomilla, plantains maduro and rice and beans with Cuban coffee. The staff is definitely Latin leaning and the language is a barrier. i work around that in my very simplistic Spanish. I love this place. I am surprised the reviews are so mediocre. I do believe they are a victim of name confusion as there is an El Tropico down the street which seems to get poor reviews. Try this place. You will not be disappointed.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
ramon g.
At one point and many years ago. This place was a decent place to visit. Now it's a dump. It looks old. However is clean and staff gives you decent service. I am currently eating a chicken breast with black beans and rice. I must tell you the worse Cuban beans I have ever tasted. It's overly salted and it has a faint smell of being in a pot for two days and put away under a broken refrigerator full of fungus. The chicken was unfrozen 1 hour ago and it's texture is of a Chinese cardboard milk on a hot day in Nevada. Pretty disgusting. Place empty. Won't be around for good. If you must go, order the superb free bread and a nice Cuban coffee with little sugar. Yelp this is no ethnic food.
(1)Crystal G.
The food was good but the restaurant inside looked kind of rundown. My waiter was nice and cordial. Don't think I'd go back.
(3)Ac A.
Took some of my clients there for dinner, restaurant was empty and now I know why! Food was horrible! Ordered shrimp as appetizer and they stunk, churrasco for the main course and steak just tasted old! Spent $105 for three people!
(1)Sergio F.
Not the best Cuban food, not the worst either. Came here for a quick breakfast with some family. The cafe con leche was good and the batido de trigo was really yummy. The price for the tostada con jamon y queso was a little steep considering that I've had way better for less money at other Cuban restaurants. Very few people there and even then the service was a little slow, but nothing horrible. This is a decent stop if you're in the area and want some decent Cuban food, but not a place to really plan on going. Lots of better Cuban places in nearby Hialeah.
(3)Jamison E.
Great authentic Cuban food. Had a yummy Cuban sandwich. Will definitely come back!
(4)Gustavo A. L.
Not all El Tropicos are the same, but they are pretty dismal. We live in Cuban cuisine heaven- unfortunately these guys just mass produce it and it shows. The service is dicey and the food is greasy, not exactly that home taste that you look for when you visit an authentic restaurant. Revisiting the service comment, it is just way too informal and they just don't engage you. I feel like I am just one more patron- and even if I am... When I am paying bill and tip it is reasonable to expect a certain degree of good service. The food.... BLAH ... there are many other choices. move along.
(2)Wendy H.
We came for breakfast, should be pretty clean in the am they just opened, right? WRONG! The place is filthy, we had a fly and a spider on our table. It really is just terribly dirty, walls, floor, silverware, etc. There were food pieces from the dinner service all over the floor (looked days old) kicked around to the edges of the wall. If that is what the dining room is like, I am scared to see the kitchen. We left--couldn't stomach eating there.
(1)Keno C.
great service, bountiful portions, quality food offerings. nothing much to the decor, but remember that this is doral. best for lunch.
(4)Jack S.
My friends and I tried this place while visiting Florida. It was located near our hotel and looked promising. Unfortunately all I recall is the loud tv in the dining area. The food was simply o.k.--nothing exceptional. Service was decent.
(2)Christian L.
I arrived for lunch and was expecting to have a regular Media Noche Sandwich. I was surprised when my sandwich had actual moist, tender ham and not the dried out ham used in most sandwiches. The cheese was warm and actually melted. The sandwich was served with plantain chips sprinkled on top which was unusual for that type of sandwich. The sandwich was good even though the ham was a little fatty. I tried the fried pork chunks and they were very soft and tender. The seasoning was great and they weren't fatty and hard. The wheat shake was on the watery side so I wouldn't order that there. But the food was good even though the service was meh. I would go again if I'm in the area.
(3)Trena G.
Service was good. Food was good and large Portions. Restaurant looked a little dated.
(3)Carla L.
I don't love the other El Tropico in Doral, so when everyone wanted to come here I let out a silent inner groan. I was very surprised in a pleasant way. We were here for lunch. Service was great, and the Vaca Frita was HUGE! Enough for later. The food was good and the prices were too. I have a new found respect for this place. Oh and of course the coffee was Cubalicious.
(3)Cesar L.
I agree with other reviews, this was a great place to visit at some point in the past. I don't know what happened here. Let me begin by saying that I used to frequent this place a lot and it was unique. This is my second visit for lunch this month and it will be my last. A few weeks ago, I ordered chicken churrasco and while it wasn't great, it was manageable. Today, I ordered to go the bistec de palomilla (pan fried steak or thin cut butterfly steak) with tostones. The steak was very tender and tasty, however no onions, parsley or sauce was included. Now, this is the part that makes me mad; this is South Florida, how can you messed tostones up so bad in a Latin restaurant??? They were dripping in oil. Want to know how much? Well, to the point the color was changed to dark brown, not yellow and crispy as normal, but very dark brown & soaked! Folks, stay away from this place and take your hard earned money someplace else. The customer service is always good, but let's be honest, while an essential part of the package, we go to restaurants to eat good food not customer service. I won't be back.
(1)Pierre K.
Tucked in a strip mall in Doral, this place is nothing special but serves decent cuban cuisine. I usually judge a good cuban place but how good their pork is. In this case, i had the lechon and it was on par. Portion was copious, it had some skin (yum!) but some pieces were a bit dry and it did come with the usual onions and mojo. Their sandwiches are good as well; I had the surtido, medianoche and croqueta preparada and I would recommend them all. Overall, this is a decent place and would recommend it for lunch.
(3)Jacqueline M.
So in all honesty, this ain't the most quaint...but it also ain't the most lame of establishments. No they are not trendy, decor is outdated and service is neither here nor there. Yes, health inspectors may come and find a few surprises and I'd probably never use the bathroom here nor would I have lunch but I strictly come out of pure convenience... Its the only place that I know of close enough to work that serves a regular ole tostada con café con leche...Cuban style! Its my favorite type of breakfast and this little shopping center find fulfills the craving without all the bells and whistles. Now its nearly impossible to mess up on this breakfast so the 3 stars are solely dedicated to the food while the lack of stars is dedicated to the establishment which in my opinion deserves a little TLC.
(3)Daniel P.
Four star in-class, meaning that it's authentic as a Cuban three-meal diner. Came this morning for a café con leche and empanada while wife sleeps in on her birthday morning with the kids. Cuban music emitting in that airy mono sound - not an English conversation to be heard. It's assumed the patron is hispanophonic (an assumption naturally borne out throughout the area). Good experience that reminds me of my working mornings in Miami back in the mid nineties. Come by and savor the flavor - actually and metaphorically.
(4)Erudito C.
We went to this place for breakfast on a sunday morning ,you are just another customer .The service is distant ,slow,disorganize ,food was greasy ,will never go back .
(1)Danny M.
My favorite Cuban restaurant in Doral. Love their grilled chicken, prices are great, and they make the best cuban coffee.. Serive is pretty good, as there is a large staff working during lunch hours.
(4)tim j.
I went here for lunch yesterday. I go here every time I am in Miami for work. In fact, it is the first place I stop. I have been here numerous times. Every time, I go I end up getting the same thing. I can't get away from Bistec Palomilla, plantains maduro and rice and beans with Cuban coffee. The staff is definitely Latin leaning and the language is a barrier. i work around that in my very simplistic Spanish. I love this place. I am surprised the reviews are so mediocre. I do believe they are a victim of name confusion as there is an El Tropico down the street which seems to get poor reviews. Try this place. You will not be disappointed.
(5)