Tropicana Bakery & Cuban Cafe

During my recent visits to Tropicana, I was consistently impressed by both the quality of the food and the welcoming atmosphere. I ordered the Pollo Frits, which came with black beans, rice, and plantains, as well as a chicken tamale and arroz con pollo. Every dish was flavorful, well-seasoned, and prepared with clear attention to tradition and freshness. The Pollo Frits stood out for its crisp texture and juicy interior, while the sides — especially the plantains — complemented the entrée perfectly. The chicken tamale was tender and balanced, and the arroz con pollo delivered rich, comforting flavors that showcased the kitchen’s skill. The restaurant offers a pleasant atmosphere, paired with great customer service. Staff were friendly, attentive, and made the experience feel relaxed and enjoyable. Prices are also very reasonable considering the quality and portion sizes. One detail worth noting: I returned for a second visit to see if the food was consistently good — and it absolutely was. The same flavors, the same quality, and the same warm service reinforced that Tropicana is reliably excellent. Overall, Tropicana delivers an authentic, flavorful dining experience with dependable quality, friendly service, and great value. Highly recommended.

One of the best Cuban restaurants in the Los Angeles area. I know this is a staple for those who are in the know! They stay busy but there is no wait times compared to Porto’s. My wife first showed me Tropicana a couple years ago and this visit I purchased my mother her birthday cake, the 3 leches and it’s super delicious. This one was the perfect amount of moist and it delivered on the perfect equation of sweetness. I loved the almond covered option with the vanilla filling! I highly recommend it to anyone who can’t decide on which cake to purchase. I love the guava cheese’s here and you actually get more bang for your buck from these! They have a great amount of bread and they are generous. All of the potato balls are double the size than most others! I loved their Cafe Cubano as well and they are stronger than most coffee, it goes without saying! I have tried the oxtail soup for dine in and it was beyond savory and it stuck an impression on my taste buds that I haven’t tried in the past! I liked it because it was a unique item and you can’t find it at Porto’s. I love this place and feel the home vibe when I dine in and the servers provide a high level of customer service at all times. Thank you!

Very welcoming staff. Friendly and ready to serve. As soon as I parked my car one of the staff was walking by and said welcome. I was waiting for my cousin and decided to order a pumpkin latte. I recommend that if you like pumpkin. Delicious 😋 served freshly made and hot. The meals also were freshly made. Hot and tasty. Really enjoyed our time and the obveonce. We went for breakfast. They are a bakery and they have crocettes and so much more. They can compete with the other bigger chain.

******** FYI: CHARGE 3% if you use CREDIT CARD. This was not disclosed to us until we got the receipt. FYI: Be cautious: the TIP is calculated AFTER TAX (NOT BEFORE TAX), which they shouldn't be charging after tax, it has to be before tax. SO BE AWARE!!! So they pretty much charge more than what you're actually wanting to tip. ******** Super delicious Cuban foods with savory and sweet desserts. This place has been compared to Porto's. This place has more authentic savory foods. This is my first time here. This place has been bookmarked on my to-try list for years. I got their popular Rabo Encendido + Braised Ox Tail. It was so good. Our server asked if I wanted it mixed or beans and rice separated and how I wanted my side plantains or yucca. The Braised Ox Tail flavor was so delicious. Nothing too salty. The meat is was perfectly juicy. The sauce that it's marinated in is so so so delicious mixed with rice! I loved it!!! I would order it again if I come back. I shared 1 ox tail to my friend and she said it was really good! There are free street parking or back parking (I believe). We parked in front of the restaurant. There is 1 male and 1 female restroom. There are lots of tables but it can be packed.

A cozy place to have some cuban food with cheerful staff. Even better when the drums are out and sing for your bd! Loved the rice and beans and rabito filled with flavor. The downside would be the Yuca and fried chips from the appetizers were too dry for me. Plenty of options in their dessert/pastry area.

It’s been a decade since I last set foot in California, and one of the few places that truly stuck in my memory was Tropicana Bakery. I remembered that breakfast sandwich eggs, cheese, ham simple but unforgettable. So when I landed back in town today for business, I made Tropicana my first stop. And let me tell you, it was like stepping into a time capsule of flavor. That same sandwich? Still phenomenal. The eggs were fluffy, the cheese perfectly melted, and the ham had that savory kick that made me pause mid-bite and smile. It tasted exactly like it did ten years ago no shortcuts, no compromises. Just quality, consistency, and care. Tropicana isn’t just a bakery. It’s a memory keeper. A place that proves some things really do stand the test of time. If you’re anywhere near Downey and want a bite of something special, this is it.

Found this place as we where looking for food and a place we could park our semi. Parked right in front on the street. The service was amazing. The atmosphere was nice and relaxing. Now the cortado was one of the best I have had hands down. I got a double and it's a must get. The food was amazing and full of flavor. The braised ox tail was tender and the flavor was just right. The sweet plantain gave it a nice sweet taste with the ox tail juice. Just over all this was the place we needed to come and eat at. We will be back her for sure and enjoy other food that are on the menu.

Amazing!!! They make the Best Cuban sandwich. Anything I order here is delicious. Beautiful deserts, delicious coffees, food and friendly service. My favorite are the pastelitos de Guava

Ordered a customized tres leches cake 18 inch round and it was honestly the most delicious cake I have had in a long time! All of my guests were raving about the cake. In order to get a customized cake, you have to go in store and order it 3 days in advance.. make sure they have the right pick up date on the receipt order ;) I was able to pick up my cake right on time. I want to thank the baker that made my graduation celebration that much better! Tropicana never disappoints!

Tropicana in Downey is a Cuban delight that holds its own, even with Porto's just down the street. While Porto's might dominate in popularity, Tropicana shines in a few key areas. The potato balls? Tropicana wins. The cheese bread? Tropicana again. The Ropa Vieja? Absolutely delicious and full of authentic flavor. And let's not forget the arroz con leche--easily the best I've ever had, creamy and comforting in all the right ways. That said, the service and ordering experience could use some work. On New Year's Day, with Porto's closed, the place was slammed, and the wait was painfully slow. While I understand the holiday rush, their system felt overwhelmed. We even got to witness a full-on public freakout from another customer--entertaining, but not ideal. Despite the wait, the pastries alone make it worth a visit. Just be prepared for a slower pace. Tropicana's got some gems that make it a strong contender in the Cuban food scene, especially if you're willing to trade a bit of convenience for incredible flavor.

Service is sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow!!!!!!! 30 mins for a cafe con leche! Servicio es como una torguuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuga!!!!!!! 30 mins por un café. Y no había nadie esperando!

Great place to get ice cream, Great food my daughter loves it very clean place nice and quiet lots of parking

Tropicana bakery is a small hidden gem in the city of bell wheee they are known for their pastries ! The ambiance is Cuban style With great music playing in the background . Price point is low to medium but overall you in the area check them out !

The food is amazing! I either get the oxtail or a chicken bowl! The oxtail is juicy and has the best flavor! The chicken bowl comes with avocado, rice and chicken. I am not a big chicken person, but this place has the best chicken! The ambience is really cute and they play drums and sing to you when it's your birthday! The waiters and waitresses are always sweet and give great service!

One of my absolute favorite places to eat because of the huge variety of options they have to choose from. This place by far has the best chicken empanadas. They are absolutely delicious. The potato balls here are not only delicious, but bigger. The smoothies here are good especially the mango one. Hands down the best hot chocolate you have ever had. If you are a fan of Tierra Mia then you will definitely enjoy this version. Last, but certainly not the least let's talk ropa vieja. The meat is tender and the flavor is on point. The black beans are incredible with or without the rice combined. The yuca is cooked to perfection. Making this an incredible and tasty dish. Throughout the restaurant the sound of Cuban music plays which is always fun. I do my best to resist dancing in line. Customer service here is always friendly and helpful. They are incredibly patient and make great recommendations. Sometimes there is a line, but it moves along quickly. Overall, always a great time at the Tropicana and definitely worth a visit.

I went there during lunch with some friends ; the seating area was smaller than i expected. The waitress took our order but the food came out at different times , waiting over 30 minutes for the last item to arrive . The food was good , I would do take out unless you have the time.

I had the chicken breast with grilled onions and plantains and it was very good, the service was friendly and fast, I enjoyed some on the pastries on the way out, I Will definitely come back to this very family like restaurant and enjoy the ambiance here which was pleasant and welcoming .

My fried pork dish was flavorful though a little dry. The black beans & rice was flavorful. The plantains were good but the serving was a little scarce. The potato ball was delicious, much better than the one at the other more famous Cuban bakery & cafe. Service was attentive & friendly. Overall, I recommend this place & would definitely return.

This Cuban coffee shop and bakery was pretty busy for a Wednesday morning although we were seated quickly. The bakery side had a few tables but all were full but the cafe side still had a few small tables available. The waiter got our drink orders right away and was ready to take our orders. Food was served pretty quickly, too. This was our first time dining here and we really enjoyed the food quality, taste, and service. We already plan to meet here again for our next get together. The cakes and goodies in the case also looked so appealing. I want to order my next special occasion cake from here but which one???

Two words : Bakery Restaurant. Delicious food. Clean restaurant. Good service. Enough said.

Great food, terrible service. Had the sampler platter and the braised oxtails. Waited forever to be helped out, we had a party of 10 and half of our group had to wait 15 to 20 minutes for their food. The food was delicious though. The walls are filled with murals of Cuba in a noisy busy dining room is the soundtrack for your meal.

Tasty! The food was great and had flavor the masitas de puerco are tasty, a great variety of pastry's.

Worse service ever I order a cake for me daughters birthday no one approach me to ask me if I need it anything everyone including the "manager"were just walking around like if they were lost. Ok so the day I went to go pick up the cake I though I had a better service guess what I was wrong the manager a different man took him like 10 min before asking me if needed anything no smile or good service. The staff the same but what do you spect when the head leads don't like there job. Never again.they need training on customer service. Im so disappointed

Tropicana Bakery is a gem! I tried the potato balls and pastries, and both were absolutely delicious. The potato balls were perfectly crispy on the outside and soft and flavorful on the inside. The pastries were fresh and had the right balance of sweetness. The bakery has a warm, welcoming vibe, and the staff was super friendly. It's definitely a spot I'll be returning to for more treats. If you're in the area, don't miss out on Tropicana Bakery--highly recommend!

This location offers a selection of pastries and cakes and Cuban cuisine. Service is quick, and have bilingual staff. Best to order for pick up. They do offer a dine-in menu, there are 2-different lines that are separate from each other. Parking is behind the store. Very Limited parking.

I love this restaurant :D it reminds of Cafe Versailles Little Havana Miami vibe. Casual dining. Can order pastries and cakes to go or dine in. Nice touch to have some of the staff in Fedora hats. A mural of Cuba also welcomes you in the dining area. Food is EXCELLENT . Our faves: the arroz con pollo (so tasty!) and the rabo encendido- you really can't go wrong with oxtail! So yummy, tender, tomato based stew. Ropa vieja is good as well, but I'll pay a few more dollars to get the oxtail! We chose plantains with our entrees, they are perfect, not too sweet. The beef empanada was yumm too .. pastry is buttery and flaky. Don't skip out on your Cuban coffee experience ! We like to order cortadito. This place is gem! Get your Cuban fix here!

Las croquetas mas horribles que he probado, la carne apestaba a carne chamuscada, quemada La papa rellena super salada Quise regresarla y me dijeron que el Manager decía no aceptaban devoluciones

Great service and selection for bakery items and traditional Cuban food. The appetizer sampler was fun to try, easily solo table by 2-3 people. Coffee was delicious. I've been here twice now and pastries can be hit or miss. Sometimes a bit more dry. Potato balls are large but have a dough taste that's tarty. Pan dulce was really good. Definitely worth a try in the area.

I go there every couple weeks for the same dishes, Tropicana bowl and yuca frita with that delicious garlic/onion sauce. My kids love it too!

The papas rellenas are delicious, and the Cuban sandwich hit the spot! Fire place for great Cuban food and half the price of Porto's. The Staff were very nice and helpful too!

This place is so delicious like oh em gee. As a Vietnamese American who isn't used to eating cuisines like Cuban, this was such an amazing experience. The service was spectacular and the food was so yummy. I ordered a mango smoothie AND THEY MADE IT FRESH OUT OF REAL MANGOS. LIKE HELLO??? THAT'S INCREDIBLE!! The ropa vieja was soooo good. I loved how tender the shredded beef was and the black beans were delish. The plantains, don't even get me started... THEY WERE SO GOOD!! The bakery had such an amazing variety of pastries. I got the tiramisu cheesecake and it was delish. I loved the decor of this place and would definitely come back again.

I'm so upset. They refused to refund me money - and that was the manager! Refused to refund me for one item and LEFT OUT my black beans. What the heck. We ordered from the link in Yelp. 1. Some items there are inaccurate - either they don't have them or they do, but they're not on the menu to order. *They had to change my order because of this, but refused to refund the $4+tax difference. Said I had to contact the app, but the app (appropriately) says it's the restaurant. 2. We checked in on Yelp for the free cold brew - manager said they no longer do that. 3. No more chips with the order, even though the items are listed to receive chips. 4. The tostones sauce is a gross onion dip. Used to be a delicious garlic sauce. Unbelievable. We have gone here for years (YEEEARS! Our family is Cuban and lives nearby.) We no longer go here and will only go to El Mundo for food. So disappointed. Bad reflection on Cuban people. I'm so upset to have lost money and that the manager refused to refund us and I'm left hungry.

This place was so good back in the day. Came by to grab some pastries and a coffee. Cheese roll had no flavor and very doughy. Guava and cheese was okay, nothing special. The croquetas had an overpowering taste of oregano which made it less enjoyable. I also got a cortadito and it was terrible, tasted like burned coffee I had to throw it away. Wish I would have just gone to Porto's.

Love this place. Been coming for Over 25 years. The addition looks great. Great service. Food always on point. Great music and everyone happy. Only one complaint, what happened to the parking lot? It's a mess. Hopefully something is figured out. We almost Left but luckily we waited.

Normally the service is good but not this day. The server was not only rude but took forever to bring the food. We ordered coffee it came in a glass when I asked why she responded they were out of coffee cups. She never brought bread. My friend ordered a croissant that never arrived. This is Friday, Labor Day weekend so I will not be going during holidays.

I'm going to assume that there was a misunderstanding in me getting charged 4 dollars for 4 sides of salsa. I had asked if they sell the house salsa because my mother was able to get me a large 8oz container of their salsa for 3 dollars. But when I had asked I was told no we don't sell it and I said okay then can I get a side of it since I was already ordering 3 orders of congri (that I was charged separately due to not being charged correctly at the register) and a sandwich. I thought maybe since I had ordered those that I would get the salsa on the side which normally come free when you order and eat at the restaurant. But no I was charged 1 dollar for a small container. So maybe just clarify with those who want to purchase the salsa and maybe add it to the menu? Or at least have the cost make sense for the amount that was charged.

Their pastries and empanadas are often such a treat, with so many delicious fillings to choose from. And arroz con pollo is a must !

I would take this place over Porto's any day. Their food is very authentic and delicious. It's a nice place to sit down and enjoy coffee, pastries, and a sandwich. The line however, moves very slow and no matter if you're picking up a sandwich or a simple coffee or even a baked good that just needs to come out of the display case, you have to make sure you give yourself 15 to 20 minutes to get out of there

Delicious pastries and cakes. It would be helpful to have the cakes labeled with its flavors to prevent holding the line trying to make up our mind. Great service though!

Thank you Tropicana Bakery , for once again being our family's preferred bakery . Cake quality was 10/10 soft velvety texture frosting , cake flavor , filling came together in harmony so every bite of cake was heavenly. Ana , provided excellent customer service from the time she took the order to pick up of cake .

La comida es deliciosa pero son bien déspotas. Te tratan como si te estuvieran regalando la comida.

Cuban crackers are the best, I recommend the meat pie and the meat potato. The Cuban sandwich was not as expected the guava pastry was ok not as expected and the croquettes were not like my grandmother use to make. Service was clean and fast. Coffee was ok. I can't say anything was bad but I would definitely go back for meat pie and meat potato in a couple bags of cracker. Nothing else.

We LOVE this place ! Authentic Cuban food: papa rellenos, croquetas, ropa vieja, arroz con pollo. When you eat at the restaurant they give you a delicious soft bread and fried bananas. BEST pastries and cakes. Currently Addicted

Very nice I love it very good. Cuban food is good to come back every day. Goooooooooooo

I love this place. This is the ORIGINAL CUBANO bakery and eatery in Downey. It was here way before Porto's. Their cakes are fabulous.. their empanadas and potato balls are delicious! As well as their ropa vieja and medianoche sandwiches. My family and I have been eating here for years and years. The only thing that they could work on is their service. Sometimes the service is a little slow if you sit and eat inside so be prepared. Tropicana is the best. I uploaded some cakes I ordered from them over the last year. All delicious.

Love this place The sandwich cubano & plantains are so good So is the mango smoothie it's so good

See the problem is when you have friends that come in from out of state they expect so much. You can't just do karaoke they want to do karaoke and get crazy. So, of course, everybody wakes up hung over ! It was my executive decision to pick this spot for breakfast. One of the best breakfast you can have in Downey! I love it when I show my White boyfriends food from other cultures especially Latin ! #EatBreakfastLikeACuban#StickWithMeKidI'llTakeYouPlaces #Bilingual #BeverlyHillsOfLatinosDowney#Casamiento #Plátanos#CaféConLeche

Was excited to try this place out. Usually I just go to Porto's because it's easy and has a wide selection but I decided to try something new this time in LA. I appreciate how easy it was to order as they have two different sections in the restaurant - sit-down and takeaway. - Ropa Vieja - Honestly this is a bit expensive for a takeaway meal in LA standards but this was delicious! I thought the steak was going to be kind of hard with no flavor, but it was extremely tender and went well with the rice and the beans. Also, the portion sizes were huge and can comfortably feed two people. Definitely a must order. - Cubana Sandwich - Can skip although he meat was tender and I did like the mustard sauce a lot. At the end of the day, it's a pretty standard sandwich but a good appetizer to have as you drive the Ropa Vieja home if you are hungry, haha! - Trio (Milk Cake with Cheesecake) - I couldn't really taste the cheesecake in the trio, but the milk cake itself was absolutely delicious! I loved cake was completely soaking in the milk flavoring which made it very soft and spongey. I wasn't the biggest fan of the whipped cream on top but regardless it's definitely a must get when you're here. Honestly, am quite surprised and delighted to find Tropicana. Their selection might not be as wide as Porto's but definitely a good way to support a local bakery and their Ropa Vieja is honestly absolutely amazing.

If you're looking for authentic Cuban pastries and don't want outrageous long lines then you need to come here . Not only does Tropicana have great pastries and cakes but it also a restaurant . Pastries - anything and everything from guava and cheese pastries to eclairs and fruit tarts freshly made . Lots of voices here for your sweet tooth and cravings Food- now here is where it really gets good. You get authentic Cuban food just like you would get at home . Freshly made to order and a delicious bite after bite . I recommend rabo ensendido or rope vieja both are delicious and you can then have a cortadito (Cuban coffee) with a delicious pastry .

Prices on video menu don't reflect price charged at register. I notified manager and owner, no response from owner. I emailed owner and notified him with no response. Here's a tidbit of what I said. It's the lack of caring about customers is what upset me. To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to address an issue I encountered at Tropicana Restaurant, located at 10218 Paramount Blvd., Downey, CA 90241, on August 7, 2024. Upon entering the restaurant at approximately 3:06 PM, I ordered a Cuban Sandwich priced at $10.59 and a Mic's Special priced at $15.50. I noticed a discrepancy between the prices listed on the Video Menu and the amounts charged on my receipt. Specifically, I was charged $11.00 for the Cuban Sandwich and $18.27 for the Mic's Special, resulting in an overcharge of $0.41 for the sandwich and $2.77 for the special. I brought this discrepancy to the attention of the restaurant manager, Jullisa. She informed me that the Video Menu has not been updated with the correct prices for months and that the owner is aware of this issue. Jullisa stated that "Prices Are Subject to Change" but did not address my concern about the misleading nature of the Video Menu prices versus the charged amount. Jullisa's response suggested that price changes are expected, but this does not excuse the misleading information provided to customers. The discrepancy appears to be a bait-and-switch tactic, and it is concerning that many customers may have been overcharged without their knowledge. Furthermore, Jullisa did not offer a refund for the difference between the advertised and charged prices. Additionally, I found the Mic's Special to be overly onion-heavy and lacking in flavor. Attached are photos of the Video Menu prices, my receipt, and the Mic's Special for your review. I am disappointed with the lack of professionalism and transparency in this situation. I hope this feedback will prompt a review of Tropicana Restaurant's pricing practices and customer service standards. Overcharged/Disappointed

I've eaten at Tropicana a few times and they never disappoint! Their food is flavorful, the ambiance is lively, and the service is always great and they're very friendly. I prefer their pastries over Porto's any day!

The food is excellent. The yucca side was hot and crunchy and soft at the same time. The rabo encendido (beef bone stew- I hope I spelled it correctly) was SO FLAVORFUL and tender, my husband was praising it the whole time. I had a breakfast scrambled egg on a pepper with black beans and mariquitas. The eggs were served hot with some spicy sauce on top. It wasn't too bad but I could have asked for the spice on the side. Again, my dish was so flavorful, and the mariquitas remained crunchy. I could have had more of the plantains but I was already so full. We would have enjoyed just plain refillable coffee, but they didn't have that. Their coffee americano was also good, and nothing to complain about. The servers were attentive and didn't mind when we were in a FaceTime call from our grandchild from overseas. (We couldn't put our phone down for that. We took turns eating and paying attention to our grandchild.) I like the cultural touch that they wore the Panama hats and guayabera shirts. They looked uniform and professional. The ambiance was still a busy family restaurant. It was very lively because it is very popular. They fixed up their restroom situation where there is more privacy and is recessed into a smaller hallway, instead of directly opening to the dining room as before. (Yes, we've been here before & have come back a few times.) We didn't check out the new restrooms or notice anything new on the walls ... We were busy enjoying our food and grandson (on the phone). Tropicana also has a take out and bakery line. I like that we didn't have to wait for our table, but as soon as we sat down the whole dining room filled up. Yes, we'll probably come back again.

Found a long hair in one of their potato balls, was absolutely disgusted and had to throw out the rest of the food. Service is always slow, and to wait that long for hair in your food is unacceptable.

Food was amazing, I had actually called ahead and put on hold a couple of desserts and once I arrived the wait time was not long. Everything was fresh and delicious

What i love about downey is that it has such a diverse selection of food to choose from. And let me tell you, this place is a gem Location: Located in Downey near florence Street, located next to a shoe city. Parking: The restaurant has its own parking structure in the back. Is free and pretty spacious. Never had an issue finding a spot. Inside: The restaurant is a half bakery half sitting lobby. When you enter, walk past the bakery, and then you will end up at the sitting section. It is a wide room only, so when busy, it can get a little loud Food: This post has been long overdue. So i have tried a couple of things already, and let me tell you; bomb!. The chicken soup has a whole different flavor to traditional chicken soups i have had. Their appetizer sample is something i recommended to try to get a little mixture of popular traditional cuban food. Their fried rice was ok, 7/10 nothing special. Breakfast options always hit. There ropa veja 10/10. Service: Servers are always polite and attentive. Please be advised that if busy, it does take time to be attended, but when they approach, they get you going Prices: price is average price $15-$20 per person plus drinks. This is definitely one of my favorite places to go, and I dont plan to stop going anyrime soon. Try their dessert! They are addicting

Yikes, I don't know if the bad service reviews are for the sit down are but my experience was amazing at the counter. I went in ( first time there) in mid September. The place was nice! The vibe was awesome. I however was completely unprepared and a total mess with numbers to place an order for catering for my wedding. The gentleman who assisted me I believe his name was Alex was beyond attentive and helpful. I didn't place the order because of unconfirmed numbers on my end but the customer service was great. I did order some coffee and food to go and it was delicious! My mother in law went in the next day to place the catering order and was met with the same service. The food the day of was delicious and everyone loved it!

Great service and the food is DELISH. The side of the garlic bread was a nice starter with the side of fijoles negros. The ropa vieja was seasoned just right and tender. The media Noche was amazing and the bread was so soft and flavorful. Take it from a big foodie this little gem did not disappoint.