02/26/09

Cafe Tropical: way over-rated

by limone

It is difficult to believe people would give this filthy place a 5 star rating. So, the coffee is good, yes, best ever? No. In Vancouver, BC, good quality independent coffee joints come every 5 blocks, with the added bonus of floors that were cleaned in the last 18 years and staff who are pleasant. The thoroughly unpleasant woman (that's being charitable, to call this witch a woman) acted like she was doing a huge favor by providing my order.

To those patrons who claim this place is 'keeping it real' I ask, real what? Real rudeness? Real dirt? Sad, if Los Angeles folk go here because it is the best coffee they can find. This place deserves to go out of business, over-rated in the extreme, awful customer service, and good, but not the greatest coffee.

11/25/08

The guava cheese pie rocks my world

by SarahEpps

I moved from LA to Boston a year ago and am still thinking about that guava cheese pie...the ice coffee, banana shakes, and cuban sandwiches are tasty too.

• Pros: guava cheese pie, cuban sandwich, banana shakes
• Cons: scary bathroom

03/30/08

Great place, great coffee, great guave desserts.

by fingbich

A great joint. Anyone dwelling on the lack of niceties or conveniences doesn't really get the point. Its a great place to hang. The coffee is so damn good (don't add your own milk! they know what they're doing!) and the servers are just there being real. I like them all. The food is fine, not terrific but definitely good comfort food... and priced accordingly... good deals. CT has one of the best vibes in Silverlake and shouldn't be missed... but please do. I like it being just a cool neighborhood hang.

01/23/08

Surly service, decent coffee

by herzco

The history and spirit of the Tropical Bakery is admirable (I miss those cakes), but sadly it does not make the food any better, and it most certainly does not help the staff act any friendlier. Sad, because it is a really cool joint....

• Pros: Not a corporate coffee place, lots of locals.
• Cons: Surly service, difficult to find parking at times.

12/22/07

I don't get it

by ortensia

Good juice, but how could you screw up juice. I don't see whats so great about throwing an egg on some bread. Also the veggie "sandwich" for about $5.00 is white bread with mustard and mayo, some lettuce, a slice of tomato and an onion. Crabby service at that.

• Pros: cheep cookies/good juice
• Cons: everything else

07/11/07

Coffee and Sandwiches

by m_raven415

As I sit in my apartment freaking out by the fact that my internet is not working, I had to venture out and find myself a wireless spot to work at. I managed to find this place using the internet at work. Situated on Sunset and without its own parking space, I knew that parking will be a problem. Luckily I found a spot; I may not be so lucky next time though. I totally love the atmosphere inside w/ their colorful lanterns. You wouldn't think that it would fit in a Cuban cafe but it does. They have a variety of sandwiches, baked goods, shakes, and of course coffee. The free wireless drove me here and the everything else will drive me back.

• Pros: Great coffee, cool atmosphere
• Cons: Parking

07/04/07

So So

by jjohnsonsr

Everyone seems to love this place, but I don't get it. The coffee is okay and the pastries are bland. Also, the service can be hornery at best. Sadly, I keep going there, but only because it is near my house.

04/20/07

Silverlake Cafe Bakery

by lwmango

Don't come to Cafe Tropical expecting fine dining. It's a very small cafe with counter service. I came looking for the famed guava cheese pie but didn't realize it was more of a turnover than a pie. They offer a variety of salads and pressed sandwiches but the pork was a little dry. Some positives are their coffee and the cookies (as big as your head!) sold only for a dollar.

• Pros: value, service
• Cons: parking

Neighborhood regulars satisfy pastry cravings at this airy Latin bakery.

by Contributor

In Short
A disheveled hipster crowd comes for a daytime caffeine fix; evenings, the cafe hosts 12-step meetings. The bakery menu features Napoleons made from thin layers of puff pastry and rich, but not overly sweet, cream. A house favorite, guava-cheese pie is cream cheese and tart guava paste layered between croissant-like bread. Buttery and crisp Cuban-style sandwiches include the classic medianoche, spilling over with thinly sliced roast pork, ham, cheese and pickles.

06/10/06

Best Coffee in L.A.

by fotorocker

Lightning fast, personable staff serve up the best (and the strongest) cafe con leche in town. Pastries are fresh everyday and priced so reasonably it's hard not to order enough to cover your table. Sandwiches are great. Enjoy watching the neighborhood newbies mingle with old school Silver Lakers.

• Pros: Amazing coffee & food, Free wi-fi, fast & friendly staff.
• Cons: Parking can be tough at certain times.