TROPICAL CUISINE – Mexican
A steam-table counter on East Hillsborough Avenue, open from seven in the morning, where plates come out fast and priced for a working day. The kitchen leans Cuban and Caribbean: beef stew, stewed and baked chicken, oxtails over yellow rice with cabbage, fried pork, chicharrón, black beans, steak, and a Cuban sandwich for the road. Portions are the thing regulars mention most — plenty of people order one meal and eat twice. Service moves quickly, the music plays loud, and nobody comes for the decor. Cheap, filling, unfussy Tampa cooking.
3405 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33610 813 252 4712 https://tropicalcuisinetampa.com/0Cuisine: Mexican
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, keto, low-carb, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, carnivore, low-fodmap, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, sesame-free, soy-free
Diet fit at TROPICAL CUISINE
Dairy-Free at TROPICAL CUISINE
TROPICAL CUISINE in Tampa has 17 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Baked Ribs, Crab Meat and Shrimps. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at TROPICAL CUISINE
TROPICAL CUISINE in Tampa has 17 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Baked Ribs, Crab Meat and Shrimps. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at TROPICAL CUISINE
TROPICAL CUISINE in Tampa has 4 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Shrimps, Soup of the Day and Salmon. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at TROPICAL CUISINE
TROPICAL CUISINE in Tampa has 2 high-protein-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Chicken Breast and Salmon. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at TROPICAL CUISINE
TROPICAL CUISINE in Tampa has 4 keto-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Pork Rind, Soup of the Day and Chicken Breast. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at TROPICAL CUISINE
TROPICAL CUISINE in Tampa has 5 low-carb-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Pork Rind, Soup of the Day and Chicken Breast. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Nut-Free at TROPICAL CUISINE
TROPICAL CUISINE in Tampa has 3 nut-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Soup of the Day, Chicken Breast and Salmon. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at TROPICAL CUISINE
TROPICAL CUISINE in Tampa has 1 vegan-tagged dish on its current menu, including Soup of the Day. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at TROPICAL CUISINE
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Pork Chops | 130.5 g | 25.5 g |
| Salmon | 0 g | 24 g |
| Chicken Breast | 0 g | 21.7 g |
| Pork Rind | 0 g | 17 g |
| Shrimps | 48.4 g | 16.9 g |
| Chicken Tenders | 9.2 g | 15.2 g |
| Crab Meat | 43.7 g | 12.1 g |
| Roast Pork | 16.5 g | 9 g |
| Fried Pork | 15.3 g | 8.6 g |
| Beef Tripe | 17.4 g | 8 g |
| Fried Chicken | 35.7 g | 5.5 g |
| Goat | 0 g | 1.7 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Menu
Lunch Specials
- Baked Chicken - $5.99: Pollo asado Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Beef on Onions - $6.99: Bistec Encebollado Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Beef Stew - $6.99: Res guisada Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Beef Tripe - $6.99: Mondongo Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Low-Sodium, Atkins, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Breast - $6.99: Pechuga de pollo Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, TLC, AIP, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free, Sesame Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Stew - $4.99: Pollo guisado Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Tenders - $6.99: Tiras de Pollo Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Goat - $10.99: Chivo Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Ground Beef - $4.99: Picadillo Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- King Fish - $7.99: Pescado Sierra Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Oxtails - $14.5: Rabo Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pork Chops - $6.99: Chuleta Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC, AIP, Renal, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pork Rind - $8.99: Chicharron Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Roast Pork - $6.99: Pernil Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, Renal, Slow-Carb, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Soup of the Day - $4.99: Sopa del Dia Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free, Sesame Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Baked Ribs - $7.99: Costillas de cerdo asadas Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Crab Meat - $8.99: Cangrejo Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Pork - $6.99: Masa de Cerdo Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Salt Fish - $6.99: Bacalao Dietary tags: Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shredded Beef - $6.99: Ropa Vieja Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Chicken - $5.99: Pollo frito Dietary tags: Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Stew Ribs - $7.99: Costillas de cerdo guisada Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Stew - $6.99: Sancocho Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Salmon - $8.99: Salmon Dietary tags: High-Protein, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free, Sesame Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shrimps - $10.99: Camarones Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, High-Fiber, Alkaline, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Frequently Asked Questions about TROPICAL CUISINE
- Is TROPICAL CUISINE dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. TROPICAL CUISINE has 17 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Baked Ribs, Crab Meat and Shrimps.
- What can I eat at TROPICAL CUISINE on a dairy-free diet?
- Baked Ribs, Crab Meat and Shrimps carry the dairy-free tag, out of 17 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does TROPICAL CUISINE have vegan options?
- Yes. 1 dish is tagged vegan on the current menu, including Soup of the Day.
- Is TROPICAL CUISINE gluten-free?
- 17 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at TROPICAL CUISINE?
- Pork Chops, at roughly 25.5g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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