Tropical Chinese Restaurant

Reviews

Name: Luis Espinosa
Occupation: Retired Firefighter
Currently CEO South Florida Firefighters Calendar
Lives in: Hialeah
Restaurant Pick: Tropical Chinese Restaurant
Reviewed Tropical Chinese Restaurant: 01/31/12 at 6:30 p.m.

We went on a Tuesday night, although we usually frequent this restaurant on weekends. Parking-wise it is at the end of a strip mall. There is no valet but parking is always available. Although quieter than usual early on, by the time we left, there was a good size group of regulars: students from UM, business folks, and diners who appreciate the consistent quality of this restaurant. With absolutely no wait, we sat down and ordered our favorite, Pepper-Salt Spiced Wok-Fried Calamari. This never disappoints. Next we had the Hot and Sour soup for two. All the soups are for two and taste like someone’s Chinese Grandmother just made them. If you’re lucky, you will get to meet the owner Greg. He is extremely friendly and always cares about your opinion. The menu has been recently updated, and just when we thought we’d tried everything on the menu, there where new surprises for us to indulge in. He brought us small samples of two new items on the menu: Spicy Braised Beef Shank tossed with sesame and the freshest, crispest cilantro and Roasted Pork Belly covered in some phenomenal sauce. Both were extremely tasty, spicy and just wonderful. We finished with an extremely healthy Szechuan Peppercorn Fish served in a mini–wok with a little can of fire underneath to keep it warm throughout dinner. We also ordered the Sweet Potato and Chili as a vegetable with dinner. It was the most unique and tastiest sweet potato dishes I have ever had, not to mention healthy. There is no dessert menu. Complimentary fortune cookie and elegantly sliced and skinned half an orange served with a toothpick through a maraschino cherry is brought out to you after dinner. This, in all honesty, is all you need after this dinner, maybe with some hot freshly brewed green or black tea.

Outstanding, tasty, original Hong Kong style Chinese food at a good price with authentic dishes. From your basic Special Fried Rice and Honey Chicken for the purist to your Jellyfish Salad and Sticky Rice in Lotus Leaf for the adventurous. Tropical Chinese will definitely never disappoint in service, ambience and most importantly, freshness, quality, and taste of their outstanding food.

Name: Pete Bross
Occupation: Firefighter
Lives in: Sunrise
Restaurant Pick: Wings N Ale
Reviewed Tropical Chinese Restaurant: 01/28/12 at 6:30 p.m.

We arrived at Tropical Chinese Restaurant; the parking lot was busy but didn’t have a hard time finding a spot close by. We were greeted upon walking in and seated immediately near the wine cellar. The décor of red lanterns and kites on the ceiling were festive. The service was excellent from offering dishes to answering questions. We ordered an appetizer of Chicken Pot Stickers and really liked the Hot Oil dipping sauce. I ordered the Curry Chicken Hot Pot, which was fair, I had hoped for a spicier dish. My wife ordered the Chicken with Garden Fresh Vegetables, which was good. We ordered the Beef Fried Rice, which we all enjoyed. Dessert was not offered but upon receiving the check the traditional fortune cookie was accompanied by nicely arranged oranges. All in all, we enjoyed the meal but for the drive we could have had a local Chinese restaurant with the same quality of food.

Name: Terry McCabe
Occupation: Firefighter
Lives in: Miami Beach
Restaurant Pick: Sardinia Enoteca Ristorante
Reviewed Tropical Chinese Restaurant: 01/28/12 at 6:30 p.m.

Tropical Chinese has been around since 1984. I think that says quite a bit of this place. Tropical Chinese is a great place to enjoy a family style meal; the food and the sauces are made to order, portions are meant for sharing and there is an interesting variety of Chinese dishes made to order. My kids enjoyed watching the food being prepared in the large open kitchen. The owner and staff make this a place that you want to come back to. I would definitely dine there again and am looking forward to returning for the dim sum lunch.

Restaurant Information