In this era of coffee mania, we found an excellent cuppa at an old favorite that we had never thought to connect to the beverage.
Walking into La Tropicana, we were greeted by proprietor Luis Trabanco. "You know," we said, the lightbulb having gone on over our head en route to the shop/restaurant, "you ought to be doing Cuban coffee."
He grinned. "I do," he said. And he did. Cuban coffee is strong, espresso-style, usually prepared with sugar, and frequently with steamed milk for café con leche. Trabanco’s version is strong without the burnt note often associated (and complained about) with espressos.
An excellent drink. Check the case by the front door for a pastry to go with it. And don’t forget about the tasty foodstuffs, all nicely labeled, in the case at the rear of the store.
La Tropicana
5001 Lindenwood Ave.
314-353-7328
Lunch daily, Dinner Mon.-Sat. (opens 9 a.m. except Sunday at 11 a.m.)
Cash only
Wheelchair access: Difficult
Smoking: No
Entrees: $5-$12