It was recently mentioned all over the news and the internet in a rather surprising report the fact that people tend to consume more sweets during tough economic times. According to said reports, candy sales and consumption have not been this high since the Great Depression. La neta, como que esto era de esperarse… whenever we go through harsh times it comes down to two options: we either cry and feel miserable o simplemente tratamos de endulzarnos la vida. If you need a little bit of happiness and sweet bliss in your life- and let’s be honest here, who doesn’t?- then you must shut down your computer immediately, get off the couch, prende el carro and head over to Downey to a little place in Downey called “Tropicana Bakery & Cuban Café”. This joint will seriously change your life, you’ll die and go to dessert heaven and you’ll also possibly enter a food coma.
Dessert Galore
If you’re on a diet, don’t even think of going to “Tropicana”, there’s really nothing for you… you might even run the risk of consuming a couple of calories just by taking a sniff of the intoxicating aroma that takes over the whole place.
Upon entering “Tropicana” you’ll feel as if you died and instantly went to dessert heaven… it’s that great.
The only other place that can compare to “Tropicana” is “Porto’s Bakery” in Glendale, the pastry bakery du jour de estos rumbos. If you have a terrible sweet tooth and are crazy about all things sweet, then you know that “Porto’s” is known to have some of the best pastries around… well, the folks at “Tropicana” give them a run for their money.
There’s no proper way to approach “Tropicana”, you just have to go for it… the best way to experience this joint is to literally order “one of each”.
Make sure you order a café con leche or a hot chocolate to wash down all those sweets.
Their guava and cheese turnover pastries are the best, especially when they’re fresh off the oven- they’re truly heavenly.
The choco-flan is simply out of this world, if you like flan and chocolate, prepare for one hell of a party in your mouth… lo mejor de todo es que es dulce sin ser tan empalagoso.
If you didn’t have enough with the chocolate/ flan concoction, or you want to keep it simple, then just order the flan by itself- la neta, one of the best flan around- firm and sweet on the outside but oh so creamy on the inside.
Now, for all the cheesecake lovers out there, you might want to prepare yourselves to make a decision of a lifetime, choosing one particular cheesecake out of the may options they have can be overwhelming… tienen muchos cheesecakes de dónde escoger, but if you want to try something new, llégale al cheesecake de dulce de leche… cheesecake will never ever be the same again.
More options
If you want to take it easy on the pastries, or if you feel like eating something that resembles an actual dinner, they also serve Cuban food… not just any kind of Cuban food though- Cuban comfort food to be exact.
Don’t expect to find anything healthy, just like all comfort food, the Cuban comfort food at “Tropicana” tends to be on the greasy side… so you already know it’s gotta be good.
Their beef empanadas will blow your mind- the semi-sweet dough contrasts deliciously with the rich and meaty flavor of the beef, which is seasoned to perfection. Make sure you order a couple of them… realmente no podrás comer solo una.
Now, the papa rellena is usually sold as an “appetizer”, but at “Tropicana”, one of these is big and filling enough to be a meal by itself. Not only are the portions extremely generous, the potatoes are seasoned well, they’re fresh and moist, y el relleno de carne aunque es parecido al de las empanadas, has a slightly different seasoning that gives it a distinct taste… these too are addicting.
Brace yourself for a food coma after eating at “Tropicana Bakery & Cuban Café”… it’s totally worth it.
Tropicana Bakery & Cuban Café 10218 Paramount Boulevard Downey, CA 90241 562.806.8343