Tropicali — Restaurant in Big Bear Lake

When I first walked in I was super stoked about the vibe and decor. What an awesome spot to hangout and eat lunch. I'd heard the food was good so we were excited, but then before we could order at the kiosk we had to listen to 10 minutes of a seemingly rehearsed spiel from the owner about how this is the best food in California, he watched over our shoulders and kept talking about himself while we tries to review the digital menu. Everything that came out of his mouth was a HARD sales pitch and a lot of marketing mumbo jumbo and how they're number one in California. He wouldn't leave us alone long enough to even think about and review the order. His whole demeanor was aggressively fake friendly, and it got worse when he gathered that one of our friends was a bit wary about the food cause they're not big on fish or Hawaiian-style food. But they were down to try anyways and we're there for the rest of the group. No big deal, they were already going to order and try something, but the guy would not leave them alone about how they shouldn't be worried they're the best in the state and then made a sample for them to try. It was a kind gesture but you could see it was all about ego and not about service or kindness. The friend tried it and politely said it wasn't for her and that she would just keep looking at the menu and find something and he still wouldn't stop. I can't even begin to list the weird microaggressive comments he made. He talks AT US going a mile a minute. Fast forward 20minutes, we have our food and it's good, some of it's really great. The best in the state? The best poke ever? Not really, but Im not going to say that to the guy the food was darn good. But then he came by to check on us and we said it was good and smiled (hoped he would talk to us anymore), but apparently he wasn't happy with our answer and kept pushing us to say it was the best ever and how his family has a place in Kauai and San Diego so he "knows" poke and seafood and it is the best. I was starting to wonder if the guy is on drugs or shorted circuited from previous drug use, cause his mannerisms and aggressive desire for approval and notoriety was soooo uncomfortable and insistent. He wasn't like this with everyone, if your lucky enough to have a short interaction with him it's seemingly pleasant, but when he turned on his spiel or decided you were a target of interest...oh my, God help you. It's important to have pride in your work and business, but I cannot effectively communicate how bizarre of an interaction this was. It had all the trappings of being a chill place and his demeanor had the trappings for great service, but he was so weirdly judgemental and egotistical and just wouldn't quit his bit. I wouldn't go back, but if for some reason you decided you had to have poke in this little mountain town, then go for it and just try not to draw attention to yourself and maybe just say, "oh yes, it's the best in the world!" in hopes he'll leave you be.

Best of all I heard him talking shit on us afterwards saying something like, " some people don't know good food and are just difficult." I just had to laugh it off in the car because we really did enjoy the food and decor and we're always polite, but this guy's personality was so oppressive and disingenuous we...

I'm going to be the outlier on this one but...t advertises it's yelp prowess on its website..t has incredible yelp ratings, so i have to hold it to a very high standard. I also went to high-school on Hawai'i so this haole knows Hawaiian food, poke, and all else that is encompassed in the spirit of Aloha (don't walk off the resorts near Makena at night...don't do it haoles!). The service was a little odd. There were ordering kiosks. Which gives it a very McDonald's feel. I was expecting at least a "Moe's Burritos" type atmosphere but the food came in really cheap containers and idk it just isn't a good start for a place that is held in such high regard. Other issues, the prices are high, and the portions are small. Before we get to the food, the last thing I'd like to add is that the selection is pretty limited...I know that traditional poke is iust ahi, but most places have more options. Only ahi tuna here. s...the poke... know it has become popular to have a mayo element in poke...but traditional poke does not have anything remotely mayo (or aioli if you're trying to be fancy and maintain bad taste). The sauce on the poke was definitely some sort of mayo blend. Really made it rough and destroys the integrity of the quality of the fish. I could dump mayo on my foot...it'd taste good to people who like mayo...or feet. I also got the pulled pork and the BBQ chicken. The meat itself was fin...but again... think the Boss Sauce is a mayo based sauce. It just made it terrible. You shouldn't serve a dish anywhere, and not put the mayo (or aioli) on the side. It is just a cheap way to win over people that don't like food, Look, if you like the mayo based poke.t is probably solid. I don't. And I also didn't get that Aloha feeling of being a haole at Da Kitchen who they would refuse to serve (ahhhh brings me back). But nah..not sure where the hype comes from. Not no...

Man I don't even know where to start with this place, complete happenstance my wife and I stumbled across it, half of her family are from the islands and we both love poke. There was already a line out the back door as it was nearing closing time, but the door was still opened to us and we were welcomed in like old family (the rad ones anyway). For one, the atmosphere is tight, if that's your thing. Friendly doesn't even begin to describe the staff, they're many steps beyond that. They were running out of certain food items when we showed up, but one of the dudes was walking through the line letting everyone know what they still had, as well as making recommendations based on what they might like with the ingredients they had left. They genuinely care about their guests, and I heard the guy say to another customer 'nah man, we're not going to let you leave hungry, we'll find something you like and take care of you' which is beyond cool. I was already stoked, we got our poke to go, but when we got back and tried it...I don't know what they do there, but they need to keep doing it. Insane, the light marinade that was on the fish...oh man - beyond stellar. They even hooked it up with some pineapple/mango chutney 'sauce' on the side, and I was in heaven. Definitely a good size portion and reasonably priced, but all things considered I'm happy to give them my money again if this is what I can expect. Totally worth it if you dig poke, but they also had other chicken/pork/beef dishes if that's more your thing. Wouldn't ever hesitate to go back, and will definitely be bringing more friends of mine up here for sure. They...