Tropical Islands Cuisine — Restaurant in Ross Township

This was the worst experience I have ever had at a restaurant. I don't understand why this has so many good reviews and it could be because I got them on a really bad day. I received their menu with my wife and most of the items we tried to pick were not available. It took quite awhile to make our food despite their only being three tables there. They were preparing for a catering event. I got the sausage, garlic rice with egg and it was a very small portion and it tasted like something I could make at home. The egg was overcooked and the rice simply just had garlic powder added to it. Portions are small and overpriced. We asked for two drinks and it took us so long to receive our drinks which were just two cans of soda. We eventually got someone to come out and give us our drinks eventually only to tell us that they were out of one of our drinks. Our waitress switched up on us and we ordered dessert. We waited for about thirty minutes for the dessert. We eventually had to call the waitress to our table to be tell her we haven't received our dessert and she's like "Oh, I thought we gave it to you", so that took more time for some reason. We called a man over who appeared to be the owner to say we do not want our dessert anymore since we have been waiting for so long but he insisted he would bring it out to us. We insisted we would just get the check and leave. To my surprise, he brought out the dessert when he cashed us out, but it was not what we ordered. He took the dessert off the menu and then complained no one wants to work anymore. I'm sorry that's the case but that isn't my problem and for a restaurant to not be busy at all and have three staff, that service was unacceptable. He took the dessert off the receipt but the food we ordered was overpriced and we had to wait forever to receive it. We tried the dessert in the car and it has no flavor. Maybe go here when they do the buffet, but anything...

honestly I was surprisingly disappointed. came in and originally was intrigued to see that not only did they have food but a mini market with a couple of things ive really been wanting that you can’t find in regular grocery stores. but the food was mid and the service was weird. food wise we did not get to try real food because we figured that today we would just get a snack (lumpia) and 2 bubble teas. to start, the guy just who owns the place just talks entirely too much and not in a good, cool way but in a way to where he literally just assumes that you know nothing whatsoever about filipino cuisine no questions asked. the main thing that he talked the longest about in a full blown history lesson rant was the turon that I had also ordered. (like lumpia but banana and sweet). I am from hawaii where its like half of everybody is either full filipino from the phillipines or mixed with filipino and my cousins and aunt is literally filipino, so I have a very big knowledge base. local filipinos in hawaii literally refer to turon as “banana lumpia”. while i am very aware that is not the actual term for them, I knew I would still be understood. ultimately as I had said that is just what they are called from all the filipinos i grew up with and local hawaii filipino culture. not only that but they are made in a very similar size, skinny and on the smaller side. moving on, the shanghai lumpia we hgot was definitely on the burnt side, and one our bubble teas was wrong completely but after waiting so long we did not even bother to mention it when we realized as we were already heading home with an overtired toddler. i got a taro tea and my husband ordered winter melon. mine was good and had ice. his was definitely not melon it tasted and looked like brown sugar but it was unbearably sweet in a really gross level and had NO ice so it was roomtemp 😵‍💫. sad to say will not...

I can't help but rave about the incredible Filipino cuisine that we discovered in our neighborhood. It truly is a hidden gem that my best friend stumbled upon, and we are forever grateful and will travel a little bit just to get some tried and true delicious Filipino cuisine that hits the spot, every single time! The flavors are simply divine, and knowing that the devoted wife and husband team pour their heart and soul into their restaurant makes the experience even more special.

One thing that always amazes us is how Mariam, the talented wife, on Sunday hosts a Sunday buffet, manages to create such an awe-inspiring spread, never skimps out on the spread. Especially on Sundays when we indulge in their delightful buffet. Every bite is a delectable journey that is worth every single penny.

It’s hard to choose just one favorite because every dish is truly unique and delicious… but my favorites:

✅ Sinigang ✅ Caldaretta ✅ Kare-Kare ✅ Pork/Chicken Adobo ✅ Chicken macaroni soup?? (Don’t know the name.)

Drool 🤤

We are strong believers in supporting local businesses, and this one holds a special place in our hearts. We never want to see it go out of business because it is just too darn good!

P.S. will update this post later when I remember to snap some photos next time...