Tropical Star Restaurant & Specialty Market — Restaurant in San Diego

I had a great dining experience at this South American restaurant today! The moment you step inside, you’re greeted by an exotic little grocery store selling authentic South American spices and grocery items, which sets a unique vibe. Turn left, and you discover a cozy restaurant with a bar and coffee station.

The menu features dishes from countries like Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Brazil. Every dish we ordered was bursting with flavor and made with incredibly fresh ingredients. The portions are generous, and the prices are very reasonable for the quality. My personal favorite dish is the avocado salad—the dressing is light and refreshing, and the avocado portion is impressively generous, making it a healthy and delicious choice.

Another standout was their signature corn tortilla, made from fresh corn that’s cooked, ground, and crafted with care. The texture and taste are worlds apart from typical cornmeal tortillas—truly a labor of love and a must-try. Every dish we had was a delightful surprise, showcasing the rich diversity of South American flavors.

This restaurant has been a local gem for over 40 years, and this new location lives up to its reputation. If you’re curious about South American cuisine or just love great food, I can’t recommend this place enough. It’s a fantastic spot to explore bold, authentic, and beautifully...

I do enjoy coming here to get some good Latin eats.

I ordered the chicken Pastelitos and a Cuban sandwich. Both were very flavorful and delicious. I over-ordered. Lol. I couldn't eat the entire sandwich, I had to take it home. But was still delicious later.

My friend ordered the Arroz con Pollo with beans and a salad. He enjoyed it. But would have preferred not to have big chunks of chicken.

When we came in on April 5th, there were 2 women at the register. They were having a conversation which seemed more important than greeting customers.

Afterward, the young lady who was the order taker was not friendly at all. I felt like I needed to rush to give her my order. Not pleasant at all.

Once we sat down, our order came out fresh and hot. Again, delicious. The server was nice.

There was no wait and eat getting a seat. I suppose I'll be back. Knowing what not to expect is half the battle.

Come in for delicious eats. I also enjoy the bodega as...

The death of a Dynasty.

When I moved to San Diego 17 years ago, and was told that there was a Puerto Rican restaurant nearby, I was elated.

The food then had Sabór.

Today the restaurant looks the same, sells the same products in its store, but the food has truly gone bad.

I have never had pernil that was grey. The rice & beans were old, the plantains were reheated in a microwave. It had no texture, except that of strained baby food.

The only reason I know for a fact that it was reheated, was because I asked and it was confirmed by the young lady at the register.

I won’t post a picture, I left, not willing to accept a refund, they need it to get someone back to the island to remember the roots of cooking.

It must be fresh, not refrigerated/ frozen then reheated.

I’m sure we’ve all watched Gordon Ramsey, reminding us that you can tell fresh from frozen.

Please go back to the old way, you’ve lost a customer and a Puerto...