I grew up in Mexico, so when I came to St Louis I was pretty much resigned to have to eat ""american"" mexican food (althoug I try to avoid it at all cost). I came to La tropicana to buy some groceries but didn't try the food... I came back some time later and tried the food... wow it was pretty good. The owners are cuban, so there are some caribbean dishes in the menu. However I found the mexican dishes to be pretty good, the enchiladas, carnitas and mole are all good. But the dish that I really recommend is the nopalitos salad (cactus salad). The atmosphere is pretty laid back, you basically order what you want at the counter and then pick it up. I went with a large goup and it was a bit disordered... but hey I guess even that is part of the latin ambience.
Pros: great food, inexpensive, very informal
Cons: disorganized
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