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Capture the taste of the Caribbean at Tropical Star. Our menu brings you authentic recipes from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Central and South America. We use only the finest ingredients and prepare each meal with love. Many of the special food and seasonings we use are imported from the Caribbean, Central and South America. It is our special preparation and cooking style that creates the distinctive taste we know you’ll enjoy. Because many of our ingredients are unavailable elsewhere, we offer them to you in our specialty market for your own ethnic creations at home. Market open Mon-Sat 11am -7:30pm, Sun open 12am – 5pm
Small shop & restaurant offering groceries & traditional dishes from all over South America.
Hours
| Saturday | 11:30 AM–7:30 PM |
| Sunday | 12–5 PM |
| Monday | 11:30 AM–7:30 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–7:30 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–7:30 PM |
| Friday | 11:30 AM–7:30 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 6163 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111
Phone: (858) 874-7827
Website: https://tropicalstar.com/
Menu Photos
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Tropical Star Restaurant & specialty Market.
Tropical Star (@tropicalstarsd) · San Diego, CA – Instagram
Tropical star ⭐️ ️ 6163 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111 Abierto de lunes a sábado! Photo by Tropical Star in Tropical Star Restaurant & Specialty Market.
Tropical Star Restaurant & Specialty Market | San Diego CA
Tropical Star Restaurant & Specialty Market, San Diego. 1230 likes · 8 talking about this · 3631 were here. Authentic Latin-American Cuisine.
Reviews
Sue Duong
10-11-2025
Happy Saturday!
I drove by this place at least 3x weekly never knew it existed. My friend invited me to come dancing. I thought, “Why not? It’s only 6.3 mi from my house.” Glad I went, fun experience listening to Latin music and watching ppl dancing; I had to leave early so I didn’t get a chance to dance, next time lol
My friend and her friends ordered Papa Rellena ($6) and Empanadilla ($5); they enjoyed it. I, however, didn’t ordered any food but had Lulo drink ($6.45). My very first time trying it, refreshing!
Note:
-Regular hours, order food at the market counter.
-Dancing hours, start @ 9 pm. I believe the entrance fee is $5. In terms of food, it’s full service from Snack Menu.
Have fun dancing y’all!
… moreHappy Saturday!
I drove by this place at least 3x weekly never knew it existed. My friend invited me to come dancing. I thought, “Why not? It’s only 6.3 mi from my house.” Glad I went, fun experience listening to Latin music and watching ppl dancing; I had to leave early so I didn’t get a chance to dance, next time lol
My friend and her friends ordered Papa Rellena ($6) and Empanadilla ($5); they enjoyed it. I, however, didn’t ordered any food but had Lulo drink ($6.45). My very first time trying it, refreshing!
Note:
-Regular hours, order food at the market counter.
-Dancing hours, start @ 9 pm. I believe the entrance fee is $5. In terms of food, it’s full service from Snack Menu.
Have fun dancing y’all!
Ben D
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 prepared dishes!
… moreThe 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 prepared dishes!
Kennia Rogers
Tropical Star is a true hidden gem whenever a Latin dish is calling my name, this place delivers every time. The menu has whatever craving you can imagine, from perfectly seasoned classics to delightful regional specialties, all made with fresh, authentic flavors. Service is unmatched: friendly, attentive, and genuinely proud of the food, which makes every visit feel warm and personal. Highly recommend for anyone seeking real Latin cuisine and exceptional hospitality. You can not go wrong with any dish here they are all mouth watering.
… moreDee T
I will not be returning to this establishment. I ordered three entrée plates at $19.99 each based on the appealing menu descriptions and photos. We ordered takeout, and upon arriving home and opening my order, I was very disappointed. I ordered the Lomo Saltado, which was advertised as containing beef, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, fries, and rice, however, my order was missing the cilantro and there was 1 hidden tomato. Additionally, the dish was excessively salty. My son’s meal was also overly salted. Overall, the experience was disappointing, as the food did not match the quality or description presented.
… moreL Seven
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 you walk in.
… moreI 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 you walk in.
A T
Randomly found this place and decided to try it because I loved the diversity in the menu. I was really excited to try Mofongo for the first time, unfortunately they were out of it that day. I got Tostones, Arepa Con Queso, Pollo Guisado (w/Arroz Gandulez and Yuca), Beef Pastelillo, Alcapurria and 2
Fruit Shakes w/Milk (Guayaba and Maracuya). My favorites were the flavorful crispy Beef Pastelillo, the yummy Pollo Guisado and the very crispy delicious yuca. The drinks were also very good! I’m glad I found this place.
I didn’t see any seating area so it appears to be only a take-out place, but they have a store inside where you can shop for some interesting items.
… moreFruit Shakes w/Milk (Guayaba and Maracuya). My favorites were the flavorful crispy Beef Pastelillo, the yummy Pollo Guisado and the very crispy delicious yuca. The drinks were also very good! I’m glad I found this place.
I didn’t see any seating area so it appears to be only a take-out place, but they have a store inside where you can shop for some interesting items.
Justin Q
I enjoyed the cozy, at home atmosphere.
My order was the Pollo guisado and side order of tostones and a mura smoothie. The flavors were authentic.
Reminded me of being at family members house.
Check this spot out if your in the area.
I even grabbed some Coquito!
… moreMy order was the Pollo guisado and side order of tostones and a mura smoothie. The flavors were authentic.
Reminded me of being at family members house.
Check this spot out if your in the area.
I even grabbed some Coquito!
Alex Martinez
I always put the most honest reviews not like some of these people that get discounts on the food.. Anyways, the rice just tasted different to me. Not that good, but it could be cuz. It’s from some other place because I’m puerto. Rican, the bacalito was good, the Chicharron was not good.
But the service was very good. I personally will not go back because it was very expensive. And what I don’t get is the pastel was black, didn’t taste bad, but it was black. I asked them why they said because it was frozen for so long. Okay, that does not sound good to me. I used to get pastel from my mom and have it in the freezer for a long time. And it never turned black. So that broke the camel’s back right there.I’ll never go back.But if you want to just go try it go ahead But don’t order too many things, because it’s very expensive and you don’t really know if it’s fresh
… moreBut the service was very good. I personally will not go back because it was very expensive. And what I don’t get is the pastel was black, didn’t taste bad, but it was black. I asked them why they said because it was frozen for so long. Okay, that does not sound good to me. I used to get pastel from my mom and have it in the freezer for a long time. And it never turned black. So that broke the camel’s back right there.I’ll never go back.But if you want to just go try it go ahead But don’t order too many things, because it’s very expensive and you don’t really know if it’s fresh
Flower Power Eats
I was really disappointed with my experience at Tropical Star. The food didn’t feel authentic at all. The lomo saltado was full of cartilage, the seasonings were off, which made it very unpleasant to attempt to eat. The ahi was just as disappointing. For spending over $100 on food, I definitely had much higher expectations. Unfortunately, it didn’t feel worth the price, my family and I will not return. We honestly threw our food away, it was overall terrible.
… moreTatiana Spiegler
Great store you can find so many imported products from latin america, but the restaurant isn’t that good. We got the chicken and rice and tmit was bland, we had to ask for “aji” and hot sauce to make it taste ok.
… more