Tropical Chicken Grill

No better Chixn and rice. Go and enjoy. Service is efficient, food is awesome and price is right.

This place is fast! And, the girl at the counter was lovely. I checked it out since it’s one of the few «healthy» results for lunch in the area. And, really, it stays as helthy as you can keep it. I got a veggie chicken chop, which started healthy. .. But then i was handed three large squirt bottles with sauces that are definitely not low-​calorie, and went to town on my plate. Anyhow, it was very good-I’m a fan on their curry mustard sauce. I’d definitely come back, but probably wouldn’t go super out of my way.

I can’t believe I waited so long to visit Tropical Chicken Grille when it’s so close to my house! My boyfriend and I visited this location last night, and I am seriously considering hitting up the Woodruff Rd location (because it’s closer to me at this moment) for lunch today! The food is so fresh and the sauces are so good. I went for the South of the Border chop, and I’ll admit that I was a little anxious about a Cuban place putting out good salsa and guacamole, but I had no reason to worry. I added the cilantro sauce to my bowl, and it was truly amazing. Best of all, it’s about $ 7 for the bowl, which means it’s basically the same price as fast food, but so much tastier and better for you! I definitely foresee this becoming a regular spot for us.
Oh, and also, the guy that was working last night told us that they’re working on launching a meal plan very soon, where you can order food in advance and pick up a week’s worth of food at a time to eat at home. Super healthy option and so convenient!

We loved the food. Also it was super fast! I got the Cuban roasted pork– extremely tender. My husband got the chicken with southwestern flavors and it was great too. We also loved the different sauces you can try on the side– they give you big bottles to take to the table so you can try a bunch of different ones. Casual environment. Would also be great for takeout!

I’m very disappointed in how this place has turned out. This spot is nothing like their Simpsonville location. My sweet plantains (maduro) came out burnt. All I could taste was burned food and not even the sweetness of the plantain. Normally these are crispy (I can make them myself) but this was over the edge. The Cuban roasted pork chop I got was a little watery. It seemed as if they didn’t drain the liquid enough from the black beans, because it became almost a baby food consistency. Their yuca fries were great, and the people who work there are very friendly. My friend ordered a flan, and it had mold the size of a silver dollar on it! she brought it back to the lady who then tried to tell her it was just put in the fridge a few days prior. She gave her a second flan which apparently was put in that same day. It didn’t taste right. I tried it, my friend tried it, and it tasted like the custard had spoiled. The lady had then gave us back our money for the flan only, and pulled out five of the dozen flans in the fridge… do yourself a favor and do not get the flan if you must visit. That will be my last visit after the many to this location.

«Cuban-​esque»
I’ve eaten here several times. Their plantains are delicious. The food preparation and quality is consistent and seems fresh.
But it’s not so much Cuban as it is a bland American version of it. In terms of flavor, preparation, variety, and authenticity it is pretty boring. So it’s kind of disappointing when this is all Greenville has to offer in terms of Cuban food.

First time eating here and it was a little hard to find… looking at the Publix there’s a strip mall on the left — it’s around back. The place was packed with the after church crowd. Line was all the way out to the door. Line moved pretty quick and my order was taken. They give you a number so you can pick up your food when it’s ready. I can hear a guy screaming out orders for pickup but no numbers. The place is loud but I can make out my order being called and I go pick it up. Apparently, from other reviewers, the sauces are a big thing here so I get the jalapeño garlic, the garlic cilantro, and the curry mustard to try.
Cuban sandwich ($ 6.25) — Roasted pork, ham, swiss, pickles, mustard. Pressed. It was good. It had the right bread to meat to cheese ratio. The bread was toasted perfectly. This was shared between 2 people.
Classic chop reg. size ($ 5.49) — Freshly grilled chopped chicken breast served over yellow rice with any of our signature sauces. The chicken was cooked well but very lightly seasoned. I would have liked a little more seasoning.
Black beans size small (1.99) — You can’t have rice without beans… they were quite tasty and well seasoned.
Sauces (free) — All three that I tried were very good but the jalapeño garlic was my favorite and it found it’s way onto most of my food. Not sure what is in it but it probably turned my relatively healthy meal into a less than healthy meal.
I also got to try the Yuca fries and they were crispy and tasty but over salted. Very similar to french fries.
Fair prices and good quality /​taste so overall a good experience here… I would return.

I loved this place! Came here based on a review on Unilocal and so glad I did! The pork is amazing! As is the chicken! I got a bowl with the pineapple and mango, rice and half and half (chicken /​pork) their house sauces are pretty awesome. The curry mustard is really good but my favorite was the cilantro jalapeño! ! It’s a funny green color but who cares. We also ordered yucca fries… omg! Hands down the BEST yucca we have ever had.
This is a very healthy alternative to fast food if you are near one I would highly encourage you to go!
The location we visited, the staff was awesome. They gave us samples of everything, without us asking. The facility was clean, easy to park and find.
I will be making a point to go here again next time I in town.

This is a great restaurant for Cuban food. I either eat in or take out from all three of their locations. For me, the restaurant on Pelham Rd and Hwy 14 has the best and most authentic taste. Their Palomilla steak is a stand out. No fancy décor here, but great food and friendly service. The prices are great. Don’t forget to taste their homemade sauces. They are very tasty.

Stumbled across this gem right as I was leaving Greenville and wish I had known about it longer. The service is super quick, the yellow rice, marinated chicken, curry sauce and jalapeño sauce are great. It’s a casual place where you can get a great (somewhat healthy) meal at a great value.

I’ve eaten there twice and enjoyed Their great food and service, especially for the price point. It’s a very unassuming spot from the outside, but is a great value.

Every time I have gone here, its been great! They are always busy because they are so good! Highly recommend. Great service too!

Cuban sandwich is out of this world … the owner makes awesome red beans just like you make at home…

I know the food is good without having tried it. I’m ready to test it next time I get there. I was too hypersensitive to the black pepper last year. But I’m gonna go back to try it again this year. Wish me luck.

We love every Tropical Grille location but frequent the highway 14 and Pelham one the most. The cuban roasted pork, plantains and the cuban sandwiches are to die for. And I like that they offer brown rice as a selection. A healthy choice that we absolutely love!

Overrated, I’m confused by all the good reviews. I’m wondering if I came to the right restaurant. Oh yup… I did…
Service is below average and they actually have the nerve to ask for tips. For what? They took my order and I get my drinks. Confused. Food is far from authentic Cuban food. My family came to the states on a boat and I would still take them to Moes before I took them here. Especially for the price/​quantity.

This is a good location with easy parking.
Our order was taken quickly from a friendly gentleman. The menu has multiple variations of the similar ingredients in different presentations. My «large» order was surprisingly skimpy. For almost 8 dollars, I got a two thirds filled bowl of yellow rice with approximately 6 ounces of chicken cut up on top. The taste of the food is very good; however, it is essentially fast food as all the ingredients have already made. If you choose to pay with credit card, they will ask you how much tip you’d like to give if you want to include one. Let me be clear, there is absolutely no waiting on you. So, it is ridiculous to be asked if I want to leave a tip.
My son really likes this place and the only reason I will come back is if he wants to eat here. They did have a kids menu which is probably the best value.
ADDENDUM on December 21, 2015: I JUST this evening received an email from the manager, 5 months after the review was published. He apologized for the portion size and said that the reason they ask how much tip you’d like to put on the card is because they have been asked many times in the past. Not sure who wants to ask a cashier at a fast food restaurant how he/​she can tip the staff, but, I guess in Greenville anything is possible.
My review stands but kudos to the manager for contacting me.

Pretend like you could close your eyes, dream up a perfect lunch destination, then make it magically come to life with an awkward wave of the hand and a quick puff of smoke. What would your culinary paradise include? What types of dishes would round out your ideal menu and always keep you coming back for more dreamy variations on your perfect lunch theme?
I think Tropical Chicken Grill is almost as close to that ideal in my mind as I’ve ever experienced, second only to diners with excellent meat-​n-​three menus. There are many reasons why this is so, but I’ll try to condense them down to the following:
1. FLAVORFUL FRESHNESS
TCG is a paleo-​friendly Cuban restaurant, which means you’re gonna find black beans, rice, and plentiful helpings of carefully seasoned and perfectly succulent meats in various combinations. These are simple, non-​pretentious things, yet they are so freshly and expertly prepared, they will energize your day whilst wholesomely fortifying your body. Plus, these crazy good sauces they make — cilantro garlic, curry mustard, jalapeño garlic, etc. — add a flavor punch that’s almost as unbelievable as Miley Cyrus riding a wrecking ball sans skivvies. I love fresh. I love flavor. I love simple. There’s a LOT to love about this food, peeps.
2. ENTICING VARIETY
Small vs. large, light vs. heavy, pork vs. chicken, garlic vs. curry, bowl vs. wrap vs. salad vs. sandwich — there is a mind-​boggling array of possibility before you when you scan the TCG menu. You know how sometimes you go to Applebee’s or California Dreaming and nothing on the menu really sounds all that great? The opposite problem awaits you in this case. You’re gonna have a tough time deciding between the «chop» bowls and the Cuban sandwich, for example. Best way to handle it is to show up with a group of people, all get different things, and share em. You literally can’t go wrong here, and that is a fantastic thing. And go ahead and order the large fried plantains for the group — they’re outstanding.
3. OUTRAGEOUS VALUE
Anybody can eat at McDonald’s on the cheap. But what’s real impressive is finding fresh, high quality, nutritious food on the cheap. Lemme just go ahead and say «Boom — nailed it» with reference to TCG in this respect. The portions are HEFTY, chief — I’m a big eater and I was content to enjoy a regular-​size chop bowl. Even the large, which must be a straight-​up mound of grub, is only $ 8.99. A footlong Subway combo costs more than that nowadays. This is one of the best values in town, in my opinion, considering the quality and quantity per dollar spent.
I know you’re ready to step up from fast food to a real-​deal meal — why not do it in style at Tropical Chicken Grill?

Tropical Grille (a.k.a. Tropical Chicken Grill) is surprisingly delicious. This small strip mall restaurant serves Cuban food, fresh and fast. There are three locations in/​around Greenville. This one can be found in the same shopping center as the Publix on Pelham Rd. It’s on the lower level of the property and actually faces Pelham Commons Blvd. Once you see the tiki patio umbrellas, you know you’ve arrived.
This is a quick, casual, and no-​frills eatery. The inside of the restaurant amounts to one big room with a bunch of tables, brightly colored walls (red, green, yellow), a TV, and an open kitchen. The space looks relatively new. Similar to Chipotle, ordering is done upfront and your order is prepared and ready for you almost instantly. A large grill sits on display behind a glass window next to the ordering counter so you can see the ingredients being cooked fresh.
The restaurant serves «Tropical Chops,» which amount to bowls of white or yellow rice topped with a meat and small slice of pita bread. There are also wraps and sandwiches along with salads and a limited selection of sides such as sweet plantains, seasoned veggies, and yuca fries. Meat options include chopped chicken breast and 12-​hour-​marinated, slow-​roasted pork. There’s also a nice selection of scrumptious sauces to put on the meat.
Regular sized bowls cost about $ 7 – 9 each while large bowls cost about $ 8 – 10 each. I think the regular size bowl suits most individuals just fine. If you’ve ever had a Chipotle burrito bowl, the regular size bowl at Tropical Grille is comparable.
I’ve tried both the Cuban Chop and the Roasted Cuban Pork Chop. Both are tasty, though I think I’m partial to the pork here. The Cuban Chop comes with chopped chicken breast (chopped as in cubed, almost) with black beans, white rice, and a slice of pita bread. The Roasted Cuban Pork Chop comes with slow-​roasted shredded pork with black beans, white rice, and a slice of pita bread. You can substitute yellow rice for white rice if you desire. I recommend it.
Whether you order white or yellow rice, the rice is soft and moist. The black beans are warm, hearty, and comforting. The chicken breast is indeed fresh and tender. Lightly or barely seasoned, it expectedly doesn’t have much taste, but that’s where the sauces come in. The sauces are great. I’ve tried the Mustard Curry, Garlic Cilantro, and Jalapeño Garlic sauces. I can’t say I have a favorite as they are all quite good and make a significant difference in the enjoyment of the meal. In general, the sauces are light, creamy, addictive, and full of flavor. The roasted pork is fine without sauce. The meat is succulent and juicy on its own. I love it.
Service is good. Orders are processed via tablets and receipts are sent electronically (signatures too). The restaurant is clean and the employees are polite and work efficiently.

This place is quick, clean, and reasonably priced.
The chicken is good. I got the chicken and veggies. The veggies tasted frozen and were limp like they were overcooked.
The sauces were tasty and served on the side so you can try different things.