Cafe Tropical

I almost always take whole guava and cheese pies to parties, and people go berserk over them. It’s amazing what putting lard in a pastry dough will do. I was introduced to the Tropical in 1992, soon after I moved into the neighborhood. At that time, a whole pie still cost only $4. More now, but reasonable.

Other sweet items that are especially good: an orange cake with little flecks of zest that wedge between your teeth for enjoyment later in the day and their quesadilla - the Central American quesadilla - which is a sesame-seed-topped bread with cheese in the batter. (Nary a tortilla in sight.)

I endorse the previous writer’s assessment of the cafe con leche. I really like their Cuban sandwiches, too. And their quiche, a slice of which stands at about 4 inches high: eggs and herbs.

They have an enormous juicer for fresh oranges, grapefruits, or carrots (or combo). And among other drinks in their cooler, they have Materva, a yerba mate carbonated beverage, in case you prefer your liquid speed chilled.

¡Buen provecho!

and a few other things, but it’s the coffee and pastry that you will remember.

This is a Cuban coffee shop and bakery; the cafe con leche is heavy on the milk and delicious. The baked goods are not the usual suspects: for instance, guava-cheese pie is like a cross between a croissant and a cheesecake, with guava jam.

The folks behind the counter are pleasant, the clientele is eclectic: local hipsters, parents with kids, and assorted others getting a caffiene and pastry fix.

Just go, unless you are watching the carbs and fats, in which case, don’t say I didn’t warn you.