Tropical Hut Hamburgers have no right to be any good. The patty is about half onion and half meat. The bun is sweet and soft like a corner bakery's. The cheese is a slice of quickmelt. The sauce is a combination of banana ketchup and what tastes like budget mayonnaise.
Based on that first paragraph, you'd think I'd give this place a 1. But put all those ingredients together, mix in a bit of 90s kid nostalgia, and the resulting Classic hamburger (that's the name) is better than you'd think, and better than it has any right to be.
The Soft, sweet bun acts as a foil to the fattiness of the patty, and the (Sweet) Pickle Slice cuts into the richness. A slice of cucumber provides a bit of contrast.
If an unadorned burger isn't your thing, Tropical Hut also offers a surprising range of toppings, including a fried egg on the Rancho-Ranchero Burger, Pineapple on the Hawaiian Glee, and Chopped Chilies on the SIli Burger.
Side dishes include "Just OK" fries, and macaroni salad, which I love only because I have an inexplicable obsession with macaroni salad. They also offer Ice cream, and pretty uniquely, fruit salad, halo halo, and mais con hielo.
Aside from burgers, Tropical Hut offers fried chicken, rice meals, and breakfast meals (which are available all day). And I do mean all day. This particular branch is 24 hours. One of my favorite things here is an ersatz chicken and waffle combination with fried chicken, pancakes and syrup. Even if that's weird for you, like most people, there's something here for everyone.
Is Tropical Hut the best food available? No. But whatever nostalgia-voodoo they put in their food keeps me coming back. Also, their absurdly broad menu and 24 hour service makes this a good choice for late-night munchies or a trip down memory lane. read more