La Tropicana

It's been a couple weeks but the disappointment is still in my mind. We went there because Johnny's was closed for maintenance.You have to order at the counter like a fast food joint, including paying and tipping be for you get your food.The "food" was sad to say the least. We got nachos which was basically a bag of chips, canned cheese not even really melted on top and a little bit of ground...something. Could be beef could be...? Who knows. The person that went with us got a taco salad. It was a plate of lettuce with some meat and chips on the side. Also sad. We ordered a quesadilla to go for a co worker. He said it was a soft taco that was melted together. There was no service. They simply delivered the food to the table and never came back.0/10 would not recommend.

Had a very pleasant experience after a KU football game at his lovely little place in North Lawrence. I love the convenience of ordering at the counter then choosing your seat. We sat inside but the outside seating looked lovely. The staff was super friendly and very helpful. The guac was prefect. The food could use a little more spice but that didn't stop me from cleaning my plate

My husband and I each ordered an entree and a Coke, plus Chile Con Queso with Chips to share (free chips and salsa are NOT provided). The total after tip ended up being over $45, which would have been fine if the food was any good and if we didn't get food poisoning. The "queso" was obviously something from a jar that was just heated up. The food was bland and not even close to authentic. Within 10 minutes of leaving, my husband had to pull over twice on our way home so I could vomit. I really wanted to like this place. The only thing I got that was different from him was chicken. Overpriced for bland, mediocre food that we couldn't even finish, topped off with food poisoning.

The best Mexican food in this area.!! I wish they would provide table services. It would just elevate the experience a little. the quality of food is delicious and prices are very reasonable. They have a large patio area that is well shaded. Staff are very friendly. If you have kids they can watch the trains go by.

I was being nice with the 1 star. I don't want to sound like a Karen, so I will leave it at this..I was super stoned and the food was still nasty. Just go to taco bell!

Don't go here. You'll just take my table. It's a family joint. With family recipes. If you're a gringo and you think you know all about "authentic" Mexican food, you won't like La Tropicana. Yeah, the cheese dip is made with Velveeta. Maybe you had to grow up with it to love it. But I do. I would recommend their chicken molé and enchiladas with molé sauce to anyone. Ditto the pan-fried tacos. Margaritas get the job done. The atmosphere is homey. The service familiar. The patio sweet. But stay away. I don't want to wait for a table.

Id give zero stars if that was an option. I grew up in rural Kansas and lived in SoCal for 10 years. in Ca, the second most expensive state to operate a business, I never ONCE have been charged for chips and salsa. This place charges over $6 for each basket of chips which is absolutely outrageous. We will never eat there again. Beautiful location but downtown Lawrence hipster bullshit prices and dogshit food. What a waste of space!

Food was awesome, service was great, & ambiance was on point. You can tell this place does it right. 5 Stars

Quite possibly the worst experience in Lawrence. What a waste of such a beautiful location. No table service, no free chips and salsa. The food is way over priced and tastes like crap. Old Elpaso taco shells, cheese wiz, something that barely resembles actual meat. It feels like this place is a cover for some kind of Mexican Cartel sex trade or money laundering scheme. It's like they actually DONT want you to eat here.

My second and last time at this sub par Mexican North of the river with 4 star prices. Chips and Guac 8 bucks and wanted some Salsa so they chagrd me again for more chips now with $5 and the salsa pour is super stingy ( you would think it was liquid gold) and salsa is nothing special. We ordered Burito and taco plate and its was meh again nothing special and prices as mentioned before nothing to be desired for a location like this and ordered the premium madgarita and only tasted like marg mix hardly any tequilia as I drank it like water ( one shot if i was lucky).