A new Montrose spot for grab-and-go Colombian cuisine just debuted from the owner behind a Colombian steak-focused eatery in Katy.
Alfonso Mancera just expanded Tropical’s Colombian Restaurant to 212 Westheimer Road after operating in Katy since 2013 and another now-shuttered Colombian eatery on Richmond Avenue before that. Mancera says he decided to go with a counter service rather than full-service model for his new outpost after noticing dining trends were shifting towards take-out or delivery services like Uber Eats. “I looked at my numbers and noticed less people were coming through daily, which I thought would mean lower sales, but sales were actually higher,” Mancera tells Eater. “About 50 percent of my business is through Internet delivery services.”
At the Montrose location, Tropical’s seats about 50 diners within interiors that feature driftwood accents and eye-catching pendant lights made from traditional Colombian hats that Mancera, a former engineer, created himself. A rather large menu of dishes served in eco-friendly disposable containers made the trek over to Montrose. Diners will find empanadas and arepas alongside platters chock full of pork belly, chicken, rice, beans, fried plantains, and Colombian steaks and sausage served with chimichuri sauce. Vegetarian arepas and platters are also on offer, along with Colombian soups on weekends, egg dishes for breakfast, and flan and arroz con leche for dessert.
For drinks, the eatery serves up juices with ingredients like passion fruit, guava, blackberry, however, it’s sans alcohol. Mancera tells Eater that diners can expect more outposts on the horizon, as he plans to franchise the restaurant in Houston and other major Texas cities like San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas.
Tropical’s Colombian Restaurant is now open on 212 Westheimer Road and operates Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Tropical’s Colombian Restaurant [Official Site]