South Florida Sun Sentinel
Aug 05, 2021 11:58 AM
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This week on Let’s Go, South Florida host Arlene Borenstein visits Tropics Restaurant and Lounge with former Sun Sentinel restaurant critic, Mike Mayo.
This week, we’re kicking off a new feature of Let’s Go, South Florida: Dish your neighborhood gem. We want to hear about your favorite neighborhood haunts, gems and off-the-beaten-path restaurants in Broward or Palm Beach county.
In this kick-off episode, special guest Michael Mayo, former Sun Sentinel restaurant critic, takes Let’s Go, South Florida host Arlene Borenstein to one of his favorite gems: Tropics Restaurant and Lounge, a Caribbean restaurant in Pembroke Pines.
Go straight to the nomination form or scroll down to the form at the bottom of this article to nominate your favorites for a chance to be a future guest on Let’s Go, South Florida.
“It’s a way to spotlight local flavor,” Mayo said.
Everything about Tropics Restaurant and Lounge in Pembroke Pines — dimly lighted with pool tables, big-screen TVs and wooden booths — looks like a typical American sports bar. Until you see the island-style menu.
Pepper shrimp at Tropics Restaurant and Lounge, which specializes in Guyanese and Caribbean cuisine. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
“The Caribbean people love curries. … We have fish curry, chicken curry, goat curry, shrimp curry and it comes with what we call roti,” said owner Ishwar “Sham” Anderson, who is originally from Guyana, a culturally Caribbean country on the north coast of South America. “Roti is something like the tortilla style, but we make it in-house here. So they enjoy the roti and the curry and that’s a big plus for this restaurant.”
Anderson is often in the kitchen alongside his brother, who is also a co-owner of the restaurant.
Tropics has been in the same Hollywood Boulevard location for nearly 25 years. “This place is known for its Guyanese and West Indian food along with some Chinese spins on it,” Mayo said.
Fried rice at Tropics Restaurant and Lounge in Pembroke Pines. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
For Shawn Mohamed, whose heritage is Guyanese, Tropics would be his neighborhood gem pick.
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“I was 24 when I first found this place and I am 47 now,” said Mohamed. “It wasn’t really until Tropics came around that we had our own restaurant where we could come to, and have our own food … listen to our own music and just feel like our own neighborhood spot.”
Tropics Restaurant and Lounge is at 7100 Hollywood Blvd. in Pembroke Pines. Hours are 3-11 p.m. Tuesday though Sunday.
Tell the world about your favorite South Florida haunt. Fill out the submission form below to explain what’s special about the restaurant. Include a short video (1 minute or less) telling us why you should be our next special guest.
What you need to know to participate in an upcoming Let’s Go, South Florida video:
- You must be available on a week day for production time of approximately three hours.
- Have your own transportation to and from the restaurant.
- Meal will be provided courtesy the Sun Sentinel.
- Your video submission will very likely be part of the Let’s Go, South Florida show you are featured in as well as promotional posts on social media and on SunSentinel.com.
- Finalists cannot be affiliated with the featured restaurant, and will be interviewed by phone before a final selection is made.
- Videos will be judged for originality. We will also consider the nominated restaurants.
- Deadline is Aug. 21.
- Only finalists will be contacted.
