Tropic Lady Shines

Race Street has seen notable openings and closings in recent months. The Post at River East and Neutral Ground Brewing Company will be missed even as newcomers Kingyo Sushi & Ramen House, Tesoro Mexican, and Tropic Lady offer rewarding reasons to revisit Race Street.

Tropic Lady, the sibling restaurant of the Bearded Lady, exudes breezy, tropical vibes. We ordered lunch at the lovely half-moon bar as light surf rock and Hawaiian folk music wafted overhead. My daughter didn’t hesitate to snatch my Lil‘ Lady (an alcohol-free blend of hibiscus tea, lime juice, and other goodies), trading her water with a “here, daddy” as she slurped away.

Salads rarely snag digital ink in reviews, but the Sarge’s Salad (blackened shrimp, mixed greens, jicama, watermelon radish, hibiscus vinaigrette) was a lively blend of bitter, sweet, and spicy flavors. The cumin-kissed shrimp — plump and juicy — accented the veggies. Mango slices sweetened the potent mild and bitter greens drizzled in a feisty horseradish vinaigrette. Every bite was a wash of delightful Asian-tinged flavors.

Smash burger popularity hasn’t waned. The Tropic Lady’s version — a hefty double-patty burger — was a delicious and savory mess packed with grilled onions, cheddar cheese, and pickle slices. The slightly sweet Hawaiian buns were a unique contribution to an otherwise classic formula that made for a smashing success.

After finishing the Smash It Burger, nachos supreme (tortilla chips, queso blanco, black beans, cilantro, sour cream, tomatillo salsa, tropic aioli), and plantain tacos (fried plantains, Tropic slaw, pickled onion, black beans, cilantro, cilantro-jalapeno crema), it was time to tap out. Tropic Lady has an expansive mocktail and vegan menu — two things still in short supply in Panther City.