Upon entering the establishment, I was immediately struck by the conspicuous absence of acknowledgment from the staff. Despite multiple employees being visibly present and available, I received no greeting, no offer of assistance, nor any inquiry regarding my dining preferences. The prolonged silence left me disoriented, ultimately compelling me to resort to the self-service ordering system. Only after I had independently initiated my order did a staff member casually mention that assistance was available if needed—a reactive gesture rather than the proactive hospitality one would reasonably expect. The differential treatment became increasingly apparent as I observed subsequent patrons being warmly greeted upon entry. When my order was ready, it was announced with such minimal effort that I could barely discern my name being called. Furthermore, when I approached to collect my beverage, the employee did not hand me my cup directly. Instead, she merely pointed toward it without any verbal communication and promptly walked away—a markedly impersonal interaction that stood in stark contrast to the considerably more courteous, attentive, and verbally engaging service I witnessed being extended to other customers. As a first-time visitor, I found the disparity in service quality deeply concerning. I am not asserting that this experience was racially motivated; however, I cannot ignore that the observable discrepancy between the perfunctory, disengaged manner in which I was received and the notably attentive, enthusiastic service extended to others left me feeling unwelcome and undervalued. The staff's transformation from casual indifference during my arrival to animated engagement with subsequent guests was particularly striking’s. Chicken was burnt and overcooked
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
andre arthur
The staff was very apathetic. No smiles no engagement. I ordered a veggie plate which was lukewarm and had no presentation. In think it was just this location because usually I’ve been favorably impressed by Tropical Grille.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Hunter Axtell
Fast service, always on point.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dwellion Howard
Tasty food and a good variety on the menu. Service was OK but not overly warm and friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Tyesha Williams
Really disappointed with the Pelham Rd. location. The last time I went, the rice was overcooked and mushy. Today, the rice was way UNDERcooked. I could tell as soon as I opened my bowl. Very hard and crunchy. The chicken and steak seemed to have been out for a while as it was very tough and chewy. I wish I’d have checked it before I left. However, the girl Tyee who took my order was very pleasant with great customer service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Ville Diesel
Hands down, one of the best chicken bowl youd find. I always go for the Cuban Chicken Bowl...and you're missing out of you don't try one of their 3 signature sauces, Garlic Cilantro(my favorite), Curry Mustard, and Jalapeno Garlic. The sauces just elevate the dish even more. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elyse Ayers
Never disappoints! Came while in town. The food is still amazing as always and the service is exceptional!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lyla McDaniel
The very best Cuban/tropical food in Greenville, SC. The plantains are my favorite side and I have really enjoyed every single dish I have ever had. I love the Garlic / Cilantro sauce on my rice! It’s delicious! My husband loves their smash burger and gets it almost every time. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
doree bonello
Love that jalapeno sauce!! My friend like her Cuban sandwich.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ken Colon
Very pleased with Customer Service. Reasonable food cost. Clean and fast meal preparation.
Food is pretty good. However the past 4 times ive been here my order is either missing items or been wrong. Cant even give the food a full review cause I havent gotten the correct order yet 😂
Food: 3
Service: 1
James B
I used to really love this place, but I guess all good things must come to an end. I took my family for dinner last Sunday (7/27). We tried to eat in the restaurant, but it was crazy stuffy in there. The sun was streaming through the windows and the ac didn't seem to be on (or maybe it didn't work). Didn't they used to have shades? We ended up taking our food to go after sitting in there for a few minutes. The cashier who took our order seemed to be bothered that we were there. And then she flipped that tip screen on me. I always hated that tip demand for food I order and pick up and the counter. I need to remember to pay cash so I don't get that damn tip screen. Food was decent as always, but it just doesn't seem worth the price. I pay a bunch of money for a bad experience and often regret lately.
EDIT: Thanks for the owner response. I feel bad leaving a negative review as I do enjoy TG and I'm glad we have this growing restaurant in the Greenville area. I get the AC can be an issue in the Pelham location. We are currently in a heat wave after all. IMHO, counter-service restaurants should change POS tipping options from a percentage to a small dollar amount. ie $1, $3, $5.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 2
Anna Tsema
I love their food, I go for the sauce too 😂
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jason Street
Food was great! Ordering on the touch screen was fast and easy. Due to this my order came out before those ordering at the counter. 2 star for atmosphere is due to it being extremely hot inside. Everything else was great.
Upon entering the establishment, I was immediately struck by the conspicuous absence of acknowledgment from the staff. Despite multiple employees being visibly present and available, I received no greeting, no offer of assistance, nor any inquiry regarding my dining preferences. The prolonged silence left me disoriented, ultimately compelling me to resort to the self-service ordering system.
Only after I had independently initiated my order did a staff member casually mention that assistance was available if needed—a reactive gesture rather than the proactive hospitality one would reasonably expect.
The differential treatment became increasingly apparent as I observed subsequent patrons being warmly greeted upon entry. When my order was ready, it was announced with such minimal effort that I could barely discern my name being called. Furthermore, when I approached to collect my beverage, the employee did not hand me my cup directly. Instead, she merely pointed toward it without any verbal communication and promptly walked away—a markedly impersonal interaction that stood in stark contrast to the considerably more courteous, attentive, and verbally engaging service I witnessed being extended to other customers.
As a first-time visitor, I found the disparity in service quality deeply concerning. I am not asserting that this experience was racially motivated; however, I cannot ignore that the observable discrepancy between the perfunctory, disengaged manner in which I was received and the notably attentive, enthusiastic service extended to others left me feeling unwelcome and undervalued. The staff's transformation from casual indifference during my arrival to animated engagement with subsequent guests was particularly striking’s. Chicken was burnt and overcooked
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
The staff was very apathetic. No smiles no engagement. I ordered a veggie plate which was lukewarm and had no presentation. In think it was just this location because usually I’ve been favorably impressed by Tropical Grille.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Fast service, always on point.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tasty food and a good variety on the menu. Service was OK but not overly warm and friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Really disappointed with the Pelham Rd. location. The last time I went, the rice was overcooked and mushy. Today, the rice was way UNDERcooked. I could tell as soon as I opened my bowl. Very hard and crunchy. The chicken and steak seemed to have been out for a while as it was very tough and chewy. I wish I’d have checked it before I left. However, the girl Tyee who took my order was very pleasant with great customer service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Hands down, one of the best chicken bowl youd find. I always go for the Cuban Chicken Bowl...and you're missing out of you don't try one of their 3 signature sauces, Garlic Cilantro(my favorite), Curry Mustard, and Jalapeno Garlic. The sauces just elevate the dish even more. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Never disappoints! Came while in town. The food is still amazing as always and the service is exceptional!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The very best Cuban/tropical food in Greenville, SC. The plantains are my favorite side and I have really enjoyed every single dish I have ever had. I love the Garlic / Cilantro sauce on my rice! It’s delicious! My husband loves their smash burger and gets it almost every time. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love that jalapeno sauce!! My friend like her Cuban sandwich.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very pleased with Customer Service. Reasonable food cost. Clean and fast meal preparation.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Good food. Fast service
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is pretty good. However the past 4 times ive been here my order is either missing items or been wrong. Cant even give the food a full review cause I havent gotten the correct order yet 😂
Food: 3
Service: 1
I used to really love this place, but I guess all good things must come to an end. I took my family for dinner last Sunday (7/27). We tried to eat in the restaurant, but it was crazy stuffy in there. The sun was streaming through the windows and the ac didn't seem to be on (or maybe it didn't work). Didn't they used to have shades? We ended up taking our food to go after sitting in there for a few minutes.
The cashier who took our order seemed to be bothered that we were there. And then she flipped that tip screen on me. I always hated that tip demand for food I order and pick up and the counter. I need to remember to pay cash so I don't get that damn tip screen.
Food was decent as always, but it just doesn't seem worth the price. I pay a bunch of money for a bad experience and often regret lately.
EDIT: Thanks for the owner response. I feel bad leaving a negative review as I do enjoy TG and I'm glad we have this growing restaurant in the Greenville area.
I get the AC can be an issue in the Pelham location. We are currently in a heat wave after all.
IMHO, counter-service restaurants should change POS tipping options from a percentage to a small dollar amount. ie $1, $3, $5.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 2
I love their food, I go for the sauce too 😂
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was great! Ordering on the touch screen was fast and easy. Due to this my order came out before those ordering at the counter. 2 star for atmosphere is due to it being extremely hot inside. Everything else was great.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Fresco Bowl
Loading...