Tropical Escape Tiki Bar & Grill

Summary:
Good place, different for this area. Inexpensive. Healthy food choices, regular choices. Friendly staff. Will come back.

Review:
This is a nice little place over by Wang Gang, Joe's Pizza, and Subway and a couple other places.  It used to be a Japanese place, but it's been re-done with pictures of the islands, beaches, toucans, and Jimmy Buffet music.  Some of the decorations are a little cheesy and only a few look professionally done, but it's really part of the whole theme, so I didn't mind it too much. The waitress we had was super nice.  We were also the ONLY ones in there, which was weird.

I went here for lunch last week with some work mates and we all got different plates, but I think everyone was happy.  

For appetizers, we ordered empanadas and two orders of chips/salsa. With the chips, we got two kinds of salsa, the mango kind and the "Smoke Damage" kind.  My co-worker who likes spicy stuff said it was a little too hot for her, so we switched to the Pico de Gallo salsa. The mango one was really good, but needed something extra.  The empanadas were about 5-inches long and filled with your choice of chicken or shrimp AND some kind of cheesy sauce. I was not expecting the cheese or for them to be deep fried. (hello, read the menu!) But, they were still good. I wouldn't order them again because I'm a freak and don't like cheese or deep fried stuff, but I'm guessing a lot of people will like them. My workmates liked 'em!

For lunch, we had a few different things. The most expensive thing on the menu is a steak at $14.95. No one got that.  Two gals ordered the Caribbean K-bobs ($9.95) - one with chicken and one with shrimp, both with lots of veggies. Both looked and smelled fantastic and got great reviews, I think this is what I'll get the next time I come back.  One gal ordered a jerk burger ($7.95) (which was good, but I think she was shocked at the bun. It's not a regular hamburger bun.) and two gals got B.A.L.T.'s ($6.95 each), which also got good reviews and looked really good. One of them got fries, which looked sorta like Wendy's fries. (which, if you like Wendy's, isn't a bad thing at all!)  I got the Veggie Overload salad ($7.50) (which lasted for four days - they have HUGE portions.) It was fantastic because there are so few places where you can get a spinach salad! (I'm not from the Midwest, so adjusting to the food here has been a challenge.)

We were having a bit of a work meeting and asked them to turn down the music (which was blaring out of a speaker directly over our heads), and they happily did so.  Our waitress brought extra napkins and refilled the glasses without having to be asked. (again, the place was empty, but I think she was pretty good nonetheless.)

I will definitely go here again as it seems to be one of a few places that have different and healthy stuff, but also serves burgers and fries. They have a good kids menu, too. I think this would be a great place to bring kids because of the bright colors, easy to eat foods, happy staff, and since it's not too quiet, you don't have to worry about someone getting fussy and turning heads. :o)

And I must say that as a former Hawaii resident, I'm happy to have anything tropical around.  I'm a little worried about it being so empty at noon, though.  I hope it sticks around.

Tropical Escape's motto is, "Our job is to help you forget about yours." I'd like to propose a secondary motto: "You're only a stranger once," because that's what I found when I first went there for lunch on the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week last year. I love anything tropical, so I was excited to try a new place with this theme right in Edwardsville. The staff was beyond friendly, the décor was colorfully top-notch, and the food was amazing. I immediately felt at home and I was instantly hooked. I started hanging out there quite often, since it's so close to my job, and now I pretty much need to have my mail delivered there.

But back to the food. My personal favorites are the K-Bobs (which you can get in your choice of beef, chicken, shrimp, or a mix of two), the sirloin steak (which is prepared exactly how I like it -- rarerarerare -- which some establishments just can't get quite right), the chipotle lime grouper, any salad with the house kiwi lime vinaigrette dressing, the conch fritters, the Big Jerk Burger...really, I could go on and on, because I have never tasted anything there that wasn't incredible. Oh, and how could I forget the best macaroni and cheese on the planet?!

TE is also very family-friendly, so you can bring the kids. Of course, if an adult evening at the bar is on the agenda instead, be sure and try one of TE's signature tropical drinks. Perhaps an Island Colada? Lei-D's Margarita? A Key Lime Martini? Stumped? The awesome bartenders are more than happy to make suggestions. (Here's another fun one: if you like cider, ask for an Apples and Oranges. You'll thank me later.)

The owners, Bob and Debbie, have truly thought of every detail to make this place an oasis of tropical food and fun here in the middle of Illinois. Beautiful tropical murals and decorations, delicious and fresh food, unique drinks, warm and funny staff, live trop-rock music on the weekends...this place has it all. If the Midwest feels mundane to you, you've got the winter blahs, and/or it's been too long since your last trip to the Keys, you owe it to yourself to pay a visit. I promise it won't be your last.

This is a bright, friendly place with excellent food and terrific drinks. The atmosphere is A+ and service is exactly what service should be.

I've never made it on Friday afternoon but my friends are regulars and love the party mood. Live music is a frequent treat.

If you're in the area, you can't go wrong stopping by. Remember your loud shirt. The only thing missing is sand on the floor.