A Cuban restaurant will reopen in University City with bowls and classic sandwiches

A fast-casual Cuban restaurant is reopening in a new Charlotte location in University City.

Tropical Grille expects to open in early June on University City Boulevard, company regional manager Adrian Isidro told The Charlotte Observer on Friday. It will be the Greenville, South Carolina-based restaurant’s 12th store, according to Tropical Grille’s website.

The 2,800-square-foot space at 6925 University City Boulevard, suite 420, is in the Belgate Shopping Center, off Interstate 85 near IKEA, according to real estate investment company Site Centers website.

Founded by Miami natives and husband and wife Lazaro and Shadid Montoto 12 years ago, Tropical Grille opened its first North Carolina store in Charlotte in June 2020. However, the 1605 Elizabeth Ave. store permanently closed due to the pandemic, and University is a better location, Isidro said.

Hiring is underway for up to 40 full- and part-time employees.

Tropical Grille’s menu

Tropical Grille’s menu includes Cuban classics like Palomilla and pan con lechon, a popular Cuban sandwich.

There also are 10 bowls with meats like grilled chicken breast, marinated slow-roasted pork or Angus sirloin over rice with various toppings including vegetables, beans or plantains. Vegetarian options are also available.

The menu has wraps and sandwiches, plus salads and sides like sweet plantains and yuca fries.

Tropical Grille also caters and has family meals with servings for four or eight people, plus delivery through third parties.

Isidro said Tropical Grille also is known for its house-made sauces: garlic cilantro, sweet mustard curry and jalapeno garlic.

Tropical Grille has four more stores opening in South Carolina with plans to expand across the country, according to the company’s website.

This story was originally published April 18, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "A Cuban restaurant will reopen in University City with bowls and classic sandwiches."