By: Chloe Smith
Collegedale is home to a community with a strong emphasis on vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, largely influenced by its deep-rooted Seventh-day Adventist values. This unique cultural mixture fosters a healthy, often privately owned and plant-based food scene, with people always searching for new food options that cater to their appetites.
One restaurant in particular, Tropical Cuisine, has taken strides to serve the vegan and vegetarian population of Collegedale. Located on Ringgold-Ooltewah Road, the restaurant serves various healthy vegetarian and vegan dishes according to its website.
Alberto Torres, Tropical Cuisine owner, founded the restaurant in October 2021, so plant-based eaters near Collegedale had another dining option.
“I opened the restaurant because, in this area, there are many people who like vegetarian food and healthy food,” Torres said. “So many customers like that it’s vegan.”
While the restaurant’s menu emphasizes homemade and vegan items, it also has a unique South American influence, as reflected by the comments of satisfied customers and employees.
“The food they offer- I can’t find something quite like it anywhere else,” said Sharon Duque, a senior accounting major at Southern. “They have a vegetarian or vegan alternative that you just can’t find elsewhere.”
The menu ranges from sandwiches, soups and salads to Mexican fare. Some signature dishes include the House Plate, Enchiladas, Tropical Burrito, House Fried Rice and other vegetarian specials.
“The food, actually, was one of the main reasons I went back,” said Elyse Baltodano, a junior business-public relations major. “I wanted good food that was semi healthy. It’s very authentic. [The] authentic flavors remind me of childhood, and just things that I grew up with.”
In addition to the popular dishes, the restaurant also serves açaí bowls, smoothies, juices and desserts in another section of the building. The drink menu includes customizable smoothies, coffee and more.
“All of our smoothies are fresh; we cut the fruits ourselves,” Royes said.
Despite there being other vegan cuisine in the area, such as High Su and The Garden at Southern, Tropical Cuisine aims to stand out.
“There’s competition, yes, but our food is different,” Torres said. “It’s more homemade.”
The restaurant also takes pride in its welcoming atmosphere and Christian values.
“[I enjoy working in] the Christian atmosphere,” Royes said. “Most people who come are believers in Christ.”
Duque said. “The staff were all really nice, they all greeted us with smiles. The atmosphere was very welcoming, and they catered to my needs.”
According to its website, Tropical Cuisine aims to create “a place where the community [can] kick back, relax and savor the taste of home.”
