This is a nice family spot, they get super crowded and it all outdoor, shaded seating. Their menu is impressive and the product is always good. The funnel cake is awesome, and the chocolate shakes are great.

this place always has the best desserts! it’s cool to see how well they’ve improved the place over the years

They have a great selection, banana split and funnel cake were on point, all the other snacks people were ordering looked great, got to eat it outside on a cool evening. Will definitely be back.

Tropic express is the perfect place to go get a quick snack, the staff is always so sweet and helpful, the food is fresh and delicious EVERY time and the prices are affordable. I love going to get the aguas frescas and a frito pie! Even when they get busy the staff is still so professional and friendly and the service is always fast. I also love the music they play 💃 it's a great place to go and hang out!!

Do u have star fruit? Yummy... 😍 like how the area is so nice and so clean... Except for the bees... 😳 oh the summer time...

The food is good but more importantly the woman taking orders has wonderful customer service!! She seems like she loves her job and does it very well with a smile :)

Delicious and very fresh. I didn't wait long for my order and it looked amazing too!

Nice menu, but I came for the shaved ice and loved it on such a hot day. They have sugar-free selections, too. The staff are very welcoming and helpful 😊

Great dessert stand on Culebra. They offer snow cones, ice cream, nachos, funnel cake, and tons of other snacks and tasty treats. Prices are reasonable and there are covered picnic tables available for seating.

I've been visiting Tropic for over 10 years and they never disappoint! Had some pickled cucumbers, churros, and kids had snowcones. All were great!!

I was super excited to try this place and it did not disappoint! My son and I had our afternoon treat with a smoothie, a strawberry smoothie for him, and a pineapple smoothie for me. I was surprised that it was fresh and it was not loaded with sugar. I loved that all of the menu items had a picture on the wall, and the finishing product looks exactly like the picture. The prices are less than what you pay at a fast food restaurant. The staff was awesome and friendly!! I was really impressed and can't wait to go back!!

This place is a hidden gem. Coming from the City Base area, thought I knew what a good fruiteria was, but this place really showed me! The mangonada fruit was cut fresh, and the strawberry funnel cake was absolutely amazing! Definitely our new favorite fruiteria!

Known the owners and staff since it has opened good hearted family. Some people complain it takes a little time, but everything is fresh and made as ordered. For fresh meal or desserts I would much rather wait the extra time to enjoy the product.

Tropic Express is mandatory place to enjoy a delicious fruit cup or tipical drink named Rusa prices are economic staff is great higher recommended if you're snack person

First time there, I loved it friendly staff and amazing food.

Fruit cup and nachos kinda day. Everything taste great here. Couldn't post picture of nachos. I had already eaten them lol.

Came here for corn in a cup and it was delicious

Tried their Strawberry funnel cake...was so delicious, best that i have ever had.

What a wonderful Summer time spot. The food is fresh and consistently good. The staff is very helpful and we enjoy grabbing a treat here often. The prices are competitive and the selection is awesome. You should totally stop over. They are open year around and they have burgers and hotdogs along with the other great treats as a fruitaria, they have fresh funnel cakes, mangonadas, piccadilly, ice cream, raspas and more! All are recommended!

A Sweet Slice of Paradise at Tropic Express From the moment you step into Tropic Express, you’re not just a customer; you’re family. This gem of a family-owned Mexican sweet’s restaurant has become a daily pilgrimage for my girlfriend and me, and it’s not hard to see why. Our go-to order, the Large Fresa Con Crema, is a masterpiece of freshness and flavor, perfectly balancing the creaminess with the natural sweetness of strawberries. Accompanying this delight, we never miss out on the 10 chocolate-covered strawberries, each a decadent treat that melts irresistibly in your mouth. And to add a splash of color and joy, the small rainbow snow cone always hits the spot, delivering a refreshing end to a sweet feast. But what sets Tropic Express apart isn’t just the consistently top-quality food that never fails to amaze. It’s the warmth and genuine care in the service. Every visit feels personal, every smile genuine, and every recommendation tailored to enhance your experience. It’s this attention to detail and commitment to excellence that makes every visit memorable. To anyone who’s yet to experience Tropic Express, I cannot recommend it highly enough. Whether you’re a sweet aficionado or simply in search of a welcoming spot to unwind and indulge, this is the place to be. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you, and you’ll soon find yourself planning your next visit before you’ve even left.

Really good corn in the cup! The lines can get long but definitely worth the wait

This place has the most delicious food and Mexican smoothie selection that I've been to. Friendly staff. I really loved their chilly cheese fries and tortas were delicious. They've also got a great selection on shaved ice flavors. This is a place I'll keep returning to.

Customer service is great, the girls are so friendly. Fruit cups are always fresh and well put together, the chocolate covered strawberries are my favorite, I was turned on t this place by a friend and now it has become my go-to snack shop! Pricing can get a little steep but all and all i would say its well worth it.

I would like to start by saying I am so very sorry for the loss of your amazing business today.I am so very thankful nobody was hurt.I send prayers and thoughts to you and your family and employees Helena From Exxon

Wow, so glad I came here!! Fully customizable corn cup was super hot and delicious. The fruit cup had the most delicious ripe fruit I have had in ages. The service was ultra friendly and the spacious outdoor seating is super covid friendly!! I highly recommend this place!!!

Food and drinks come out super fresh and the price is so worth it!! Definitely an awesome place to get snacks and chill outside! The service is great and the workers are very friendly. They get plenty of regular customers. Every time I come I see new and familiar faces! 11/10 recommend.

This place is such a staple for my family. We've come here for years for so many different things. Events, celebrations, happy/sad, and just for the heck of it. Its kinda sentimental. Be ready to wait. It's usually popping with long waits but it's worth it. Great to just sit outside and enjoy the company you're with.

This place is a hidden gem. I love all of the snacks that they offer. Corn in a cup, cucumbers, and mixed fruit is my favorite!

Great place for a snack. Good priced

Fresh fruit cups and delicious Mangonadas! Lots of menu options. Large outside sitting area with a large canopy and lots of picnic tables. Fun place to hang out and enjoy some Mexican snacks.

This place has my business so far, just from my first visit. I had a sweet tooth that I had to indulge, so I decided to visit Tropic Express. I chose wisely going with the chocolate Oreo shake. It's literally a combination of Fergie & Jesus...sooo good! The employees are awesome and didn't take long to get my order made. The benches are colorful and comfy to sit on. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of their vast menu.

As a bordertown kid who had an abundant amount of options for mexican snacks (Penguinos in Laredo) I was missing that moving north, no longer! Raspas, Elotes, stuffed chip bags, almost everything you can hope for! No drive thru, but you order and they give you a buzzer to sit in your car and wait for your order if there is a line. As a Cherry Raspa enjoyer, 10/10 here!

So good and bomb! I think this place hits home im from the rgv and been looking for a snack stand that has real good quality raspas and snacks. 10/10 raspas are finely shaven and so yummy too! The elote ranchero is fireeee

Everything was great - Food and Service! Wait was a little long, about 30 mins, but that’s because it was crowded. Well worth the wait for sure. Mexican Street Corn was amazinggg.

Great place. Funnel cake was delicious as well as the Hot Cheetos with cheese.

I can’t ever have enough. My mouth waters every time. So good!!

My family and I have been long customers of this place. We started coming before 2020, and always get mangonadas from here. They are so good, and the service is amazing. You have to get here at a good time though, since you might get caught up in a line. The wait is understandable, since it’s pretty popular in this area. I speak as a Mexican - I recommend this place to everyone I talk to. I have used my mangonada punch card so many times, and I’m on my third card.

Best fried twinkies ever!!! I would post a picture but I ate them already.

Whenever I come back home to visit, I always make a stop here. Good food and great service.

Always enjoy stopping with the family for a treat. We always have our snow cone and mangonada punch cards for the free one once completed. Staff is friendly and quick given how busy they can be.

My family has came here for years and they love it there food is so bomb recommend #smallbusiness💞🩷

Best place ever in the Alamo Ranch area. Owner is so friendly, prices are great, & the environment is nice with plenty outdoor seating and benches.

As always tropic express delivers what is expected, if not more, from a snack shack. Their corn cups are so delicious, cheese is very nice and hot. Freshest ingredients, fair prices. I have no complaints. I would recommend them! The quality of their food speaks for the expectation/standard they have of everything that goes out to their customers! Keep up the amazing work!

My dear friend with stage four brain cancer was treated with the upmost respect here last year and I’ll forever be grateful. This is my faithful neighborhood snack stand, I couldn’t wait to show it to Cindy. I’m not gonna lie, she looked crazy. Shaved head over six inches of stapled scalp, dyed purple in a hotel bathroom with a bedazzled cane. She LOVED it. I didn’t even get a bite of the fried Oreos or churros lol. She did have them remake her milkshake, but the lady at the counter was so incredibly kind I felt blessed to give my friend such a positive experience. While the wait can feel long in the summer, the kindness and compassion can’t be bottled up and sold elsewhere. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for having the best neighborhood snacks and best service anywhere within the 1604 loop.

Asked for the Nutty Pecan Shake mixed with Coco ice cream and it was the BEST!! Thank you Tropic Express for making my request! Will be back! 🫶🏼

My go to place for Mexican fruit cups. Very good. And excellent service! Also! I have tried several other tasty items. All being being presented "old school" the Frito pie was served in the Frito bag with plenty of chili. Everything I've tried is tasty. However, the BANANA SPLIT, IS THE BEST I HAVE TASTED IN SA. They do it right. This is a work of culinary delight. Perfect for date night. 😉

Great looking, tasty snacks freshly made. Very popular spot with shaded, covered outdoor seating. Staff is bi-lingual and super friendly. All snacks and treats are colorful and mouthwatering. Great spot for all ages. Something for everyone. Huge selection on their menu.

Little bit of a wait but very reasonable prices for the food and the service was great. I will have to come back again.

Great vibes , very respectful ‼️‼️💪🏽 family owned ‼️ HAVE THE BEST CORN 🌽 IN THE CUP ‼️ watermelon 🍉 Fresca is Always fresh . Fruit 🍎 cups are always fresh as well .. Love this place

First time coming to Tropic Express. Greeted by Leti at the counter. Very professional and helpful. Grabbed a Mangonada(small) and Rusa (large) drink. Will be coming here again.

Tropic Express is better than Frosty Frog's on Bandera Road. Wonderful delight! Prices very good. About the same as Frosty's. Here's where the differences begin. 1. Freshly made! 2. Staff: Four people to quickly serve your needs. 3. Popular: 15 people enjoying their desserts/meals grew to 25 in less than 10 minutes of our arrival. The Mangoneada had the right amount of sweet and spice. The Icyneada even had sweet tamarind to chew on later. Coconut with cream shaved ice was popular and 2 purchases right after ours. Twelve picnic tables and 4 benches. 4. Variety: Regular food, funnel cakes, (not Frosty's) banana splits and plenty of pictures (not Frosty's). 5. Price: Total for 3 purchases $15.16. Worth it for 12-16 oz deserts. 6. Definitely returning and Highly Recommended!! Mouth is watering just writing this. 😛

+1

Eva Sumter

Our snow cones were the BOMB!! We really enjoyed the prompt service and nice staff. I always come here when I am in need of a great snack 😋

ROMAN SILVA

If you haven't tried this place yet, punch yourself in the face. I like their cucumber cup, coconut cream raspa, fruits cups, mangonadas, chocolate covered strawberries. Gotta try the rest 😋.

Michelle Villarreal

I love this place since I found it! I love the customer service, food and atmosphere. It’s outdoors they have benches and it’s very clean! 100% recommend ❤️

RanaB

My favorite snack spot!! I love the corn in a cup..I love how they leave the condiments out for you to customize your cup..So many snacks to choose from from chocolate to fruit cups to a burger meal..

+2

The Mangonadas here are an intensely delightful treat! Tried the pecan smoothie and it blew me away. NO OTHER CAN COMPARE! THIS PLACE IS THE BEST HANDS DOWN.

Jazmyne McBride

Love this place for a quick, fun treat! I tried the fried Oreos and they came out hot and perfectly crispy! A little sad they no longer have the mini tacos. They were delicious.

CRY

When you buy the elotes you can add your mayo,butter, Chile, Valentina, on your own. I usually don't like places that do this. However, it was good quality products so it was super yummy. Also, they come with crema so if you don't like crema then just ask for no crema. The blueberry cone was also very yummy. My nephews loved them.

John Gaona

Great place to stop in for snacks, food... all kinds of goodies! Family and I have been coming since there were 2 picnic tables placed in front and no parking! It's only gotten better. Hey, order what you want, the way you want it and wait for your number to be called! I like my mangonadas with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Create your own snack or order off the wide variety of items they offer! Now, no more talking, let's eat 👍

+6

Boris Tarasenko

Went here with my family on a Saturday night and it was awesome! We ordered sliced mango fruit cup, a mango on a stick, and a couple of Mangonada’s w/ fresh mango on top! The service was phenomenal and there were plenty of benches to sit and chat. There were a few times where the line got pretty long while we were sitting and talking, but the folks here work fast to get the line moving quick! Awesome neighborhood spot for snacks and drinks!

E Davis

My family and I have been coming here for many years since I was in high school in the 90s. I have love to see how this family with their small business has grown through the years. The mom is a very hard worker and her son is a very nice sweet guy. I visit my mom every weekend and this is our go to place for a little treat. I love the apple that they slice for me. I do not get the Chamoy that it comes with, but I do like the Tajin on the side(it is great with orange slices). If you ever go there long lines, it’s worth the wait and they do work very quickly to get you what you ordered. We’ve had many different items through the years from this place and everything is always excellent. I would highly recommend going here it is worth the drive.

+3

This place is the epitome of good Hispanic desserts. Better than any ice cream man you'd ever stand in line for! They have everything and it's made as soon as you order it. I love this place and I'm sure you will too. It's also reasonably priced. ❤️❤️❤️

Fonzie Gonz

This place offers great value for the whole family. My family of 5 was able to get something each and it came out to less than $30! Helped me forget about inflation for one night lol I recommend the churros (add ice cream) and corn in a cup. The ladies were very courteous and friendly. There’s plenty of outdoor seating if you want to eat there, parking is odd because you have to use either the gas station parking next door or the business plaza on the other side. Neither has a direct connection to Tropic Express so you have to walk from there.

+1

Joey Saldaña

Such wonderful service. This place is a hidden gem in the neighborhood, many locals come here to grab a quick bite or have one of the BEST RASPAS(snowcones) around. Service is always given with a smile and food comes out in a timely manner. We have know this place for many many years. They never fail to impress us everytime we visit. HIGHLY RECOMMEND to anyone visiting from out of town to come visit. This place is always popping on a Friday and Saturday night. Gives you time to enjoy the outdoor space and talk with friends. Will always have this place a spot in my heart❤️❤️❤️❤️

+1

Emily Hillyard

I LOVE THIS PLACE! I love all the snack and drink options they offer here. Everything tastes so good and fresh. The only thing I hate is that it’s on the other side of town for me.

+1

It's a little pricey. But the food and fruit cups are good. You can find cheaper but not in the area. I ordered a strawberry and cream fruit cup and I would order it again. Definitely would go back. Be prepared to sit out side there is no dine in area.

I love going here for my raspas and nachos. The portion size is always huge and the food is hot when served. The owner is super friendly. But, I gave 4 stars because here employees are not so friendly. They are all rude and short every time I go. As if me ordering food is a bother to them. One girl in particular was the worst and I havnt been back since. To bad because I love this place but it's not worth the bad attitudes.

Came here for funnel cakes. Just had a craving. The cakes were delicious and huge and well priced. The wait was a little long but worth it in the end. I'll come back if the craving hits again.

This place is good. The only this is that the food always comes out slow. It is made fresh but even when they arent busy it can take 20 minutes just to get two items

I went for the very first time and I was excited to try something like this because I’m from the south side so it was hard to find something good and inexpensive on this side of town. I got the Lucas picadilly it was really good I just wish they served them in bigger cups and used chamoy instead of the little candy packets. But the prices are real good. My friend got the nacheetos which was nachos with hot Cheetos and jalapeños now that was good as well. I would recommend to friends but that is my only “con” about the place is that the cups they serve raspas in are tiny. But I would definitely go again.

Always fun and tasty when we go here for our tastes from home. AND!!! They put queso fresco in their corn 🌽, YUM!!!

Candy

Prices are very reasonable, the food is good, but we were a little disappointed with the strawberries and cream...they weren't bad but they were not amazing. Everything else was pretty good. They have a huge selection of stuff to pick from so that's always a plus. It does get a little crowded and food does take a little while to get to you but our wait wasn't bad. Over all it was a pretty good experience for our first time.

+1

Best place to get snacks. Great shaved ice. Great desserts! Great service. Great place to take kids or dates after dinner.

Amber L

A pretty good place all in all with a variety of things to choose from. The food/dessert/drinks are good. Of course there are things that aren’t good to where they didn’t heat it up properly and it tasted cold and the food looked expired. There is much seating available, tables are just dirty. It gets packed a lot and wait times can be as long as 45 minutes.

Super good food and great customer service but it takes forever to get your order, took 45min to get just a medium drink and a single pickle. That’s embarrassing especially since it’s like this 8 times out of 10

Portions are really big, price is more than reasonable. Quick service, enjoyed the fresh air. The only thing I wasn't too thrilled was that the corn was overly cooked (boiled)

The food was decent, the atmosphere was a bit tough because it's outside seating only and it's super hot. I suggest they should do what six flags does. Since they have a big tent over the chair area, they should add some fans to the top area. Just don't put the fan on super high so it doesn't blow food around or away, but for example, six flags do a good job at this. They should too. They even have speakers currently there to play some music, so they should totally add some fans when it's super hot. Like, come on, it's TEXAS!

Pinky Garcia

I am so sad that the corn in a cup is just from the can. Also, it looks and tastes like yellow corn too me which makes me feel worse haha I don't recommend this place if you're looking for Mexican corn (which is white corn and not from the can). Other than that, the place looked nice, clean and spacious. Many tables and chairs available. They have many other snack options that you may be interested in

I typically just 5/5 my ratings if satisfied, but my experience didn't meet expectations for traditional snacks. I asked for an "Elote en Vaso", Mangonada, and Hot cheetos with cheese. Although I did get corn in a cup, I got no chile! Just cheese and cream of a sort. (-1) The mangonada had the typical flavor and chamoy but no Mango pieces. (-1) Hot cheetos were not given with cheese initially. (Non issue) I ordered 20mins before the close and although my order was done 10mins after I called, it wasn't up to traditional expectations. I drove off thinking my order was prepared as traditional, but when I got home I noticed the items were not complete. I didn't call as they had closed 20mins prior to getting home, so I messaged the FB page about my experience. My message was received and "seen" but has been ignored. (-1) Closing hour is one of the most crucial because errors/miscommunication can not be remedied. Quality assurance needs some work. Had been craving these snacks for a couple weeks now, mostly upset about this. I skipped dinner so i could treat myself to these snacks. Will try it again an other day.

Ashlee Perez

The first time I tried it I thought it was awesome, however I went back tonight and ordered the SAME item and the skimped me on my ice cream portion. For $8 a snow cone with ice cream I would appreciate it if I actually received what I ordered.

Overpriced. 2 large fruit cups and a small snow cone for $25. Only 3 pieces of strawberries and the watermelon was NOT FRESH! You know how when watermelon has been sitting around in a bowl for a while and it gets slimey????? Yea... exactly what we got. Not satisfying or appealing at all. Also, customer service is very rude. No excuses for paying customers.

Really disappointed how far this place has fallen. The food quality has gone dome, but the worst part is the speed of service. 30 minutes for 1 snowcone in one instance, and nearly 50 minutes for 1 snowcone and 1 order of nachos in another! Based on other recent reviews on here, it seems my experiences are not an exception but rather the norm now 😞

How does a place ruin a Rusa?!?! Dont even get me started with their "corn in a cup". I was expecting white corn, not yellow. Then again it didn't say Vaso de Elote. Place is mediocre and inauthentic. Fruit seems frozen and/or from a package. Im from The Valley, so of course I'm going to criticize.

Magonadas are not that good I just got a large and a medium magonadas 17.00 dollars barely had chile polvo and chamoy no pieces of mango like some do have taste more like water sorry but true

Me and my family have been going to this same place since me and my sister were born.It seems like the management is not as great anymore.We waited over an hour for 4 items which was two raspas,chocolate shake and pickles. The lady kept on skipping over people’s numbers in which she should have been doing them in the order that they go in. Then she proceeds to say on the speaker “if you keep on coming up and asking for your order it slows us down, be patient” But you could see everyone else around us was frustrated as well and kept on going up to ask why is it taking so long especially since most people only ordered 1 or two things. Finally our number gets called and we ask her if we could have a cherry for the shake and she said “it only comes with one not two….” But there was never one on there to begin with.She heads to the back and shakes her head.The shake tasted like it was sitting in the freezer and they just took it out.Also I do understand that everything is made fresh but it should not take over an hour for someone’s order to be done. Overall bad experience and me and my family will not be coming back.

Used to come here as a child with my parents when different ownership was involved. But after today's experience of waiting over half an hour for a s-i-n-g-l-e raspa that was a gloppy, syrupy, chunky mess and being yelled at by a lady in red " RELAX IT'S COMING" I was not served as a customer should be. Needless to say, the place has gone downhill, and I will not be spending any more time or money there. Tonight, was not even overly crowded, and after my ticket number was passed up four numbers ahead as well as waiting patiently for half an hour, I inquired about why my single item was taking so long, even other customers who ordered long after me were still receiving theirs before I was. Then the cashier was polite to me and even tried to offer a solution, while the impatient red shirt lady was just rude, yelling at us both and had poor customer service skills, very unprofessional from a business standpoint. On more than one occasion I was let down by overpriced and disappointing items, ridiculous wait times, and this was the last straw. This syrupy, gloppy mess I received was very gross looking and after tasting it, sure enough, it was just as bad as it appeared, I had to toss it in the garbage. Over $5 and half an hour wasted, do you think it's worth it? Such a shame I do not.

Francisco S

We arrived at 6:18, ordered 3 items, and had to wait over an hour to get our stuff at 7:25. They were calling numbers out of order jumping from 48 back down to 31 and back to 45. All the tables were filthy, covered in dirt from the gravel floor. Prices are really high. When i was paying, the cashier just walked away and told me what my number was before i even finished paying. On the screen, it asked how I wanted a receipt, and i chose text message, but after typing in my phone number i never received it. Will not be returning here again and highly discourage anyone from going also.

+3

Vanessa Favela

went and got 2 elotes and a mango cup. the mango cup was super good, fresh fruit. the corn on the other hand was topped with mozzarella cheese and a sliver of sour cream…. needless to say it was flavorless and just topped incorrectly. I went and asked to exchange the corn for something else and was told no because i was supposed to season the corn to my liking, with salt and lucas….what lol. overall, don’t recommend and would instead recommend Senor Mango Ice Cream.

Lisamarie Garcia

I always come here and have good experiences but this pass time I went there was a different experience all in total, there was a different person taking my order and she was not nice. When I ordered nachos with no jalapeños then Gaven nachos covered in jalapeño like no big deal things happen. I take it back she looks at me like I did something wrong, takes my order 2 minutes later comes back with the same chips just covered in cheese.THIS IS NOT A FRIENDLY PLACE NO MORE!!!

delbert Murry

Guy didn’t even ask if I wanted change for my 20 he just took it, and then filled up the fruit boat ($10)with un edible/fruit that clearly wasn’t ready to be cut and ate.