Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Feeling like a smoothie? This is the place to go! They use real fruits and you can add protein and other stuff to your smoothie to tailor it too your needs!
Great sizes! You get what you pay for! Plan on about $ 4 – 6 for a smoothie! Might seem like a little pricey but you are getting a nutritional drink, with real fruit not a $ 1 coke from McDonald’s.
Food it a little pricey though. Great atmosphere! Clean! I like to get a smoothie and them take a walk down grand river!

I’ve NEVER had a bad experience here. Everyone working is always kind. Smoothies and food is a bit overpriced, but I’ve never disliked anything I’ve ordered. Smoothies are well made and always taste fabulous. If anything I’d say add a bit less sugar to the smoothies. They can be very sweet.

One of my biggest gripes about living in Michigan in the somewhat dreary Lansing area was the complete lack (as in zero) of smoothie shops. I’m a smoothie nut — in all the previous places I’ve lived, smoothie houses were always my go to for breakfast, and sometimes for a liquid lunch. It’s my way of getting the servings of fruit without much effort that I otherwise avoid. They give me a little pep to my step and are just downright tastetacular.
TSC arrived near MSU sometime last year but I hadn’t had a reason to try them until my office relocated dangerously close. It’s part of a still small chain that also serves breakfast and lunch food items that tend to have a tropical theme. This location isn’t much to look at; its very plain inside and out, but kept clean which I value more.
I’ve tried multiple smoothies so far, gearing toward the low-​cal options the most. Each has been very flavorful, perfectly thick, and leaves me feeling good about myself. My personal favorite is the Acai Berry Blast. My only real complaint is that there aren’t size options — all smoothies are the same size (VERY large — too large for me) and the same price. I’d like to see a small, medium, or large option. It would help my wallet and my waistline.
As for customer service, the guy who runs the counter during the weekday mornings knew my name after my first visit and has used it ever since. Such a small gesture really goes a long way, and being treated like a friendly face will always keep me coming back!

Food and smoothies are fresh and yummy. Décor is simple and welcoming. Staff is still getting use to the menu. Reasonably priced too.

Meh. I’ve experienced better. Exactly.
This new location of an expanding franchise chain is just that — another gimmicky, so-​so addition to a long line of sub-​par dining options in EL. Note that I could not even add their phone number above as it is crossed off on the menu I was given (more particularly, note that someone took the time to cross it off, but not actually the write the correct one). There was similar confusion in finding their hours (and menu, as seen below) but I hope those are just opening jitters.
First, it is a smoothie café kinda joint. Which reads… «we got lots of smoothie options with some food to go with it.» The smoothie variety is extensive; there are many combinations with the expected cutesy names and it looks like you can create just about anything you could want with the different fruits and supplements. While mine tasted of real fruit, it was difficult to watch the blending process and see if mixes/​binders were used as well. It definitely was ice-​heavy and rather thick, especially if only fruit-​based. Given their difficulty with other questions, I decided not to press my luck.
Interestingly, the corporate website for the chain also does not list ingredients. I did learn, however, that my «low-​fat» (of course) smoothie has about 500 calories and 128 carbs (113 sugar). They are all 24oz. and start at $ 4.59. One plus is that a smoothie is just $ 3 if purchased with a food item. One con is that the food items may not be worth it.
Specifically, I ordered one of the recommended chicken flatbreads for $ 3.99. College students take note: they are small. In fact, the last inch of my flatbread was without any filling. I focus here on the main components instead of the actual flatbread as I feel they are the foundation of the menu. That is, while the flavors were okay, the chicken is nothing special. Seemed to be over-​processed, probably frozen and pre-​cooked chicken (which also explains the sodium content), that requires extensive flavoring. The bread itself was soft, surprisingly not crunchy for being a grilled flatbread and was also just okay. Each ingredient seemed to be acceptable and best — and unfortunately none were combined in a way to make the «sum» any better than its parts. Did the $ 3 smoothie option make up for it (saving $ 1.49 with the sandwich)? No. And I am equally unlikely to spend $ 5 on a fair, but not exceptional smoothie.
The service was friendly and mostly helpful. The small seating area appeared clean and well-​kept (as it should be new…), but there was a fair amount of trash alongside the back part of the building. I liked the pleasant atmosphere and smiling faces, but these only go so far in the overall experience. For example, with no line, it still seemed to take a fair amount of time for my order. Additionally, coordination is needed: the smoothie maker didn’t know I was still waiting for a sandwich. Nor could anyone tell me how much the breakfast wraps were. The menu states $ 1.99-$ 3.99 and I asked if that reflected different sizes. No one knew without ringing one up, and no one wanted to find out for me.
In short, I was not impressed. While smoothies might be a big hit for summer, the value for this college town is probably lacking. Perhaps I will try again once they settle in — and perhaps offer some coupons — but I’m certainly not in any hurry to return.