Tropical Smoothie Cafe Cafe

So I’m setting in another TS writing a review on my phone… I almost NEVER do that. I’m trying Suri out to dictate the review and will see how many typo’s I have, ha! It’s time to update my neighborhood joint because after around 60 checks it’s overdue and unfortunately being downgraded.
This may be my «go to» Tropical Smoothie, but who has not been in the position where things get just a little to comfortable as things around a place begin to fall apart on all aspects of the business. Well this is one of those situations. It’s call apathy, look it up!
Service has continued to be one of the most disappointing aspects this store has not going for it. The workers DO NOT want to be there and it shows. No smiling, no energy, just going through the motions. If there are no customers you will not find them doing anything usually except for talking. However, on my last visit I did see them wiping down in the back. Wait times when busy are longer than they should be. Wait times when almost no business are of issue too!
My assumption is that the owner Lori is spending less time in the store and does not have strong managers… it shows big time and this has been going on a while. I can no longer continue to recommend them and did not want to have my review listed as a 3 star any longer. I also assume and this is not a stretch that they are having a lot of problems keeping staff. Rarely do I see the same employees.
Food quality has also suffered, but prices have went up. As evidence they have replaced there cookie vendor recently. They now only offer two kids of cookies rather than like six. So now it’s chocolate chip and snicker doodle and more expensive. Thank goodness the taste is still solid. With this much business our family has given them it pains me to say I feel several visits should have almost been refunded.
Cleanliness of the store is problematic. On my most recent visit there were no other customers except for me and my children, but yet NO ONE EVER checked the dining room to ensure it was tidy. Well it was not, a table right beside us had chairs in disarray and was dirty. NO EXCUSE!
Bottom line, store has declines and this was from a previous three star. My kids love TS to death, but we are now going to another location not too much farther at Haygood that has it pulled together. The energy this store once had has been sucked out for a lack of better words. For prices charged it should be better and it has failed. But the smoothies have never lest us down and I will not dip into a 1 star, but yet say a 1.5 and round to a 2 at this time.

This location always seems a little short staffed when I visit. I wouldn’t visit here if I am in a hurry. My office is right down the road and I get their text coupons so I find myself visiting a few times a month. Everything is consistent with each visit and with the other TSC locations in the area. The service is friendly, however they have forgotten a few times to ask if I wanted my meal to go or for dine in and opted for dine in each time. I guess you could also say that I forgot to tell them I was taking it to go. Not a big deal. The dining room is usually pretty clean.

Today I got the Early bird wrap. They were very busy with only two people so my food took a little longer than expected. It was flavorful but the wrap was toasted longer than I would have liked. I would definitely return but I would get something else next time I go. I have been here before and I got a Jamaican jerk wrap. Will definitely get that next time.

Kendall and randy are friggin awesome tip well if they serve u! Great place for wifi!

I don’t often frequent frozen drink chains, but when I do…
TS has a really extensive menu of smoothies, that is pretty much enough to get me in the door all by itself. Lately, though, this has become a ‘once in awhile’ lunch spot as well! This trip was all about the Jamaican Jerk Chicken wrap. Great sized portion for lunch, reasonable price, and just enough kick that I still had that slight burn on the tongue as I was walking back to the car!
The last few trips to this location have found me sharing the dining room with some business guys having a working lunch! I’d never really considered TS the place for a working lunch (it just doesn’t seem right to talk work over a Bamboozle Double Banana Coconut Triple Whip), but great drinks, good food, and a non-​crowded environment actually make this the perfect place!
Does this race to the top and leapfrog local delis? No, not by a long shot. But for repeatable quality in a relaxed atmosphere, this is worth the stop.