Tropical Smoothie Cafe — Restaurant in San Antonio

Date: August, 07 2025 at 8:30 AM exactly.

If I could give zero stars, I would — not for the smoothies (which are great- at any location other than here. I will be visiting any other location JUST to avoid this), but for the laughably petty gatekeeping of your restroom. I have used your restroom many times before, and it isn’t anything special. If anything, it’s a biohazard waiting to be released- trash everywhere, grime and mildew on every surface, unclean facilities.

I walked into your so-called Tropical Smoothie Café—a title I assume is ironic, given the hostile energy radiating from your staff—and was approached by a short girl with glasses and was extremely rudely informed I was not allowed to use your bathroom as I “was not a paying customer.” Seriously kid?

Let me be crystal clear: I was about to. I walked in with the full intention of ordering something overpriced and nutritionally vague. But apparently, needing to relieve myself before reciting your 14-ingredient açai bowl menu was too much to ask.

This isn’t the Met Gala. It’s a strip mall smoothie shop with plastic chairs, tacky beach vibes and tacky Martha’s Vineyard posters peeling off the wall. You think you’re protecting your precious facilities from what, bathroom bandits? I’ve used the restroom at the Dominion Club. I assure you, I wasn’t going to steal your toilet paper or trash your already filthy restroom.

Also, making someone with a bladder emergency stand in line and order a $10 mediocre smoothie before they can pee isn’t just bad service — it’s borderline inhumane. I hope your manager gets the pleasure of reading this and revises your dystopian policy.

Quite frankly, I am not only disgusted with your “business”, but also at myself for passing up several other smoothie and juice shops to go to my most loyal cafe- only to be denied restroom access EVEN WHEN I purchased an item.

To anyone whose planning to visit, here are some things to know • Avoid the morning staff AT ALL COSTS. They are cold, rude, and don’t clean the bathroom as it is. • Go to the bathroom ANYWHERE else before coming here for God’s sake. Even a porto-potty would have better service and would more than likely be cleaner than this filthy place. • IF YOU MUST BRING CHILDREN, make sure to let them into the bathroom and if you are approached by a worker, state that you’re a paying customer. Although, I would think 3 times before sending any loved one to this restaurant where they are unable to use a toilet.

In summary: I didn’t get a smoothie. I got a story. And a vendetta. Save your time and money and go to Smoothie King or Playa...

I visited the tropical smoothie location at at 1:24 PM today. When walking in Mercedes greeted me. Chuma was working at a table near the restroom with his stuff all over the table. Mercedes told him she needed help with the food as the store started to get busy. Mercedes went to the back and Chuma went to the register. Chuma was not friendly when placing my order. He was rushing me and he did not ask if I had the APP to ensure I received my points for my order. When I asked him how can I get my points for this order he said, “it doesn’t take two people to pull out their phones to receive points”. (The other person I was with was on their phone) but I found it rude and inappropriate to say that since I had my card out ready to pay, along with my phone. I am not sure why he felt that comment was necessary. He was not friendly nor made me feel comfortable. I come to this location at least three times a week. I have never encountered any rude employee. This is the first time I seen him and it was not pleasant. After receiving my drink, Mercedes was informed I did not like my drink. When Mercedes approached Chuma to help resolve this, he became aggressive and proceeded loudly with “well are you going to pay for it”? I did not mind paying for it but it was extremely rude and embarrassing especially when addressing a frequent customers concerns. I threw my drink away and never got to enjoy my items. This was extremely disappointing, humiliating, disrespectful and rude. I would suggest any customer if an older male, dark skinned is there to please walk out. He speaks to the employees rude and obviously the customers. Oh, and not to mention, he had the title manager on his name tag below his name. He needs training and should be demoted to clean tables and restrooms. I would suggest him observing the younger adults on how to handle these kind of situations WHEN they do come about because he has no experience. Each time I go to this location the younger adults are amazing and I can tell they are excited to be there. This could have all been avoided if he would have just comprehended my feedback and was welcome to a customers concerns. I did not raise my voice, in fact Chuma did. I would suggest he also needs anger...

• Response back to Tropical Smoothie Cafe Corporate -- I have reached out to your company the same day using the contact us and leave feedback option on 7/29 and no one has attempted to reach out since then. In the feedback I did provide my order number and contact information. **

Worst customer service ever! The female on 7/29 refused to refund my purchase when she was not opened at 7am. She fought with me over the phone and belittled me. How can a food business not be prepared and open on time? Then to blame the customer for their unprofessional behavior and actions? I even contacted corporate and still silence. They do not care for their customers, they only see us as dollar signs nothing more. To be in a high real state area and to treat customers like this is beyond horrible and someone's head needs to roll for this ! The young female needs to be fired and blasted for her behavior. There was about 4 other customers standing outside the door at 7:06am waiting for their order. Yet it is the customers fault for her not being there when she is supposed to be. I will never be going back here ever again , I suggest everyone not go here for any reason it is not worth the headaches nor your hard...