Tropical Smoothie Cafe — Restaurant in Tempe

I’m giving this location one star purely because their customer service is one of the worst I have ever experienced and on multiple occasions at this particular location. In my most recent visit, I ordered a bottle of water, a regular smoothie and a kid’s smoothie. The cashier asked if I wanted the adult version of the kids smoothie I ordered. I said no, and reiterated I wanted the kid’s version because the adult equivalent has ingredients the child would not enjoy. I was charged for the adult version, but the cashier was out of receipt paper. So I could not get a receipt for this transaction. Since I didn’t have a receipt I could not prove the overcharge. So, I left it alone. When the smoothies were done, the employee distributing (employee A) gave me two full size smoothies and called out the regular version of the smoothie, not the kids version. I asked for confirmation of the smoothie’s contents, and she blew me off and asked another employee to “deal with me.” The next employee (employee B) came and asked what was going on. I said I just wanted to confirm the contents of the smoothie so I know I’m walking out with the correct items. Their response was “it’s right, I know it is. I made it.” There was so much attitude attached to it, unnecessarily because at this point I’m being extremely cordial. I said okay and waited for my bottle of water. I waited for a couple of minutes and gestured to 2 employees for assistance. They both looked at me then turned away. Employee A then says to Employee B “are you remaking the smoothie for her?” Employee B responds “No, I’m not remaking anything. It was made right.” Employee A then says “then why is she just standing there staring at us? Like what the f*k?” Employee B laughs, but neither asked if I needed anything. So, I said “excuse me, I’m just waiting for a bottle of water.” Employee B says “Well, did you pay for a bottle of water?” I said I did and if they were the one that made the smoothies, they saw my order included a bottle of water. Their response was to put their hand up in my face and say “Okay, relax. I’ll go get it.” Then they called me a btch as they walked to the back to retrieve the water. It was the most unprofessional interaction I’ve had here, though it is not the first. The employees in the back preparing food had on no masks, hairnets, or gloves, and we’re not washing their hands between order prep, on top of the poor customer service. It seems like they are always inconvenienced when asked for help or asked to do their job. They’re always short on some sort of supplies; one visit they were out of straws, once it was regular cups so they were charging for full sized smoothies but only providing a child sized cup, and this time they were out of receipt paper. There’s no real leadership as everyone is extremely young and inexperienced that works there, and they seem to make up their own rules. Sometimes they take cash, sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they open on time, sometimes they don’t. Once I went over an hour before closing and the employees closed the door on me claiming they didn’t do enough business in the last hour to justify staying open until close. It’s a mess and even though this is the only location I’ve ever had a negative experience in, I won’t be returning to any tropical...

the smoothies are great, if not slightly inconsistent. one of the biggest issues i've observed is the lack of staffing. i find myself feeling bad ordering because i know i'm adding to an already stressful situation, sometimes one where a single worker will be responsible for taking orders, making drinks, making mobile orders, and assisting those picking up mobile orders. i'm writing this while waiting in the lobby for nearly 30 minutes now for one single smoothie. i'm not mad at the worker, she's doing her best. there is simply too much for her alone to do. no one should be put in a situation like that if it can be helped.

update: months later now, after price increases. i got a Pair & Save, got a smoothie, food, and apple, but was given a rotten apple. no lie, covered in brown, mushy spots. only two people working right now, and i overheard that one of them had been working totally alone (girl, can't be older than 17) until another came in on a whim to support. the worker who came in had to bring in her young son, likely due to the short notice. been waiting over 25 minutes for my smoothie. this is the 3rd time now i've heard of a young girl having to work a shift all alone. changed my rating from 4 stars to 2. didn't rate it 1 star only out of sympathy for these poor workers. management: you're despicable. this place is why unions exist and god i hope they step in. oh, and the paper towel dispensers still doesn't work, but i have a feeling you've known...

I have been to this location quite bit of times before they raised the prices on everything ridiculous amount. Today was poor service..I went inside there is an elderly lady in the kitchen packing something on the counter not sure what she was doing, she sees me yet cannot acknowledge that I am there. If u r not there to take orders at least greet and say someone will be with you shortly. Finally someone else comes to help me I told her I have a t-mobile free Flatbread coupon to give you she says starts on Tues I was like yes it started yest today is Wednesday. She rings it up says scan the code so I did then says total is 10 something I was like how is it 10 something then she says oh wait then goes and takes the Flatbread off. If I am telling u the Flatbread is supp to be no charge and I scanned the code how come still price of 10 something being relayed. You should have picked it up before you relayed the price that something went wrong let me fix it. Kinda coming thru she didn't want to honor the code

Update as of 11/26 Ordered a pesto Flatbread asked please more pesto less chicken wad informed they will make it accordingly..food came confirmed is it more pesto less chicken was informed yes..got the food guess what it was not at all..I saw a whole lot of chicken and barely any to none pesto..why lie..I like pesto I like this specific Flatbread with more pesto if u can't or don't want to say it .u lied and it was not what...