The interior is clean and spacious, the menu is clear with ingredients well listed and visible, the nutritional content is well indicated and the selection is diverse Where Tropical is challenged is staffing to scalability. With drive-thru, online orders and walk-ins, a staff of 3 cannot meet all needs I had to wait over 4 minutes to order one drink and waited another 4+ minutes and I was 1 of 3 unique customers in the location. An improvement in staff could sent this over the top. read more

I placed an order on Tropical Cafe's website for delivery. I was charged higher prices for this service and added a tip. When my order was delivered, a smoothie I had ordered was missing. I contacted the store about having the smoothie delivered and was told they did not have any delivery drivers and the order was delivered by UberEats or DoorDash. Because it could not be delivered, I requested a refund. I was told they were unable to refund the item because I had ordered it through UberEats or DoorDash, which I had not done. I asked to speak with a manager several times and was told he was not there. I asked to have the manager call me. They would not agree. I requested his name and number, and was given a name, but they did not know his number and said they would have to look it up. I was then told they were too busy to do this. The individuals who I spoke with kept asking me to call them again and hung up on me three times. They kept repeating the same thing over and over - I had not ordered it for delivery from the store and they could not refund me. The issue remains unresolved. Anyone in a food service role easily could have handled this type of issue and done so quickly. A simple, "we will get in touch with our manager asap and have the item refunded. Either one of us or the manager will call you to let you know it has been resolved/how it will be resolved." The workers either are not trained or do not care about providing good service. Either way, Tropical Cafe lost a customer today and I would not recommend anyone supporting this location. read more

Caitlyn at the window was the sweetest. The employees are very friendly majority of the time. This location needs new management or something. First of all, they're always very slow. If I order on the app I try to do it 30 minutes ahead of time and sometimes it's still not ready. Secondly, they were only serving through the drive thru. Also, this is the 3rd or 4th time I've come to this location and they've added something to the smoothie that I specifically requested not be added. I made a complaint through the app the most recent occurrence and received a letter of apology in the mail, but at this point I don't even want to visit this location. What's the point of having the option to make adjustments if they'll be ignored?! My pesto flatbread came with no pesto(pictured below). Something has to change here or they're going to lose business. read more

Tropical Smoothie Cafe - Pesto flatbread (they forgot the pesto) - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

Worst location ever. Last time I came in, took 40 minutes and they left out the Nutella drizzle I paid extra for. When I brought it to their attention, was told it was on the granola and just couldn't be seen. It was not. This time I ordered 45 minutes in advance. Waiting 15 minutes in store and couldn't even get the single employee working there to acknowledge me. I finally called out to get her attention. She said "we don't have those and you can get a refund". When I asked how, she said "I don't know, I don't use the app". There is no way to get a refund via the app. Waste of time and money. Can't believe this location is even open. See photo for the manager's response. Never any apology from either of them. And I have yet to receive a refund. Edited to add: the owner's response doesn't even address the main issues here. Bottom line, avoid this location at all costs. Believe all these negative reviews. Wish I'd seen them before wasting my time and money read more

Tropical Smoothie Cafe - This was the response that I got from the manager. - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I tried leaving feedback on the Tropical Smoothie Cafe website and when you get to the Location segment, the web page will not advance. The Folly Road location on James Island, Charleston, SC, is consistently understaffed. During today's visit, with only five cars ahead of me, it took over 25 minutes to receive my order. While previous visits weren't quite as long, even simple smoothie-only orders should not require this much time. It's clear the location is struggling with staffing, which creates a frustrating and unpleasant customer experience. read more

Poor quality of food. I ordered an açaí bowl and received a frozen pre-made bowl to include the fruits on it being frozen fruits. I asked why it's frozen and was told I need to wait 5 min before eating it. Wow! Thank you for a gross açaí bowl. read more

Avoid at all costs!!! Found a dead roach in my bowl... worst part about the experience is how unbothered the male employee I told could not have cared less. So disappointed in the customer service on top of a horrible eating experience. read more

Went through the drive through no one answered so I drove to the window and there were two teenage workers and I sat for a couple minutes thinking they were just busy. Not the case. They proceeded to look at me and literally walk away from the window. Didn't say or do anything. I watched as the boy just started sweeping and wiping stuff of the counter and so I decided to go in and ask if they weren't doing drive through orders and they said no. Cool you could've literally just came up to the window and asked me to come inside or even pointed to go around. No adults there either. These kids were literally no older than 18. read more

Worst product, service of ALL THE tropical smoothie locations. I had to go back to have them fix my order on THREE separate occasions wasting my time and money. Go visit the west Ashley location instead. read more

I came to this location ordered a açaí bowl and the açaí is hard and icy and has freezer burn all over it

The service took days and the people were mean. I Do not recommend this location. Iiiiiii

Great prices and smoothies but could use less ice . The major problem, they are too slow and don't even look up to greet you when you walk in , it takes them like 3 minutes to realize someone walked into the store . read more

Placed an online order for just a pesto chicken flatbread. I arrived at the designated pickup time and was greeted upon arrival by rude staff arguing with customers and blaring rap music throughout the store. I then told them I had an order for pickup and got no response before continuing to wait 20+ mins for them to begin my food between them switching music and going on their phones, (restaurant had one other customer). Finally, after about half an hour, an employee began to prep my food without gloves, as well as left all garnishing except for chicken in the flatbread and heating it for 10 seconds. Not the first experience like this I've had at this location and will not be returning. read more

I got a smoothie and a sandwich and my smoothie was really good but the sandwich (cali breakfast flatbread) was literally just eggs and bread. They forgot the avocado, sauce, and chicken. It always takes so long to receive my order every time i'm there even when there are 5 people working and i'm the only customer. Usually i enjoy the food and drinks at least, but not today read more

After reading the bad reviews we were pretty skeptical- but we go to locations in TN and love Tropical Smoothie and went anyways... went through the drive thru and service, speed and product was great! Kamhren helped us out and she was great. read more

The service is always top notch. I had a great experience with Andrea this morning who accommodated all my special request. I highly recommend this location for its great staff and great service. This is such a gem on James Island. Among the endless sea of pizza joints, Mexican restaurants and all the unhealthy drive thru options it great to have a healthy option to grab something fast with the kids. read more

Literally the worst place to go if you're in a rush! Did an online order at 3:20 said it was going to be ready at 3:30, got in the building at 3:30 and my one smoothie was not ready. So I waited for 10 more minutes still nothing, so I went up to the register and waited 5 minutes before someone asked me what I needed. After I asked about my smoothie she said she'll make that right away. Got my smoothie and left at 3:50. The smoothie was okay it wasn't blended all the way and it was leaking with water. Also the place had very few people in it, so not really sure why it took so long. read more

The service was terrible the employees are rude and slow not sure how hard it is to make smoothies here (but they seem to struggle immensely) not only that she covered my smoothie in stickers for no reason would not recommend go to poke bowl. read more

Living up in Harrogate Tennessee we don't have one of these amazing establishments! While visiting today My husband and I stopped in for one of there amazing smoothies and I'm so happy we did ! We were immediately welcomed in ! Our smoothie was delicious and all the employees were super sweet - I highly recommend this amazing establishment! Delicious smoothie , friendly employees, reasonable prices - we will be back while visiting this area read more

Zamariah is an amazing employee. She made my smoothie with ease. She blended it to perfection. She is so nice. The mangos, the strawberries, so ripe and delicious and juicy! The extra mango was so yummy. Yum yum yum! If you go to Tropical Smoothie Cafe make sure to have Zamariah make your smoothie! read more

Tropical Smoothie Cafe - Nice blending - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

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We went here earlier this week to grab a smoothie. It was 8pm. Despite both the door AND the website saying they closed at 9, the doors were closed and locked and the employees just stared at us and shook their heads. Thought we'd give it another shot today. This time we tried the drive through. There were two cars in line when we got there. Not even kidding we sat in line for 45 minutes. We just drove on through once it was our turn because we didn't want to wait another 20 minutes for our one smoothie. Don't go here. read more

Tropical smoothie Café on James Island just can't get it together with their staff. You never know when they're going to be opened or closed. I really Like their smoothies, but this is starting to become a problem.. I hope the owner of the franchise sees this, and can figure something out. Also please don't send me a computer generated sappy response. I noticed the other reviews.. read more

We ordered the pomegranate plunge, sunrise sunset, and the paradise point smoothies. All were very good. My wife ordered the turkey bacon ranch sandwich with a side of chips, she had nothing but good things to say about it. I ordered the Santa Fe chicken quesadilla with jalapeño corn, which was very good! I couldn't put the corn down once started eating it. The quesadilla was of average size for one on James Island. read more

Tropical Smoothie Cafe - Ordering counter and menu board. - Juice Bars & Smoothies Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

I wanna be clear, i'm not sure if this is the right one but my sister and i went to the tropical smoothie on folly rd. today and after waiting for an unbelievable long time in the drive through line i got my smoothie and it tasted horrible, i let my sister try it and she aid it was terrible. In the meantime she still had not received hers so we pulled back around to the other side of the store and she went in with the one that i had gotten. When she got inside they told her they had no sugar so my sister said that they should have mentioned that to the customers beforehand so she asked for her money back and was told " we can't do that cause the manager isn't here" so my sister said well you need to call your manager cause i want my money back. While on the phone with the manager both the manager and the girl at the counter said well you can call the police so we did ! The manager showed up right after the police and said she brought some suger but my sister said she wanted her money back as we had been there for a long time and had been disrespected. The police talked to the manager and my sister finally got her money back but the manager put a do not trespass on both of us, really great way to treat your customers right ! They screw up and then felt like they needed to get even with us, great customer service ! read more

Tropical Smoothie Cafe on Folly Road on James Island is a well managed Tropical Smoothie location that is a convenient option when you are in the area and need something healthy. I really like having this option at this location. The staff here is very friendly and efficient at getting everything together. read more

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Love it! Great smoothies and great food all in one place. I enjoy the smoothies, food, and atmosphere. It is a great choice whether you are looking for a snack or a meal. Everyone in my family finds something they enjoy each time we visit. read more

I'm getting tropical smoothie on James island before I head into work and I met Lori. She's an absolute doll, couldn't have been better at her job along with the hospitality. She kept the vibe in the room very light and free. Hope she will see this. She even spelt my name right the first try(nobody does that). read more

I LOVE THIS place! The restaurant is super clean, the staff is beyond amazing and professional, they are friendly very well groomed. I'm slightly addicted to the sunrise sunset. And they are consistent in the preparation. Keep up the good work! read more

we sat in the drive through line for an hour waiting on one smoothie and we were stuck in the line so we couldn't leave.

It is 2:30 on a Saturday afternoon. We placed an online pick up order for two smoothies: a Bahama Mama and an Açaí Berry. It wouldn't be ready for 20-30 minutes. Why so long? Anyway, I get there to pick up the order and am told that they are out of açaí berry. I don't get how any food service establishment can allow their inventory to get so low that their customers have to settle for something other than what they want. Such a situation likely goes back to poor management. read more

went to the drive thru and no one answered for 5 minutes. even backed up and pulled up again. I simply said "hello?", and the women on the speaker yelled and said "give me a minute". so rude and uncalled for. read more

Me and my friend came to this location for a relaxing smoothie. We were greeted at the window by (I am not sure their name) someone with long rainbow hair. They did not say hello, only "would you like to donate for child support" in an extremely rude tone. When I politely said no, they rolled their eyes and stared directly at me for at least 30 seconds. They said "are you sure you can't even donate your change?" With another demeaning, accusing tone. I politely again said no thank you, because at this point I was flustered. They did not respond and still shot a dirty look to my car. Whenever I was handed my smoothie, the sides were dripping with liquid, and I was only given a wet napkin. This was an extremely unenjoyable experience and made me feel extremely bad about not rounding up (over 24 cents?). Donations are optional and going through a drive thru did not constitute my money, especially by a person talking to a paying customer like this. The need for a donation was never explained. This experience was awful and I will not be back. read more

I always have a good experience when I go to a Tropical Smoothie. Not sure why there aren't more around. This site had super nice manage, staff, great food and, as always, playing the best music! read more

They are insanely slow. Did not come to the window for 15 minutes while there's a huge line. Also they had a terrible attitude. Do not suggest. Terrible experience read more

I went through the drive-through and ordered a Chicken Chipole flatbread on 12/9/2023, between 1:30 PM -2:00 PM. My order was not properly completed. I received items on my sandwich I requested not to have, due to my severe food allergies. I brought the flatbread sandwich inside and reminded the worker of my initial order without the cheese, bacon, and chipotle mayonnaise. During the process of waiting for my sandwich to be made again, I heard the manager yelling at the female who made the sandwich incorrectly. All the females were African American and the one that made the sandwich incorrectly was a new caucasian female worker. I felt her pain with being talked down to and repeatedly yelled at by her manager. I was then provided with my sandwich. but was told by a light-complexed African-American female that she and the female with the braids were managers. I told them that as a customer; I did not think it was professional to yell at her employee in the presence of customers. I also told her she was wrong to use that approach. I was then asked to leave the establishment by the light-complexed female and told them I would report their behavior. Once I got outside, I noticed my sandwich was still made incorrectly, but lost money on that because I was asked to leave. There was no number listed on the building within my view to call the owner. I feel sad for the new worker and I use race here to identify each of them since no names were provided when asked. I like eating there but will not until they are both gone. Very unprofessional managers with very poor customer service and managerial skills. read more

Well I have no complaints about the food because it was really good but then it's hard to mess up a recipe you do all day long over and over again. The three young women that were in the store with zero customers, I'll walked to the other end of the store as soon as I walked in. No one spoke to me no one tried to take my order no one even looked up. After a few minutes I said loudly good morning. One of them mumbled something I'm not sure what but still no one came over to wait on me. Finally someone came over said something under her breath that no one could hear and made no eye contact with me. It was like being in the twilight zone we're having walked in on something terrible having just happened. I gave my order to this girl and went to use the ladies room. There was zero toilet paper or paper towels. I came back and told the girl did there was no toilet paper she rolled her eyes at me and walked away. I grabbed a handful of napkins and went back to the bathroom came out and got my food and left. During the time I was there other people came in and these three completely out of touch employees treated them the same way. Higher wages might get better people who are at least awake or not mad that they had to come to work. read more