Tropical Smoothie Cafe

2330 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Sep 15, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

The health department has logged five inspections at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the earliest from 2022. On Sep 15, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near six violations per visit.

Across the inspection history, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded two times.

Compared to other Brandon restaurants (averaging 82), there's room to close the gap. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Sep 15, 2025

Routine - Food

2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 5 violations

High Priority - Quaternary ammonium sanitizer not at proper minimum strength for manual warewashing. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Tested at 0ppm. Operator replaced solution, tested at 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site**

22-43-4

High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed employee washing and rinsing blender lids in 3 compartment sink without sanitizing. Informed shift lead that food contact surfaces must be sanitized after washing. **Corrective Action Taken**

22-45-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand sink by back door contains hoses and pressure gauge.

31A-09-4

Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. Observed at hand sink at end of make line.

31B-05-4

Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Tested at 0ppm. Operator refilled solution, tested at 200ppm. **Corrected On-Site**

21-08-4

Sep 17, 2024

Food-Licensing Inspection

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Basic - Sanitizer bucket stored with food, equipment, utensils, linens, single-service, or single-use articles. Observed sanitizer bucket stored on prep surface near front counter entrance. Operator properly stored the bucket. **Corrected On-Site**

21-44-1

Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Observed 1 case of to go cups stored on floor in dry storage. Manager placed dunnage rack under the box. **Corrected On-Site**

25-05-4

Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee beverage observed on prep table near counter entrance. Operator removed the beverage. **Corrected On-Site**

12B-07-4

Sep 14, 2023

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.

View 10 violations

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed sanitizer stored on prep table on cookline Corrected - observed employee remove **Corrected On-Site**

41-10-4

Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Emailed to operator

11-26-1

Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Emailed to operator

11-27-4

Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed hand sink in back kitchen adjacent to back door in blocked by boxes

31A-09-4

Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Observed stored over clean dishes adjacent to back door

35B-02-4

Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed old food debris inside reachin coolers on cookline

23-03-4

Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers. Observed employee drink stored in reach in freezer adjacent to manager station

12B-13-4

Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed standing water in reachin cooler next 3-compartment prep sink

29-49-6

Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Observed sanitizer tested at 100ppm Corrected -observed employee discard, refill, and test at 200ppm **Corrected On-Site**

21-08-4

Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed black mold inside ice machine

22-20-5

Feb 6, 2023

Complaint Full

1 critical violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

High Priority - Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. Observed restroom cleaner stored on hand sink next to ice machine

41-10-4

Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed missing along base boards of wall near back door

36-03-4

Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Observed stored over dry storage shelf holding food products such as coffee, sesame seeds, chia seeds

35B-02-4

Basic - Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. Observed an objectionable odor in the front lobby and in the back kitchen **Repeat Violation**

36-64-5

Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Observed in reachin cooler next to 3-compartment prep sink **Repeat Violation**

29-49-6

Oct 19, 2022

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 5 minor violations.

View 6 violations

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Non-Food Contact Surfaces Clean

FL-23

Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature

FL-29

Approved Thawing Methods Used

FL-31

Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place

FL-36

Washing Fruits and Vegetables

FL-42

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Tropical Smoothie Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Tropical Smoothie Cafe on file is from Sep 15, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Tropical Smoothie Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

How does Tropical Smoothie Cafe compare to other restaurants in Brandon?

Tropical Smoothie Cafe most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Brandon average of 82.

Has Tropical Smoothie Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tropical Smoothie Cafe have averaged around six violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Tropical Smoothie Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.

How often is Tropical Smoothie Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Tropical Smoothie Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.

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