Tropical Smoothie Cafe

1851 Cordova Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Café / Breakfast
Last inspected: Sep 22, 2025
82
Score
Low Risk

Across the available record, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2023. The most recent visit was on Sep 22, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around six violations to closer to two violations per visit over the last few inspections.

“Observed” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing four times across the record.

That falls roughly in the middle of the pack for Fort Lauderdale restaurants. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 22, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
82
Jul 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Observed: Ceiling tile missing. -Observed same. Time Extended. - From follow-up inspection 2025-07-21: Observed same. **Time Extended**
36-36-4
95
Jul 19, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Observed: Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. -Observed one live roach on paper towel dispenser above hand wash sink in kitchen. Observed one live roach on floor next to drain under hand wash sink in kitchen. Operator killed roaches during inspection. Not complied. Administrative Complaint.
35A-05-4
High Priority - Observed: Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. -Observed same. Operator unable to renew license online; operator received internal server error while attempting to renew through online portal on www.myfloridalicense.com. Not complied. Administrative Complaint. 10-08-5 Observed: Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. -Complied
50-17-3
Basic - Observed: Ceiling tile missing. -Observed same. Time Extended.
36-36-4
70
Jul 18, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
32
Aug 26, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed at handwashing station next to triple sink. Operator provided. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed at male restroom.
31B-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed at ice machine in front of walk in. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Bathroom facility in disrepair. Observed male restroom toilet clogged up and not functioning.
32-05-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed employee at flip top cooler prepping food with bracelets and rings in fingers. Employee complied. **Corrected On-Site**
13-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee at flip top table next to oven working with no hair restraint while prepping food.
13-03-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed at mop sink. Operator stored properly. **Corrected On-Site**
42-01-4
61
Jan 9, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2024-01-09: Observed the same. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
86
Jan 8, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Repeat Violation** **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Three door flip top cooler//diced chicken (44F - Cold Holding); deli turkey (48F - Cold Holding); egg yolk (50F - Cold Holding); sliced cheese (52F - Cold Holding). Per operator, foods not prepped or portioned today. Foods stored in cooler for approximately 2 hours. Operator moved items to walk in cooler to quick chill. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Non-pitting surface rust on food-contact equipment. Observed rust on can opener blade, in kitchen.
22-31-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed sanitizer bucket stored inside hand wash sink in kitchen. Operator removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed accumulation of black mold like substance inside ice machine, in kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
22-20-5
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Three door flip top cooler//diced chicken (44F - Cold Holding); deli turkey (48F - Cold Holding); egg yolk (50F - Cold Holding); sliced cheese (52F - Cold Holding). Per operator, foods not prepped or portioned today. Foods stored in cooler for approximately 2 hours. Operator moved items to walk in cooler to quick chill. Ambient temperature of cooler reads 52F.
14-74-7
Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. 1) Observed bug zapper installed above two door flip top cooler in kitchen. 2) Observed bug zapper installed above food prep area, next to dry storage shelf in kitchen.
35B-02-4
52
May 22, 2023
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
67
Feb 15, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired since 12/01/2021. **Admin Complaint** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-15: License delinquent, AC request submitted on 02/14 **Time Extended**
50-17-3
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Dieana needs trancing **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-15: **Time Extended**
53B-13-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing next to ice machine. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-15: **Time Extended**
36-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust behind oven in kitchen. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-02-15: Some area cleaned **Time Extended**
36-27-5
70

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Tropical Smoothie Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Tropical Smoothie Cafe on file is from Sep 22, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Tropical Smoothie Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “observed” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

How does Tropical Smoothie Cafe compare to other restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?

Tropical Smoothie Cafe most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is about the same as the Fort Lauderdale average of 80.

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

Yes. Recent inspections at Tropical Smoothie Cafe have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Tropical Smoothie Cafe means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Tropical Smoothie Cafe inspected?

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