While I would love to give the Tropical Smoothie location in Salem, VA a 5-star review, unfortunately it falls short.
First, the hours posted on Google are incorrect — the store closes at 9pm, not 10pm. When I brought this up, staff argued with me instead of acknowledging the mistake. That experience alone pushed me to finally write a review.
I truly enjoy Tropical Smoothie as a brand — their smoothies are some of my favorites, and the Chia Oatmeal Pudding is amazing. However, this particular location consistently struggles with customer service and food preparation. Almost every time I’ve ordered a Strawberry Limeade, I’ve had to ask for it to be remade. My most recent Chia Oatmeal Pudding was less than half full and topped with brown, overripe bananas.
The staff often come across as unhappy and dismissive, which makes the experience less enjoyable. Wait times can also be frustrating — up to 15 minutes whether in the drive-through or inside.
What’s disappointing is that when orders are remade, they’re usually done correctly, so I know this location can deliver quality. I’ve gone out of my way while traveling to stop at other Tropical Smoothies and never had these issues — it seems unique to the Salem, VA store.
I keep returning because I like the products, but I really hope this location can improve. With better customer service, attention to food prep, and accurate posted hours, it could easily be a 5-star experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Julie Hubert-decicco
Love it. Everything's getting so expensive!! Still my go to! 💖
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Kristen Williams
My daughter's love this place. Great to have tasty healthy options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brandi Harrison
I purchased the 3 cheese chicken quesadilla. There was absolutely nothing in the dilla no chicken. Barely any cheese, all bread , and a kids portion.
Food: 1
Service: 3
Jarrod Roberts
The employees seem unhappy every time I go there. This time I sat in the drive thru , no customers in the store and none in dive thru , waited 5 minutes and no order taken, drove up to window and 3 employees were just standing around. I told them I had been sitting in drive thru for 5 minutes and that 2 other cars were behind me waiting as well. They seemed unfazed, so I wished them a nice evening. No food purchased and no cares given by employees. Good food, absolute terrible service and attitude. Close it down if that’s all you got
Service: 1
Kai Marxen
Pleasant crew and great food!
JP JP
This place is slow as hell
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Sarah Walton
My mother, who is legally deaf, pulled up to the window to order and both girls working purposely walked out of sight. I was in the car with her, but she still tries to be independent with assistance. I called and when one of the workers answered she said that my mother had to order at the box; my mother explained her hearing loss and the girl was short and rude with her order. Someone needs to teach manners about dealing with someone who has a physical disability - whether you can “see” it or not. Very disappointing.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Tj Hall
Always quick good service, friendly people
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dana Burd
Ordered the Santa Fa QS which comes with salsa, but apparently they were out of salsa so they sent it without it. And they sent me the incorrect chips as well. I ordered delivery on the mobile app which was sent through DoorDash. I called the store which they didn’t offer to fix anything or do anything about the issue. And told me they had no way to contact me. I explained to them that they could’ve asked the driver to reach out to me to see if I would like something else. Without the salsa the QS is dry. Also The person on the phone said they don’t even know why they sent the wrong chips because they have the chips in stock. Very disappointed.
Loved my smoothie and chipotle chicken club flatbread!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ryan Flanagan
Slow to respond to drive thru. No coffee despite advertising such.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
Sophia Hancock
This morning my cousin (who works there) and I came to get the new ohana smoothie. I had placed an online order and when we got to the drive thru they informed us they were out of blue spirulina, they asked if we would like to change them, we replied and said to keep them the same just without the blue spirulina but acted as if it was an issue making them that way. Her smoothie was a normally smoothie consistency, but my had ice chips and was almost too thick to even drink, had little to no flavor as well. I come often and normally have no issue other than the service being externally slow, which did happen this morning as well. We waited 18 minutes for two smoothies. I was very unsatisfied with the service provided this morning. I tried calling to see if they would be willing to fix it, but didn’t answer the phone. I’m normally not one to complain but this was honestly ridiculous.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Chainges D
the 3 🌟 prior to my review should be all you need to know… apparently smoothie making is rocket science these days
i went in for a smoothie ordered through the app for a specific time, i arrive a few mins later because the first visit it also wasnt ready… this time it hadn’t even been started on, so i ask for them to cancel
only of course to notice they didn’t cancel, upon calling the restaurant to just get the SAME SMOOTHIE i DIDNT receive im told to go through the app which I obviously already did, & then im given a disgusting attitude when i ask for the managers supervisor (that should tell you something about the “leadership”) to reach out
which of course they haven’t & are no longer picking up the phone, smartest smoothie makers in the world here!
While I would love to give the Tropical Smoothie location in Salem, VA a 5-star review, unfortunately it falls short.
First, the hours posted on Google are incorrect — the store closes at 9pm, not 10pm. When I brought this up, staff argued with me instead of acknowledging the mistake. That experience alone pushed me to finally write a review.
I truly enjoy Tropical Smoothie as a brand — their smoothies are some of my favorites, and the Chia Oatmeal Pudding is amazing. However, this particular location consistently struggles with customer service and food preparation. Almost every time I’ve ordered a Strawberry Limeade, I’ve had to ask for it to be remade. My most recent Chia Oatmeal Pudding was less than half full and topped with brown, overripe bananas.
The staff often come across as unhappy and dismissive, which makes the experience less enjoyable. Wait times can also be frustrating — up to 15 minutes whether in the drive-through or inside.
What’s disappointing is that when orders are remade, they’re usually done correctly, so I know this location can deliver quality. I’ve gone out of my way while traveling to stop at other Tropical Smoothies and never had these issues — it seems unique to the Salem, VA store.
I keep returning because I like the products, but I really hope this location can improve. With better customer service, attention to food prep, and accurate posted hours, it could easily be a 5-star experience.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Love it. Everything's getting so expensive!! Still my go to! 💖
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
My daughter's love this place. Great to have tasty healthy options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I purchased the 3 cheese chicken quesadilla. There was absolutely nothing in the dilla no chicken. Barely any cheese, all bread , and a kids portion.
Food: 1
Service: 3
The employees seem unhappy every time I go there. This time I sat in the drive thru , no customers in the store and none in dive thru , waited 5 minutes and no order taken, drove up to window and 3 employees were just standing around. I told them I had been sitting in drive thru for 5 minutes and that 2 other cars were behind me waiting as well. They seemed unfazed, so I wished them a nice evening. No food purchased and no cares given by employees. Good food, absolute terrible service and attitude. Close it down if that’s all you got
Service: 1
Pleasant crew and great food!
This place is slow as hell
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
My mother, who is legally deaf, pulled up to the window to order and both girls working purposely walked out of sight. I was in the car with her, but she still tries to be independent with assistance. I called and when one of the workers answered she said that my mother had to order at the box; my mother explained her hearing loss and the girl was short and rude with her order. Someone needs to teach manners about dealing with someone who has a physical disability - whether you can “see” it or not. Very disappointing.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Always quick good service, friendly people
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ordered the Santa Fa QS which comes with salsa, but apparently they were out of salsa so they sent it without it. And they sent me the incorrect chips as well. I ordered delivery on the mobile app which was sent through DoorDash. I called the store which they didn’t offer to fix anything or do anything about the issue. And told me they had no way to contact me. I explained to them that they could’ve asked the driver to reach out to me to see if I would like something else. Without the salsa the QS is dry. Also The person on the phone said they don’t even know why they sent the wrong chips because they have the chips in stock. Very disappointed.
Food: 3
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
I like the food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loved my smoothie and chipotle chicken club flatbread!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Slow to respond to drive thru. No coffee despite advertising such.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1
This morning my cousin (who works there) and I came to get the new ohana smoothie. I had placed an online order and when we got to the drive thru they informed us they were out of blue spirulina, they asked if we would like to change them, we replied and said to keep them the same just without the blue spirulina but acted as if it was an issue making them that way. Her smoothie was a normally smoothie consistency, but my had ice chips and was almost too thick to even drink, had little to no flavor as well. I come often and normally have no issue other than the service being externally slow, which did happen this morning as well. We waited 18 minutes for two smoothies. I was very unsatisfied with the service provided this morning. I tried calling to see if they would be willing to fix it, but didn’t answer the phone. I’m normally not one to complain but this was honestly ridiculous.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
the 3 🌟 prior to my review should be all you need to know… apparently smoothie making is rocket science these days
i went in for a smoothie ordered through the app for a specific time, i arrive a few mins later because the first visit it also wasnt ready… this time it hadn’t even been started on, so i ask for them to cancel
only of course to notice they didn’t cancel, upon calling the restaurant to just get the SAME SMOOTHIE i DIDNT receive im told to go through the app which I obviously already did, & then im given a disgusting attitude when i ask for the managers supervisor (that should tell you something about the “leadership”) to reach out
which of course they haven’t & are no longer picking up the phone, smartest smoothie makers in the world here!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
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