TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE
27001 US 19 N #2089A, Clearwater FL 33761 · 727-400-6905
Last inspected Aug 6, 2026 · 6 visits since April 2024
APR 24
JAN 25
MAR 26
AUG 26
≈ ERRATIC
4 inspections, swinging between A and F. Consistency is the problem here, not any single visit.
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 fly near flip top cooler. 2 flies near shel at service window.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Disciplinary actions
1 case · $400
| Case | Violation date | Final order | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3--2014049325 | Nov 19, 2014 | Jun 12, 2015 | $400 |
Inspection history
6 visits, newest first
Aug 6, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedComplaint Investigation
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
0 High priority0 Intermediate2 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 2 findings
Plumbing system in disrepair. Water leaking under sink behind front counter.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Cooked diced chicken being thawed on the counter at room temperature. Product still mostly frozen.
Aug 5, 2026Warning IssuedComplaint Investigation
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 14 recorded, 5 high priority.
5 High priority1 Intermediate8 Basic
Show 14 findings ▾
Employee rubbed hands together for less than 10-15 seconds while washing hands. After touching face with both hands employee rinsed hands for less than 10 seconds before touching clean equipment.
Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee touched hair then touched clean equipment with no handwashing before touching wash.
Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee accepted paper currency at cash register, made change and placed bills in tip container. No handwashing before touching clean equipment and preparing a smoothie.
Food-contact surfaces in contact with time/temperature control for safety food not cleaned at least every four hours. Blender used to make smoothies containing TCS ingredients only washed at the end of the day per shift lead. Discussed that the blenders need to be washed rinsed and sanitized a minimum of every 4 hours.
Toxic substance/chemical improperly stored. 2 spray bottles of chemical stored next to bacon and above wraps. Operator moved chemical during inspection to gain compliance.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Black mold like substance observed on and around filtered water nozzle behind front counter. Discussed the need to keep the nozzle clean and sanitized.
Clean utensils or equipment stored in soiled containers. Serving utensils stored in food containers that contain food debris at the bottom. Ice scoop holder has a wet white substance at the bottom. Operator removed from wall to be washed
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. On prep table with prepared foods. Discussed the need to keep employees beverages away from clean equipment and food in establishment.
Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. 3 employees with no hair restraint. 2 have pony tails and 1 employee had no restraint of any kind. Discuss the need to wear a hair restraint while involved in food preparation..
In-use utensil not stored on a clean portion of food preparation or cooking equipment. Ice scoop holder
Plumbing system in disrepair. Water leaking under sink behind front counter.
Single-service articles stored on a soiled surface. Disposable lids stored under sink in a wet area that contains a mold like substance. Operator removed lids during inspection and discarded.
Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Cooked diced chicken being thawed on the counter at room temperature. Product still mostly frozen.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Squeeze bottles and shakers containing food removed from its original container not labeled with common name.
Mar 12, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 2 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Yogurt 50F stored in double pans. No lids in make table where there are no pans allowing cool air to escape. Operator placed yogurt in an alternate refrigerator. Yogurt In table less than 3 hours. Was unable to get corrected on site.
Clean utensils or equipment stored in soiled surface. Ice scoop holder has a build up of debris and water at the bottom
Jan 14, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 4 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 4 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 fly near flip top cooler. 2 flies near shel at service window.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at handwash sink in prep area. Operator refilled.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Missing employee training for Shaynaeliah who has been employed for longer than 60 days.
Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Unwashed onions, ginger, and limes above ready to eat rice and cabbage in the walk in cooler. Operator moved foods to the bottom shelf.
Apr 19, 2024Call Back - Admin. complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 2 violations recorded, 1 high priority.
1 High priority1 Intermediate0 Basic
Show 2 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 2 live flies on container of frozen fruit at front counter 1 live on a banana at front counter 1 live in back of house near back door 1 live near order station 1 live on container of protein powder on wall near front counter 2 live on energizer pills container on wall near front counter 1 live behind containers on wall near front counter 2 dead in kiwi concentrate at front counter 13 dead on cold unit at front counter 1 dead in greek yogurt at prep station in back of house 1 dead in sugar at front counter 2 dead cranberry concentrate at front counter 1 dead in pineapple chunks at front counter 3 dead on avocados at front counter
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Lavaughn does not have proof of food handler training.
Apr 18, 2024Administrative complaint recommendedRoutine Inspection
Referred for a formal case, which can lead to a fine. 7 violations recorded, 3 high priority.
3 High priority2 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 2 live flies on container of frozen fruit at front counter 1 live on a banana at front counter 1 live in back of house near back door 1 live near order station 1 live on container of protein powder on wall near front counter 2 live on energizer pills container on wall near front counter 1 live behind containers on wall near front counter 2 dead in kiwi concentrate at front counter 13 dead on cold unit at front counter 1 dead in greek yogurt at prep station in back of house 1 dead in sugar at front counter 2 dead cranberry concentrate at front counter 1 dead in pineapple chunks at front counter 3 dead on avocados at front counter
Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. 1 live fly on a banana at front counter 2 dead flies in kiwi concentrate at front counter 1 dead fly in greek yogurt at prep station in back of house 1 dead fly in sugar at front counter 2 dead flys in cranberry concentrate at front counter 1 dead fly in pineapple chunks at front counter 3 dead flies on avocados at front counter
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut tomatoes 45F temped at 2:26pm. Manager states tomatoes were brought out from inside 2 door cooler and placed on prep line at 11am. All other food was at temperature, but there were pans missing where cold air was escaping. Manager placed tomatoes in walk in cooler and filled prep line with empty pans. Unable to get second temperature.
No proof of required state approved employee training provided for employee hired more than 60 days ago. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Lavaughn does not have proof of food handler training.
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. Seth and Linda, new employees with no food handling training complete yet. Lavaughn has no proof of food handler training. Manager on duty discussed employee health reporting agreement and had employees sign.
No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Printed choking poster form 5030-105. Manager hung poster on wall
Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in walk-in cooler. Flashlight needed to inspect walk in cooler during inspection
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.