Restaurant · Wake County, NC

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Name: Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Address: 409 Village Walk Dr, Wake County, NC

409 Village Walk Dr

Last inspected Jul 9, 2026 · View Map ↗ · Compare ↗

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Score 97

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SteadyThe last two inspections recorded a similar number of violations. Review the dated records below.

The full inspection history

4 inspections

1 - Inspection

Jul 9, 2026

Score 97

Official score: 97 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

notedCode —Permits, training, and postings

Official wording

Certified Food Protection Manager

Inspector’s notes

2-102.12 (A) Certified Food Protection Manager (C) Facility does not have a person in charge with the Food Protection Manager Certification. The person in charge shall be a certified food protection manager.

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

notedCode —Food temperature

Official wording

Proper cold holding temperatures

Inspector’s notes

3-501.16 Spinach and kale in make line are above 41F. Cold TCS (Time / Temperature Control for Safety) food shall be kept at 41F or below. CDI Moved to another cooler.

In plain English

Food was not kept cold enough, hot enough, cooled fast enough, or cooked or reheated to the right temperature. Bacteria grow quickly in the "danger zone" between 41°F and 135°F, which makes this one of the most important food-safety checks.

More about food kept at an unsafe temperature

minorCode 4-501.11 Make line toward front of facility is freezing upCleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Equipment; food & non-food contact surfaces approved; cleanable; properly designed; constructed & used

Inspector’s notes

4-501.11 Make line toward front of facility is freezing up; ventilation slits are almost completely covered in ice and unit is not holding at 41F. Repair/replace as necessary.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Jul 9, 2026 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Aug 27, 2025

Score 98.5

Official score: 98.5 · Understand this area’s scale

3 recorded violations

notedCode 2-401.11 (B) Employee drink on ice machine. Closed beverage containers may be used if the container is handled to prevent contamination of the employee's handsEmployee health and hygiene

Official wording

Proper eating; tasting; drinking or tobacco use

Inspector’s notes

2-401.11 (B) Employee drink on ice machine. Closed beverage containers may be used if the container is handled to prevent contamination of the employee's hands; the container; and exposed food; clean equipment; utensils and linens; and unwrapped single-service and single-use articles.

In plain English

This covers things like hair restraints, jewelry, clean clothing, eating or drinking in food prep areas, touching ready-to-eat food with bare hands, or not having a sick-employee policy.

More about employee hygiene or health policy issues

notedCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Equipment; food & non-food contact surfaces approved; cleanable; properly designed; constructed & used

Inspector’s notes

4-501.11 Maintain equipment in good repair. Large gap in top corner door gasket on reach in cooler/make line near front of store. Looks like the gasket was not cut long enough. Equipment shall be kept in good repair.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

minorCode —Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Non-food contact surfaces clean

Inspector’s notes

4-602.13 Nonfood Contact Surfaces (C) Some cleaning of walk in cooler wire shelving for food debris build-up. Non-food contact surfaces shall be clean to sight and touch.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Aug 27, 2025 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Nov 25, 2024

Score 97

Official score: 97 · Understand this area’s scale

5 recorded violations

notedCode —Handwashing

Official wording

Handwashing sinks supplied & accessible

Inspector’s notes

5-205.11 Using a Handwashing Sink - Operation and Maintenance (Pf) Handwashing sink in back prep area was blocked due to large bucket being stored in basin while employee was actively engaging in food preparation in this prep area. All handwashing sinks shall be accessible at all times for employee use. Corrected During Inspection - Item was removed immediately

In plain English

Staff were not washing their hands when required, or a handwashing sink was blocked, missing soap or paper towels, or used for something else. Hands are one of the most common ways germs reach food.

Official wording

Certified Food Protection Manager

Inspector’s notes

In plain English

A required permit, food safety certificate, trained manager, or posted sign was missing or not current. These show the business is following the rules and has trained staff.

More about paperwork, training, or posting issues

notedCode —Chemicals

Official wording

Toxic substances properly identified stored & used

Inspector’s notes

7-102.11 Common Name - Working Containers (Pf) Two chemical spray bottles were not properly labeled to identify the contents inside the container. Containers of poisonous or toxic materials shall bear a legible label. Corrected During Inspection - PIC discarded contents inside spray bottles.

In plain English

Cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals were stored or labeled in a way that could let them get into food. This is serious because chemical contamination can make people sick quickly.

More about chemicals stored or used unsafely

notedCode 6-501.111 Controlling Pests (Pf) Fruit flies observed in back prep area surrounding mop sink. The premises shall be maintained free of insectsPests

Official wording

Insects & rodents not present; no unauthorized animals

Inspector’s notes

6-501.111 Controlling Pests (Pf) Fruit flies observed in back prep area surrounding mop sink. The premises shall be maintained free of insects; rodents and other pests.

In plain English

The inspector found mice, rats, cockroaches, flies, or evidence of them (like droppings) inside the business, or conditions that could attract them. Pests can spread bacteria to food and surfaces, so this is treated as one of the more serious findings.

More about signs of rodents or insects

notedCode —Water, plumbing, and sewage

Official wording

Plumbing installed; proper backflow devices

Inspector’s notes

5-205.15 Leak observed in cabinet underneath ice bin. Maintain a plumbing system in good repair.

In plain English

The business had issues with hot or cold running water, plumbing, drains, backflow prevention, or sewage disposal. Some of these, like no hot water, can force a temporary closure until fixed.

More about water, plumbing, or sewage problems

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Nov 25, 2024 · Original Source

1 - Inspection

Mar 8, 2024

Score 98

Official score: 98 · Understand this area’s scale

4 recorded violations

majorCode 4-601.11 (A)Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized

Inspector’s notes

4-601.11 (A); Priority Foundation; Sticker residue observed on food equipment that is stored as clean on drying rack behind three compartment sink. Equipment food contact surfaces shall be clean to sight and touch. Corrected During Inspection - Advised PIC to clean these items further prior to use.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

minorCode 4-502.13Equipment and utensils

Official wording

Single-use & single-service articles: properly stored & used

Inspector’s notes

4-502.13; Core; Facility is utilizing styrofoam cups to store dry food products in (such as powders; spices; and supplements) on front prep line. Single use items may not be reused. Food contact surfaces shall be durable and cleanable.

In plain English

Equipment, utensils, thermometers, cutting boards, or single-use items were not in good condition, not the right type, or not stored properly.

More about equipment or utensil issues

minorCode 6-501.12Cleaning and sanitizing

Official wording

Physical facilities installed; maintained & clean

Inspector’s notes

6-501.12; Core; Floor in walk in freezer has debris build up. Walls and floors behind equipment have debris build up.

In plain English

Dishes, equipment, or surfaces that touch food were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized, or sanitizer was not at the right strength. Clean surfaces help stop germs from spreading to food.

More about cleaning or sanitizing problems

minorCode 6-501.110Facility maintenance

Official wording

Meets ventilation & lighting requirements; designated areas used

Inspector’s notes

6-501.110; Core; Employee personal items; such as cell phone; stored directly on prep table in back prep area. Lockers or other suitable facilities shall be used for the orderly storage of employee clothing or possessions.; 6-403.11; Core; Employee drinks stored on back prep table. Employees shall eat and drink only in designated areas where food; equipment; linens; single use items; etc are protected from contamination.

In plain English

Floors, walls, ceilings, lighting, ventilation, or garbage areas needed repair or cleaning. These are usually less urgent than food-handling problems but still need to be fixed.

More about building upkeep issues

Official record from Wake County Environmental Services, Mar 8, 2024 · Original Source