The Mellow Mushroom

by Michael F.Lindsay F.Alex A.Teresa D.Allison F.

Mellow Mushroom has great pizza, but unfortunately not so much in Austin, TX.Since my original hometown is close to Alabama, I used to hit Mellow Mushroom pretty often.  The pizza there is absolutely fantastic and they take great pride in them.  In the last few years, a location has opened in Ocean Springs, MS and I say the same thing, great pizza.  I don't know what's going on with this location... They seem to be slow and the pizza is still a far cry from it's parents to the east.I saw these types of Mellow Mushrooms when I went to Alabama....and always wanted to try them, so I finally did......The pizza is good, the menu has funny names on it, whatever, at least there is some creativity involved, and the interior kind of has a "Dazed and Confused" feel to it, but I just don't know how it measures up/ competes with other pizza dealers...The staff was very nice, which is why I give it as many stars, I just don't know how often we will go or if this is a place conducive of repetition....Be ready to search for parking, too, because that took a long time to accomplish!I think every pizza addict should try this at least once....I've been here three times and feel confident with the 3-star rating. It is better than the average Austin pie, but you should know:The ingredients are goodThe assembly is atrociousThe value is below averageAtmosphere: Loud as a motherfucker after sunsetDelicious buttery crust really gives this one some legs. I ordered the 10 inch  Sorcerer's or the Philosophers or whatever the fuck it's called. What I got was a plate of bread loaded with cheese and the sparse toppings still clearly thrown in a projectile pattern. I don't expect college kids making these pies to take pride in their craftsmanship, but at least humor me for chrissakes. The picture of the pie with tomatoes on the Yelp profile is a far cry from what I had. It took what felt like a half-hour for the pie to come out. The funniest part was my waiter spending literally two minutes trying to get my attention, failing to communicate something, walking over, getting blocked by the cramped seating, trying to tell me from afar, me not being able to hear him over the noise, and then him finally saying "Just gonna be 2 more minutes on the pizza." You, sir, have moxie.UGH. Somehow I ended up at Barfly's last night.Today was supposed to be my ONLY day off this week. I got a call from my boss, I had to go in at 11am. After a night of drinking at Barfly's, 11 is way too early to try and function like a normal human being. So, hungover, and feeling vomitatious, I dragged my ass into the hookah bar. I was thinking about what I should eat, and realized I have actually never eaten at Mellow. I ordered a jalapeno and pepperoni with red sauce(they let you choose your base sauce).It was pretty expensive, over 11 bucks for a small. But it was really good. It was no Little Deli, or House, but it was good all the same. I love me some saucy pizza, and there red sauce is pretty scrumptious. They don't skimp on their toppings, and they do something with the crust, it's got herbs and parmesan cheese all over it, yum.I love the crust here, which is the same as the parmesan pretzels. They have decent hummus too.A bit expensive, if you ask me. Service is usually pretty good though I have not been since before they remodeled. They can get really busy with all of the university students, especially around game days.

by Sara F.

Some of the best pizza in Austin. They don't skimp on toppings and it is always hot and fresh.The only complaints I have are the waitstaff - they always seem to be in a rush to do something else, even when the place is dead and sometimes the pizza is too garlicy tasting.

by Michael F.Lindsay F.Alex A.

Mellow Mushroom has great pizza, but unfortunately not so much in Austin, TX.Since my original hometown is close to Alabama, I used to hit Mellow Mushroom pretty often.  The pizza there is absolutely fantastic and they take great pride in them.  In the last few years, a location has opened in Ocean Springs, MS and I say the same thing, great pizza.  I don't know what's going on with this location... They seem to be slow and the pizza is still a far cry from it's parents to the east.I saw these types of Mellow Mushrooms when I went to Alabama....and always wanted to try them, so I finally did......The pizza is good, the menu has funny names on it, whatever, at least there is some creativity involved, and the interior kind of has a "Dazed and Confused" feel to it, but I just don't know how it measures up/ competes with other pizza dealers...The staff was very nice, which is why I give it as many stars, I just don't know how often we will go or if this is a place conducive of repetition....Be ready to search for parking, too, because that took a long time to accomplish!I think every pizza addict should try this at least once....I've been here three times and feel confident with the 3-star rating. It is better than the average Austin pie, but you should know:The ingredients are goodThe assembly is atrociousThe value is below averageAtmosphere: Loud as a motherfucker after sunsetDelicious buttery crust really gives this one some legs. I ordered the 10 inch  Sorcerer's or the Philosophers or whatever the fuck it's called. What I got was a plate of bread loaded with cheese and the sparse toppings still clearly thrown in a projectile pattern. I don't expect college kids making these pies to take pride in their craftsmanship, but at least humor me for chrissakes. The picture of the pie with tomatoes on the Yelp profile is a far cry from what I had. It took what felt like a half-hour for the pie to come out. The funniest part was my waiter spending literally two minutes trying to get my attention, failing to communicate something, walking over, getting blocked by the cramped seating, trying to tell me from afar, me not being able to hear him over the noise, and then him finally saying "Just gonna be 2 more minutes on the pizza." You, sir, have moxie.

by Richard R.

This is the worst, most bogus pizza place in the world, not to mention the most overpriced. I got a nine dollar salad from them, and it was 90% iceberg lettuce. And the pizza??? Are you kidding??? That wasn't a pizza, it was a little tray full of limp veggies. It had no taste at all, and again, it cost a fortune.Not only that, the little delivery boy gave me a lecture about how my house was outside of their usual delivery area. Hey Cool Sonny! Even though I will never order from this dump again, if I do, you just call me when you reach the delivery boundary and I'll run right over there and meet you, OK? Now, don't wait TOO long for me, OK? OK??? If I don't show up in like, an hour? just continue your deliveries, OK? Geez.

by amber s.

Let's just get a few things straight: there's a lot to love about Austin. But when it comes to great pizza, Austin is shit outta luck. There simply isn't any great pizza in Austin, but there are some places that are tolerable.What I like about MM is their crust. The crust is some of the best I've ever had, and I used to live in Chicago, so that's saying something. I'll also add that I'm a complete and total carb-whore, so where pizza is concerned, I'm generally in it for the crust.If you need amore well-rounded pizza, however, you'll have to keep searching. The sauce isn't anything special, and nor are the toppings. But that's on par with just about all the pizza in Austin, sadly. The service at this joint is terrible, too, so be prepared. One day I went in there with a co-worker and the place was empty. We asked to be seated and were told it would be just a minute. They kept us waiting for literally fifteen minutes and there was NOBODY in there. Finally we left.Unless your jonesing for some really delicious crust (and I can't blame you for that), Id say by-pass this place in favor of Slices and Ices or Home Slice. It isn't that I don't iike MM--I do. It's just not my favorite place on the world, and it's on the drag which, unless you're prepubescent, is a serious pain in the ass.Happy pizza eating

by Shizzle Q.

So its a friday and I'm hungry. Friend says this Mellow Mushroom place was the shiz in Bumblef**k, Georgia, so I says ok I'll try it, even tough I miss DeLorenzo's back in Jersey. 1. Fantastic marketing. They make the place look like one of those hole-in-the-wall cum local places. If you want to succeed in a college town, make it like this so marketing-unaware people (not losers like me) think its a homey joint.2. I ordered a small Italian sausage pizza, which I wasn't going to finish, and it took about 30 freaking minutes. Come on. It wasn'r even that busy in there.3. Once it did arrive, at which point I was gnawing on the table for mere sustenance, it was okay. Fair sized, smelled good, and the crust was thin and had what looked like a little char on it. Sausage pieces were big and looked fresh torn, and had a nice cumin kick. Tasted alright, but nothing like back home. 4. It cost quite a bit, even though its a decent amount of food for what you get.So yeah, two stars. Also there was what looked like a drunk guy singing in the bathroom.Another fine review by S.G.Whoop, whoop, whoop!

by Kody L.

Lots of options and a pretty chill spot to watch any sports on the many TVs spread across the restaurant.  It's a young crowd, being located near the university and all.As for the food, it's not the best.  The crust is pretty bad, in my opinion.  I got the steak and cheese calzone, which is basically a Philly Cheesesteak wrapped in their crust.Good for a casual hangout, but seemed pricey for a student hangout.

by Michael F.

Mellow Mushroom has great pizza, but unfortunately not so much in Austin, TX.Since my original hometown is close to Alabama, I used to hit Mellow Mushroom pretty often.  The pizza there is absolutely fantastic and they take great pride in them.  In the last few years, a location has opened in Ocean Springs, MS and I say the same thing, great pizza.  I don't know what's going on with this location... They seem to be slow and the pizza is still a far cry from it's parents to the east.

by Robin D.

I usually love Mellow Mushroom pizza and think their pretzels are awesome, as you can see from my five-star review of a different location.  The service at this location knocks this one down to two stars.I went to this location for lunch once and our service was s-l-o-w and sporadic, even though there were only two other tables.  Ok, I thought, I like the pretzels and would like to be able to get them without taking a super long lunch.  I decided calling in to go orders would be the way to go since I work across the street and could run over to pick it up pretty quickly and easily.  Not quite.  Ordering and picking up to go orders has been difficult.  When trying to place an order, I've actually given up and just hung up when placed on hold for forever.  And I don't understand their system for ringing up to go orders because I've stood there for several minutes - with my food sitting on the counter in front of me, getting cold, and an employee standing at the register just looking at me -  while we wait for someone to mysteriously appear from the back to take my payment.  The restaurant is usually almost empty during the day, so I just don't understand why everything happens at a glacial pace.Our office has had lunches catered by Mellow Mushroom and I enjoy the pizza when someone else orders, handles the pickup, and pays.  I want to like Mellow Mushroom, but the lousy service at this location makes me question if it's worth the hassle.

by Teresa D.

UGH. Somehow I ended up at Barfly's last night.Today was supposed to be my ONLY day off this week. I got a call from my boss, I had to go in at 11am. After a night of drinking at Barfly's, 11 is way too early to try and function like a normal human being. So, hungover, and feeling vomitatious, I dragged my ass into the hookah bar. I was thinking about what I should eat, and realized I have actually never eaten at Mellow. I ordered a jalapeno and pepperoni with red sauce(they let you choose your base sauce).It was pretty expensive, over 11 bucks for a small. But it was really good. It was no Little Deli, or House, but it was good all the same. I love me some saucy pizza, and there red sauce is pretty scrumptious. They don't skimp on their toppings, and they do something with the crust, it's got herbs and parmesan cheese all over it, yum.