Review of Mellow Mushroom, Daphne, AL

Mellow Mushroom
29689 Frederick Blvd
Daphne, AL  36526
Ph. 251-621-3911

Overall Rating: Fair 
( * 1/2)

• Pizza type: New York style, inspired.  Cooked in gas oven. 
• Pizza ordered: Sausage, mushroom, black olive.
• Crust: Probably the weakest point of the pizza.  The crust is rather flimsy and bready with no crispness, making for a slightly soggy pie.  The crust doesn't display much desirable charring, and has a slightly sweet finish that detracts from the overall flavor of the pie.  The advertising for the restaurant cites "hearth baked"...that must be a hold over from earlier incarnations of the establishment.
• Sauce: Seems to be a rather average canned sauce?  Unremarkable.
• Cheese: Processed mozzarella with a slight sour edge. 
• Other Topping(s): The sausage was not of best quality and was rather bland with a bit of a fatty aftertaste. The mushrooms and black olives were good quality.
• Location: Commercial/retail area.
• Atmosphere: Somewhat of a open, sports bar atmosphere, yet family friendly, but by no means a traditional pizzeria atmosphere. Good for kids and any group looking for a no-frills gathering place.
• Service: Rather rushed and a bit pushy.  Get ready for a hard sell on appetizers.
• Utensils: Adequate

Overall:  After several visits, I've consistently found this location of Mellow Mushroom to be a very average pizza establishment, serving a "fair" pie.  Improvements, to include a thinner, crispier and more charred (higher temp baking) crust and a more lively sauce, i.e., less pasty with more herbs could elevate the pie from "fair" to "good", if not "very good".

The space is a bit cavernous and loud,but they seem to going for more the family sports bar/grill  feel than pizzeria. So, if you're looking for a first-class new York style pizza, this is not your best bet, but if you're looking for a casual atmosphere, good for kids, this place works!

• Reservations: Not needed
• Payment: Cash or credit cards