Mellow Mushroom

Located at 609 South Elm St. in downtown Greensboro, Mellow Mushroom offers appetizers, salads, pizzas, calzones and a full bar. Drink specials change daily and live music can be found on select Thursdays.

When it comes to pizza, there’s a school of thought that says nothing good can come from a chain. While Pizza Hut and CiCi’s do plenty to bolster that argument, a trip to Mellow Mushroom could leave it in tatters.



Founded in the mid-70s by a trio of college students, the Atlanta-based franchise has grown to include over 100 restaurants in 18 states. Despite the ubiquity, Mellow Mushroom has the feel of a local pizzeria: it’s a sit-down establishment with plenty of seating and more than just pizza, wings and garlic bread on the menu (though, of course, they have those too).



But while a local pizzeria might have a specialty or two, Mellow Mushroom prides itself on creative combinations. The Philosopher pie, for instance, combines steak, Portobello mushrooms and artichoke hearts with three kinds of cheeses and (like all pizzas here) features a whole-wheat crust. A "spiked" sausage sandwich blends beer-soaked sausage crumbles with garlic aoli and two types of cheese.

Both are boldly flavored and easily devourable, but if such flourishes are not to your liking, have no fear: you can also build your own pizza, salad, or calzone. The dozens of available toppings include everything from jerk chicken to tofu and tempeh and it’s likely you’ll find at least one combination you like.



Needless to say, prices vary depending on your level of customization. If you go for a pizza, you’re better of splitting with friends: a large specialty pie feeds four for about $6 per person. Sandwiches and salads come in two sizes and run between $4 and $8. Calzones are slightly pricier.



Like most restaurants, service will vary depending on the size of the crowd. The downtown location ensures that patrons aren’t exclusively college-aged. The ambience works well for families and groups. Dinner for two? Not so much.



It’s impossible to say if Mellow Mushroom offers the best pizza in Greensboro because no two people will agree on what constitutes the “best” pizza (thick crust vs. thin, New York-style vs. Chicago-style). It’s far easier to say that at Mellow Mushroom, you really can’t go wrong.



8/10