February 9th, 2011
Mellow Mushroom, Delray Beach, Florida, Restaurant, Review, Pizza Bakers, Gluten Free Pizza, Village by the Sea, South Florida, Palm Beach County
My status is: I am on a quest; to find the best gluten free pizza. But, the reality is that there is no comparison to the real thing. Thankful for the fact that restaurants are trying their best? You bet!!!
In the past year as I visited Delray I noticed Mellow Mushroom. They are pizza bakers but they also have calzones, hoagies, appetizers, salads and lots of different types of beer. It seems that they do draw a nice crowd, whether is for lunch or dinner. It was not going to happen since it is a pizza joint and my husband has a gluten allergy, therefore, he has to eat gluten-free. So, I forgot about them.
Surprise, surprise. I got an e-mail that listed different restaurants throughout the U.S. with gluten free items in their menu. Mellow Mushroom was listed. I called them and they said that they offered gluten-free pizza every day.
This past Monday we paid them a visit to see for ourselves. My husband just wanted a thin, crispy crust pizza. He said it would make his year if he got that.
Mellow Mushroom is located on 25 S.E. 6th Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33483. Tel. 561-330-3040. Website is www.mellowmushroom.com/delraybeach. You will also find them on Facebook and Twitter.
As you come into the restaurant you will find that it looks like it is an easy going place; funky decor. Just like a lot of businesses start, this one was started by friends back in the day. Yes, 1974 and near Georgia Tech. At present, the headquarters are in Atlanta.
It is a franchise; individually owned and operated with its own twist and theme throughout the restaurant; adding local color. Mellow Mushroom is open Mondays – Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30 until 12:00 a.m. and Sundays from 11:30 until 11:00 p.m. Please check the website for specials.
On with our dining experience; I don’t want to get off track. We were seated immediately and it was about 8 p.m. The restaurant was comfortably crowded. We ordered something to drink. And, that is when we decided that the restaurant was going to be disjointed.
Waiting a long time for those drinks to come we already had seen the menu and knew what we wanted. One person wanted the calzone. I wanted the tossed salad with a balsamic dressing. And, you know already what my husband wanted; the gluten free pizza. Toppings? Green peppers, onions, ground beef, and mushrooms.
The waitress was friendly and finally she arrived with the drinks. Our order was then placed and my husband was waiting in anticipation for his thin crust pizza.
For the time of the evening, they took a long time. I do know that they cook to order, but it took a long time. Then the calzone came out, then my salad and then the pizza. At that point, another round of drinks was ordered and the waitress had forgotten my balsamic dressing so she was to bring that, as well.
The calzone was okay, but nothing to write home about.
I was dissapointed with my salad because the tomatoes were limp; almost like they were past their prime. Two sad slices of bacon on top. Plus, I still did not have the dressing and I ordered it again. By the time it arrived I had eaten the toppings on the salad so only lettuce was there. Not worth taking a picture.
I must admit that the pizza looked great. Again, it will never be the real thing but for someone that cannot eat regular pizza, this was a real treat. We did have to send it back to get it more crispy, though. I had a few slices myself, and I will say that I will come back again for it.
That was the experience. Lukewarm, I guess. Definitely, worth checking again.
Talk to you later…you know I will…
Tags: Affordable, appetizers, Delray Beach, Gluten Free, Gluten free awareness, Gluten Free Pizaa, lunch and dinner, Mellow Mushroom, Mellow Mushroom Delray, Palm Beach County, Pizza, Restaurant, South Florida, Village by the Sea
We get GF pizza at Fresh Brothers in Coral Springs.The pizza is as close to “real” pizza as I have tasted.
Thanks so much for your comments to my blog and for the valuable info. Can’t wait to try it next time in Florida which will be soon. G