Dude…Mellow Out…Try This ‘Shroom (Mellow Mushroom Pizza)

After a week of fun in sun in Florida, I’m finally back in Chicago to wait and see if I finally get a job that would really be great for my career as a language instructor. However, in the meantime I would like to present you with a bunch of posts relating my crazy food adventures in the Sunshine State. Today’s entry involves a popular destination in Delray Beach, FL that is as delicious as it is funky in nature, Mellow Mushroom.

I had originally read about it on Wikitravel as having very creative pizza creations, so that naturally whetted my appetite for adventure. We visited the fungus-inspired eatery on our first day in Florida, and the weather was beautiful. They don’t have a lot of parking aside from their crackerbox-sized lot behind their establishment, but luckily street parking is plentiful out front. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, but we opted for the latter in order to enjoy the sublime sun and breeze. As we were led through the restaurant, it had a very laid back vibe to it with lots of psychedelic artwork along with some very well known pop culture references I enjoyed. The artwork and name of the restaurant made me wonder if they had a secret menu of “special” munchies based on the surroundings along with a sign that said, “Hippies use the side entrance”. Far out, man…would be a good way to describe their menu in regard to their prices. It’s not the cheapest pizzeria you could visit, but they certainly do have creatively named and designed pies (From 10 inches to 16 inches; gluten free dough is available as well) as I mentioned earlier along with sandwiches, salads, calzones, and appetizers. I started off with a brew that I picked solely based on the name: Monk In the Trunk ($7).

Daaammnnnn shorty!

Like its title, this ale had plenty of aftertaste flavor as spicy and malty sweet flavors had a twerk-fest on my palate much to my elation. As for pizza, I had the option of creating my own, but I instead wanted to see what the cooks in the back could whip up to satisfy my soul. There were plenty choices that looked scrumptious, and eventually I settled on the 14″ Thai Dye pizza ($20). When it came out, I immediately felt the good vibes with how fresh it looked. It wasn’t as hefty as Chicago pan pizza but not as floppy as NYC’s slices. I loved the fresh cucumber slices and fresh basil on top since they were drizzled with a sweet chili sauce that left me with a smoldering kiss with each bite. Taken as a whole, the staff managed to combine a Thai chicken curry dish with a traditional pizza in perfect harmony. The chicken was groovy and not rubbery, and the curry spices jazzed up the cheese every so often. Eventually, I reached the crust which was chewy with a slight crunchy crust on the outside. The most peculiar part of the crust was that it had ever so subtle cinnamon notes that I noticed through the garlic butter that was brushed on before going into the oven. I almost finished the entire meal, but I was all carbed out by the end and could go no further.