I have not been to a Mellow Mushroom in many years. They have such a cool variety of pizzas, salads and drinks. Nice atmosphere and there is a very shiny gamecock upstairs for photo ops. There is one in the parking lot too, big enough to ride Our waiter was great, although the kitchen had speed issues.
(4)
Charles R.
Been to three MMs in Florence, Myrtle Beach and now in Columbia. Funny thing there is always something at each location that what would make a great dining experience somewhat discouraging. First Florence had warm beer, gross right! Second MB put deli turkey meat on the pizza expecting us to not notice it was supposed to be chicken. The Columbia, and this is my fault, I asked for the pizza to be cooked extra and it came out burned on the bottom. Now I think there should be a difference between a little extra and super crispy, but hey who am I to argue with pizza masters! Anyway I would still be willing to go back because the ingredients seems very high quality. Service was excellent and I never ran out of water.
(4)
Robert V.
I've held off on trying out Mellow Mushroom for the last year and am happy I finally gave it a shot! The pizzas are awesome and I also tried the Cali burger from their new burger menu. the burger was also delicious as were the roasted potatoes that came with it. The atmosphere is great, light, fun, the Vista location has two cool bars, and the staff are very friendly and helpful.
(4)
Will C.
Not a place for a pizza snob. This is a chain restaurant and that's sort of what you get. The pizza isn't of outstanding quality - we are in the south - but they do have a bunch of creative compilations which are nice. The beer selection is really good and the atmosphere is nicer than your average pizza joint and people like it enough for it to be busy during most of their hours though I've never seen or had to wait in a long line.
(3)
Rick T.
Make sure to sit upstairs if you don't want you thunder like sounds when people move their chairs upstairs up above.Also make sure you park on the street or in Mellow Mushroom parking only because you will be towed. The pizza here is great, one of my favorites currently is the red skin pizza topped w sour cream and spicy ranch. It has bacon and thinly sliced red potatoes with caramelized onions that pair well together on the pie. Wait time can vary but most of the time it takes quite awhile to prepare, so don't be in a hurry.
(4)
Adam B. J.
Mellow Mushroom is the best pizza in the vista. They have great pizza, sandwiches, and beer. Located in the heart of the vista this place is never disappointing. Service is good, and the food is great. It takes time to make their great food, so don't go if you are in a hurry, just sit back mellow out and have a good beer while you wait. My favorites are actually sandwiches. I love the jerk chicken, and you can't get better tempeh in Columbia. A half is never enough, but the whole sandwich is too large... At least you have a snack for later. Never been to a location I didn't like. Two thumbs up!
(4)
Dave G.
We had pretzels to start out, got the order of three just enough and delicious. I ordered calzone with spinach and mushrooms - really tasty. Also had some of the Caesar Salad. Fresh and good. Overall - good place good service no pressure and good prices.
(4)
Danielle F.
Great food and service. Made my first visit recently with friends and a child. Very kid friendly. Loved the Holy Shiitake Pie (shiitake, button and portobello mushrooms).
(4)
Lindsay K.
I have always loved mellow mushroom. I came here for lunch with my mom. I like to sit at the bar upstairs, the downstairs "bar" area doesn't have all of the beers on tap. I got the stuffed mushrooms for the 1st time and I wasn't disappointed. any of the appetizers that have their balsamic glaze is probably a good bet. The restaurant is always clean, the staff is always friendly and the food (while not always the quickest) has always come out correctly and fresh.
(4)
Hans B.
To be fair I was really hungry so anything tastes good ! Atmosphere I sat at the upstairs bar ... It was ok. Small tv's beers on the left side are colder baby he left side ( per the bartender)8 Pizza I ordered was "house pesto". It was delicious ! Spinach roma tomatoes and hand made crust . Bottom line : I would order this again ..
(4)
Brigette R.
Crappy service. Greasy pizza. Greek salad was nothing special. Thank goodness it's impossible to mess up a Blue Moon. The meat lovers pizza was gross, only ate the crust. Asked our bill to be on one check apparently out server didn't hear us. He picked up a half finished beer- not cool. Disappointing then again you really just come for drinks, then again they have semi good beer on tap. Way better food in the area, family friendly is the main reason we met here tonight. Food is greasy and service was terrible.
(2)
Anna B.
It's the crust. I don't know how they do it, but that crust is unbelievably good and the rest of my review won't live up to it. Last time I was there I ordered the "Maui Wowi" (or something like that), and man oh man was it delicious. It had so many ingredients but somehow they worked in perfect harmony. Let's see, it had: bacon, chicken, ham, banana peppers, pesto sauce, pineapple, peppers.... and I can't remember the rest. Suffice to say it was very delicious indeed. Their beers are a little pricey. Decent selection. I like that they advertise different beer combinations. I know you can combine beer at other restaurants, but I would never remember until I see it right there on the menu. We went on a Friday night, so we did have to wait a little bit. The good news is that the pizza is so filling, you really only need one or maybe two slices and then you've got some to take home for lunch tomorrow. It's a cool place for the university students, but it's worth checking out for anyone. It's that crust.
(5)
Colleen C.
I'd been hearing a lot about how good this place was, and I was pretty disappointed. The food is fine, what you'd expect from a chain restaurant, but not at chain prices. I tried the cosmic karma pizza and I was not as impressed as I hoped to be. All in all, it's fine, but not worth the money if you're looking for really good pizza.
(2)
Taylor S.
This place is okay. The pizza is okay. When I went the service was very slow, and the food turned out being not as good as I expected it to be. The atmosphere is cool though, there's a lot of things to look at.
(2)
M A.
Great pizza! It's a little pricey for pizza; however the pizza is good. I like the crust and it taste good as leftovers. Parking is great given it's located down town - parking reserved in the back for customers. The staff is really young and it shows in the service. My overall experience is good and I have eaten there multiple times: takeout and eat-in.
(4)
Monica R.
We came to grab a quick bite before checking out some divey spots in Columbia, we weren't to sure about these places having food and we wanted somewhere we could go in and out. I usually opt for their pizza as it is one of the very few that I absolutely love, but went with their steak hoagie! I loved it to say the least and it provided a great base for what was to follow. They have a pretty good selection of craft beers too!
(4)
Maggie S.
I had an amazing lunch here on Friday! I hadn't been to a Mellow Mushroom in a few years and was excited to go on this trip. The beer selection was great, as expected. We ordered the Mellowterranean (tofu instead of chicken) and the House Special pizzas, which couldn't be more different, and both were incredible. Our server, Michelle, was helpful answering our questions about the menu, sizes, and options, and prompt bringing drinks and the bill. The music was perfectly low key and familiar, too. I'll definitely be back on my next visit to Columbia.
(5)
H C.
the longest wait of your life. great food. shitty service.
(2)
Grace M.
This place is terrible. The service sucks and is SUPER slow. A previous review admitted that the service was less than stellar because the servers only wanted money to drink afterwards. That isn't an excuse. Plenty of my friends served throughout college, including myself, and always gave the best service possible. Yes, we wanted drinking and spending money, but we never gave crappy service. We wanted good tips, so gave the best service we could. Only eat here if you have over an hour for lunch or plan to stay a while for dinner. The pizza and calzones is mediocre at best. I prefer their buffalo chicken pizza, if and when I do go, which is rare. If you want appetizers go for their garlic knots or pretzels - always a go to for my friends. On a side note, their gluten free stuff isn't bad, but not meant for people who have celiacs because they don't have a gluten free zone, and there WILL be cross contamination. A friend of mine got extremely ill thinking it was safe to try their gluten free.
(1)
Kristina J.
Great service and food:-). Had my first hummus and loved it. We always get the chef salad and the philosophers pie/Hawaiian pizza. Never disappointed with it.
(5)
Jeff M.
Great! I had a large Calzone and took half of it home. I was just passing through and wanted to get in and out quickly. I sat at the bar upstairs and had a really good dinner and was out of there quickly. I like this chain and all of them have different decor. My server was the bartender and he was always there as expected.
(4)
Stephen R.
Just the usual fare, pizzas calzones n such. Friendly staff, decent prices and good food.
(3)
WanderLustinDani P.
The food at Mellow Mushroom has the best Pizza so far in Columbia, the flavors were exceptional, but the flavors have remarkable depth. Presentation of the food was great. A host of items on the menu, offering something for the whole family. The shop is both clean and tidy, having plenty seating space and a nice bar. The hostess/ waitress was attentive at all times. Staff members there greeted us in/ out when we left. The small pizza was more that filling, loved the mushroom soup!! I know I'll certainly be returning soon and would recommend this facility.
(4)
Emily E.
Every single pizza here is wonderful in its own way but I gravitate to either the holy shittake or mighty meaty. I could eat the crust by itself all day...it's just so perfect...soft and filling at the same time. Pretzels here are great as are the hoagies. They bake pizzas to order so it takes a little while to get your food but worth it.
(5)
Kelly B.
Love, love the hummus! Love the beer selection. Service is extremely slow, so don't go if you're on a schedule.
(3)
Jordann B.
I love mellow mushroom! Been to them in charlotte, Asheville, Spanish Fort, and now Columbia and I have had the worst experience here in Columbia! So crowded and no room to start night off. Waited 45 minutes for a horrible drink, horrible bruschetta and then they got the pizza I ordered wrong. Then when they came back with the fixed pizza it was cold! Grrrr
(1)
Steve B.
Stopped by for Saturday dinner, 12:00 meal. Had about a 15 minuet wait to be seated. I had a mushroom hogie. It was a very good sandwich. My wife had the enlightened spinach salad she was pleased with it and the house dressing. My daughter had the French bread pizza. It was one of the best FB pizzas I have ever tasted. It was good and fresh. Davis waited on us he was very efficient and kept an eye on our table. The shroom tea is a good drink. All in all we had a good experience were pleased with the food and service. The mellow mushroom is on our do again list.
(4)
Bobbi H.
Went here with my family, didn't know what to expect, turned out to be the best pizza I've ever eaten. I had the loaded potato pizza, can't wait to get it again, was the most eclectic and wonderful thing ever. My husband had the philosophers stone pizza and enjoyed it, and my mom had the veggie pizza and talked about it for days. She can't wait to come back to visit us and go there again. Had a large beer selection and zillions of weird and delicious pizzas with the best tasting crust with the most interesting texture.
(5)
Mckenna R.
good but all the food was really oily:/
(3)
Carl B.
All one loves from Mellow Mushroom brand in a cool college environment! Great gluten free options and one of the best non-Chicago style pizzas! Downstairs can get tight so request a table on upper floor
(4)
Wayne H.
Love having lunch here, however... I've had some poor experiences with new servers messing up the order and getting something I didn't want... I still get lunch here regularly.
(4)
Mike C.
Went for lunch with a co worker this past week and the experience was ok. To start off with the parking situation frankly, is horrible. The parking lot right next to the restaurant is ridden with NO PARKING OR WE WILL TOW YOU signs so unless you find metered parking on the street you will be walking from a back lot somewhere. It was a chilly day and we were sat right at the front which is just inside the door so it was mighty chilly while we ate. It is a well decorated Mellow Mushroom with the typical decor that you find in most locations with just a hint of local flavor. Food was OK. I had the you pick 2 lunch and chose a chef salad which wasn't very "cheffy" and had 4 small slices of ham that didn't make it's way to a pizza, a lot of cheese, those salty a** olives and not much else. Honey Mustard dressing was ok. The slice of pepperoni that I got was very overdone and not flavorful like normal Mellow pizza. I realize that I didn't order a whole, fresh made pie but it was lunchtime and I feel it is Mellow's duty to give me a slice just like if I ordered a pie during lunch. Not sure what to think, I used to be a Mellow fan and have visited numerous locations lately and have been less and less impressed. Not sure if something has changed corporately but they need to get back to basics which include great ambiance and awesome pizza!
(3)
Ted K.
The service is fast, and the atmosphere is lively. All of their pizzas are amazing, and the spinach artichoke dip appetizer is great as well. Highly recommend this place!
(5)
Caroline J.
Horrible. A medium crap pizza with 2 toppings was $19.99 and a very small personal pizza with meat was $13. The medium expensive pizza just had cheese and tomato and was dry. The meat pizza was extra greasy. I could have spent that money on a MUCH better dinner somewhere else. I'll never go back.
(1)
Andy O.
Pizza is delicious. Service is good. I went on a Saturday around noon and waited for 40 mins to be seated. While I was waiting I went to the upstairs bar and ordered a Guinness. The bartender did not knew what he was doing. He gave me a flat beer. Why? Well he rushed and pulled the tap handle all the way down and that caused the glass to fill with foam. Then his buddy told him "dude you have to pour about 4 glasses because that beer is all foam". So he continued to fill the glass and pouring the foam out making it a flat beer at the end. So I ordered a new Castle and same thing happened. Flat. Under staff and poorly trained bartenders. Owner must be losing money on the beer. Do not go if you are ordering peperonni for $20 dollars is not worth it.
(3)
Adam B.
If you're bringing a group of friends here for a birthday party because they advertise that they have gluten free pizza, choose to go somewhere else. They're "out of gluten free crust for some reason." They're happy to get everyone's business but not willing to apologize or try and make it right. Take your business elsewhere. Unless you like gluten.
(1)
Matthew S.
Mellow Mushroom is a good place for pizza for a chain; however, expect about the same hangups here that you would at any other Mellow Mushroom. We have gone here a few times since living in the area and have left satisfied each time, but not exactly impressed either. The atmosphere is what you would expect, trippy art on the walls and plenty of seating. Mellow has a great selection of both beer and pizza, so nearly everyone can find something they like here. However, this particular Mellow Mushroom tends to overcook the bottom of every pizza, but not to a level that I would consider burned...just a bit too dark. Also, the beer prices are a bit ridiculous and far too expensive in comparison to others in the area. Overall, not a "bad" place to go to if I had to choose, but definitely not my first, second, or even third pick 3 out of 5 stars.
(3)
Laura B.
These folks know how to make a good pizza. I had a Holy Shiitake pizza, and holy shiitake, was it divine. Two months later, I'm still dreaming about it. The menu is diverse, and there's something to please just about every palate. Even gluten-free folks have pizza options here. The selection of beer is fantastic, and the servers are always entertaining and speedy. It's a little pricey, but you get what you pay for, and in this case, that's some of the best pizza in Columbia.
(5)
Helen A.
Here for a quick personalized pizza. Ok maybe not so quick.. But healthy and yummy.. I'll be back
(4)
CC W.
Horrible bathrooms. Toilet looked like the ones I see at festivals when 800 people use it. Dirty floors and I could see the dust on the artwork and shelves. Employees seem to be pretty lackadaisical i.e.: texting, standing around talking, etc. Besides that the food was awesome. We built our own calzones and they were pretty amazing. I couldn't help but wonder what the kitchen looks like, which isn't what anyone wants to think about when trying to enjoy a meal. I did enjoy the style of the restaurant. Paintings were cool, and it's a trendy/cool/casual place to check out.
(3)
Greg S.
A/C was leaking on my son; my daughter's very small Mac & cheese cup was still frozen - who screws that up? No apologizes from management....avoid! Pretzels were best part of meal.
(1)
Erik G.
Great pizza, great server, fast service (given it was on a tuesday), good dessert.....
(5)
Max C.
The location we frequent in Denver is a LOT better but this place still does pretty decent pie... Not having any local brews on tap?!? (only bottled) huge minus... Service is decent... Parking sucks...
(3)
Jeff C.
OK, so I skimmed the more recent reviews first and see a couple of really negative ones. I know this place is a chain, but having never been to any other locations I only know this one. First off, the service was very friendly, and considering we were a party of 8, the 5 minute wait was pretty alright. The drinks were cold and strong, there were crayons and paper for the kids, the appetizers came out quick and I thought the menu choices were pretty creative and my wife loved the option for a gluten free crust. We opted for one with a variety of sauted mushrooms and carmelized onions with truffle oil and aioli. Anyone who compares that with Little Ceasars is pretty much a (insert colorful metaphor). We had a great time, spent about 40 bucks for a family of 4, and thought the food was great. We will be back!
(4)
Carl S.
This is only the second mellow mushroom that I have been to, and it keeps up with their reputation. Solid food, fun staff, and painless take out. The place usually isn't packed but still has solid ambience.
(4)
Dorothy C.
Atmosphere is better, than other location. Probably the vista vibe and most of the staff are working students. Waitress was very nice and gave us time to decide. If you love pizza, this is the place. Choose one of theirs or make your own. This time we tried some hoagies. The sandwiches were good, served warm. But nothing along side. Felt, unfulfilled. No pickle. No side. Salads are good and a favorite. Try the pretzel appetizers. Because of the Vista location, parking is a quest at times. But you can find a spot. This location has 2 floors. No elevator. So if you have hip, knee or leg problems, tell the hostess. Full bars and restrooms on each floor. There are 2 Gamecock statues for photo opportunities. Outside is a proud victorious statue, while inside is the glamorous version.
(3)
Kristen M.
Ok, so I have been to the Mellow Mushroom in Gatlinburg and I loved it. The pizza was fresh, crisp, and delicious. I also had a chicken sub which was great. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for my experience at this Mellow Mushroom. We ordered two cheese pizza, buffalo chicken, bbq chicken, and white pizza. The white pizza was really really good. The two cheese pizzas couldn't look more different. One was nice and toasty (but bland tasting) and the other look like it needed another 15 minutes in the oven. The bbq and buffalo chicken pizzas were ok but nothing out of the ordinary. I wish we would have picked a different restaurant after the food arrived.
(2)
Lynn P.
Mellow mushroom is great there are nice waiters and good pizza the place is very decorative and good location - JG
(4)
Terrell L.
Gluten Free Pizza, Who Knew That ? Also Gluten Free Beer, Hard Apple Cider and other adult beverages, wonderful to have a pizza place that cares about their guests with food allergies. Not to mention, the Pizza & service was wonderful ! This location was and it's view was fantastic, just below the state capitol with a spectacular window shot of the Capitol Grounds, Very Near the University of South Carolin and Gamecocks stadium.
(5)
Mike O.
Two floors. Any kinda pizza you could want. Beers beers beers. Sports on TV. For a New Yorker, y'all can do pizza alright, even if it is a chain. Well done! I'm reading that parking is a pain. If you love pizza, there ain't no walking that will stand in your way to get it. I recall crossing a large, empty pay lot to find street meter parking, but it was no big deal whatsoever.
(4)
Swetha G.
Mellow Mushroom will hit that warm ooozy spot that you crave when you're in a splurge mood. Believe me, when you eat here, you will definitely leave filled up! Their pretzels are doughy softness and delicious. The mega veggie pizza is hearty goodness. I LOVED the banana peppers, sun dried tomatoes and feta in it, incredibly mouthwatering! I had a glass of their Riesling and it was sweet and soft. Their brownie with vanilla ice cream was just the perfect way to wrap up our meal. They accidentally made an extra dessert so we got lucky and people went crazy when the second one was brought out! Btw, portion sizes are LARGE. A 10 " small pizza can easily feed 2-3 people. Dessert is also easily sharable, it's rich. Oh and one more thing - they have trivia on Wednesday nights and it's LOADS of fun. They give you a whole song's worth of time to solve the questions. They cover a broad range of topics like sports, movies, landmarks, pop culture, etc. If you happen to be there on trivia night, it does get loud on the second floor and it is busy, but you'll enjoy yourself!
(4)
Xinling X.
Great pizzas, Love the curry pizza! Great for groups!
(5)
Brian A.
Definitely a MM fan here! Yes, the service can be hit or miss...but it's a pizza joint people. You're not gonna have career waiters and waitresses at pizza joints. The pizza is great and the beer selection is too. I love the atmosphere as it's a great place to bring a group of people to laugh it up and converse. Never had a bad experience with the food at any MM location. Try: The jerk-chicken pizza Avoid: The salads (Aren't you the same guy that orders chicken at a steakhouse?)
(4)
Chef A.
Wanna be California pizza Kitchen catering to out-of-town yuppies, hippies, hipsters, and people with more cash than good sense, Mellow Mushroom offers glutton free, taste-free prices for big spenders and wankers alike. I had hoped looking at the menu that I would have a CPK experience, but it was more like a Little Caesar's one at that. After a 35 minute wait to be seated, the menu looked promising. My group ordered their top-end pizzas. I decided to just go with a simple cheese pie, and if it was any good, I would return the next day for a BBQ chicken pie. My logic is sound, if you can't get a cheese pizza right, you're never going to get any thing else made correctly. Sure enough, the dough was flat and bland. The sauce appeared to be garden variety Ragu, and the cheese was so uninspiring that I can't recall what it tasted like, which makes me assume that they just used a sheet a paper. Where's the creativity, the taste? I suppose one would have to be already high of the mushrooms to find it. Needless to say, I was not bothered to return for a follow up, the next day for the BBQ chicken pizza. The tastiest thing on the menu was a cute little Koren waitress working the the section behind ours. If the pizza were good, I should have to make such a comment. Skip this one, and try for real pizza, not over-hyped overpriced yuppie food.
(1)
kido m.
lil over priced pizza... but i agree it's hand tossed dough and taste is good when it's NOT burnt!! I had 5-6 pizza ordered in last 3 weeks, and half of the time the pizza was burnt so bad, that almost NOT eatable!! :( So, sorry u got 2 stars from me.... and i'll change it if my pizza comes LIKE pizza!!
(2)
Jasmine B.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in Columbia. I'm not really a pizza person and find theirs a little average, but the salads and sandwiches here are great. I love (and often crave) the Greek or chef salad with Esperanza dressing and the Italian Sub with pesto mayo. The atmosphere here is pretty laid back mid-week but I avoid the weekends because it turns into a family restaurant and becomes kind of a zoo. The service here, as with most places in Columbia can be pretty hit-and-miss. One visit you might have a very attentive, friendly, upbeat waitress, and the next you get a fumbling mess of a waitress that you can only hope its her first day(or her last). Overall the food speaks for itsself. Its craveable which isn't always easy to find in Columbia. Good food fresh ingredients.
(4)
Josh F.
They would've received 5 stars if they didn't botch my meal the 2nd time I ordered. Jerk Chicken Hoagie was insane! Pretzels (1st day) were warm and fresh. Pretzel (2nd day) were rushed, bland, and obviously not baked with love.
(4)
Kel B.
First off, I LOVE the atmosphere at Mellow Mushroom! Great place to hang out and get beer. Secondly, that's about all I love. The food is way too expensive for the quality/quantity... $20 for a medium greasy pizza???? Honestly? I have switched to a mostly vegan diet recently, and it's pretty hard to come by vegan friendly restaurants in town, so last Saturday my boyfriend and I decided to try the "vegan" pizza offered at MM - do NOT try it for your own sake. It tasted horrible and the bf and I both ended up sick as dogs... ended up paying over $50 for the worst food I've ever eaten. Back when I was a cheese eater, I would still steer clear of MM simply because it's too darn expensive! And the pizza has always been just mediocre.
(1)
Alyssa M.
Pros: Pizza is VERY filling and they have creative topping options, especially for vegetarians (Kosmic Karma--GET IT). The decor is pretty awesome--lots of whimsical/hippie/stoner-esque statues and paintings that is unique to the Columbia location. Cons: Expensive and busy. We didn't get our food for 30 minutes and paid $60 for 5 of us, though 2 were sharing a pizza and 1 got a side salad...not cool. I would come again for a single slice, which they only serve during certain hours throughout the day, mainly because the prices are so high.
(4)
Crystal C.
A favorite for the kids, like walking into Alice in Wonderland... right at the caterpillar scene anyway. The pizza is tasty, service is good, eclectic beer choices and a 2nd level. The parking is tough but worth it on a slow day for sure.
(4)
Rosemary T.
I'd been wanting to try MM's tempeh sandwich for a while, and last night I finally did. I'm not sure if something went horribly wrong, but it was beyond awful. The tempeh, which I usually like very much, was dark brown(?) ,crumbly and unpleasantly damp. It had evidently been floating in a jar of extremely strong vinegar for weeks. I cannot imagine why anyone would do that to tempeh. It was inedible. Big bummer.
(1)
Dan C.
The Mellow Mushroom was OK and not OK for a few reasons: The pizza was good.( Yes.) The music was very loud, but they turned it down. (Meh.) There was an elevator to the 2nd floor. (Yes.) I like all Mellow Mushrooms, and this one was a good one.
(4)
Lauren F.
Mellow Mushrooms has my favorite pizza ever: the Kosmic Karma. If you love pizza, but hate the grease, this is the place for you. Lots of variety, including make your own. Salads and subs for the non-pizza fans. Good drinks and service. The drawbacks: parking is limited and it's freaking loud in there. Weekdays are fine, but if you go at night or during the weekend, the echoes make decent conversation impossible. Still, the food is amazing.
(4)
jack q.
Holy Shiitake Batman!! Probably the best damn pizza I ever ate. We tried another one of their pizzas, too, and it was pretty good, but paled in comparison to the HS. This is a busy place, but very laid back. There was a real mix of patrons; everything from snooty-ass uppity folks to kids going ballistic to romantic gay couples to greasy bikers. And, everyone was having a good time chowing down pizza and drinking some of their many delicious brews. Good stuff and a good time.
(5)
Rosalie M.
Pizza is delicious but I waited an hour for it. Cool place on the inside. I definitely recommend any of their specialty pizzas
(4)
Scott G.
Five stars for the best pizza in Columbia, chain or not the guys here actually care about your food and if you don't like it they are always willing to get you what you want. Try the Greek side salad, big enough to get another bowl and split it no problem, the house is good too. My favorite pizza I. cumbria after 15 years? Cosmic Karma, you can add chicken and / or bacon of you want but it's hands down awesome.
(5)
Shannon L.
This restaurant would be so FITTING for Santa Cruz's tree hugging, pot smoking residents. Not that this restaurant has pot to offer but there's sure enough insignia to make you believe so. Mushrooms everywhere! I was actually in South Carolina visiting a friend who went to school in the area and it was so awkward being the only Asians in... the entire town. The pizza here is awesome though! My favorite was the Gourmet White (olive oil, minced garlic, sun dried tomatoes, provolone, mozarella, fresh tomatoes & onions). I'm normally not a fan of feta but this was so good!! It wasn't overpowering at all. The sweet tea here is awesome. Service is great too except the food took a little long.
(4)
Ted N.
Parking can be tough at this location. Be ready to walk for a few blocks. Pizza is very good if you like the more doughy hand tossed pizza. Good beer as well. Now if you read the other reviews you know what is coming. The service is terrible. I have been to a few other MM's and the service was fine. It must just be the management and training here. If I lived downtown or Shandon I might call in a pickup order but I dont plan on eating there again any time soon.
(3)
Drew M.
Very casual and enjoyable. Stuffed Portabella Mushroom was great and the Magical Mystery Pizza was too! Boys had huge Calzones that were also well prepared. Climate up stairs was way to hot for a restaurant. Several walked out because of it. Others moved downstairs where it was better. Didn't ruin our experience, but it did Spoiled the rating a little
(3)
David W.
Very good pizza and good beer. Greek salad is a favorite and the pretzels are great too. Agree with others that it can be pricey and the service can be slow, but for the most part, one of the best choices for pizza in Columbia.
(4)
Jason R.
This is the best pizza in town, as Cola doesn't have anything resembling regional pizza fair. Service here is hit or miss. Beer selection is pretty good, but standard for the area. The dough is what makes the pie. I like to get Togo here. Usually 1/5 pies are over cooked.
(3)
Anthony G.
Great toppings and crust but a little too doughy for me. Their combinations and creations are exciting and always interesting. Beer selection is awesome but you'll have to wait as they are slow as a snail. Casual atmosphere in a great location but don't come here wanting fast service. Order two beers at a time and just chill. If you do that, you will be happy.
(4)
Tom K.
Pizza was very good and a good selection of beer and drinks. Would defiantly recommend it.
(5)
Alex L.
Good stuff. I got the house special. Everything on it. Good hot fresh pizza. I went on a lazy Tues. Nice service. Went home happy and full. The cal zones were huge, I'll get one of those next time. Steak and cheese sounds great.
(4)
Joseph P.
On a Tuesday night, parking is easy, Pints are $2.50, and the medium-thin crust pizza is pretty good. This isn't the deep dish Chicago style or the paper thin NY style, but in between, and its pretty good. A 16 inch combo will set you back $25 but it has a lot of different toppings and tastes good. The 14 inchers at about $20 were interesting non-tomato alternatives. Both a bit pricey, I feel. Service was friendly and efficient in the half full restaurant, so come on a non-weekend day. Beer selections are deep if you include bottles.
(4)
Paul B.
Defiantly a great Pizza joint! Pizza with fresh hand tossed dough, a great beer list, this place has it going on! This is a place where you can get a "specialty" pizza that's really, really good! Just the right amount of dough, sauce, and ingredients that come together perfectly! We order the "Cosmic Karma" pizza, at the request of my wife- sun dried tomato, spinach, feta, fresh tomatoes, and pesto- This turned out to be mucho goodo! The feta popped and made the pizza perfect! we also ordered a jerk chicken calzone that was just as good! Also, we tried the hummus with warm pita that was very good. And - no that's it couldn't eat any more...at this sitting- This will be a regular for us- the place is very good!
(4)
Brittany S.
Good pizza and huge portions. The prices were a little high. It was $20 for a large pizza. We didn't dine in, so known what the inside was like.
(4)
Paul W.
Worst one I have been to in the chain. On the brightside, our server was excellent, but food and beer are a chain low! Pizza had a 2" diameter of toppings, and they were missing a some menu ingredients. Beer list was substandard at best
(1)
Mike K.
whoa, i must be highing! I gotta say, I'm really picky about pizza outside of NY, but i had their "magical mystery tour" pizza which is pesto, jalepenos and some other stuff..and it was great! Just a great combination of ingredients. I loved it. Also, the whole stoner decor with framed beatles photos..u can't beat that. Loved it!
(5)
Nathan S.
One great thing about this place is the beer list. Any place that carries Rogue: Dead Guy is immediately added to my short list of places to consider for dinner. I've had every one of their Specialty Pizzas, and have to say that there are two I'd recommend. The White Pizza and the Cosmic Karma. These two are AWESOME. I actually prefer them more after they've sat in the refrigerator overnight. Haha I'd suggest Mellow Mushroom to anyone in their early twenties looking for a good beer, a cool atmosphere, and some pretty good pizza.
(4)
Jordan S.
It's an ideal location for a restaurant in downtown and the atmosphere inside the restaurant is not lacking. that's for sure. Unfortunately first impressions are everything, and the hostess seemed in no hurry to seat us, while our waiter completely lacked in personality. The pizza was good, but nothing incredible, I wouldn't try the chicken pizza again. I loved sitting on the 2nd floor, felling the breeze with the windows open, and watching pedestrians along Gervais Street. Cool place to get together with friends.
(3)
Bob H.
I see a lot of reviews that echo what I'm about to say. The pizza is just awesome, but the service is slow, perhaps why they call it "mellow", who knows. everytime I go here, they take about 2 hours to get you your pizza, so if you go, make sure you eat a tad bit. But the pizza is worth it if you get a healthy pizza. If you're going to get something basic like a pepperoni pizza, then go to little caesers. We usually go here when we have group events, small groups, about 5-8 people, but like I said, the bigger your group, the longer the wait, so try to do an RSVP as well.
(2)
Randall H.
Great pizza. The mushroom pizza was one of the best I have ever eaten.
(5)
Justin S.
Slow hostess. Slow service. Slow food. Slow checks. Slow... Mellow is an understatement. With all this said... the pizza is AWESOME. Unless you get a piece of gravel in it. A friend of a friend cracked a tooth and lost it due to a piece of gravel in their pizza. That is enough to make me not want to eat there again. It is one thing to have a "mellow" atmosphere (read: pothead) but to treat customers like they are irrelevant and serve them gravel... I work 2 blocks away and I nor anyone in my office will eat there anymore, nor do I personally recommend it to anyone. Eat there if you dare... to fall asleep while you wait for your gravel laced food.
(1)
Sean D.
Stopped in for lunch and was pleasantly surprised. The beer selection was amazing! I found a beer from Lagunitas, CA--my home state--and was blown away. As for the pizza, my NYC standards were met. We had the steak/feta/veggies pizza. AMAZING. I'll be back.
(4)
Steven D.
Terrible, nuff said
(1)
Sean A.
OK nice place but there was a fly still kicken' in my salad. Gross!
(3)
Trish D.
After reading all the reviews, I had high expectations of Mellow Mushroom, but unfortunately, I was disappointed. The pizza was just okay, the crust was a little grainy and there was a weird sweetness to the overall pizza that I didn't care for too much. I thought that maybe I just didn't order a good one but when I looked around, the other pizzas didn't look too appetizing either, way too many toppings (which I guess some people like), but sometimes more is just.. more.
(2)
Michael H.
PIzza Parking atmosphere...its all good. A funky and fun place.
(4)
Alex A.
really really good pizza. the dough was amazing. soft and flavorful. our server was extremely good and even got me a hard cider i'd never had before. totally impressed with what seemed would be a chain place. well worth the stop.
(4)
Joe N.
Mellow Mushroom has some of the best pizza in town. It's easily in the top 3. The only negative to them is the service is VERY hit or miss. A few years back I actually knew most of the wait staff, so I could get great service from any of the ones that I knew. Now that I'm like anyone else who walks in, and cannot get preferential treatment, I've had some service that left a lot to be desired. However, I will say that for a restaurant of it's type, they're only going to get college students who are willing to work as a waiter/waitress, so sometimes it can be quite difficult to find good help in that realm. Anyway, the pizza and sandwiches are great. If you go to a restaurant to eat good food, you'll enjoy Mellow Mushroom.
(4)
Lee D.
I want to like this place. The location is ideal. The menu sounds interesting. The atmosphere is casual and laid-back. The beer list is great. But the service is horrible. And the pizza is never as good as I hope it will be. Not bad, but not great. I go with great expectations, but leave disappointed. Needless to say, I don't go much anymore.
(2)
Rob R.
Had a long wait for pizza (approx 45 mins). Food was good, but very annoyed by the wait. The manager took 20% off the tab and was attentive to our concern without us having to show out.
(3)
Lindsey B.
What you expect, good pizza and others foods, nice atmosphere, but I don't rave about this one as much as others do. But it generally scores good with locals and out of town visitors who want something simple, in the great Vista part of town -- memorable atmosphere (but simple and a bit rustic).
(3)
David C.
This is my favorite pizza in Columbia. The Good: They make their own dough. It's pretty obvious they are using semolina flourr to finish the crusts and I believe they are actually proofing their dough, which is pretty amazing when you consider their volume of business. The Tagine pizza was a thing of beauty, ditto for their all meat pizza. I notmally can't stand pizzas with more than three ingredients but these guys cram three poiunds of ingredients on every specialty pie and it normally works out. They have a nice bar upstairs and downstairs at this location. I am a fan of their meatball appetizer. You can tell someone actually made the meat ball on site. The atmosphere, as the name would suggest, is very... Yellow Submarine. I think it works for them though. The Bad: The service can be spotty. This place can turn into a warzone over lunch or a big game. The beer is super pricey. It seems like every pint there starts at 4.00. They have a baked potato pizza that is a culinary abomination. I am sure it was a good idea in theroy but man it's unedible. Pizzas are also pricey. It's really easy to spend 65.00 on three pizzas here.
(4)
Sam V.
Justin S. said it the best, yucky experience.
(1)
Shanan A.
Interesting place with relatively good food. Relatively, meaning, at least they're using a lot of vegetables that seem to be pretty fresh. And, it's definitely vegetarian friendly, and seems to be pretty fresh ingredients. Stay downstairs, I think it's non-smoking. The decor is funky, and would probably be a little overwhelming if the place was more magical. The t-shirts were pretty interesting too, but the best weren't for sale.
(4)
Laura J.
Ya gotta dig a place called the Mellow Mushroom! I'm a Chicago girl so I am definitely picky about my pizza. And while this isn't Chicago-style pizza, I'm still going to put my opinion out there. Lots of great varieties of pizza and everything I've tried has been so very, very good! I also highly recommend the "Purple Haze" beer - oh so tasty! The staff is cool and so is the decor. So go, have a groovy day and enjoy some good 'za!!
(4)
Michael R.
When you come to Columbia, you have to try the Mellow Mushroom. Living in NJ, there is no shortage of good pizza, but the Parmesan dusted crust, and "served to order" pizza is an must when you are in town. If you are traveling into town, stay at the Courtyard Marriott on Assembly Street, and it is a .7 mile walk to the restaurant, which you will appreciate after stuffing yourself. I sat at the bar, watched a game, and enjoyed one of the many beers in stock (ShockTop). This is only 4 stars b/c of the workout that I have to do tomorrow morning to work off the 10 inch small pie.
(4)
Euphrosini S.
I used to work here through college so I may but a biased after eating 3 years worth of free pizza and hoagies. Yes, the food takes a while but what can you expect when everyone in the kitchen is 16. But the pizza is really amazing.. Gourmet white, Magical Mystery, basically anything you get. The hoagies are pretty great as well and there aren't too many other places to get tempeh or tofu hoagies in Columbia. Don't expect 4 star service when you're in there... I only worked there to make money to spend on drinks after work and that's how many college students think. Go in drink some Purple Haze and order some cheese bread while you wait on your pizza.
(4)
Tepintzin H.
Best pizza in Columbia, and that's sad. It's merely ok. I had the Kosmic Karma, which should have come loaded with feta and sun-dried tomatoes, but it was just a pesto pizza with mozz and a hint of those lovely things. I'm guessing because it's in the South and maybe people around here are afraid of "exotic" ingredients. But I enjoyed my snakebite (dark beer/cider) and my merlot. Service was quick in my case; perhaps because I was alone. No desserts except cookies. Not much else to say about this one.
(3)
Seiji C.
the good: decent hoagies, lots space, fun decor the bad: smoking, service can be slow
(4)
g l.
Moved here from the west coast two years ago and found this to be the best pizza in town. The house special is the one to order-nothing else compares.if you have not tried it ,you are missing out.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Wed, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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Sheila F.
I have not been to a Mellow Mushroom in many years. They have such a cool variety of pizzas, salads and drinks. Nice atmosphere and there is a very shiny gamecock upstairs for photo ops. There is one in the parking lot too, big enough to ride Our waiter was great, although the kitchen had speed issues.
(4)Charles R.
Been to three MMs in Florence, Myrtle Beach and now in Columbia. Funny thing there is always something at each location that what would make a great dining experience somewhat discouraging. First Florence had warm beer, gross right! Second MB put deli turkey meat on the pizza expecting us to not notice it was supposed to be chicken. The Columbia, and this is my fault, I asked for the pizza to be cooked extra and it came out burned on the bottom. Now I think there should be a difference between a little extra and super crispy, but hey who am I to argue with pizza masters! Anyway I would still be willing to go back because the ingredients seems very high quality. Service was excellent and I never ran out of water.
(4)Robert V.
I've held off on trying out Mellow Mushroom for the last year and am happy I finally gave it a shot! The pizzas are awesome and I also tried the Cali burger from their new burger menu. the burger was also delicious as were the roasted potatoes that came with it. The atmosphere is great, light, fun, the Vista location has two cool bars, and the staff are very friendly and helpful.
(4)Will C.
Not a place for a pizza snob. This is a chain restaurant and that's sort of what you get. The pizza isn't of outstanding quality - we are in the south - but they do have a bunch of creative compilations which are nice. The beer selection is really good and the atmosphere is nicer than your average pizza joint and people like it enough for it to be busy during most of their hours though I've never seen or had to wait in a long line.
(3)Rick T.
Make sure to sit upstairs if you don't want you thunder like sounds when people move their chairs upstairs up above.Also make sure you park on the street or in Mellow Mushroom parking only because you will be towed. The pizza here is great, one of my favorites currently is the red skin pizza topped w sour cream and spicy ranch. It has bacon and thinly sliced red potatoes with caramelized onions that pair well together on the pie. Wait time can vary but most of the time it takes quite awhile to prepare, so don't be in a hurry.
(4)Adam B. J.
Mellow Mushroom is the best pizza in the vista. They have great pizza, sandwiches, and beer. Located in the heart of the vista this place is never disappointing. Service is good, and the food is great. It takes time to make their great food, so don't go if you are in a hurry, just sit back mellow out and have a good beer while you wait. My favorites are actually sandwiches. I love the jerk chicken, and you can't get better tempeh in Columbia. A half is never enough, but the whole sandwich is too large... At least you have a snack for later. Never been to a location I didn't like. Two thumbs up!
(4)Dave G.
We had pretzels to start out, got the order of three just enough and delicious. I ordered calzone with spinach and mushrooms - really tasty. Also had some of the Caesar Salad. Fresh and good. Overall - good place good service no pressure and good prices.
(4)Danielle F.
Great food and service. Made my first visit recently with friends and a child. Very kid friendly. Loved the Holy Shiitake Pie (shiitake, button and portobello mushrooms).
(4)Lindsay K.
I have always loved mellow mushroom. I came here for lunch with my mom. I like to sit at the bar upstairs, the downstairs "bar" area doesn't have all of the beers on tap. I got the stuffed mushrooms for the 1st time and I wasn't disappointed. any of the appetizers that have their balsamic glaze is probably a good bet. The restaurant is always clean, the staff is always friendly and the food (while not always the quickest) has always come out correctly and fresh.
(4)Hans B.
To be fair I was really hungry so anything tastes good ! Atmosphere I sat at the upstairs bar ... It was ok. Small tv's beers on the left side are colder baby he left side ( per the bartender)8 Pizza I ordered was "house pesto". It was delicious ! Spinach roma tomatoes and hand made crust . Bottom line : I would order this again ..
(4)Brigette R.
Crappy service. Greasy pizza. Greek salad was nothing special. Thank goodness it's impossible to mess up a Blue Moon. The meat lovers pizza was gross, only ate the crust. Asked our bill to be on one check apparently out server didn't hear us. He picked up a half finished beer- not cool. Disappointing then again you really just come for drinks, then again they have semi good beer on tap. Way better food in the area, family friendly is the main reason we met here tonight. Food is greasy and service was terrible.
(2)Anna B.
It's the crust. I don't know how they do it, but that crust is unbelievably good and the rest of my review won't live up to it. Last time I was there I ordered the "Maui Wowi" (or something like that), and man oh man was it delicious. It had so many ingredients but somehow they worked in perfect harmony. Let's see, it had: bacon, chicken, ham, banana peppers, pesto sauce, pineapple, peppers.... and I can't remember the rest. Suffice to say it was very delicious indeed. Their beers are a little pricey. Decent selection. I like that they advertise different beer combinations. I know you can combine beer at other restaurants, but I would never remember until I see it right there on the menu. We went on a Friday night, so we did have to wait a little bit. The good news is that the pizza is so filling, you really only need one or maybe two slices and then you've got some to take home for lunch tomorrow. It's a cool place for the university students, but it's worth checking out for anyone. It's that crust.
(5)Colleen C.
I'd been hearing a lot about how good this place was, and I was pretty disappointed. The food is fine, what you'd expect from a chain restaurant, but not at chain prices. I tried the cosmic karma pizza and I was not as impressed as I hoped to be. All in all, it's fine, but not worth the money if you're looking for really good pizza.
(2)Taylor S.
This place is okay. The pizza is okay. When I went the service was very slow, and the food turned out being not as good as I expected it to be. The atmosphere is cool though, there's a lot of things to look at.
(2)M A.
Great pizza! It's a little pricey for pizza; however the pizza is good. I like the crust and it taste good as leftovers. Parking is great given it's located down town - parking reserved in the back for customers. The staff is really young and it shows in the service. My overall experience is good and I have eaten there multiple times: takeout and eat-in.
(4)Monica R.
We came to grab a quick bite before checking out some divey spots in Columbia, we weren't to sure about these places having food and we wanted somewhere we could go in and out. I usually opt for their pizza as it is one of the very few that I absolutely love, but went with their steak hoagie! I loved it to say the least and it provided a great base for what was to follow. They have a pretty good selection of craft beers too!
(4)Maggie S.
I had an amazing lunch here on Friday! I hadn't been to a Mellow Mushroom in a few years and was excited to go on this trip. The beer selection was great, as expected. We ordered the Mellowterranean (tofu instead of chicken) and the House Special pizzas, which couldn't be more different, and both were incredible. Our server, Michelle, was helpful answering our questions about the menu, sizes, and options, and prompt bringing drinks and the bill. The music was perfectly low key and familiar, too. I'll definitely be back on my next visit to Columbia.
(5)H C.
the longest wait of your life. great food. shitty service.
(2)Grace M.
This place is terrible. The service sucks and is SUPER slow. A previous review admitted that the service was less than stellar because the servers only wanted money to drink afterwards. That isn't an excuse. Plenty of my friends served throughout college, including myself, and always gave the best service possible. Yes, we wanted drinking and spending money, but we never gave crappy service. We wanted good tips, so gave the best service we could. Only eat here if you have over an hour for lunch or plan to stay a while for dinner. The pizza and calzones is mediocre at best. I prefer their buffalo chicken pizza, if and when I do go, which is rare. If you want appetizers go for their garlic knots or pretzels - always a go to for my friends. On a side note, their gluten free stuff isn't bad, but not meant for people who have celiacs because they don't have a gluten free zone, and there WILL be cross contamination. A friend of mine got extremely ill thinking it was safe to try their gluten free.
(1)Kristina J.
Great service and food:-). Had my first hummus and loved it. We always get the chef salad and the philosophers pie/Hawaiian pizza. Never disappointed with it.
(5)Jeff M.
Great! I had a large Calzone and took half of it home. I was just passing through and wanted to get in and out quickly. I sat at the bar upstairs and had a really good dinner and was out of there quickly. I like this chain and all of them have different decor. My server was the bartender and he was always there as expected.
(4)Stephen R.
Just the usual fare, pizzas calzones n such. Friendly staff, decent prices and good food.
(3)WanderLustinDani P.
The food at Mellow Mushroom has the best Pizza so far in Columbia, the flavors were exceptional, but the flavors have remarkable depth. Presentation of the food was great. A host of items on the menu, offering something for the whole family. The shop is both clean and tidy, having plenty seating space and a nice bar. The hostess/ waitress was attentive at all times. Staff members there greeted us in/ out when we left. The small pizza was more that filling, loved the mushroom soup!! I know I'll certainly be returning soon and would recommend this facility.
(4)Emily E.
Every single pizza here is wonderful in its own way but I gravitate to either the holy shittake or mighty meaty. I could eat the crust by itself all day...it's just so perfect...soft and filling at the same time. Pretzels here are great as are the hoagies. They bake pizzas to order so it takes a little while to get your food but worth it.
(5)Kelly B.
Love, love the hummus! Love the beer selection. Service is extremely slow, so don't go if you're on a schedule.
(3)Jordann B.
I love mellow mushroom! Been to them in charlotte, Asheville, Spanish Fort, and now Columbia and I have had the worst experience here in Columbia! So crowded and no room to start night off. Waited 45 minutes for a horrible drink, horrible bruschetta and then they got the pizza I ordered wrong. Then when they came back with the fixed pizza it was cold! Grrrr
(1)Steve B.
Stopped by for Saturday dinner, 12:00 meal. Had about a 15 minuet wait to be seated. I had a mushroom hogie. It was a very good sandwich. My wife had the enlightened spinach salad she was pleased with it and the house dressing. My daughter had the French bread pizza. It was one of the best FB pizzas I have ever tasted. It was good and fresh. Davis waited on us he was very efficient and kept an eye on our table. The shroom tea is a good drink. All in all we had a good experience were pleased with the food and service. The mellow mushroom is on our do again list.
(4)Bobbi H.
Went here with my family, didn't know what to expect, turned out to be the best pizza I've ever eaten. I had the loaded potato pizza, can't wait to get it again, was the most eclectic and wonderful thing ever. My husband had the philosophers stone pizza and enjoyed it, and my mom had the veggie pizza and talked about it for days. She can't wait to come back to visit us and go there again. Had a large beer selection and zillions of weird and delicious pizzas with the best tasting crust with the most interesting texture.
(5)Mckenna R.
good but all the food was really oily:/
(3)Carl B.
All one loves from Mellow Mushroom brand in a cool college environment! Great gluten free options and one of the best non-Chicago style pizzas! Downstairs can get tight so request a table on upper floor
(4)Wayne H.
Love having lunch here, however... I've had some poor experiences with new servers messing up the order and getting something I didn't want... I still get lunch here regularly.
(4)Mike C.
Went for lunch with a co worker this past week and the experience was ok. To start off with the parking situation frankly, is horrible. The parking lot right next to the restaurant is ridden with NO PARKING OR WE WILL TOW YOU signs so unless you find metered parking on the street you will be walking from a back lot somewhere. It was a chilly day and we were sat right at the front which is just inside the door so it was mighty chilly while we ate. It is a well decorated Mellow Mushroom with the typical decor that you find in most locations with just a hint of local flavor. Food was OK. I had the you pick 2 lunch and chose a chef salad which wasn't very "cheffy" and had 4 small slices of ham that didn't make it's way to a pizza, a lot of cheese, those salty a** olives and not much else. Honey Mustard dressing was ok. The slice of pepperoni that I got was very overdone and not flavorful like normal Mellow pizza. I realize that I didn't order a whole, fresh made pie but it was lunchtime and I feel it is Mellow's duty to give me a slice just like if I ordered a pie during lunch. Not sure what to think, I used to be a Mellow fan and have visited numerous locations lately and have been less and less impressed. Not sure if something has changed corporately but they need to get back to basics which include great ambiance and awesome pizza!
(3)Ted K.
The service is fast, and the atmosphere is lively. All of their pizzas are amazing, and the spinach artichoke dip appetizer is great as well. Highly recommend this place!
(5)Caroline J.
Horrible. A medium crap pizza with 2 toppings was $19.99 and a very small personal pizza with meat was $13. The medium expensive pizza just had cheese and tomato and was dry. The meat pizza was extra greasy. I could have spent that money on a MUCH better dinner somewhere else. I'll never go back.
(1)Andy O.
Pizza is delicious. Service is good. I went on a Saturday around noon and waited for 40 mins to be seated. While I was waiting I went to the upstairs bar and ordered a Guinness. The bartender did not knew what he was doing. He gave me a flat beer. Why? Well he rushed and pulled the tap handle all the way down and that caused the glass to fill with foam. Then his buddy told him "dude you have to pour about 4 glasses because that beer is all foam". So he continued to fill the glass and pouring the foam out making it a flat beer at the end. So I ordered a new Castle and same thing happened. Flat. Under staff and poorly trained bartenders. Owner must be losing money on the beer. Do not go if you are ordering peperonni for $20 dollars is not worth it.
(3)Adam B.
If you're bringing a group of friends here for a birthday party because they advertise that they have gluten free pizza, choose to go somewhere else. They're "out of gluten free crust for some reason." They're happy to get everyone's business but not willing to apologize or try and make it right. Take your business elsewhere. Unless you like gluten.
(1)Matthew S.
Mellow Mushroom is a good place for pizza for a chain; however, expect about the same hangups here that you would at any other Mellow Mushroom. We have gone here a few times since living in the area and have left satisfied each time, but not exactly impressed either. The atmosphere is what you would expect, trippy art on the walls and plenty of seating. Mellow has a great selection of both beer and pizza, so nearly everyone can find something they like here. However, this particular Mellow Mushroom tends to overcook the bottom of every pizza, but not to a level that I would consider burned...just a bit too dark. Also, the beer prices are a bit ridiculous and far too expensive in comparison to others in the area. Overall, not a "bad" place to go to if I had to choose, but definitely not my first, second, or even third pick 3 out of 5 stars.
(3)Laura B.
These folks know how to make a good pizza. I had a Holy Shiitake pizza, and holy shiitake, was it divine. Two months later, I'm still dreaming about it. The menu is diverse, and there's something to please just about every palate. Even gluten-free folks have pizza options here. The selection of beer is fantastic, and the servers are always entertaining and speedy. It's a little pricey, but you get what you pay for, and in this case, that's some of the best pizza in Columbia.
(5)Helen A.
Here for a quick personalized pizza. Ok maybe not so quick.. But healthy and yummy.. I'll be back
(4)CC W.
Horrible bathrooms. Toilet looked like the ones I see at festivals when 800 people use it. Dirty floors and I could see the dust on the artwork and shelves. Employees seem to be pretty lackadaisical i.e.: texting, standing around talking, etc. Besides that the food was awesome. We built our own calzones and they were pretty amazing. I couldn't help but wonder what the kitchen looks like, which isn't what anyone wants to think about when trying to enjoy a meal. I did enjoy the style of the restaurant. Paintings were cool, and it's a trendy/cool/casual place to check out.
(3)Greg S.
A/C was leaking on my son; my daughter's very small Mac & cheese cup was still frozen - who screws that up? No apologizes from management....avoid! Pretzels were best part of meal.
(1)Erik G.
Great pizza, great server, fast service (given it was on a tuesday), good dessert.....
(5)Max C.
The location we frequent in Denver is a LOT better but this place still does pretty decent pie... Not having any local brews on tap?!? (only bottled) huge minus... Service is decent... Parking sucks...
(3)Jeff C.
OK, so I skimmed the more recent reviews first and see a couple of really negative ones. I know this place is a chain, but having never been to any other locations I only know this one. First off, the service was very friendly, and considering we were a party of 8, the 5 minute wait was pretty alright. The drinks were cold and strong, there were crayons and paper for the kids, the appetizers came out quick and I thought the menu choices were pretty creative and my wife loved the option for a gluten free crust. We opted for one with a variety of sauted mushrooms and carmelized onions with truffle oil and aioli. Anyone who compares that with Little Ceasars is pretty much a (insert colorful metaphor). We had a great time, spent about 40 bucks for a family of 4, and thought the food was great. We will be back!
(4)Carl S.
This is only the second mellow mushroom that I have been to, and it keeps up with their reputation. Solid food, fun staff, and painless take out. The place usually isn't packed but still has solid ambience.
(4)Dorothy C.
Atmosphere is better, than other location. Probably the vista vibe and most of the staff are working students. Waitress was very nice and gave us time to decide. If you love pizza, this is the place. Choose one of theirs or make your own. This time we tried some hoagies. The sandwiches were good, served warm. But nothing along side. Felt, unfulfilled. No pickle. No side. Salads are good and a favorite. Try the pretzel appetizers. Because of the Vista location, parking is a quest at times. But you can find a spot. This location has 2 floors. No elevator. So if you have hip, knee or leg problems, tell the hostess. Full bars and restrooms on each floor. There are 2 Gamecock statues for photo opportunities. Outside is a proud victorious statue, while inside is the glamorous version.
(3)Kristen M.
Ok, so I have been to the Mellow Mushroom in Gatlinburg and I loved it. The pizza was fresh, crisp, and delicious. I also had a chicken sub which was great. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for my experience at this Mellow Mushroom. We ordered two cheese pizza, buffalo chicken, bbq chicken, and white pizza. The white pizza was really really good. The two cheese pizzas couldn't look more different. One was nice and toasty (but bland tasting) and the other look like it needed another 15 minutes in the oven. The bbq and buffalo chicken pizzas were ok but nothing out of the ordinary. I wish we would have picked a different restaurant after the food arrived.
(2)Lynn P.
Mellow mushroom is great there are nice waiters and good pizza the place is very decorative and good location - JG
(4)Terrell L.
Gluten Free Pizza, Who Knew That ? Also Gluten Free Beer, Hard Apple Cider and other adult beverages, wonderful to have a pizza place that cares about their guests with food allergies. Not to mention, the Pizza & service was wonderful ! This location was and it's view was fantastic, just below the state capitol with a spectacular window shot of the Capitol Grounds, Very Near the University of South Carolin and Gamecocks stadium.
(5)Mike O.
Two floors. Any kinda pizza you could want. Beers beers beers. Sports on TV. For a New Yorker, y'all can do pizza alright, even if it is a chain. Well done! I'm reading that parking is a pain. If you love pizza, there ain't no walking that will stand in your way to get it. I recall crossing a large, empty pay lot to find street meter parking, but it was no big deal whatsoever.
(4)Swetha G.
Mellow Mushroom will hit that warm ooozy spot that you crave when you're in a splurge mood. Believe me, when you eat here, you will definitely leave filled up! Their pretzels are doughy softness and delicious. The mega veggie pizza is hearty goodness. I LOVED the banana peppers, sun dried tomatoes and feta in it, incredibly mouthwatering! I had a glass of their Riesling and it was sweet and soft. Their brownie with vanilla ice cream was just the perfect way to wrap up our meal. They accidentally made an extra dessert so we got lucky and people went crazy when the second one was brought out! Btw, portion sizes are LARGE. A 10 " small pizza can easily feed 2-3 people. Dessert is also easily sharable, it's rich. Oh and one more thing - they have trivia on Wednesday nights and it's LOADS of fun. They give you a whole song's worth of time to solve the questions. They cover a broad range of topics like sports, movies, landmarks, pop culture, etc. If you happen to be there on trivia night, it does get loud on the second floor and it is busy, but you'll enjoy yourself!
(4)Xinling X.
Great pizzas, Love the curry pizza! Great for groups!
(5)Brian A.
Definitely a MM fan here! Yes, the service can be hit or miss...but it's a pizza joint people. You're not gonna have career waiters and waitresses at pizza joints. The pizza is great and the beer selection is too. I love the atmosphere as it's a great place to bring a group of people to laugh it up and converse. Never had a bad experience with the food at any MM location. Try: The jerk-chicken pizza Avoid: The salads (Aren't you the same guy that orders chicken at a steakhouse?)
(4)Chef A.
Wanna be California pizza Kitchen catering to out-of-town yuppies, hippies, hipsters, and people with more cash than good sense, Mellow Mushroom offers glutton free, taste-free prices for big spenders and wankers alike. I had hoped looking at the menu that I would have a CPK experience, but it was more like a Little Caesar's one at that. After a 35 minute wait to be seated, the menu looked promising. My group ordered their top-end pizzas. I decided to just go with a simple cheese pie, and if it was any good, I would return the next day for a BBQ chicken pie. My logic is sound, if you can't get a cheese pizza right, you're never going to get any thing else made correctly. Sure enough, the dough was flat and bland. The sauce appeared to be garden variety Ragu, and the cheese was so uninspiring that I can't recall what it tasted like, which makes me assume that they just used a sheet a paper. Where's the creativity, the taste? I suppose one would have to be already high of the mushrooms to find it. Needless to say, I was not bothered to return for a follow up, the next day for the BBQ chicken pizza. The tastiest thing on the menu was a cute little Koren waitress working the the section behind ours. If the pizza were good, I should have to make such a comment. Skip this one, and try for real pizza, not over-hyped overpriced yuppie food.
(1)kido m.
lil over priced pizza... but i agree it's hand tossed dough and taste is good when it's NOT burnt!! I had 5-6 pizza ordered in last 3 weeks, and half of the time the pizza was burnt so bad, that almost NOT eatable!! :( So, sorry u got 2 stars from me.... and i'll change it if my pizza comes LIKE pizza!!
(2)Jasmine B.
This is one of my favorite places to eat in Columbia. I'm not really a pizza person and find theirs a little average, but the salads and sandwiches here are great. I love (and often crave) the Greek or chef salad with Esperanza dressing and the Italian Sub with pesto mayo. The atmosphere here is pretty laid back mid-week but I avoid the weekends because it turns into a family restaurant and becomes kind of a zoo. The service here, as with most places in Columbia can be pretty hit-and-miss. One visit you might have a very attentive, friendly, upbeat waitress, and the next you get a fumbling mess of a waitress that you can only hope its her first day(or her last). Overall the food speaks for itsself. Its craveable which isn't always easy to find in Columbia. Good food fresh ingredients.
(4)Josh F.
They would've received 5 stars if they didn't botch my meal the 2nd time I ordered. Jerk Chicken Hoagie was insane! Pretzels (1st day) were warm and fresh. Pretzel (2nd day) were rushed, bland, and obviously not baked with love.
(4)Kel B.
First off, I LOVE the atmosphere at Mellow Mushroom! Great place to hang out and get beer. Secondly, that's about all I love. The food is way too expensive for the quality/quantity... $20 for a medium greasy pizza???? Honestly? I have switched to a mostly vegan diet recently, and it's pretty hard to come by vegan friendly restaurants in town, so last Saturday my boyfriend and I decided to try the "vegan" pizza offered at MM - do NOT try it for your own sake. It tasted horrible and the bf and I both ended up sick as dogs... ended up paying over $50 for the worst food I've ever eaten. Back when I was a cheese eater, I would still steer clear of MM simply because it's too darn expensive! And the pizza has always been just mediocre.
(1)Alyssa M.
Pros: Pizza is VERY filling and they have creative topping options, especially for vegetarians (Kosmic Karma--GET IT). The decor is pretty awesome--lots of whimsical/hippie/stoner-esque statues and paintings that is unique to the Columbia location. Cons: Expensive and busy. We didn't get our food for 30 minutes and paid $60 for 5 of us, though 2 were sharing a pizza and 1 got a side salad...not cool. I would come again for a single slice, which they only serve during certain hours throughout the day, mainly because the prices are so high.
(4)Crystal C.
A favorite for the kids, like walking into Alice in Wonderland... right at the caterpillar scene anyway. The pizza is tasty, service is good, eclectic beer choices and a 2nd level. The parking is tough but worth it on a slow day for sure.
(4)Rosemary T.
I'd been wanting to try MM's tempeh sandwich for a while, and last night I finally did. I'm not sure if something went horribly wrong, but it was beyond awful. The tempeh, which I usually like very much, was dark brown(?) ,crumbly and unpleasantly damp. It had evidently been floating in a jar of extremely strong vinegar for weeks. I cannot imagine why anyone would do that to tempeh. It was inedible. Big bummer.
(1)Dan C.
The Mellow Mushroom was OK and not OK for a few reasons: The pizza was good.( Yes.) The music was very loud, but they turned it down. (Meh.) There was an elevator to the 2nd floor. (Yes.) I like all Mellow Mushrooms, and this one was a good one.
(4)Lauren F.
Mellow Mushrooms has my favorite pizza ever: the Kosmic Karma. If you love pizza, but hate the grease, this is the place for you. Lots of variety, including make your own. Salads and subs for the non-pizza fans. Good drinks and service. The drawbacks: parking is limited and it's freaking loud in there. Weekdays are fine, but if you go at night or during the weekend, the echoes make decent conversation impossible. Still, the food is amazing.
(4)jack q.
Holy Shiitake Batman!! Probably the best damn pizza I ever ate. We tried another one of their pizzas, too, and it was pretty good, but paled in comparison to the HS. This is a busy place, but very laid back. There was a real mix of patrons; everything from snooty-ass uppity folks to kids going ballistic to romantic gay couples to greasy bikers. And, everyone was having a good time chowing down pizza and drinking some of their many delicious brews. Good stuff and a good time.
(5)Rosalie M.
Pizza is delicious but I waited an hour for it. Cool place on the inside. I definitely recommend any of their specialty pizzas
(4)Scott G.
Five stars for the best pizza in Columbia, chain or not the guys here actually care about your food and if you don't like it they are always willing to get you what you want. Try the Greek side salad, big enough to get another bowl and split it no problem, the house is good too. My favorite pizza I. cumbria after 15 years? Cosmic Karma, you can add chicken and / or bacon of you want but it's hands down awesome.
(5)Shannon L.
This restaurant would be so FITTING for Santa Cruz's tree hugging, pot smoking residents. Not that this restaurant has pot to offer but there's sure enough insignia to make you believe so. Mushrooms everywhere! I was actually in South Carolina visiting a friend who went to school in the area and it was so awkward being the only Asians in... the entire town. The pizza here is awesome though! My favorite was the Gourmet White (olive oil, minced garlic, sun dried tomatoes, provolone, mozarella, fresh tomatoes & onions). I'm normally not a fan of feta but this was so good!! It wasn't overpowering at all. The sweet tea here is awesome. Service is great too except the food took a little long.
(4)Ted N.
Parking can be tough at this location. Be ready to walk for a few blocks. Pizza is very good if you like the more doughy hand tossed pizza. Good beer as well. Now if you read the other reviews you know what is coming. The service is terrible. I have been to a few other MM's and the service was fine. It must just be the management and training here. If I lived downtown or Shandon I might call in a pickup order but I dont plan on eating there again any time soon.
(3)Drew M.
Very casual and enjoyable. Stuffed Portabella Mushroom was great and the Magical Mystery Pizza was too! Boys had huge Calzones that were also well prepared. Climate up stairs was way to hot for a restaurant. Several walked out because of it. Others moved downstairs where it was better. Didn't ruin our experience, but it did Spoiled the rating a little
(3)David W.
Very good pizza and good beer. Greek salad is a favorite and the pretzels are great too. Agree with others that it can be pricey and the service can be slow, but for the most part, one of the best choices for pizza in Columbia.
(4)Jason R.
This is the best pizza in town, as Cola doesn't have anything resembling regional pizza fair. Service here is hit or miss. Beer selection is pretty good, but standard for the area. The dough is what makes the pie. I like to get Togo here. Usually 1/5 pies are over cooked.
(3)Anthony G.
Great toppings and crust but a little too doughy for me. Their combinations and creations are exciting and always interesting. Beer selection is awesome but you'll have to wait as they are slow as a snail. Casual atmosphere in a great location but don't come here wanting fast service. Order two beers at a time and just chill. If you do that, you will be happy.
(4)Tom K.
Pizza was very good and a good selection of beer and drinks. Would defiantly recommend it.
(5)Alex L.
Good stuff. I got the house special. Everything on it. Good hot fresh pizza. I went on a lazy Tues. Nice service. Went home happy and full. The cal zones were huge, I'll get one of those next time. Steak and cheese sounds great.
(4)Joseph P.
On a Tuesday night, parking is easy, Pints are $2.50, and the medium-thin crust pizza is pretty good. This isn't the deep dish Chicago style or the paper thin NY style, but in between, and its pretty good. A 16 inch combo will set you back $25 but it has a lot of different toppings and tastes good. The 14 inchers at about $20 were interesting non-tomato alternatives. Both a bit pricey, I feel. Service was friendly and efficient in the half full restaurant, so come on a non-weekend day. Beer selections are deep if you include bottles.
(4)Paul B.
Defiantly a great Pizza joint! Pizza with fresh hand tossed dough, a great beer list, this place has it going on! This is a place where you can get a "specialty" pizza that's really, really good! Just the right amount of dough, sauce, and ingredients that come together perfectly! We order the "Cosmic Karma" pizza, at the request of my wife- sun dried tomato, spinach, feta, fresh tomatoes, and pesto- This turned out to be mucho goodo! The feta popped and made the pizza perfect! we also ordered a jerk chicken calzone that was just as good! Also, we tried the hummus with warm pita that was very good. And - no that's it couldn't eat any more...at this sitting- This will be a regular for us- the place is very good!
(4)Brittany S.
Good pizza and huge portions. The prices were a little high. It was $20 for a large pizza. We didn't dine in, so known what the inside was like.
(4)Paul W.
Worst one I have been to in the chain. On the brightside, our server was excellent, but food and beer are a chain low! Pizza had a 2" diameter of toppings, and they were missing a some menu ingredients. Beer list was substandard at best
(1)Mike K.
whoa, i must be highing! I gotta say, I'm really picky about pizza outside of NY, but i had their "magical mystery tour" pizza which is pesto, jalepenos and some other stuff..and it was great! Just a great combination of ingredients. I loved it. Also, the whole stoner decor with framed beatles photos..u can't beat that. Loved it!
(5)Nathan S.
One great thing about this place is the beer list. Any place that carries Rogue: Dead Guy is immediately added to my short list of places to consider for dinner. I've had every one of their Specialty Pizzas, and have to say that there are two I'd recommend. The White Pizza and the Cosmic Karma. These two are AWESOME. I actually prefer them more after they've sat in the refrigerator overnight. Haha I'd suggest Mellow Mushroom to anyone in their early twenties looking for a good beer, a cool atmosphere, and some pretty good pizza.
(4)Jordan S.
It's an ideal location for a restaurant in downtown and the atmosphere inside the restaurant is not lacking. that's for sure. Unfortunately first impressions are everything, and the hostess seemed in no hurry to seat us, while our waiter completely lacked in personality. The pizza was good, but nothing incredible, I wouldn't try the chicken pizza again. I loved sitting on the 2nd floor, felling the breeze with the windows open, and watching pedestrians along Gervais Street. Cool place to get together with friends.
(3)Bob H.
I see a lot of reviews that echo what I'm about to say. The pizza is just awesome, but the service is slow, perhaps why they call it "mellow", who knows. everytime I go here, they take about 2 hours to get you your pizza, so if you go, make sure you eat a tad bit. But the pizza is worth it if you get a healthy pizza. If you're going to get something basic like a pepperoni pizza, then go to little caesers. We usually go here when we have group events, small groups, about 5-8 people, but like I said, the bigger your group, the longer the wait, so try to do an RSVP as well.
(2)Randall H.
Great pizza. The mushroom pizza was one of the best I have ever eaten.
(5)Justin S.
Slow hostess. Slow service. Slow food. Slow checks. Slow... Mellow is an understatement. With all this said... the pizza is AWESOME. Unless you get a piece of gravel in it. A friend of a friend cracked a tooth and lost it due to a piece of gravel in their pizza. That is enough to make me not want to eat there again. It is one thing to have a "mellow" atmosphere (read: pothead) but to treat customers like they are irrelevant and serve them gravel... I work 2 blocks away and I nor anyone in my office will eat there anymore, nor do I personally recommend it to anyone. Eat there if you dare... to fall asleep while you wait for your gravel laced food.
(1)Sean D.
Stopped in for lunch and was pleasantly surprised. The beer selection was amazing! I found a beer from Lagunitas, CA--my home state--and was blown away. As for the pizza, my NYC standards were met. We had the steak/feta/veggies pizza. AMAZING. I'll be back.
(4)Steven D.
Terrible, nuff said
(1)Sean A.
OK nice place but there was a fly still kicken' in my salad. Gross!
(3)Trish D.
After reading all the reviews, I had high expectations of Mellow Mushroom, but unfortunately, I was disappointed. The pizza was just okay, the crust was a little grainy and there was a weird sweetness to the overall pizza that I didn't care for too much. I thought that maybe I just didn't order a good one but when I looked around, the other pizzas didn't look too appetizing either, way too many toppings (which I guess some people like), but sometimes more is just.. more.
(2)Michael H.
PIzza Parking atmosphere...its all good. A funky and fun place.
(4)Alex A.
really really good pizza. the dough was amazing. soft and flavorful. our server was extremely good and even got me a hard cider i'd never had before. totally impressed with what seemed would be a chain place. well worth the stop.
(4)Joe N.
Mellow Mushroom has some of the best pizza in town. It's easily in the top 3. The only negative to them is the service is VERY hit or miss. A few years back I actually knew most of the wait staff, so I could get great service from any of the ones that I knew. Now that I'm like anyone else who walks in, and cannot get preferential treatment, I've had some service that left a lot to be desired. However, I will say that for a restaurant of it's type, they're only going to get college students who are willing to work as a waiter/waitress, so sometimes it can be quite difficult to find good help in that realm. Anyway, the pizza and sandwiches are great. If you go to a restaurant to eat good food, you'll enjoy Mellow Mushroom.
(4)Lee D.
I want to like this place. The location is ideal. The menu sounds interesting. The atmosphere is casual and laid-back. The beer list is great. But the service is horrible. And the pizza is never as good as I hope it will be. Not bad, but not great. I go with great expectations, but leave disappointed. Needless to say, I don't go much anymore.
(2)Rob R.
Had a long wait for pizza (approx 45 mins). Food was good, but very annoyed by the wait. The manager took 20% off the tab and was attentive to our concern without us having to show out.
(3)Lindsey B.
What you expect, good pizza and others foods, nice atmosphere, but I don't rave about this one as much as others do. But it generally scores good with locals and out of town visitors who want something simple, in the great Vista part of town -- memorable atmosphere (but simple and a bit rustic).
(3)David C.
This is my favorite pizza in Columbia. The Good: They make their own dough. It's pretty obvious they are using semolina flourr to finish the crusts and I believe they are actually proofing their dough, which is pretty amazing when you consider their volume of business. The Tagine pizza was a thing of beauty, ditto for their all meat pizza. I notmally can't stand pizzas with more than three ingredients but these guys cram three poiunds of ingredients on every specialty pie and it normally works out. They have a nice bar upstairs and downstairs at this location. I am a fan of their meatball appetizer. You can tell someone actually made the meat ball on site. The atmosphere, as the name would suggest, is very... Yellow Submarine. I think it works for them though. The Bad: The service can be spotty. This place can turn into a warzone over lunch or a big game. The beer is super pricey. It seems like every pint there starts at 4.00. They have a baked potato pizza that is a culinary abomination. I am sure it was a good idea in theroy but man it's unedible. Pizzas are also pricey. It's really easy to spend 65.00 on three pizzas here.
(4)Sam V.
Justin S. said it the best, yucky experience.
(1)Shanan A.
Interesting place with relatively good food. Relatively, meaning, at least they're using a lot of vegetables that seem to be pretty fresh. And, it's definitely vegetarian friendly, and seems to be pretty fresh ingredients. Stay downstairs, I think it's non-smoking. The decor is funky, and would probably be a little overwhelming if the place was more magical. The t-shirts were pretty interesting too, but the best weren't for sale.
(4)Laura J.
Ya gotta dig a place called the Mellow Mushroom! I'm a Chicago girl so I am definitely picky about my pizza. And while this isn't Chicago-style pizza, I'm still going to put my opinion out there. Lots of great varieties of pizza and everything I've tried has been so very, very good! I also highly recommend the "Purple Haze" beer - oh so tasty! The staff is cool and so is the decor. So go, have a groovy day and enjoy some good 'za!!
(4)Michael R.
When you come to Columbia, you have to try the Mellow Mushroom. Living in NJ, there is no shortage of good pizza, but the Parmesan dusted crust, and "served to order" pizza is an must when you are in town. If you are traveling into town, stay at the Courtyard Marriott on Assembly Street, and it is a .7 mile walk to the restaurant, which you will appreciate after stuffing yourself. I sat at the bar, watched a game, and enjoyed one of the many beers in stock (ShockTop). This is only 4 stars b/c of the workout that I have to do tomorrow morning to work off the 10 inch small pie.
(4)Euphrosini S.
I used to work here through college so I may but a biased after eating 3 years worth of free pizza and hoagies. Yes, the food takes a while but what can you expect when everyone in the kitchen is 16. But the pizza is really amazing.. Gourmet white, Magical Mystery, basically anything you get. The hoagies are pretty great as well and there aren't too many other places to get tempeh or tofu hoagies in Columbia. Don't expect 4 star service when you're in there... I only worked there to make money to spend on drinks after work and that's how many college students think. Go in drink some Purple Haze and order some cheese bread while you wait on your pizza.
(4)Tepintzin H.
Best pizza in Columbia, and that's sad. It's merely ok. I had the Kosmic Karma, which should have come loaded with feta and sun-dried tomatoes, but it was just a pesto pizza with mozz and a hint of those lovely things. I'm guessing because it's in the South and maybe people around here are afraid of "exotic" ingredients. But I enjoyed my snakebite (dark beer/cider) and my merlot. Service was quick in my case; perhaps because I was alone. No desserts except cookies. Not much else to say about this one.
(3)Seiji C.
the good: decent hoagies, lots space, fun decor the bad: smoking, service can be slow
(4)g l.
Moved here from the west coast two years ago and found this to be the best pizza in town. The house special is the one to order-nothing else compares.if you have not tried it ,you are missing out.
(5)