Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers

11955 Sheldon Road, Tampa, FL 33626

813-926-3600

Categories: Restaurant

Cuisine: American casual, Deli, Pizza

Features: Kid-friendly, Takeout

Cost range: 1.0-10.0

Payment options: Credit cards accepted

Alcohol: Beer and wine only

More in this neighborhood: Westchase

The scoop: Across the South, Mellow Mushroom is a college-town mecca due to its tasty pies, heroic craft brew selection and grooved-out, Peter Max-meets-H.R. Pufnstuf aesthetics. The pie: Cheese is scant, but the 35 toppings — including tempeh, tofu, pesto, portobellos and jerk chicken — are bountiful. Some people swear by Mellow Mushroom's crust, a golden, wheaty, low-gluten, spring water-enhanced recipe. It's a unique blend, earthy and sweet. Specialties: Eleven specialty pies. Some Mellows also have recipes unique to that location (at Citrus Park, Anease LaGaze created the fine chicken pesto pizza). But Mellow's biggest draw is a monumental beer list. The Citrus Park store was the first franchise to employ a full-time "beer guy," making it not only a great pizzeria, but a great bar. Prices: Pies $8.50 to $24.75. Takeout or dine in? Definitely dine in. It's a little pricey, but the service is great. No delivery.