Mellow Mushroom Gatlinburg — Restaurant in Gatlinburg

A Taste of Disrespect: Our Unpalatable Experience

On 18th February 2024, 8:10 PM, we decided to give Mellow Mushroom, 903 Parkway Suite 103, Gatlinburg, TN, a whirl. Expecting nothing less than a delightful takeout experience, we were instead served a heaping plate of rudeness that left a bitter taste in our mouths.

Upon arrival, the ambiance seemed promising, but don't let looks deceive you. We placed our takeout order (Order Number: 60250) and did the payment, upon receiving the takeout due to an urgent low blood sugar situation with my wife, she needed to eat something immediately. While attending to my wife to sit on one of the many empty tables (just one of the tables were occupied rest all of them were empty) so that she wouldn't pass out. We discreetly opened the Pizza we bought from Mellow Mushroom to consume a small portion of my order inside the restaurant to stabilize my wife's condition—mind you, not intending to feast but merely to prevent passing out.

Enter the management - Instead of inquiring or expressing the slightest bit of concern or empathy, they launched into a tirade fit for a misbehaving pet, not paying customers. At first, a waitress approached the table saying you cannot eat here as you ordered takeout, I pleaded to her about my wife's situation and mentioned we will be out of here in less than 10 min once she feel better as we do not intent to eat our meal here. Within 2 minutes of her leaving, a guy (presumably their manager) stepped in instead of showing a modicum of compassion or attempting to accommodate us in our time of need, he rudely instructed to leave and eat our meal on a street bench. His words were - "Take your Pizza and your wife and you can eat it on the benches in the street". This interaction was not only embarrassing but also quite shocking, considering the basic tenets of hospitality and customer service and also the fact that it was freezing outside given the month of February. The disdain in their tone didn't require a translator. Not to mention - the place was practically empty, one one table was occupied and their bar downstairs was empty as well where the bartender was busy face timing.

We are all for rules and decorum, but I also believe in basic human decency, flexibility, and understanding—none of which were on this establishment's menu. The way the situation was handled was not just unprofessional; it was downright crass, humiliating and maybe racial as we were the only ones of different color there.

In conclusion, if you're seeking a side of disdain with your meal, this is the spot for you. Otherwise, spend your hard-earned money where it's appreciated, and the management understands that unforeseen circumstances don't always fit neatly within their policy handbook. A little kindness goes a long way, a memo this restaurant clearly missed.

I would appreciate an apology from the management and hope they will consider training their staff to handle similar situations more sensitively in the future. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and understanding, particularly in circumstances that are out of...

We ate at this location twice on our vacation. First night: came in after a long day out and about in Townsend, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. Decided to eat close to our hotel and we both really like Mellow Mushroom. We didn't wait too long at all to be seated and the hostess was nice. Our server came to our table about 7 minutes after we were seated (he was really into the other table in the section). Now, I understand CBD/ other weed products have become very popular but gimme a break!!! Our server acted as if he had just hit the bowl and come right over! We ordered drinks and a starter and our server went to the other table again. About 5-ish minutes he came back with our drinks. We ordered our pizza. It took about 15 or so minutes to get our starter and we sat there without drinks while Sean chatted the other table up... Again. Our pizza came out in about another 15-18 minutes. We had finished our starter and again my boyfriend had no drink. I figured I should pace myself since I didn't think I would be getting another anytime soon. The starter and pizza were great; the service was atrocious. Typically I would not go back if the service is bad even if the food is great! But.... Our last night there we didn't want much for dinner and I really wanted the pizza again. We decided to give it another go. We got to the host stand and we were taken outside. I am not sure if these two sections were the only ones still open but the couple that came in right as we were sat outside. Once again we waited about 7 minutes before a server came to us. We ordered the same thing. And again we waited for drinks but this time the starter took nearly 30 mins to get to us. It was followed by our pizza nearly 25 minutes later. The restaurant wasn't very busy as it was about 945 so we were kind of surprised it took so long. I hate that the service was so poor because I worked in the industry for over 25 years in MANY capacities, from server and bartender to upper management and my biggest pet peeve is bad service. As we were leaving our server was sitting in the booths (on the side facing the restaurant) on her phone. I know what it is like to live strictly on tips but the one thing I never did was not meet my guests expectations since THEY paid my bills. We still love Mellow Mushroom but don't see visiting the one in...

I want to give a special shout-out to the store manager who treated me well and took care of my order correctly. I placed an order at 9:30pm at the bar where this bartender took my order rudely after I interrupted him flirting with the patrons. He mentioned that it would take 15-20 minutes to get ready so I decided to wait saying ‘take your time’ to which he responded ‘I’m going to be out at 10 with these fine women. Long story short, when I got my order at 9:55pm, I decided to go home and finally eat my meal. My gfs meal was good but I got salami and sausage in my Stromboli instead of steak and mushrooms. I don’t eat pork and I mentioned that to the bartender. He laughed at that time and his careless mistake made my gf share her meal with me. Next morning, I informed the location about this mistake. The manager apologized to me. He looked at the my ticket and the Stromboli that I brought with me. He gave me a full sized Stromboli and offered me a bottle of water. Now that’s how you treat your guests. Not a single argument there and well handled.

Management shouldn’t be covering the blunders of their staff regularly but it’s refreshing to see the managers showing full responsibility. The food slapped and it was well priced for the portions and the location. For these reasons, I give...