Mellow Mushroom Jacksonville - Town Center — Restaurant in Jacksonville

Rant Inbound: I ONLY gave "service" 5 stars thanks (ONLY) to the lovely bartenders I have always interacted with -- everything else though? Nah. I used to love it here, but now, I'm sad to say that during my most recent visit, I discovered the way that this establishment is run is just unfortunate. Normally, I would give Mellow five out of five stars -- mostly motivated by the awesome people I interacted with. However, it seems that the "powers that be" who run this place have gone on a downhill spiral and let fussy customers run the establishment. I found out that one of my favorite employees of Mellow that TRULY made me feel at home was let go because of a VERY persnickety and disgruntled customer.

!!!!Beware if you ever want to work here: Apparently, one bad review about an employee can automatically get them fired, rather than management actually hearing out their side of the story.

For example: if there are 8+ people in your party crowding the bar while they are waiting on a table, and only a few of them are actually purchasing alcoholic drinks (instead of waiting in the designated waiting area for a table) it's going to push other patrons to not have bar seats, cause a wait for bar seats and those actually wanting to make purchases, as well as potentially overwhelm the bartender. And it seems that the bartender having a firm tone of voice/demeanor and taking precautions to ID those as necessary (and to their own discretion) is a huge issue. I've seen grocery stores selectively ID folks buying alcohol -- sheesh, it's nothing personal. Seems like someone just didn't appreciate being treated like a VIP dining at a Michelin star restaurant. But... let's just fire the bartender for trying to do her job... that's smart.

How disappointing that an owner decided to just use his manager on duty as a messenger to fire an AMAZING and NO NONSENSE bartender -- Katelyn, on his behalf, instead of actually doing it himself (since it was seemingly his decision) or at least speaking to her directly about what ACTUALLY happened.

Being a (now former) regular at Mellow's trivia night, Katelyn was the bartender who truly made me feel safe when I came in alone. She was the reason that many of my friends began tagging along for drinks at Mellow with me. I am SHOCKED at how someone so tenured (she's been there longer since I've personally lived in Jax) could be let go because of one bad review from a high maintenance customer who seemingly wanted luxury treatment while also in a massive group of people. Also -- this customer referring to an employee as heavyset? Disgusting. I can't believe the owner took the side of someone using that vile vocabulary to describe someone.

Anyways, since we are airing out grievances here: I think it's interesting that they are so keen to (more than likely) reimburse an irritable customer, rather than spend money on say...their front door? You know, the one that wasn't fixed for about 6 months straight after someone drove into it? SIX MONTHS. Additionally, they seemed to be out of every kind of alcohol on rotation, as frequently as a bear probably poos in the woods (I'll refrain from using complete profanity, as much as I'd love to).

Literally the ONLY REASON I came to Mellow Mushroom anymore was for Katelyn and now that she is no longer there, what's the point? At this point, this whole ordeal just gave me an icky vibe and I doubt I'll ever be back here again.

But hey, maybe if you fuss a bit about how the bartender wasn't a chipper stepford wife tending to your every need, you might get some free pretzel bites...

My recent visit there was nothing short of exceptional, and I'm so glad I got to experience it. From the moment I stepped in, the service was outstanding. My server was incredibly friendly, attentive, and genuinely knowledgeable about the menu. They offered fantastic recommendations and ensured my drink was always topped off – it’s truly refreshing to experience such genuinely great service, and it really elevated my dining experience. And then, the pizzas! Oh, the pizzas. The Holy Shiitake was an absolute revelation. That blend of shiitake, button, and portobello mushrooms, coupled with caramelized onions and that heavenly garlic aioli drizzle, was a rich and earthy dream. Every bite was savory and incredibly satisfying. Next up, the Great White. The creamy blend of mozzarella, provolone, and ricotta, with fresh spinach and garlic, was so comforting and flavorful. It’s such a unique white pizza, and the hint of feta really brought it all together beautifully. The Kosmic Karma was a vibrant burst of flavors. The Mellow red sauce base, topped with spinach, roasted tomatoes, mozzarella, and fresh Roma tomatoes, was already delicious, but that hypnotic pesto swirl and the crumbled authentic sheep's milk feta cheese took it to another level. It was truly a cosmic experience for my taste buds! And finally, the Veg Out. Packed with all those fresh veggies—spinach, green peppers, sliced mushrooms, sweet onions, black olives, and Roma tomatoes—it was a refreshing and hearty option. The mellow red sauce brought it all together, and it was a perfect counterpoint to the richer pies. The atmosphere at the Town Center location is also fantastic – a vibrant, laid-back vibe that's perfect for a casual meal with friends or family. But ultimately, it was the combination of impeccable service and those undeniably delicious, diverse pizzas that made my experience at Mellow Mushroom truly stand out. If you're in Jacksonville and craving some truly great pizza in a welcoming environment, do yourself a favor and head to Mellow Mushroom at Town Center. With choices like those, you're sure to find your...

Funky vibes, great pizza, just watch out for glitter.

Mellow Mushroom is a funky, laid-back national chain known for its hand-tossed, stone-baked pizzas, an eclectic, psychedelic-meets-boho decor style, and a menu that leans into bold flavors and creative toppings. It’s a popular spot for casual gatherings, with a strong emphasis on good vibes, local beers, and comfort food.

We came as a small group of friends to hang out and pregame a movie. The endless mimosas were a big hit—very generously poured, and our server kept them coming. One of our friends ordered the Avondale pizza, which they said was just okay—edible but underwhelming, as they ended up taking half of it home after only having one slice each.

We, on the other hand, struck gold with the Holy Shiitake Pie. Wow. It’s an umami bomb in the best way—rich, earthy mushrooms, creamy garlic aioli, caramelized onions, and a truffle oil finish that just blew me away. I could eat this 500 times over. Even our friends with the Avondale pizza came back for seconds (and thirds) of ours. This one is an absolute must-order.

Service:

Our server was on point—attentive, friendly, and efficient. Food took a little while to come out, but that’s expected when everything is made fresh and baked to order.

Ambience:

Fun, vibrant, and very Mellow Mushroom. Lots of mushroom-themed art, murals, and quirky decor everywhere. The whole place gives off a slightly stoner, artsy vibe, which is exactly the charm of it.

Minor Issue:

We did find a small piece of glitter in our pizza. Not sure if there was a party or glittery décor mishap, but it was a bit concerning from a food safety standpoint. Not enough to ruin the meal, but worth noting.

Overall:

A great time with friends, great drinks, amazing pizza, and a memorable atmosphere. Would’ve been a full 5 stars if not for the glitter incident. Still, would happily come back again—especially for that Holy...