Mellow Minded Café — Restaurant in Lower Paxton Township

Ready for some good vibes? From the decor to the stellar service, this chill little cafe positively exudes positivity. The menu is filled with a solid selection of sandwiches, soups, and salads, many with a creative twist on the usual. And there’s a dessert case that will temp even the most disciplined dieter. Add in the thoughtful way in which the food is presented and you’ve got the makings of a decidedly delightful dining experience. Well, not so fast. If you like traditionally savory food that’s been reengineered to be sweet, skip to the end of this review and add another star. If, however, you prefer good old ketchup, mustard, and maybe a little mayo on your burger over onion jam, this might not be the place for you. Our burger, though, was cooked to perfection and had a great texture/flavor. Similarly, our black bean burger was nicely cooked (and held its form—yay!) but also had a sweet flavor—sort of like sweet potato souffle with black beans—think mayan burrito. Now I love a good mayan burrito, but it wasn’t what I was looking for in my veggie burger. The side of fresh greens that came with it was great but I would have liked to have had another dressing option besides balsamic— something that didn’t add to the overall sweetness of the meal. Add to that some cloying blueberry lemonade that lacked the refreshing tartness of a truly great lemonade and you can see why this isn’t a 5 star review. But would I go back? Yes indeedy I would—without hesitation. I’d like to think that we just made unfortunate culinary choices this time that didn’t align with our preferences and next time will be the truly awesome dining experience we were hoping to have. While we didn’t quite get to awesome this time, Mellow Mind is the sort of place that just makes you feel good. And who couldn’t use a little more of that? If for nothing else, it was worth a stop for the post-family Thanksgiving appropriate advice gracing some mellow minded merch—“Grow through what you go through” and that’s a great thought to end...

Wanting something light for lunch on Father's Day, before what I knew would be a meat-fueled dinner, I decide that some vegetarian fare sounded good. So we Yelped something in Harrisburg and the Mellow-Minded Café (MMC) really captured our attention. They advertise themselves as vegetarian/vegan but there are plenty of carnivorous options for the dedicated meathead.

From the moment we drove-up I absolutely loved this place. The location is technically Harrisburg, but I guess it's in one of the little adjoining towns that reeked of country charm, but with a liberal twist.

Mango-Pomegranate Smoothie ($6.25)

My picky son would have none of the house-combination smoothies, but they were kind enough to make one for him to his exact specifications: Pomegranate Juice & Mango. Ah, kids these days... Anywho, I took a taste and it was quite refreshing! 4*

Southwest Tofu Bowl ($9.95)

This dish isn't part of their regular menu, but a daily special. It consisted of quinoa, tofu (or chicken), kale, peppers and topped with avocado. I really enjoyed the freshness and flavor throughout. My only complaint was it could've used a little heat (which I added with Sriracha) and it was a touch oily, but otherwise terrific. 4*

Service & Ambiance

Service was very friendly and personable. The interior felt so homey with it's all wood flooring and walls, and the décor was very modern and a bit hippy-dippy―but in a classy way. I really enjoyed the chalk murals, in particular. 5*

Value

Really good prices for organic and fresh ingredients. As dishes ranged from the $9-15 range. 4.5*

The entire process at MMC feels like one is dining in the home of a good friend; from the friendly service to fresh and tasty food, one can't wait to be invited back. Four stars for the food―but the value, terrific ambiance and service gives them the coveted 5th star from...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My wife and I had the pleasure of dining at Mellow Minded Café for breakfast today before our chiropractor appointment, and it was an experience we won’t forget!

Upon arrival, we were immediately struck by the inviting ambiance. The heavy timber wood tables added a rustic charm, and the walls adorned with local art created a warm and inviting atmosphere. Unique light fixtures hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow over the space, while the playlist set a relaxed vibe that made us feel right at home.

As we perused the menu, my wife was excited to try the quinoa pancakes. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical about how quinoa would work in a pancake, but we decided to give it a shot since she was looking for a gluten-free option. To my surprise, they were absolutely delicious! The pancakes had a unique flavor that was both hearty and satisfying, proving that quinoa can indeed shine in unexpected ways. They were filling without being heavy, and we both enjoyed every bite.

We also ordered the avocado toast, which is a personal favorite of mine. I opted for the regular toast, while my wife chose the gluten-free version. We were both impressed with the generous portion of creamy avocado on each slice—it was fresh and perfectly ripe. The addition of feta cheese brought a delightful tanginess that complemented the avocado beautifully. Each bite was a perfect harmony of flavors and textures.

Overall, our experience at Mellow Minded Café was top-notch. The combination of delicious food, a welcoming atmosphere, and friendly service made it a fantastic start to our day. We can’t wait to return and explore more of the menu. If you’re looking for a great breakfast spot, I highly recommend Mellow...