Pints & Pint-sized: Mellow Mushroom

I’m not a big fan of chain restaurants, but my cold, snobby heart makes an exception for the ‘Shroom.

March 19, 2014; 6:00 AM • by Erin Sarro

I’m not a big fan of chain restaurants, but my cold, snobby heart makes an exception for the ‘Shroom. We’ve all heard/know that the pizza’s pretty good, but what might surprise you (besides all the obvious nods to drug culture) are the 40+ craft and local beer taps at Carytown’s family dining darling.

This location is locally owned and operated, and a lot of effort is spent on making it feel very RVA, very Carytown. Picture Ikea and George Clinton’s restaurant lovechild. Or don’t…

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Pint score: ★★★★★

When I stopped by to pick up a beer list for this review, the server gave me a freshly printed copy and noted that they change the beer menu frequently. You can expect a few seasonals amongst the forty-plus taps, as well as some lesser knowns from local faves Strangeways, Center of the Universe, Hardywood, and Legend. Other Virginia brews worth singling out: Apocalypse Ale Works Sixth Seal Chocolate Stout, Lost Rhino Face Plant IPA, and Bold Rock Cider. Mellow Mushroom also has a beer club that allows you to earn reward points good toward “schwag,” as a 90s disc jockey would say. Truth be told, their bar isn’t the relax-and-unwind kind. But you have kids, so yeah, never mind.

Pint-sized score: ★★★★★

The restaurant vibe is anything but mellow. It’s bright and noisy, which is why it’s perfect for pint-sizers of all ages. Space is tight and chances are you’ll wait for a table, especially around 6:00 PM. Service is on the slow side, and the pizza, while yummy, takes a while–so take advantage of the coloring pages and crayons they provide. Should your kiddos act up, send them on a long, strange trip (had to get a Dead reference in somewhere) in one of the highchairs with non-locking wheels.

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