Classic Southern Pizza Comes to Toms River

Mellow Mushroom has come to New Jersey and the first of its Atlanta-based pizza franchise in the state opened this week in Toms River.

We checked it out last night and while I usually prefer thin crust pizza to their stone-baked thicker crust I will tell you it was very good.  They call it Classic Southern Pizza and to most of us who’ve sampled awful pizza in the south that doesn’t sound great but don’t be fooled.  This is quite different and you can build-your-own or sample one of their many specialty pizzas. I went for caramelized onions and sausage.

The restaurant itself is pretty neat. It’s described as an eclectic, art-filled and family-friendly environment.  The newest of their 150 franchises is located at 1111 Route 37 West next to a Dunkin' Donuts and CVS Pharmacy.

I liked the bar which boasts a bunch of craft beers and there are plenty of TV’s to watch your favorite game.  While pizza of course is the specialty Mellow Mushroom offers calzones, sandwiches, salads and appetizers.

As you might expect on their second night of being opened there were some minor service glitches but the staff was very friendly and attentive and the atmosphere is one that should resonate well with families.  The pizza market in the Toms River area is a competitive one but Mellow Mushroom is quite different and my guess is they will fit in very nicely.

Our Shore Sports Network has wrapped up the high school football season with our All Shore teams and more which is now available at shoresportsnetwork.com.

Congratulations to all the honorees including Wall’s Dan Curcione who was selected as coach of the year and Mike Husni of Toms River North and Rumson’s Mike Ruane who are our players of the year.  Despite losing their final game of the season Toms River North finishes as the #1 team in our final T&T Coast Top Ten.