Goodbye to a Hyde Park Staple: Mellow Yellow
Author and Photographer: Kallie Hoffman
Mellow Yellow opened its doors to Hyde Park residents in 1976, and since that day, it has been a popular place for brunch and dinner. It functioned similarly to a classic diner, with an enormous menu that had something for everyone. Although the restaurant mainly specialized in ‘70s fare like quiches, crepes, and baked potatoes, it really touched every type of cuisine. There were options for Mexican food with burritos and tacos; American with steaks and burgers; and Italian with creamy pasta and freshly baked garlic bread.
I stumbled upon Mellow Yellow in my freshman year at the University. I was taking a leisurely stroll down 53rd street on a random day in the fall quarter, soaking up the warm weather, when I was drawn to the colorful signs in the restaurant's window and its massive stand in the walkway advertising champagne cocktails and frozen margaritas. The next weekend, I grabbed a friend of mine and we headed out to Mellow Yellow for a night of laughter, excitement, and, of course, good food.
From the minute we arrived, the waitstaff greeted us with inviting smiles and took us to our large table outside, where in less than a minute, our waiter brought us ice water and complimentary chips and guacamole to welcome us to the restaurant. Since the menu included a wide variety of options, it took us a long time to flip through the pages and decide what we wanted, but I was having a good time munching on the crispy chips and smooth guacamole with a hint of lime and chili pepper and listening to the live jazz music being played on the corner of the street. Our waiter checked on us a few times to collect our order, and finally, the third time he walked over, we were ready to send an order into the kitchen.
For me, I was a bit overwhelmed by the menu but decided to go with a dish that was claimed to be "award-winning": the 1-way chili. I was disappointed that they were out of bread bowls that night, but the taste of the chili immediately lifted my spirits. It came in a gigantic bowl filled to the brim and was packed with tender chunks of meat and crunchy chopped vegetables. The combination of the creamy black beans and the subtle spice of the jalapeño peppers bound together by a thick, red sauce allowed for a complex, rich flavor that combined heat, sweetness, and bitterness all together for a perfect balance. My friend, who has a much bigger sweet tooth than me, went in a different direction with her meal and chose the breakfast for dinner option: the Belgian Waffle. While the waffle did slightly resemble something that could have been made in a dining hall or complimentary hotel breakfast, it still tasted delicious, and a person can never truly go wrong with a light and fluffy waffle. The dish arrived with a whopping portion of whipped cream and fresh strawberries on top, which when combined with the crisp and golden exterior of the waffle, filled my heart and stomach with joy. Overall, we had an amazing experience, and I could not wait to go back and try something different. Not to mention, while we walked away completely stuffed, it was one of the cheapest meals we ever ordered in Chicago.
One-Way Chili
Belgian Waffle
Chicken Fajitas
The next time I went to Mellow Yellow, it was with a large group in the middle of the afternoon. For weeks, I had been hearing about the restaurant’s famous margarita fishbowls, so I knew we had to order a few for the table. The strawberry and raspberry drinks had a little bit too much sugar, but they refreshed us on a hot spring day. As for food, we ordered fajitas for the table, which personally excited me, as I love anything that comes out on a sizzling hot plate. The meals arrived right away, and the server and hostess made sure everything was to our liking. The charred pieces of chicken with the sweet onions and bell peppers, all wrapped up in a warm fresh tortilla and slobbered with a heavy hand of guacamole and sour cream, brought out the texture and flavors of the dish and reminded me of home. The laid-back and casual atmosphere, alongside the great food and big portions, was nothing less than impressive. Everything about Mellow Yellow was committed to a standard of excellence
Mellow Yellow offered an astounding array of food options for every taste and time of day. I may have stumbled upon the restaurant by accident, but it ended up being one of my favorite spots in Hyde Park. Mellow Yellow defined 53rd Street as a fun place with tasty food and great service, and I never had a bad experience there. I am sad to be forced to say goodbye, but I think I speak for all Hyde Park residents when I say that the restaurant and its owner, Ken Pelletier, will not be forgotten.
In the spring of 2022, husband and wife duo Mark and Shae Walker bought Mellow Yellow. They will replace it with a lively soul food restaurant, "Oooh Wee It Is," that they have spread throughout the city of Chicago. This will not be your typical soul food, but soul food with a twist. Customers can expect classics like pork chops, oxtail, and cornbread, but also new and exciting additions such as a cereal and pasta bar, all served by robots. The restaurant is expected to open in August of 2022.
I am sad to close the chapter on Mellow Yellow but excited to open a new one and welcome Oooh Wee It Is to the Hyde Park Neighborhood!