Mello Cafe

Surprisingly good café/​restaurant in downtown Dallas. I decided on the Brazilian brisket and was very pleased. Brisket moist and portion size big. Nice atmosphere in the café itself.

Closed on sunday!!! And when you are hungry you hate to read is open and then is closed instead.

Poor downtown. Eating options range from the opulent, like Stephen Pyle’s, to the mere sustenance of bready bland pizza slices.
Bargains usually come in the form of sandwiches — with Ellen’s and CBD for lunch getting the gold stars for being affordable and casual offering both style and good food.
Journeys «Don’t stop believing» ironically played over head as I snacked on some beans and rice with chips and salsa. Nothing on the menu appealed to me, and at 11:15 in a dining room with one other table I was denied my breakfast request by the solo front of the house woman who was engaged in busy work as a form of distraction. In a seeming rush to take my order, when it came down to business no single attempt was made to placate me.
«I really wanted breakfast so I’ll just take chips and salsa and rice and beans.» As I sipped weak coffee.
Def Leperds «Bringing on the Heartbreak.» was the soundtrack to close out my meal. Here the classic rock 80s station came across a little desperate and in relation to the spare empty dining room, emphasized something more disconnected and out of touch rather than «retro» or thoughtful. It had that irritating lost misplaced bus station feel. I’d recommend some lively Brazilian Latin beats.
The chips and salsa came in a silly hyperbolic presentation with grocery store bought tostito «scoopers» on a plate with the salsa in a large stemmed glass cup.
Sadly, I honestly could not tell if the salsa was store bought.
I felt like a clown participating in the chip presentation, and being the only diner in light misery was like being punished in a prison cell.
The beans and rice were brought out in separate big bowls, but were, happily well seasoned and well executed. I had processed earlier the anger that the ridiculous price tag for this snack would incite in me, but it was still looming in my mind like a neon Ipanema speedo.
«When do you stop serving breakfast?»
I inquired as she removed my plates.
«Never.» She said with her established irritating churlish blunt style.
«We stopped doing that a few months ago.»
she said flippantly with her also established energetic anxiety.
«Lies lies lies yeah»
«Why don’t you play Brazilian music?»
«Eh.» She made a dismissive noise
«It starts to sound like elevator music.»
What small sample I had of the food was actually good but despite their cute logo and the appeal of the store front, they need a PR agent and a consultant.
I was carrying Xmas gifts in a black trash bag and a see through back pack with a bottle of wine and a half full bottle of Bullit bourbon, so to her credit I might have come across as homeless.
The situation was a disappointment probably mainly due to the woman’s personality including a lack of graciousness
and engaging service, and that chips and salsa dish taking a close second, which I would expect from somewhere like New Jersey.
The $ 6 charge for beans and rice really did bother me, but those beans *were* tasty.
Billy Joel’s «tell her about it.»
I exited the establishment around 12:15 and only one other person had entered for lunch.
I guess I know why.

Came in for lunch during a tony Robbins event. The owner probably did not anticipate the event so they were horribly understaffed. So waiting over an hour for my food kinda got me in a bad state. Even so what the hell is Brazilian about a hamburger, spaghetti or a burrito? No one even eats burritos in south america. The bathrooms require a key for use… Would have been great if they put up a sign about that or something… The manager wasn’t take this very well. They were serving people who came in half an hour after we ordered before us and she was getting defensive about it. I think she’s pregnant so I understand she’s stressed but this is shitty service. So for anyone reading this, know that apparently spaghetti cooks really fast and brisket, something that is cooked ahead of time, doesn’t come out fast. The food was quite tasty though! Not bad. Just do not ever go there if you are in dallas for an event unless you are the first one there (we were one of the first four couples there and our food took over an hour). I should have warned to owner that the event last four days. Good luck tomorrow!

This place is horrible I have been waiting for a hour for one dish. This is redicoulous

Ate here for lunch when we were in town for business and the brisket plate was excellent as well as the great service. I would definitely recommend stopping by.

Mello Café’s own website states clearly that they are open 7 days a week from 7AM-​8PM. Imagine my shock to find they were closed Sunday morning around 10AM. My partner and I walked about 20 minutes specifically to try their food and we were pretty peeved to see the lights off and doors locked.

Taste was great (brisket). It just needed better presentation and faster service for a 5.

This place is fantastic. Just had breakfast there. had the Brisket. It’s great!

This an awesome hidden gem right by West End area. The food is fantastic and flavorful. And I can’t speak enough about how accommodating and friendly the staff is every time I come in. I highly recommend their brisket (good in any of their dishes) and the tilapia with a side of kale! You can’t go wrong with this local neighborhood joint.

This is a fantastic little café in downtown Dallas. Great service and the staff is super friendly. Highly recommend their specialty drinks and breakfast items!

My favorite place for a salad for sure and I think they make their own balsamic dressing it is so good. I work across the street so very convenient. The brisket is amazing as well and they give u a lot of it. I was eating on it for 3 days along with the black beans and rice.

Wow, I was blown away by the food and service at Mello Café downtown Dallas. The brisket sandwich speaks for itself and comes highly recommended. I went twice in one week and ordered the exact same meal. I know what you are thinking, as a food critic I should broaden my horizons… well, just wait until you stop in and have the Brazilian Brisket Sandwich. It is very, very tasty.
The key to this sandwich is the coleslaw… its located on the sandwich. It gives the perfect crunch and contrasting flavor. And this may not mean much coming from a carb-​oholic, but the bread the sandwich is served on really takes it to a whole new level. The side of fruit gave a great balance with the slight saltiness of the brisket. (You could also order chips, potato salad or side salad.) When you go to Mello Café make sure you order the Brisket Sandwich!

So we were at a convention nearby at the omni hotel. During the break a group went walking for something local and found this gem. To their defense it was busy. However… 5 of us were seated and nearly 30 minutes later i was told they were out of an ingredient to make my meal. I understand being out… But why the 30 minute wait? So i order something else… Egg sandwich– cant take that long right? Wrong! We were there for over an hour waiting, and the table next to us that sat after us got their food first. One member walked out bc it was so slow. She was completely overwhelmed. Never apologized and still charged us all. Honestly subway would have been better– food was ehhh but service was horrid. If your on a time crunch skip this place…

Went this morning and had the breakfast sandwich with brisket on Texas toast… AMAZING!!! One of the best breakfast sandwiches I’ve ever had. The brisket is delicious. Dining area is very clean and employees are super friendly. Do yourself a culinary favor and give this wonderful place a try.

I was in Dallas for a couple of days and being from Austin I am used to skipping chains and looking for great one of a kind local places, even for a quick breakfast on the way to catch the train. Mellow Café was perfect! Claudia the owner was sweet and friendly. Just a really pleasant experience, and next time I’m in Dallas it will be one of my first stops, instead of my last on the way out of town.

I travel to Dallas a lot for work from Austin. My fiancé and I had just gotten to Dallas and were starving and happened to stop into this café because it was really close to where we were. We both got breakfast sandwichs and they were delicious! The owner served us our food and was very nice and friendly and gave us other food suggestions for around the city. We had a great experience here and we will definitely come back for the food!

Great food, fast service. I had the brisket and the housemade potato salad (see pics.) Delicious! Seemed like a homecooked meal.
Cons: Limited selection, weak website that doesn’t provide a menu. This is basically a brazillian home cooking joint.

Brisket was so great, owners mom greeted me and told us all the food was completely from scratch