Ramblin' Recs

October 12, 2010

Recommended by Paul Benninghoff

At a time when many independently owned coffee houses are packing up their java machines, the Mellow Brew Cheesecake House in Dyer still strives to keep the masses fed and caffeinated.

It’s one of my favorite establishments in The Region: not just for its coffee and cheesecake but also because its heart is rooted in community.

First, grab a cup of a coffee. It’s cold-brewed for more than 40 hours – yes, 40 hours – yielding a smooth flavor and a caffeine kick.

Then there’s Mellow Brew’s raison d’etre: You can choose from more than 40 cheesecakes, as well as cookies and brownies. And thanks to the addition of a French pastry chef, scones, cakes and other delights dot the menu, and the shop also serves up sandwiches and soups, teas, slushies and smoothies.

Sit down, have a slice and enjoy the atmosphere. That babbling brook you hear is the sound of water fountains casting a sea of soothing sound to pull you out of the daily grind. Pull up a chair or sink into one of Mellow Brew’s comfy sofas and have a heart-to-heart with a friend.

It’s a great place for a laid-back chat with good company, flirty talk with a date over dessert or a cram session for your next test.

It also offers free wireless Internet access, and there’s even a counter where you can sit and watch the cheesecakes being made.

Community groups have found a home at Mellow Brew: Writers’ groups, art groups and philosophy groups congregate for their monthly meetings here.

Mellow Brew also is organizing many events for the future, including music, movies and comedy.

Stop by and sample the fare. In return, the Mellow Brew Cheesecake House, 1060 Joliet St. in Dyer, will continue to support our community.

The shop’s hours vary. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

You can order cheesecakes ahead of time for parties or family functions. For more information, call (219) 864-8884.