A true Downtown Auburn staple, Mellow Mushroom has been serving up pizza, good vibes, and even better memories since 1996. For owner Adam Nemeroff, the story of Mellow Mushroom is deeply personal. While studying at Auburn University nearly 30 years ago, Adam began working at the newly opened Mellow Mushroom—and he’s been there ever since. When the opportunity came to purchase the restaurant years later, he couldn’t pass it up. “I’ve been here almost 30 years,” Adam said. “It just felt right to take over a place that’s been such a big part of my life.”
Both Adam and longtime manager Allison agree that what makes Mellow Mushroom special isn’t just the pizza—it’s the people. They’ve built lasting relationships with generations of customers, watching college students become alumni, and eventually parents bringing their own families back for a slice of nostalgia. “On any given Friday night, we probably know about 75% of the people in here,” Allison shared.
Over the past three decades, Adam has seen plenty of change in Downtown Auburn, but one thing has always stayed the same: the strong sense of community. As one of the smallest and coziest Mellow Mushroom locations—and the first ever opened outside of Georgia—Auburn’s Mellow Mushroom remains a warm, welcoming spot where everyone feels like family. It’s proof that in Downtown Auburn, some traditions only get better with time.