In November 2025, Fizz N Fork, the new health-focused dining spot at 234 W. Magnolia Ave., celebrated its soft open near Downtown Auburn. The emphasis on health was created through owner Danielle Shaw, who made it her mission to create tasty and healthy food.
Always wanting to open a restaurant, Shaw and her husband, Kyle, are touched to see Fizz N Fork receive so much love. Danielle shared that her friends have reached out through social media, expressing how proud they are that they get to live out their dreams.
Kyle was a veterinarian for 28 years, selling his large emergency practice in Arkansas, before they moved to Auburn.
After living with her daughter after a surgery in Atlanta, Danielle found herself struggling to find food that was fast, casual and healthy. It was her hope to bring that experience to Auburn.
Always known as the family who hosts gatherings, Danielle shared that they enjoy being hospitable and ensuring that people are welcome. So, when sending her daughter to college at Auburn University, 10 hours away from home, Shaw wanted her to have a place that felt like home.
"The whole goal is to let people and students have a place where A, the vibe feels cozy but B, where our employees know them by name," Shaw said.
The purpose behind what Shaw does stems from her and her daughter's experience with Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder with which a gluten allergy harms the body. Because of this allergen-based disorder, Shaw prides herself on the house-made ingredients that she uses.
"It took me forever to settle on a syrup company, because I did not want to put dirty sodas out if they were super unhealthy," Shaw said.
While traditional syrups and creams have around 200 grams of sugar, Fizz N Fork is heavy on infusions and fruit, carrying about six grams of sugar. She also favors pistachio milk as an alternative over oat milk, sharing that it worked better for her. In dishes that use granola, the ingredients include flax and chia seeds, creating what she calls "hormone-friendly" options.
"I just try to think about all the things that I do for myself at home to help heal my body and be able to push it out to Auburn students," Shaw said.
Fizz N Fork also offers hydration pods to students in the form of loaded waters, which help stimulate blood flow.
Behind the scenes, Shaw shared that she works hard to create an environment for her employees to express creativity. Her favorite part about her job, though, is the people.
"I love the customers. I love chatting with them, and I love hearing about their day. We have so many regulars that we know everything that's going on in their life," Shaw said.
While sipping on the Sugar Plum Fairy, Emma Hurtado, senior in nursing, shared that she enjoyed that the atmosphere was cozy and motivated her to study. She expressed that while the menu is a little pricey, it fits into Auburn's food scene and creates another place to study.
"I do think it's a tad bit high, but I love them, and it's always great, quality-wise, and they are always so nice, so I feel like it's worth it for me," Hurtado said.
The most challenging part of her job, Shaw expressed, is finding true employees who are passionate about the job and see it more as a craft than a chore.
"We've been really blessed with candidates. But it's hard, especially because all of our foods are house-made, so they have to be able to learn recipes, but truly we just want people who are going to keep the vibe good here," Shaw said.
Fizz N Fork menu items are a mix of family recipes and creations she has always wanted to make, with a Cajun addition. Although the couple attended Louisiana State University (LSU), Shaw still says "War Eagle."
Shaw shared that the breakfast items that tend to be the most popular are the Avo Stack, Summer Toast and Wake Up Call. The lunch and dinner menu favorites include the Caesar Croffle and the Burnt Ends Croffle.
The dirty sodas, such as the Delulu from the Valentine's menu and the Upper East Side, have also been popular.
Steam wafts out of a milk frothing pitcher in Fizz N Fork on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.
Shaw shared that Fizz N Fork is passionate about serving Onyx Coffee, a prominent North American roaster in Bentonville, Arkansas, that focuses on the science behind the coffee. According to Shaw, the business emphasizes the process behind procuring the coffee and ensuring no mold or mycotoxins are found.
Fizz N Fork does not put a hot shot in cold milk, as it brings out the acidity and bitterness of it. So, they soak the beans overnight, making an espresso concentrate. The most popular coffee flavors, Shaw shared, are the Plainsman Pistachio and the Effing Coffee.
She shared that some of the most underrated items are the drip coffee, the tea and the cheesecake. Cookie fries as well as rotating soups are the latest menu items that are in the works.
One of Shaw's goals is to cater to the community, with an emphasis on sports teams and banks. She credits social media like Instagram and TikTok for a huge part of their success. Shaw shared that she wants the opportunity to work with a hospitality student considering the entrepreneurial route and feature one of their dishes.
Shaw hopes that Fizz N Fork is a place that Auburn students will take the time to stop by.
For those interested, Fizz N Fork is open Monday through Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.
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