BY STACEY WALLACE /PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE FOR THE OBSERVER
Unbelievably, my husband Mike and I will soon celebrate our 8th year living in Auburn, and it has been such a blessing. As I may have mentioned before in this column, Mike, out of the blue, sprang the idea of moving from LaGrange, Georgia, to Auburn back in the fall of 2013.
We were riding the tram to the Auburn/LSU game, when Mike asked me, “How would you like to live in Auburn?” The question was totally unexpected; Mike was born and raised in Troup County, Georgia, so I just figured we’d live there until God called us home.
The idea of moving back to the Loveliest Village on the Plains made me very happy. Although I had lived in LaGrange for 26 years, the thought of moving back to Sweet Home Alabama thrilled me for a number of reasons: 1. I was coming home; 2. We would live closer to Mama and Daddy; 3. I’m a two-time Auburn grad, so I already loved my future home.
Thus began our search for the perfect home for us. May God bless Annie Williams, an amazing realtor at Berkshire Hathaway. Our good friend Jack had told us about Annie because she was from his hometown.
Annie almost had the patience of Job. She must have shown us houses in every neighborhood in Lee County, yet she never complained, got discouraged or tried to kill us. Believe me, she definitely earned her commission. She was the best realtor ever, and she gets an A+ from this retired English teacher.
Finally, in 2015, we found the perfect home for Mike and me in North Auburn.
Our home was a spec house; it was new and, best of all, we didn’t have to pick out paint colors, counter tops, etc. I am not at all talented in choosing home décor, so that would have driven me crazy, which would have eventually driven poor Mike crazy, too.
Mike and I moved into our forever home on earth on Nov. 23, 2015, and we’ve been deliriously happy since that day. The location was ideal. We were 36.4 miles from my parents’ driveway in Alexander City (“Eleck” City to the locals) and only five miles from I-85, which would take us to work.
As an added bonus, we fell in love with Central Baptist Church of Opelika. This sweet church is only four miles from our home, and the people made us feel welcome on day one.
God has certainly blessed us in Lee County. Also, as I’ve mentioned many times, if you can’t live in Heaven yet, Lee County is the best place to wait.
Another great part about living in Lee County is that we have an amazing array of good restaurants. Recently, my good friend Leigh Ann and I dined at a new one: Amsterdam Café North Auburn at 1850 Shug Jordan Parkway. I was really excited to see a new restaurant open in North Auburn, very close to my neighborhood.
Amsterdam Café North Auburn opened this past Aug. 3 and is locally owned by Billy Cleveland and his son Blake, the owners of the original Amsterdam Café in Auburn. The Clevelands will open a third Amsterdam Café near Moore’s Mill Road in Auburn on Oct. 5.
Amsterdam Café North Auburn is considered to be a fast-casual restaurant. That’s fine by me; I love to dress very casually (That is, wearing an Auburn T-shirt and long shorts).
The interior of the Amsterdam Café North Auburn is very attractive, having recessed lighting and a brick wall. Also, there is a covered porch for outdoor dining.
Melanie, our server, was very kind, helpful and patient.
Leigh Ann and I ordered the spinach and artichoke dip with housemade salsa and corn tortilla chips as our appetizer. Oh, my, two times. It was warm and really delicious.
Leigh Ann chose the pepper jack chicken sandwich with a Caesar salad. She really enjoyed her meal. I selected the club wrap with a Caesar salad. Our salads were very fresh and crisp, and my club wrap was very tasty.
Amsterdam Café North Auburn, welcome to the neighborhood. We are so glad you came to this part of the Loveliest Village on The Plains. Run and do not walk to this restaurant.
Besides our amazing appetizer, Amsterdam Café North also serves tuna lettuce wraps, lobster egg rolls, chips and dip, wings and Santiago nachos. The restaurant also serves a variety of salads, sandwiches and entrees. Some entrees include: shrimp and grits, steak and frites, Greek bowl, chicken quesadilla and a chicken finger plate.
Amsterdam Café North Auburn is open every day from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Amsterdam Café North Auburn makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Pooh-sized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy!
Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear every other week in The Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@gmail.com.