BY STACEY WALLACE
As I’ve mentioned before in this column, I am incredibly clumsy. In fact, if you still have a good, old 20th Century dictionary, and you look up the word “clumsy,” my picture will be there. I am always tripping, dropping or dripping. Mike says that I trip because instead of picking up my feet when I walk, I sometimes shuffle. He’s right; occasionally, I look like the old man Tim Conway portrayed on “The Carol Burnett Show.”
I once described in this column how I went airborne when I hit a ridge in my parents’ driveway and landed face down on the concrete. I have also hit many curbs, thereby falling; once I twisted my ankle. Therefore, I am about as graceful as a rhinoceros on roller skates.
My clumsiness once again made an appearance when I met three friends for lunch. I met these three terrific ladies, Judy, Nancy and Kim, in our Writing Our
Lives class at Osher Life Long Learning Institute at Auburn University.
I had eaten lunch with Judy and Nancy before, but this was my first lunch with Kim. It proved to be a memorable one.
We recently met at Foodies Gourmet Café & Bodega at 1212 Gatewood Dr. B1 in Auburn. Foodies opened in July of 2022 and is locally owned by Stephen Bradford. I admired the bright, colorful interior of the restaurant.
Maddie, our server, was helpful, kind and patient. Judy ordered the chicken salad plate with a caprese salad and avocado slices. Nancy chose the Great Gatsby Panini, the most popular one; it had smoked turkey, bacon, avocado, roma tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and chipotle aioli. Kim selected a side salad with homemade taziki salad dressing. I ordered the Great Gatsby Panini with a side salad.
Now, since this was a ladies’ luncheon (My husband Mike would call it a “hen party.”), I was without Mike, my talented photographer. Therefore, I had to take the pictures, and that’s when the trouble started.
After I had taken pictures, I attempted to put my cell phone back in my purse.
I promptly tipped over my salad bowl; salad and dressing fell on my cell phone, pants and blouse. Thankfully, Judy was quick and grabbed my salad bowl before I was wearing all of its contents. Also, Kim later picked up a crouton and a napkin which had hit the floor. And Nancy would have helped, but she couldn’t reach me.
I thanked my friends for coming to my aid. Also, I told Kim, “I love to make a good first impression when I dine with a new friend.” And besides, I’m no photographer, so part of the blame was on Mike. Just kidding.
Despite my inherent clumsiness, we had a great time. The food was terrific; the salads were fresh and crispy, and our paninis were warm and mouthwateringly delicious. Trust me: Visit Foodies Gourmet Café & Bodega soon.
Besides our delectable dishes, Foodies offers other paninis and sandwiches, some of which include: The Hemmingway, Nola Pride (Authentic Muffuletta), Rosseannadanna, Southern Caviar and The Einstein. Foodies also serves salads, snacks, pizzas and chicken wings.
In addition, Foodies serves breakfast; some of their dishes include: pancakes, a variety of biscuits, a breakfast Panini, Belgian waffles, bagels, muffins and pastries.
Those amazing pastries were on display in a large glass case, and they were calling to me. However, for once, I resisted them. I only hope that Lynn Hudson, my amazing endocrinologist, is reading this column.
Besides serving delicious food, Foodies also sells premier coffee, international groceries, packaged flavored popcorn, fudge, truffle bars, dipped and topped large pretzel sticks and cakes by the slice.
Judy, Nancy and Kim, this review was for you. Next time, I’ll try not to toss my salad bowl.
Foodies Gourmet Café & Bodega is open on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Foodies Gourmet Café & Bodega 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. Wallace may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@gmail.com