Yaki Bowl
OPINION —
As Mike and I have entered our fifth year of retirement, how we look at the week has certainly changed. For example, when we taught at Long Cane Middle School in LaGrange, Georgia, Mondays were tough because we were coming off the weekend. It was especially rough during the four years, three months and two weeks we commuted from Auburn to LaGrange. Back then, the alarm clock went off at 3:42 a.m. Central, a vicious time of day. As I’ve probably said before in this column, only Dracula and we were awake at this time in our neighborhood.
By Wednesday, or “hump day,” Mike and I were getting excited because our work week was more than half over already.
As Thursday dawned, our excitement grew. By the way, I once read that Thursday was to the best day to ask for a raise. Why? Because your boss is grumpy on Monday since the weekend is over, and he or she doesn’t want to be bothered on Friday because departure for the weekend is near. Therefore, ask your boss for a raise on Thursday because he or she is in a better mood since the weekend is near.
As teachers, Mike and I couldn’t ask for a raise. However, I hope this tip can help you. But I digress.
Friday, of course, brought us much joy. We loved our kids, but after five days with them, we needed a break.
However, as retired teachers, our perspective of the week has changed dramatically. In fact, ALL days are the weekend, so our advice to everyone is to retire as soon as you can afford to do so. But on to my review.
Recently, Mike and I joined our good friends Jack and William at Yaki Bowl at 1716 Opelika Road in Auburn. As an Auburn grad and football season ticket holder, I love the 1716 address. I wonder why?
Yaki Bowl, which serves Mongolian stir-fry and ramen, opened this past July.
The restaurant’s interior was bright and inviting. Also, Anna, our server, wasgreat, being sweet, helpful and kind.
Yaki Bowl is a unique restaurant. Diners may order at the table as Mike, William and I did. However, diners may also go up to the counter and point out what foods they want to have cooked for them; Jack chose this option.
As an appetizer, I ordered an egg roll, while Mike selected crab Rangoon, which he kindly shared with me.
For our entrees, Mike, William and I all ordered the Super Yummy teriyaki chicken with chicken, cabbage, onion, pineapple, green pepper, teriyaki sauce, dragon sauce and fried rice. Again, all Southerners know that anything fried just tastes better. Everything was really tasty.
Lee, who ordered what’s known as the dinner bowl, picked out chicken, beef, cabbage, egg, onions, broccoli, spices and sauces. Lee said that his meal was delicious.
Besides our amazing appetizers, Yaki Bowl also offers diners spring rolls, fried or steamed dumplings, corn nuggets, fried scallops and French fries, among others.
Yaki Bowl serves other Super Yummy classic stir-fry dishes, some of which include Warriors chicken with Udon, Mongolian Empire, teriyaki beef. shrimp & veggies and Asian beef.
Yaki Bowl is open seven days a week. The restaurant is open on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; on Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Yaki Bowl 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,” appears every other week in The Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@gmail.com
