OPINION —
If you are reading this column, three days ago on Monday, Aug. 17, you may have heard a joyous shout coming from North Auburn. Why? Because Patton, Mike’s and my great nephew, became the fourth generation in the Patton family to attend Auburn University.
The first Auburn student in our family was Tom Patton, my sweet daddy — he went to Southern Union in Wadley for his freshman and sophomore years. Then he transferred to Auburn his junior year. Daddy was going to college on the GI Bill. Unfortunately, the money from his GI Bill ran out, so he couldn’t afford to attend his senior year. After all, he was working full time at Russell Mills in Alexander City, and he had a wife and two sons at the time.
When I transferred to Auburn University my junior year from Alexander City State Junior College, I told him, “Daddy, come back to Auburn and finish your senior year.”
He said, “Honey, I’m too old.” However, he started an Auburn tradition in our family.
After daddy, my older brother Jim graduated from Auburn, and then Jim’s daughter Lindsay and future son-in-law Luke became Auburn grads. Now, it’s their son Patton’s turn, and we are very proud of him.
In fact, in the Patton family, eight of us are Auburn graduates, and there are three more in the McEachern family, which is my sweet Mama’s side. But, I digress.
Recently, Mike and I traveled to The War Eagle Supper Club at 202 West Magnolia Ave. in Auburn. The War Eagle Supper Club is located on the fifth floor or roof of the Graduate by Hilton Auburn.
Let me say, when this Auburn grad walked into this restaurant, it was love at first sight. The restaurant was beautiful, decorated in orange and blue. Also, a back room, which can be reserved for private parties, had the most Auburn memorabilia I had ever seen. Mike and I really enjoyed visiting this room after our dinner.
The War Eagle Supper Club opened on Sept. 27, 2024. Also, this is the first Graduate Hotel in Alabama.
Before we went to the restaurant, Mike and I had looked at pictures of it and the hotel online. Both were really beautiful, and even though Mike and I only live 4.2 miles from the Graduate Auburn, I told him that one night we had to stay there.
In addition, the hotel is in partnership with Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson, who was at Auburn back in my day. But, I digress again.
The War Eagle Supper Club offers inside and outside dining. Although Mike and I are indoor people, we walked outside to admire the beautiful view of Auburn and to let Mike take pictures.
Madison, our server, was a delight, being so sweet, patient and helpful. She took our picture in the “eagle’s nest.” Madison is in Auburn’s School of Hospitality.
Believe me, she picked the right major because she was amazing. After our outside excursion, we sat down and ordered. For our snack, we chose the sausage and pimento cheese plate which consisted of “smoked Conecuh sausage, pepper jam, seasoned saltines and pickles.
Oh, my two times. It was really delicious. In fact, I told Mike that he’d better stop eating it, or he wouldn’t have room for his meal. He managed.
For his entrée, Mike chose the turkey club with french fries, one of the restaurant’s handhelds. The club sandwich included “shaved smoked turkey breast, American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and honey mustard on toasted white bread.” Mike really enjoyed it.
I selected the War Eagle smash burger with fries. It consisted of “two beef patties, burger sauce, American cheese, red onion and pickles.” Oh, my three times. It was amazing!
In fact, I told Madison that The War Eagle Supper Club should enter this burger in next year’s Burger Wars. Madison then mentioned it to Logan, the manager of The War Eagle Supper Club.
Logan, a graduate of Auburn’s School of Hospitality, came to our table and chatted with us for quite some time. He was so welcoming and kind — he obviously chose the right major, too.
I told him that the War Eagle smash burger should be entered in next year’s Burger Wars. Logan said that the restaurant would have entered Burger Wars this past June, but they were busy gearing up for the people coming to see the soccer game between Argentina and Iceland at Jordan-Hare Stadium. He hopes the restaurant will take part in Burger Wars next year.
Under sweets, we chose to share a hunk, and I do mean hunk, of the chocolate church cake, which was made of “layers of chocolate cake and rich frosting.”
Man, they weren’t kidding. That cake was slap your Grandma two times good.
The next time we’re at The War Eagle Supper Club, Mike and I would like to try the banana pudding trifle. However, if you know Lynn Hudson, my outstanding diabetic specialist, please don’t tell on me.
Believe me, The War Eagle Supper Club is a definite do-over for Mike and me. Trust me, run and do not walk to this special restaurant where the food, service, atmosphere and view are all outstanding.
Besides our savory snack, The War Eagle Supper Club offers diners supper club fries, corn and onion dip, fried mozzarella, wesc wings, among others.
The restaurant also serves salads, other handhelds and plates such as Peruvian roast chicken, shrimp and grits, steak and fries, among others.
The War Eagle Supper Club is open on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; on Monday to Friday from 5 to 11 p.m.; on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The War Eagle Supper Club 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 in The Observer every other week. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@gmail.com.
