8 minute read
Grab A Bite
Story By Natalie Salvatore and Kinley Beshers Photos By Robert Noles and Contributed By Businesses
Whether you’re a college student walking to class on Auburn’s campus or looking for a quick and delicious bite to eat while in town, the AuburnOpelika community is bustling with different restaurants and food trucks.
Advertisement
Food trucks provide high-quality food at lower prices and allow the community to try different types of cuisine in a more convenient way. They bring the community together while supporting local businesses, even through a global pandemic. Some food trucks, through a major boom in popularity, exceeded their capacity in a food truck and even turned into storefronts.
We highlight some of our favorite food trucks turned storefronts here.
But, you never know which food truck around Auburn and Opelika might be the next to make waves — so we’ve included a food truck vendor list, too.
—81—
Food and Entertainment
A MATTER OF TASTE
After one year of operation as a bar and grill restaurant in Smiths Station, A Matter of Taste is still attracting business because of its food, bar and services.
A Matter of Taste opened as a remote food truck in February of 2019, serving the Phenix City area.
After COVID-19 struck, the food truck owner from Fort Mitchell, Lawanda Thompson, re-opened the restaurant at its new location in Smiths Station, 2368 Lee Road 430.
Thompson said business had been up and down while trying to open at the new location during the earlier months of the pandemic.
Since then, business has luckily increased steadily for the restaurant.
A Matter of Taste offers southern food — appetizers and entrees, along with a fully-operating bar, including beer, wine and liquor.
The menu features entrees such as catfish filets, pork chops, baked chicken, ribeye steaks and the highly-favored wings.
The Smiths Station hot spot has over 16 different flavors to choose from for their hot wings.
On Fridays and Saturdays, wings and a pitcher of beer are jointly sold for $16, as well as margaritas for $5.
The restaurant also offers daily specials, listed as follows: • Tuesday: Three Wings • Wednesday: Chili Dogs • Thursday: Cheeseburger • Friday: Sausage Dog • Saturday: Pork Chop • Sunday: Three Tenders.
For entertainment, Thompson hosts live singers and DJs at the restaurant on the weekends, including Cathy Love, Alonzo and DJ Stone.
A Matter of Taste provides catering and take-out services to Lee and Russell counties.
The restaurant can also be found on and ordered through the Waitr, Grubhub and DoorDash apps.
Head on over to A Matter of Taste on Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11p.m. or midnight., depending on the live entertainment and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
For more information, contact the restaurant at 334592-8802 or message its Facebook page at page @ amatteroftastebarandgrill.
—82—
AMSTERDAM CAFE
One of the most popular food trucks in town is the Amsterdam Cafe Food Truck, a portable version of Auburn’s famous Amsterdam Cafe. This truck relocates to both city and on-campus spots for widespread accessibility.
This food truck can be booked for catering events and parties, with prices varying depending on which menu items are selected. Throughout the 2021 spring semester, the Amsterdam Food Truck was spotted on campus at Parker Hall and was received very well by hungry students on their way to class.
The menu consisted of popular main dishes, such as the Turkey Wrap, Griddle Burger and Crab-Cake and Avocado Sandwich. All of these well-known items were served with fries or chips as a side.
Visit the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/AmsterdamTruck/, to learn where the truck will be each day.
—83—
Food and Entertainment
SWORD + SKILLET
One of the community’s gourmet food trucks is Sword and Skillet, a Hawaiian and SoCal-inspired dive owned by Chef Torrey Hall and his wife Jordan Whitley, a sports broadcaster and trained chef. Located permanently at Midtown’s “Main Street” in Auburn, their menu includes customer favorites of Filet Mignon Sliders, Hot Honey Fried Chicken with Smoked Gouda Mac, the Bang Bang Shrimp Box and Mexican Street Corn.
The couple’s training and experience from the West Coast helped them to open their truck in 2018. It was a way for Torrey to bring his food to the Auburn community while being able to spend time with his family outside of the hectic restaurant life.
The community’s support of the truck has allowed it to flourish, which means so much to the couple. Whitley said that starting a small business while raising two children was daunting, but also worthwhile. She said they are proud of how far it has already come and glad they took that leap of faith to open the truck.
“As for Torrey, the love and support for his food is a chef’s dream,” Whitley said. “The other day, our fiveyear-old son set up a sweet tea stand by the food truck, and even in the pouring rain, our customers went out of their way to make him feel special. That’s Auburn/ Opelika for you.”
When the pandemic began, the community’s support continued when customers bought gift cards or hired the truck for neighborhood pick-ups in an effort to keep the business flourishing.
“We are grateful that our business was built for outdoor, socially-distanced dining and pick-up. We certainly felt the love and appreciation from our customers looking for ways to support us,” Whitley said.
She said a second food truck is coming this fall. The summer hours are Thursday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. The menu changes weekly. Visit the social media profiles @swordandskillet for more information.
—84—
—85—
Food and Entertainment
THE IRRITABLE BAO
Have you seen the line wrapped around Magnolia Avenue to Toomer’s Corner? People lined up to experience “The Irritable Bao”. Now, I know what you’re thinking. But The Irritable Bao is one of Auburn’s popular food trucks turned storefronts.
The authentic-style Chinese hot-spot is owned by Whitley Dykes and his wife Kunyu Li, with help from their toddler Arrow.
The Irritable Bao serves Chinese dumplings while providing shoes for children who are surviving in third world countries.
Its mission is to empower and teach these children while serving the community here as well. The truck donates a portion of its cash tips and profits overseas.
Its partnership with Empowering Young Warriors Asia helps make this possible. However, it also donates cash tips locally.
There are dedicated days of the week for those in need to come in for a free meal.
The usual sight is a long line of eager students and customers patiently waiting to taste the Chinese bao that is made daily by Li herself. The truck’s storefront, Irritable Bao, is now located in the former Locker Room on Magnolia Avenue.
—86—
FOOD TRUCKS
Big Blue Crawfish
Big Blue Crawfish launched from Clint Rogers’ love for boiling crawfish for his friends and neighbors.
The food truck was born in 2015, leading to a storefront at 2611 Pepperell Parkway. However, the storefront still uses a food truck model, so the hours are a little off.
To find the restaurant, and its times of business, check in here: www.facebook.com/bigbluecrawfish.
Bruxie:
For all of the chicken and waffle fans out there, a brand new food truck called Bruxie just opened in Auburn.
The truck also offered chick tenders and chicken salads and a few sweet treats.
Find the business here: www.bruxie.com/?fbclid=IwAR097NvF dKDEQTUy8glhtnNDdDa7Sq5MM8Ui_ G0wmi4a072flezePOHAmg0 hwww.facebook.com/BruxieAuburn-106429647675186/.
Drive-By Tacos:
For taco fanatics, the street-food inspired DriveBy Tacos food truck serves gourmet tacos, salads and sliders. The owner, Jason Pope, gives back to those in need in the community while serving his own customers. Pope and his team prioritize partnering with local organizations to help the hungry. His business is “a food truck with purpose.” The truck has partnered with Wine to Water which provides clean water to underserved communities.
Find the business here: www.drivebytacos.com www.facebook.com/drivebytacosauburn.
Frankie June’s Weeny Wagon
If you’re looking for a truck further away from campus, check out Franky Junes, which travels to different spots throughout Opelika. This “weeny wagon” serves hotdogs and tots with a twist. They have many dogs on its menu besides the classic hotdog — including the George, the Maggie, the Seattle, the Manhattan, the Carolina, the Fingerlicker and more.
The truck was created as a heartfelt honor of Karen Lanier’s mother, Irene “June” Uzzell, who passed away in 2002.
Find the business here: www.frankyjunes.com www.facebook.com/FrankyJunes.
Kona Ice:
For a sweet, icy treat, book Kona Ice.
Although the Kona Ice chain does keep some stands around town, the truck will cater to any event.
Find the business here: www.kona-ice.com/local-site/kona-ice-of-auburnopelika-columbus/.
Moonswiners BBQ & Catering:
Smiths Station has jumped on the food truck bandwagon too!
A local Smiths Station family purchased a BBQ food truck and so, Moonswiners BBQ & Catering LLC was born.
Check in with Moonswiners here: www.facebook.com/Moonswiners-BBQ-CateringLLC-107854114156741.
O Town:
O Town may be a popular store front in Opelika for sandwiches and icecream, but it also has a food truck!
What makes O Town special? All flavors are named after local people, places and memories!
For more information: www.facebook.com/otownicecream
University Donut Company:
The University Donut Company started as a truck where students could grab a sweet treat on the way to and from classes. Now, the business serves the community with a storefront on Magnolia Avenue. Expect donuts with all kinds of toppings from Reese’ pieces, Oreos, nuts, toffee and more.
Find the business here: www.universitydonut.com/default.asp.
