JACK WEST / MANAGING EDITOR
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The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
February 27, 2020
Pablo Sáinz Villegas: Americano Trio Sunday, March 1 Matt Haimovitz and Simone Dinnerstein Tuesday, March 3 Sierra Hull Friday, March 20 Dover Quartet and Bridget Kibbey Tuesday, March 24 Alfredo Rodríguez and Pedro Partinez Duo Thursday, March 26 Camille A. Brown and Dancers Saturday, April 7 Zakir Hussain and Friends Tuesday, April 18 Air Play by Acrobuffos Friday, May 8
Tickets available now!
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February 27, 2020
The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
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Table of Contents Best On Campus Student Organization......................................4 Auburn Tradition................................................4 Professor.................................................................5 On-campus Housing.........................................6 Food Truck.............................................................7 On-campus Dining............................................7
Wings......................................................................11 Pizza........................................................................12 Chicken Fingers................................................12 Italian Food.........................................................12 Brunch....................................................................13 Burger.....................................................................13 Vegetarian Food...............................................13
Best Off Campus
Best Health & Wellness
Restaurant..............................................................8
Boutique...............................................................14
Affordable Restaurant....................................8
Thrift Store.........................................................14
New Restaurant..................................................8
New Business....................................................15
Coffee Shop...........................................................9
Grocery Store....................................................16
Ice Cream...............................................................9
First Date Spot.................................................16
Hangover Food.................................................10
Gym.........................................................................17
Margaritas...........................................................10
Veterinary Clinic..............................................18
Late-night Food................................................11
Haircut...................................................................18
Mexican Food....................................................11
Dentistry...............................................................18
February 27, 2020
The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
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Table of Contents Best On Campus Student Organization......................................4 Auburn Tradition................................................4 Professor.................................................................5 On-campus Housing.........................................6 Food Truck.............................................................7 On-campus Dining............................................7
Wings......................................................................11 Pizza........................................................................12 Chicken Fingers................................................12 Italian Food.........................................................12 Brunch....................................................................13 Burger.....................................................................13 Vegetarian Food...............................................13
Best Off Campus
Best Health & Wellness
Restaurant..............................................................8
Boutique...............................................................14
Affordable Restaurant....................................8
Thrift Store.........................................................14
New Restaurant..................................................8
New Business....................................................15
Coffee Shop...........................................................9
Grocery Store....................................................16
Ice Cream...............................................................9
First Date Spot.................................................16
Hangover Food.................................................10
Gym.........................................................................17
Margaritas...........................................................10
Veterinary Clinic..............................................18
Late-night Food................................................11
Haircut...................................................................18
Mexican Food....................................................11
Dentistry...............................................................18
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The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
February 27, 2020
Student Organization
AU Marching Band By JORDAN WINDHAM Campus Writer
Auburn University Marching Band is an organization of over 350 students who dedicate their time and talents to representing Auburn University to the world. “There’s a lot of best parts to the marching band experience, but just the family of it,” said Millie Livingston, senior in biomedical science and fourth-year AUMB member. “I know you hear that all around Auburn, but it is the people that really make it what it is.” According to Livingston, her fellow AUMB members are the ones always pushing her to be her best at all times and hold her accountable in being her best. Marching Band Director Cory Spurlin recognizes these students’ commitment and hopes to help them prepare for their future through their participation in AUMB. “We put the student experience first,” Spurlin said. “We want our students to not only enjoy playing an instrument or dancing or twirling a flag, but also to get a lot from the experience in terms of life and professional integrity and how to carry themselves in the workplace.”
The things that students learn in the AUMB, Spurlin said, are focused on helping students grow in a way that will help them after graduation. “We especially focus on a perfectionist type of attitude where they don’t settle,” Spurlin said. “They are always striving to reach a certain level of execution every single day … if they’re going to perform heart surgery somewhere down the road, obviously they need to be as good at that on Monday as they are on Friday and that type of thing.” With such a large group, opportunities for AUMB members to grow in leadership and “human skills” are, according to Spurlin, always available, especially on the field. “People expect us to execute at a high level, to sound good, to look polished with what we’re doing visually and also to provide them with something that is entertaining,” Spurlin said. Another of Spurlin’s focuses for AUMB is being a “spirited group.” AUMB carries many of Auburn’s traditions, from the fight song to the school colors. “When we’re at a game, we want to be as good sitting in the stand for our team and our fans sitting in the stands as we are on the field,” Spurlin said.
JOSHUA FISHER / PHOTOGRAPHER
The Auburn University Marching Band can trace its origins to 1897.
Auburn Tradition
Rolling Toomer’s Corner By VIRGINIA SPEIRS Campus Writer
JOSHUA FISHER / PHOTOGRAPHER
Auburn fans have covered the trees at Toomer’s Corner in toilet paper following a win for almost 130 years.
When asked if she agreed that rolling Toomer’s Corner was the best Auburn tradition, Susan Roh, senior in early childhood education, replied, “Absolutely!” As one of the most iconic celebrations for any college in the Southeast, rolling Toomer’s Corner was the obvious winner for “Best Auburn Tradition.” After an Auburn University win or achievement, students and fans will come together and rush to the oak trees on the corner of College Street and Magnolia Avenue and paint them white with hundreds of feet of toilet paper. This is a custom that runs deep in Auburn’s roots because it has been a way of celebration for almost 130 years. “It’s something that we’ve always done,” said Ben Ross, freshman in pre-business, “It brings the community together.” This tradition is something that shows the love our stu-
dents, faculty and fans have for Auburn, but it is also an activity that means much more to the individuals who make lasting memories through this celebration. Many students easily remember a heartfelt memory that took place under the paper-coated oaks. “My dad lives in Auburn, and one time when I came to visit we watched a football game together at his house … we won the game,” said Haley Hickman, freshman in biomedical sciences. “Before I left, we both hopped out of the car right there in front of Toomer’s to roll together to celebrate.” Rolling the oaks is something that lots of Auburn graduates can also look back to after they have left the Plains. “The first time I ever rolled Toomer’s was with my boyfriend,” said Nagam Moseley, a class of 2019 Auburn graduate. “Now, he’s my husband.” Quite obviously, this Auburn tradition holds a place in the hearts of all who bleed orange and blue, which is why it was so easily voted the best Auburn tradition.
February 27, 2020
The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
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Professor JOSHUA FISHER / PHOTOGRAPHER
Phillip Rawls
By COLLINS KEITH Campus Reporter
As a young kid in Gantt, Alabama, Phillip Rawls would often stand in the alley behind his father’s store, watching transfixed as the press from the local newspaper would run. This is where Rawls, now a lecturer in the College of Liberal Arts, became interested in journalism, an interest that has never wavered, even in his 35-year career with The Associated Press. “I would wander over on Wednesday afternoon when they’d be printing the weekly paper, and they would always have the loading dock door up because buildings weren’t air conditioned back in the ‘50s,” Rawls said. “I was just fascinated as a kid watching the press run.” In high school, he was involved with the school newspaper and magazine, and it was here that he solidified his love of journalism, a love that Rawls carried to college. “I was never one of those students who ever changed my major … I’m one of those odd folks who never wavered,” Rawls said. After receiving a bachelor’s degree and subsequently a master’s in journalism from the University of Alabama, Rawls began to work for The AP as a political writer in Montgomery. Many writers who covered the same things day in
and day out would get burned out, but Rawls didn’t. He credits this fact to the wide variety of topics he was able to cover while working for The AP. “I enjoyed not being confined to a single beat,” Rawls said. “I did mostly politics and government, but I got to cover severe weather, courts, I got to do some sports … I enjoyed that variety, [and] I think it kept me fresh and made me a better reporter.” Throughout Rawls’ career with The AP, the way people got their news changed, but the news they got stayed constant— a theme that he believes will always hold true. “Twenty years from now we will be in some kind of different period in the news business, and we will be getting our news in a different way than we are today,” Rawls said. “What constitutes news never changes. How we get it always changes, and we just adapt to it.” During Rawls’ time as a political writer in Montgomery, Alabama’s government saw significant changes, with Rawls being able to witness these changes firsthand. Rawls covered seven different Alabama governors during his career, and each one of them was memorable in a different way— some more than others. “I’m grateful that I got to report on George Wallace because he was such a national figure, and I got to witness the transition from someone who was a segregationist to someone who got elected to his fourth term with overwhelming African American support, so that was fun to witness,” Rawls said. “I just think from a history standpoint, getting to cover Wallace was [something] I’m very grateful for.” Rawls retired after 35 1/2 years with The AP, half a year longer than he planned. That half a year was spent helping the new employees who would take over his job in the Montgomery Bureau get settled in. However, Rawls didn’t stay retired for long. “I soon realized I was a total failure at retirement,” Rawls said. “As a journalist, you’re making split second decisions all the time, and suddenly, the only decision I had to make was, ‘What day this week am I going to mow the grass?’” As much as Rawls likes to mow the grass, it wasn’t enough. A friend who was active with the journalism alumni at Auburn asked if he was interested in lecturing, and Rawls decided to give it a try. He began as a part-time lecturer in August 2015 and transitioned to full time the next year. While Rawls got his degree in journalism from the University of Alabama, he doesn’t show that allegiance now that he’s teaching at Auburn. “I always tell my students, ‘If you can’t pull for the folks who sign your paycheck, you need to change jobs,’” Rawls said. “And that’s at any stage of life.”
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The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
February 27, 2020
On-campus Housing
The Village By DESTINI AMBUS Campus Writer
Once again, the Village has won best on-campus housing for Plainsman’s Choice, undoubtedly due to its apartment-like format that allows residents more privacy than traditional dorms. Each resident gets their own room, although they have to share a bathroom with one other person. There is also a communal living area and small kitchen that they share with three other residents. Another option is a floor plan for two residents who each have their own
bedroom and bathroom and share a communal living area and small kitchen. After South Donahue, the Village dorms are the newest dorms on campus. Unlike South Donahue, though, residents get more of an opportunity to interact with their suitemates and form bonds while maintaining their privacy. The Village contains eight residence halls, housing 1,500 undergraduate students. Three of the halls, Magnolia, Oak and Willow, contain only Panhellenic sorority members, and Plainsman Hall is an all-female hall. The other four halls are coed and
house freshman or upper-class students. The Village is something of a trek from main campus, but it has its own dining hall that includes Chick-fil-A, Toro Sushi, the Tiger Zone and War Eagle Supply Co. It’s also located right beside the Auburn Arena, making it easy to roll out of bed and hop in line before a basketball game. Although the price is a bit steeper than Cambridge, the Hill or the Quad, the Village has many advantages that make it more than worth it and help it maintain its place as the best on-campus housing.
FILE PHOTO
Village dorm buildings on Auburn University’s campus.
February 27, 2020
The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
Food Truck
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On-campus Dining
Amsterdam Cafe By JORDAN WINDHAM Campus Writer
Amsterdam Cafe has been a part of the Auburn community for decades. Blake Cleveland, son and nephew of the owners of the Cafe, created a new take on an Auburn classic: the Amsterdam food truck, which is wrapping up its third year on campus. “I’ve always been tied to the restaurant, and I just said, ‘Hey, this looks fun and neat and cool,’” Cleveland said. “I never would have imagined it would have been this successful.” To make the menu, Cleveland looked to the Cafe for inspiration and added his own ideas. The turkey wrap and crab cake sandwich are Amsterdam Cafe classics. After polling students and researching the market, Cleveland realized that burgers were not available on campus at the time. Some Amsterdam food truck items — like the buffalo chicken sandwich — are more special than others.
“We stumbled on that blindly,” said Cleveland. “We would do a weekly special, and the first one was the buffalo chicken sandwich. That was so popular we put it on the menu and added a chicken finger option.” The menu, Cleveland said, remains simple by design due to the space restrictions of the truck. Seeing the success of the first truck, Cleveland began looking for another on-campus food truck opportunity. One of the original truck’s specials included tacos, which, according to Cleveland, are a staple of the food truck industry. After finding a lack of on-campus Southwestern dining, Cleveland decided that a taco truck was his next project. “I think [the students’ reception] has been very positive,” Cleveland said. “Obviously we have a line out of the door, and obviously that’s the biggest compliment anyone can pay you, and we’re very appreciative of the positive feedback.”
SHIYAO SHEN / PHOTOGRAPHER
Chicken Salad Chick was founded by an Auburn Alumna.
Chicken Salad Chick By TIM NAIL Assistant Campus Editor
COLE TANGYE / PHOTOGRAPHER
The Amsterdam Food Truck on the Roosevelt Concourse on Feb. 26, 2020.
Out of all the restaurant franchises on campus, Chicken Salad Chick is near and dear to the Auburn Family — it was founded by an Auburn alumna and continues to be a hit on the Plains for its healthy food choices and variety of meals. Lindsey Lovvorn, sophomore in interior design, is a frequent customer of the restaurant and said she visits at least once a week. “I like that they have some more healthy options, especially sandwiches and stuff you might not be able to get at other places on campus,” Lovvorn said. The Fancy Nancy is the company’s most popular item, a fruity chicken salad made with Fuji apples, seedless grapes and pecans. However, Auburn students prefer the Buffalo Barclay, a wing-based chicken salad, according to Nick Cox, general manager of the Foy Dining Hall location. “It seems like no matter how much we make, ... we’re always having to make more in the afternoon,” Cox said. “We go through like 60 or 70 pounds of just that flavor in a day.” Those scoops of chicken salad are enjoyed by an average of 600 to 700 students
each day at the University, Cox said, along with a selection of sides and daily soups that shift flavors on different weekdays. Lovvorn said her interest tends to sway toward the Kickin’ Kay Lynne, a spicy chicken salad offering that includes buffalo sauce, ranch, bacon, cheddar cheese, jalapeños and Sriracha sauce. The restaurant’s presence on campus also means its founder, Stacy Brown, makes periodic visits to the University location when returning to her alma mater. “She does speeches on campus occasionally, so whenever she’s [here], she’ll swing by,” Cox said. Chicken Salad Chick features both indoor and outdoor seating and is a favorite for its lively and pleasant eating environment — a sentiment echoed by both Lovvorn and Cox. “I actually come here with my friends quite a bit,” Lovvorn said. Cox said his employees, most of which are college students like at many other on-campus dining options, enjoy working there for this reason. “The guests are a lot better than anybody else,” Cox said. “The students are much more reasonable than some people off-campus.”
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The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
February 27, 2020
Restaurant
The Hound
By ELISE SAPPINGTON Community Writer
Have you ever heard of college students choosing to spend their evenings at a nice restaurant? The Hound has created an environment that attracts college students not only to go to a nice restaurant, but to feel comfortable while doing it. Their cozy, cabin-like interior complements their over-the-top, deeply Southern menu like butter on a biscuit. “I think that it just represents
Auburn,” said Emily Mora, senior in environmental design and regular at The Hound. “It represents community and all different people and feels like home. I dont know, it’s really sweet. I love The Hound.” Service at The Hound is simply unbeatable. Their attentive and friendly wait staff are the cherry on top of your dining experience. “There is definitely a difference between sitting and enjoying a meal at The Hound versus working,” said Jordan Graham, a full-
time wait staff employee at The Hound. “It’s a beautifully orchestrated, chaotic dance happening all around a guest, and they are usually completely unaware of it. It’s a show, a performance.” The entire restaurant is working together like cogs in a greater machine doing their little part then passing the torch to the next, all to give the customer this experience.” Make a visit for brunch, dinner, pint night, whatever your speed, and The Hound will host you in style and excellence.
CAMERON BRASHER / VIDEO EDITOR
The Hound on February 26, 2020, in Auburn, AL.
Affordable Restaurant
New Restaurant
Foosackly’s Little Italy Pizzeria By TARAH YEAGER Community Writer
Auburn has plenty of restaurants that offer specials and discounts on menu items, but none of them can compete with the affordability of Little Italy Pizzario. If you are on a budget and looking to get more bang for your buck, Little Italy is the place for you. Just two dollars will get you a
slice of pizza, and healthier options like salads start at less than five dollars. Specialty pizzas, sandwiches, strombolis, calzones and desserts are also offered at affordable prices. Little Italy also offers two lunch specials and a pitcher special with nine beers to choose from. Considering the extensive menu items, late hours of operation and affordable prices, it’s no wonder there is always a line at Little Italy!
TRICE BROWN / CAMPUS EDITOR COLE TANGYE / PHOTOGRAPHER
Foosackly’s is located on Dean Road in Auburn, Ala.
February 27, 2020
The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
Ice Cream
Coffee Shop
Toomer’s Drugs
The Bean By NATALIE BECKERINK Lifestyle Editor
You and your friend group are trying to decide where to go get your Tuesday afternoon coffee — yes afternoon — and to help speed the process you get in your car and start driving. Soon you find yourselves on Dean Road, and suddenly, you spot it — The Bean. The Bean on Dean. The Bean has been a beloved coffee shop in the Auburn area for many years, but this year it has the extra honor of being chosen by The Plainsman as the best coffee shop. For the longest time, The Bean was tucked away on Gay Street, just within walking distance of campus. In 2019, however, the owners were told they would need to find another location for their espresso machines and 1970s furniture, so they packed their belongings and moved over yonder, just across the street from CVS and Foosackley’s. Their new space now holds more tables and chairs for students and members of the community to have Bible studies, homework
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By NATHAN KING Sports Editor
sessions or deep life chats, all while encapsulating the same charm as the old location. With its yellow and orange decor and mugs that remind you of your grandparent’s house, customers still get a warm, comfortable feeling every time they walk inside. As many Auburn residents know, The Bean is especially famous for their large, homemade cinnamon rolls that are baked and caked with icing every day. They also have pies, cakes and gelato. Something new to this establishment, however, is that they are now partnered with Samford Farms to create two pimento cheese sandwiches that people can order for lunch. In regard to drinks, The Bean has always had a wide selection of coffees, teas and espresso beverages. They have recently started offering smoothies in a variety of flavors, all of which are made with 100% non-GMO ingredients. As it goes to show, it doesn’t matter what happens to this coffee shop or where it goes; people will forever be invited into The Bean for a wonderful, caffeine-filled experience.
NATALIE BECKERINK / LIFESTYLE EDITOR
The Bean recently moved from Gay Street to its new location on Dean Road.
Much like how Auburn University, to the common fan or passerby, is best known for football when it comes to athletic hierarchy, its historic Toomer’s Drugs is heralded for its tart but refreshing lemonade. And for good reason — the lemonade is, simply put, really good. The football is also, traditionally, a great product for Tiger fans to enjoy on a crisp, fall Saturday. But now, as the Bruce Pearl era continues to gain momentum and be overall successful in its winning and its branding, Auburn basketball is becoming more and more popular among fans of Tigers sports. And in a mirroring fashion, what was once an afterthought at Toomer’s
Drugs is rising in popularity, as well. Yes, Toomer’s has ice cream. Incredible ice cream, in fact. The taste is there, and there obviously exists the classic atmosphere of dining inside or outside Toomer’s Corner, but what pushes Toomer’s ice cream to become Plainsman’s choice for best ice cream in Auburn? In one word: versatility. One glance at the Toomer’s menu and it becomes apparent that this ice cream can be dressed up or down, as fancy or as standard as desired. One can opt for a cone or a bowl, which would be a solid choice based on the great taste of Toomer’s ice cream alone. But where’s the fun in that? The glory of Toomer’s
is that patrons can choose from a banana split (three flavors of ice cream with whipped cream, hot fudge, strawberry, pineapple and cherry!), hot fudge brownie, black cow (coke) or brown cow (rootbeer) float, shakes or malts, a colossal ice cream sandwich that barely fits in its bowl, apple pie with ice cream on top or a hot fudge sundae. But location is the cherry on top — ha! — for Toomer’s. Grab a float or sundae and share with some friends while enjoying a cloudless, warm day on the Plains with some friends on Samford lawn. And don’t judge the people carrying the Toomer’s lemonade cups. They’re blissfully unaware that they’ve only scratched the surface of the menu. They’ll learn soon enough.
COLE TANGYE / PHOTOGRAPHER
The storefront of Toomer’s Drugs in Downtown Auburn on Feb. 25, 2020.
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The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
By HARRISON TARR Sports Writer
A long Friday or Saturday night out on the town in Auburn means a number of things. Typically it consists of dancing, socializing and drinking. It’s fun to do from time to time, or every weekend if you can financially and academically afford it. However, there is one experience that goes along with a trip to Sky or Southeastern that results in you not getting home until the wee hours of the morning, and experience that literally nobody finds enjoyable: the hangover. Now, what does one do when they wake up with that gross, nauseated feeling to help themselves get through the pain? They go get hangover food. Now the better question arises: “Where does one go for the best hangover food?” You asked, and the staff of The Auburn Plainsman answered. The answer choice is clear: grab your group of hungover buddies and go to the closest Waffle House. In my opinion, there are two reasons as to why there is no better option than WaHo when it comes to curing a hangover. Primarily, the food is insanely greasy, and it tastes phenomenal. You have to at least get a waffle so you can mentally believe that all the leftover alcohol in your system is getting absorbed by your waffle as it goes down; however, I highly recommend going for the All-Star Special, as the hashbrowns and eggs — served covered of course — truly revive a depleted soul. Not to mention, if you walk into Waffle House on a Saturday or Sunday morning with sunglasses on because your head is pounding, nobody in the restaurant is judging you. They’re all in just as much hungover pain as you are.
February 27, 2020
Waffle House
Hangover Food JACK WEST / MANAGING EDITOR
Margarita
Taco Mama By CAROLINE CRAIG Lifestyle Writer
Not only has Taco Mama been serving delicious tacos to the City of Auburn, but they also have a selection of some of the best margaritas in town. After opening in 2017, Taco Mama has become a hot spot for hungry locals in Downtown Auburn. The restaurant also offers a variety of margaritas to pair with their delicious food. Single glasses of margaritas range from $8 to $9, and pitchers are $20 to $25.
You can find their margaritas — Mi Casa, Pomegranate, Mercedes, Jose Jalapeno, Prosecco Fizz, The Real Deal, Cucumber and Sangrita — listed on their menu in colorful letters. Taco Mama also offers seasonal drinks like Blood Orange and Watermelon served in summer. On Tuesdays after 3 p.m., Taco Mama offers half price on the Mi Casa and Skinny Margaritas, including pitchers. Taco Mama can be found on East Magnolia Avenue, a half block from Toomer’s Corner. Taco Mama has become a staple restaurant in Downtown Auburn, and they hope you “stay hungry and be thirsty.”
ABBY SCHMIDT / GRAPHIC DESIGNER
February 27, 2020
The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
11
Late Night Food
Wings
Cook Out By MATT JOHNSON Sports Writer
If your dinner just wasn’t enough to fill you up, and you’re still craving a late-night bite, Cook Out is the place to go. Cook Out has locations off campus on Opelika Road and Interstate Drive. The restaurant seems to have a menu that is endless, and to satisfy the late-night crowd they are open until 4 a.m. on the weekends. One of the other aspects of Cook Out that makes it popular among Auburn students is the amount of food you can get for a low price. “I’m not on a meal plan, so I eat out a lot,” said junior Michael Espy. “Cook Out gives you the most bang for your buck.” The most popular combo that Cook Out offers is the Combo Tray. With this deal you can purchase an entree, two sides and a drink all for a low price of around $5.
There are many different entrees you can get in a tray such as a burger, chicken strips, a quesadilla or a wrap. There are also many sides to choose from like chicken nuggets, hush puppies, cheese bites or fries. If you are looking for something that is a little more Southern, Cook Out also offers barbecue platters. You can choose between a barbecue plate or sandwich for about $4. There are not many fast-food restaurants that offer the kind of variety of choices at a low price that Cook Out offers. If that isn’t enough to draw you in, Cook Out accommodates the late-night sweet tooth with over 35 different shake flavors. The flavors range from a typical flavor like Oreo to something a little more outside the box such as cheesecake. Cook Out has great food for low prices and continues to be a favorite option for Auburn’s late-night crowd.
Mexican Food
El Dorado By MY LY Community Writer
For the second year in a row, Auburn’s El Dorado has been deemed the best Mexican food in the City. The distinct brick building has served Auburn’s community since 2010, and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Located on South College Street, the restaurant currently has an expansive menu with over 70 different menu combinations. The restaurant was first opened by Joe Barragan and his brother. Now, a decade later, the siblings still manage
the business. In a past interview with The Plainsman, Barragan has said that one of his keys to success is keeping an open mind and not being afraid of change. He said that he travels to Mexico quite a bit and will always pick up new dishes for his business in Auburn. As a result of this, since the opening of El Dorado, the business has seen huge amounts of growth in popularity as well as range in menu options. El Dorado’s charm not only comes from the food selection but also its affordable prices and enjoyable atmosphere.
JACK WEST / MANAGING EDITOR
Voodoo Wing Co. draws inspiration from Louisiana culture.
Voodoo Wing Co. By NATHAN KING Sports Editor
It was never in doubt from the start. There’s really no wing establishment around that comes close to the variety and flavor that exudes from VooDoo Wing Co. on South College Street — our pick for the best wings in town. The restaurant has steadily built up its menu over the years, starting with 10 flavors of boneless or traditional wings, then bumping to 12 and now with 16. A casual wing-eater can dive in on the mild or sweet heat, or the VooDoo flavor, which is like teriyaki and BBQ rolled into one. More extreme enthusiasts can try their hand at The Bomb, a sauce so hot you’ll likely need to walk 50 yards out of the building and grab some milk from the Dunkin’ Do-
nuts beside it to finish the batch. All sauces are made in house, and they’re incredibly delicious. The wings are always piping hot and plenty meaty. The entrees can be paired with the crispy Sidewinder fries, the delectable fried pickles, the cole slaw, the potato salad — an item just a few months young at the Auburn location — buffalo chicken egg rolls. Finish off your visit with banana pudding, key lime pie (if it’s summer) or peanut butter cup pie (if it’s winter). The restaurant is always clean and tidy, with knowledgable and friendly staff. So if you’re a wing fan — or someone who enjoys happiness — consider a six-piece traditional wings basket (cajun ranch flavor) with fried pickles and a sweet tea next time that stomach grumbles.
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The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
Pizza
February 27, 2020
Italian Food
Ma Fia’s By FIELDER HAGAN Community Writer
COLE TANGYE / PHOTOGRAPHER
Little Italy Pizzeria on East Magnolia Avenue on Feb. 25, 2020.
Little Italy Pizzeria By RYAN METCALF Sports Writer
Whether you’re a kid at a birthday party, a drunk college student looking for food or even a couple looking for a good meal together, there is always an option that seems to transcend all ages and all groups. The food option that is so dynamic and has a range of fans greater than any other food group is simply pizza. The Auburn Plainsman was tasked to vote for the best place to eat pizza in the Auburn area, and the decision quickly became lopsided. In a very predictable blowout, Little Italy
Pizzeria was overwhelmingly voted the best place for pizza in Auburn. There are a couple well-defined reasons Little Italy has left the rest of the pizzerias behind in Auburn. To start, it has a simple, yet vast menu to create whatever pizza one may desire on any given night rather than forcing someone into a predesigned set of toppings. Their 19 different toppings allow for a new combination every night without the pizza getting old to their customers. Their hours also have a big impact on how well Little Italy is received among the people in Auburn. Opening at 11 a.m. gives Auburn students an affordable off-campus
option for lunch or a midday snack. But Little Italy’s strongest draw over every other pizzeria is their closing hours being 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends. The late closing times give the people who were out on the town at Skybar or Southeastern an opportunity to get something other than liquid to fill their stomachs before ultimately crashing in bed for the night. Little Italy Pizzeria provides a welcoming environment for greasy pizza that just about everyone, regardless of what group they identify with, will enjoy. That is why the people at The Auburn Plainsman overwhelmingly selected them to be the winners of the best pizza place.
Chicken Fingers
Foosackly’s By ALEX HUSTING Sports Writer
This year’s Plainsman Choice for the best chicken finger restaurant in Auburn is also the newest such restaurant to arrive on the scene – Foosackly’s Chicken Fingers. Founders Will Fusaiotti
and Eric Brechtel started the chain in 2000, when they opened their first restaurant and have since grown the fledgling company with simple but genius marketing and an equally simple menu. The restaurant is well known for focusing on one food: chicken fingers that pack a lot of flavor. The
menu is centered on those fingers, with the only variation in meal choices being a chicken finger salad or chicken sandwich as well as fries, cole slaw and toast as side options. They recently went outside the box and added the now-fan favorite bacon queso fries. The sauces are what really separates Foosackly’s from the rest of the pack, as they offer six house-made dipping sauces, most nota-
bly their iconic Foo Sauce and Classic Buffalo. The 20-year-old fast food chain expanded to 12 total restaurants in Alabama and coastal Florida when it added a location on 131 N. Dean Road in Auburn. The restaurant received instant acclaim, led by its cult following that it gained in Mobile when it opened on Oct. 28, of last year. The founders plan on adding a location in Tuscaloosa later this year.
Among the entire Plainsman staff, Ma Fia’s Ristorante on Railroad Avenue in Opelika was voted to be the best Italian restaurant. Ma Fia’s offers a range of premier Italian food to hungry diners at any time of the week. Zachary Akins has been the general manager at Ma Fia’s for a little over a year now. His main goal each day is to make sure that everything runs smoothly for service. He said since “mafia” means “family,” each team member is family. As a general manager, he knows his front of house just as well as he knows the ins and outs of each dish. “Lobster and shrimp ravioli is one dish I recommend; we sell a lot of those,” Akins said. “Creamy sauce with some pecorino and a bit of sherry, add some heirloom tomatoes and spinach to finish it off. It’s like when in Rome, am I right? Instead, it’s local fine dining.” On their lunch menu, Ma Fia’s features a variety of pizzas, antipastas and paninis. On their dinner menu, entrees include a variety of options like the filet mignon with gorgonzola risotto or oxtail with creamy polenta. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Ma Fia’s hosts brunch, which includes various dishes like the asiago and mozzarella polenta bowl and chia seed pudding. Although these menus contain an assortment of classic Italian dishes, Ma Fia’s also boasts many options to accommodate any vegetarian customers or customers with gluten sensitivities. The Italian proverb “eat well, laugh often, love much,” is held in high regard at Ma Fia’s. “We try to fulfill this every day in everything we do,” Akins said. Whether it be for a casual coffee or an extravagant wine dinner, Ma Fia’s wants diners to relish in the soothing atmosphere, quality service and most importantly, the articulate dishes. “It’s joy because at the end of the day, we’re not just in the food service industry – we’re here to provide an experience.” Akins said. “You want to have those meals that you remember, especially with a guest.” With a vast wine list and frequent drink specials, Ma Fia’s is also a lovely setting to sit
February 27, 2020
The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
13
Brunch
The Hound By ELIZABETH HURLEY Community Editor
CAMERON BRASHER / VIDEO EDITOR
The bar inside The Hound on Feb. 26, 2020, in Auburn, Ala.
Maple syrup drips off tall stacks of pancakes, and gravy is drizzled over fluffy biscuits. The Hound offers over-the-top American classics, often with a Southern spin, in the restaurant’s cozy hunting-lodge and barn-like setting. Nestled in the heart of downtown Auburn, everyone is sure to find something that piques their interest on the menu – that’s why it’s The Plainsman’s Choice for the best brunch in Auburn. One of the main features of the menu is bacon. This is not your typical, storebought bacon. This bacon comes from heritage breed pork. To truly take in and savor this cut of meat, order a bacon flight
for the table, which is like a bourbon or whiskey flight but for bacon. The bacon flight consists of the chef’s daily selections of various styles of bacon produced in house or sourced from craft artisans. Maybe bacon by itself isn’t your style – try the BLT sandwich, the sweet potato bacon sandwich, the maple bacon “cinnabuns” or several other bacon-style treats and eats. The restaurant also offers other organic and humanely raised meats as well as traditional breakfast and lunch foods like pancakes and french toast. There are also some dishes unique to The Hound like the redneck eggs benedict and the meatloaf burger. Stop by from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays to get a taste of The Hound’s brunch.
Vegetarian Food
Burger
Five Guys Burgers and Fries
TIM NAIL / ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR
Five Guys Burgers and Fries is located downtown on South College Street in Auburn, Ala.
Chipotle By LANEY MAYFIELD Lifestyle Writer
Whether you are taking a stroll to the Shelby Center for a class or leaving Anders Bookstore, you are greeted with the inescapable smell of cuisine from Chipotle Mexican Grill. Lines exceed outside the entrances as famishing customers wait to be served. Though the Mexican fast-food chain is known for serving up sizzling and seasoned cuts, it is also known for catering to customers with food allergies and diets. Sofrita’s bowls and Cilantro-Lime
Brown Rice served with black are one of the many dishes cater to those who eat plant-based goods. Jennifer Conley, general manager of Chipotle, said that the business tries to accommodate to all types of diets. “We interact with a lot of different customers every day and we want to make sure that their needs are met,” Conley said. This company values variety and service, so we cater to everyone from vegetarians to those with food allergies. The food we serve is non-GMO and gluten-free as well.” Chipotle has a host of healthy food options for
customers of all tribes and tongues. Vegan and vegetarian students at Auburn University can depend on Chipotle to fortify their taste buds. Chipotle provides options for customers who are on restrictive diets such as keto, paleo and Whole30. “We have plenty of options for our customers who are vegans and vegetarians,” she said. “Most of our customers are students. We have everything from guacamole to meatless fajitas. I find joy in serving customers of all backgrounds particularly those who do not eat meat. I am intrigued by their choice.”
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The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
Boutique
February 27, 2020
Thrift Store
Plato’s Closet By ABIGAIL MURPHY Lifestyle Writer
NATALIE BECKERINK / LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Behind the Glass is located next door to Hamilton’s.
Behind the Glass By KARA MAUTZ Lifestyle Writer
Behind The Glass was voted the best boutique in Auburn. Behind The Glass has been in Auburn since 1987 and originally started as a cafe that featured local artists and photography. However, in 2006 they began to transition to a boutique that sells cloth-
ing, jewelry and gifts. Behind The Glass specializes in women’s clothing and features brands such as Free People, Show Me Your Mumu and Wildfox. Per their mission statement, Behind The Glass prides themselves in helping women find clothes that make them feel confident and make them feel good in order to discover their “true, best self.”
Plato’s Closet is a secondhand clothing store focused on keeping up with trends and fashion for teens and young adults. They have a variety of clothing and carry brands like American Eagle, Forever 21, Levi’s, Nike and many more. They have multiple sizes available along with plus sizes. In addition to selling clothes, they also buy clothes. People can bring their clothes to the store, and Plato’s Closet will pay for the clothes they want with cash. Plato’s Closet is located off of Opelika Road and is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
SCHOOL IS EXPENSIVE.
GOLF SHOULDN’T BE. Play championship golf at a discount with a valid student ID at Grand National. Take a break from studying and swing away your stress with 18 holes of golf with a cart for just $45, or walk a round for $31. Enjoy the Spring in Auburn and lower your handicap this semester; not your GPA. » TO BOOK A TEE TIME, CALL 334.749.9042 «
NATALIE BECKERINK / LIFESTYLE EDITOR
THE ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL AT GRAND NATIONAL 3000 Robert Trent Jones Trail · Opelika, Alabama 36801 334.749.9042 · facebook.com/rtjgrandnational
Behind the Glass is known for a minimalist-style logo.
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7/26/19 1:23 PM
February 27, 2020
The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
15
New Business
Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers By CHARLIE RAMO Community Reporter
Opening in October of last year, Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers passed the vibe check and is the best new business to visit in Auburn. They sell everything from books to hand towels with mildly entertaining messages. The bookstore provides a unique atmosphere for students to relax with friends or struggle to work on overdue assignments. Their coffee helps feed the addiction of countless college students, which makes the bookstore a success by default. “We strive to shape that Auburn family ideology,” said Abbi Rowell, keyholder and barista at Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers. “We really want everyone coming in to feel welcome and happy. [It’s] a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.” Located downtown on Magnolia Avenue, the bookstore is a refuge for overstressed students. The owner’s goal is to provide an old-fashioned sense of community that his father provided with his Auburn Oil Co. gas stations. The bookstore hosts events, ranging from story time for children to discussions with authors. It also promotes reading challenges and similar community engagement activities.
NATALIE BECKERINK / LIFESTYLE EDITOR
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The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
February 27, 2020
Grocery Store
Kroger By JACK WEST Managing Editor
Do you hear that? I ask again, do you hear that? The bells are ringing in their far-off towers, the hills and valleys echo with the sounds of joy. The approaching spring has renewed her vigor and the townsfolk can smile again for the prophecy has been fulfilled. Kroger, that brick and blue haven for shoppers and wanderers alike, has again won the Plainsman’s Choice for best grocery store in Auburn. Low prices, a convenient location and more organic options than you can fathom have kept thousands of Auburnites strapped to their plastic Kroger card. For the past three years, this store – nay this experience – has been deemed the highest honor in shopping for Auburn students. I say experience because a trip to Kroger does not have to be a simple journey of necessity, fulfillment and a swiped debit card.
Instead, you should feel free to spend time in Kroger. Sample their fresh, ready-made food and satiate that craving you have for food while you buy more food. For the tired, the sluggish, the uncaffeinated masses, Kroger also offers a Starbucks, that green and white siren whose promises of rejuvenation never go unanswered. In short, Kroger’s three-year history of excellence in the eyes of your humble newspaper has placed it among the Plainsman’s Choice pantheon. The bells are still pealing in the far-off towns. The children laugh and smile as hope fills their eyes for yet another year. “Kroger has won,” they hear from the lips of the elders and the learned. “They’ve done it again.” So, dear reader, I may have been wrong earlier. Of course you hear these sounds of jubilation. Of course you hear the songs of joy. The real question, the important question is actually this: do you have a Kroger card?
FILE PHOTO
First Date Spot
Coffee Shops By LYDIA MCMULLEN Lifestyle Writer
FILE PHOTO
Auburn and Opelika have a variety of coffee shops to choose from.
Finding the perfect first date spot can be a daunting task. This year, The Plainsman staff agreed that a coffee shop is the perfect casual, quiet location to kick off a romance. The Auburn-Opelika area is home to a wide variety of coffee-serving venues. There are plenty of options to choose from such as Mama Mocha’s, the eccentrically decorated yet cozy coffee location on South Gay Street, to Ristretto Lounge, a new coffee server that blends
elements of Japanese and Korean culture. “I feel like [coffee shops are] a great, casual spot to go [to] and have some good conversation on top of the fact that it’s inexpensive,” said Rob Williams. Williams is a first-year graduate student in mechanical engineering. Coffee shop dates are usually less expensive than other stereotypical options like movies or dinner. Because, let’s be honest, sometimes you have to go on a lot of first dates before you find someone who you want to go on a second date with.
February 27, 2020
The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
17
Gym
The Rec By ISABEL PERRY Campus Writer
For over six years now, Auburn University’s Recreation and Wellness Center has provided students with a place to relax and renew. Its facilities include a one-thirdmile track, multiple basketball courts, a leisure pool, a climbing wall and a game room, just to name a few. The Rec Center seems to have something to match every student’s interests. Despite already being an award-winning recreation center, the facility has continually adapted to students’ needs. Two years ago, the Rec opened their Olympic Lifting Facility, ensuring that students with a focus on powerlifting can pursue interests on campus that they used to do elsewhere. This addi-
tion has helped the Rec stay atop other local competition when competing for best gym in Auburn. The Rec seeks to do more than just provide students with the space needed to exercise. They also help educate both new and old fitness enthusiasts alike. The Rec is largely staffed by students who host courses allowing other students to become certified in everything from yoga to CPR. For those just beginning their fitness journey, the Rec offers group fitness classes, fitness assessments and personal training. Overall, the Rec provides an incredibly diverse array of health and wellness activities. This center showcases that fitness and health expand far past the traditional bounds of exercise.
KATHRYN MUSSELL / PHOTOGRAPHER
The Rec offers a variety of facilities to match every Auburn student’s interests.
LYDIA MCMULLEN / LIFESTYLE WRITER
The Rec offers a rock wall for students to demonstrate their climbing skills.
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The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
February 27, 2020
Veterinary Clinic
Haircut
Campus Barber Shop
Auburn University Veterinary Clinic By ELIZABETH HURLEY Community Editor
It’s not uncommon to see dogs small and large making their way through Auburn’s campus with their owners on a daily basis. Some students bring their furry friends to sit on Samford Lawn under a large tree as they study for the next big exam, while others use the campus for their pup’s daily walk. All these animals need veterinary care, and there is none better than the Auburn University Veterinary Clinic. Located on Wire Road at the Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital, the clinic has a close proximity to Auburn’s main campus and several off-campus housing options. The Auburn Vet Clinic is The Plainsman’s top choice for veterinary care because of the resources it has to offer your pet. From standard veterinary checkups and care to tests and resources needed for more complicated situations, the clinic can take care of it all.
Through the teaching hospital that is part of the veterinary school, the Auburn Vet Clinic has specialists on hand equipped to handle more complicated problems or health crises. The Clinic also ensures the optimal level of care through their staff. Each pet that comes through the door is seen by a fourth-year veterinary student and a licensed veterinarian. Some of the services the Clinic provides include parasite control, vaccinations, diagnosis and management of common diseases, preventive dentistry, dental radiology, minor surgical procedures including spay and neuter, avian and exotic services and many others. One of the best parts of the Auburn Vet Clinic is their availability. The clinic is open for regular appointments Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The College of Veterinary Medicine offers after-hours and emergency veterinary care 24 hours a day through the Clinic.
By MAGGIE HORTON Lifestyle Writer
NATALIE BECKERINK / LIFESTYLE EDITOR
The Plainsman pick for the best haircut in Auburn this year is Campus Barber Shop. Located in a small cinder-block building downtown, Campus Barber Shop is a local business whose doors have been open since 1969. They are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 6:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. The majority of Campus Barber Shop’s customers are men, but anyone is welcome. They don’t just cut hair; they also trim and shave facial hair. They only accept cash, but their services are affordable, and customers can walk in any time without an appointment. Campus Barber Shop keeps the small-town feel of Auburn alive with just three friendly employees and excellent service.
Dentist
Auburn Family Dentistry By EMERY LAY Lifestyle Writer
KATHRYN MUSSELL / PHOTOGRAPHER
The Auburn University Veterinary Clinic, voted best veterinary clinic in Auburn, Ala.
This year, The Auburn Plainsman voted Auburn Family Dentistry as the best dental practice around. Located on 754 North Dean Road, Auburn Family Dentistry is where students at The Plainsman prefer to have their pearly whites cleaned. Dr. William G. King, the head of Auburn Family Dentistry, graduated from Auburn University in 2000 and went on to earn his D.M.D. from the University of Alabama in 2004. He also completed his general practice residency at the Birmingham Veter-
ans Affairs Medical Center in 2005. King’s business is built on the principles of high standards, education, prevention, uncompromising safety, training and an overall positive experience. Auburn Family Dentistry offers a variety of procedures including treating periodontal disease, fillings, crowns and annual cleanings. King and his team can help you answer questions such as “What should I do if I have bad breath?” or “What can I do about stained or discolored teeth?” Next time you are looking for a place to get your teeth cleaned, we suggest you choose Auburn Family Dentistry.
February 27, 2020
The Auburn Plainsman: Plainsman’s Choice
Signature Wraps
19
Savory Rotisserie-Style Chicken Caesar
Flavor-packed with double meat
Chipotle Southwest Steak & Cheese
Turkey, Bacon & Guacamole
Double Meat based on average 6” sub. Subway® is a Registered Trademark of Subway IP Inc. ©2018 Subway IP Inc.
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Or make any sub a Signature Wrap 334 W Magnolia Ave, Auburn 600 Webster Rd, Auburn 1888 Ogletree Rd, Auburn 1791 Shug Jordan Pkwy, Auburn 7730 Alabama Hwy 51, Opelika
1550 Opelika Rd, Auburn 1017 Columbus Pkwy, Opelika 2101 Frederick Rd, Opelika 1599 S College St, Auburn
1/19/18 3:17 PM