After a devastating fire leveled the popular Auburn Cafe in Ecorse, a new iteration — the Auburn Taverna — is now open in Wyandotte, a few miles further Downriver and inside the former Bobcat Bonnie’s space.
An eagerly anticipated opening, Auburn Taverna is owned by Fotini Callis, who has family ties to and is drawing inspiration from the Ecorse restaurant founded by her in-laws.
“Same food. New vibe. Always Auburn,” is the message on the Auburn Taverna Facebook page about the newly opened restaurant.
Also on its Facebook page is a post about the Auburn Café founder, Sam Callis.
“Auburn Café was his dream — Auburn Taverna is our chapter of that story,” the post
In March, Callis announced plans for the restaurant. Callis is the wife of Kostas Callis, who for two decades has run the long-time, family-owned Auburn Café in Ecorse, started by his parents Antigone and Sam Callis. In early January, the restaurant was devastated by a fire and closed.
Opening Auburn Taverna is a lifelong dream of Callis, whose background is in education. While the eatery pays homage to her in-laws’ Auburn Café, Callis, according to a Shoppe the Dotte Facebook post, pairs their legacy with “Greek hospitality with a fresh contemporary Wyandotte vibe.”
Described as a “fresh, modern take on traditional Greek dining,” and judging by the comments about its opening, the Auburn Taverna is hitting its mark.
Its menu is ambitious, with plenty of offerings, including traditional fare and Auburn Café favs. On the meze menu is saganaki, grilled octopus and avgolemono soup (egg lemon soup). There are, of course, lamb chops and Greek salads, plus Auburn Café’s famed lemon potatoes. Its menu also includes rice bowls, handhelds, souvlaki and separate seafood menu.
Its bar menu looks interesting, with various craft cocktails, plus those made with 0% proof whisky and gin. One special drink is the Fotini, a Greek take on a martini, with pepperoncini juice, Tito’s vodka and feta-stuffed olives.
As for the Auburn Café in Ecorse, it’s on a new path.
In a Friday evening Facebook post, the owners introduced “The Auburn Group” along with new plans.
“After a devastating fire and the demolition of half the original building, Auburn Café will reopen as a to-go location, utilizing the dining room that was able to be salvaged,” the post read.
The new Auburn Taverna in downtown Wyandotte, according to the post, will be the group’s full-service restaurant.
“Two restaurants. Two concepts. One legacy of great food,” the owners posted.
Another Facebook post came late-night Friday, addressing critics. They wrote about the difficulties in planning a rebuild after the fire, which did more damage than was first thought, as well as the financial feasibility of doing so.
The owners wrote about receiving negative comments and criticism of their plans and decisions made for the Ecorse eatery and the fire.
“Many of you feel betrayed, however, none of you lost anything in this fire. You are merely upset that you might have to travel a little further for our food. I however lost a lot, my mother lost a lot, my family lost a lot in this fire,” the post read.
Following the post are hundreds of comments, including those from long-time customers and others, with positive comments about the Auburn Café and supporting both businesses.
In January, fire significantly damaged the Ecorse restaurant that has stood on West Jefferson for more than four decades.
Settling into its new home, the Auburn Taverna, located at 118 Sycamore St., is now on a first-come, first-served basis and not accepting reservations. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 4-10 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday. Carry-out orders are available for lunch only from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Wyandotte restaurant inspired by another Downriver restaurant opens
Reporting by Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
