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we’ve met a lot of great people who have<br />
supported us over the years. We are having<br />
a wine dinner soon, and plan to schedule<br />
more special events for the fall and winter.”<br />
PLAZA BAR & LOUNGE<br />
Chef Christian Watson and Andy opened<br />
Plaza Bar & Lounge during the pandemic<br />
with their friend Brian Malone. “It was an<br />
interesting time to open any business,”<br />
Andy says, “but especially a restaurant.<br />
Luckily, we’ve got a great outdoor space<br />
there, and people were able to find us in the<br />
Midtown development.<br />
“Being from Auburn,” he adds, “we<br />
appreciated the area because it is located<br />
where iconic spots like Botcher’s Bar and<br />
Grill and the Plaza Motel were located.”<br />
After the sign from the former Plaza<br />
was salvaged, the owners knew it was perfect<br />
name for their new bar and lounge.<br />
“The original sign pays homage to the<br />
businesses that were first here,” says Chef<br />
Watson. “With the old Plaza as an inspiration,<br />
we decided to do a really cool dive bar<br />
with good food, service and drinks.”<br />
Andy feels one aspect that makes Plaza<br />
and Midtown desirable is the ample parking.<br />
“It’s quite easy to pop in for a casual<br />
meal or happy hour for people wanting an<br />
alternative to downtown.”<br />
Chef Watson created the popular menu<br />
around the famous Warburger. The original<br />
Warburger recipe is the creation of several<br />
of Andy’s friends in the Auburn community<br />
that have been cooking them for<br />
tailgates and parties since their college days<br />
at Auburn University. “The only change we<br />
made to the Warburger from out buddies<br />
original recipe was replacing conventional<br />
relish with diced Wickle Pickle Chips.”<br />
Other unique items include the “Soul<br />
Rolls,” which are the Chef’s take on a<br />
southern egg roll. They’re filled with<br />
smoky bacon, collards and cream cheese.<br />
Weekend brunch offers many of the regular<br />
menu items as well as Mama T’s (named<br />
after Chef Watson’s Mom Trish) buttermilk<br />
pancakes,<br />
Custom features like horseshoe shaped<br />
communal tables and vintage signs provide<br />
a touch of old Auburn mixed with the new.<br />
THE SHACK<br />
The latest addition to Plaza is a small satellite<br />
building in the courtyard referred to<br />
as “the Shack.” The smaller space is perfect<br />
for private events.<br />
Andy and Christian have added a new<br />
partner and director of operations to their<br />
team. Josh Nagel, who has had a seasoned<br />
career in hospitality and food and beverage,<br />
is planning for future wine dinners at The<br />
Local as well as fall events in the Shack.<br />
“With the help of Josh, our hospitality<br />
group, Tri-County Kitchen, is looking<br />
towards a third restaurant concept in the<br />
area,” Andy says, “and hope to make an<br />
announcement next year.”<br />
The Waverly Local is located at 1465 Patrick<br />
Street, Waverly, and open Tuesday through<br />
Saturday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. and for<br />
Sunday brunch. 334.539.6077. The Plaza is open<br />
Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. and 10 a.m. on<br />
weekends.<br />
EAST ALABAMA LIVING 67
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