Keith and Amy Richards, Birmingham natives, traveled to Greece, and the two were so enamored with the people and the family-style food culture, they knew they wanted to open a restaurant to share and celebrate all they had come to love.
Tuesday, March 11 the 32 Taziki's will open in Auburn on South College Street.
Eugene O'Donnell, general manager of Taziki's, said this Taziki's doors open to the largest patio in all of the brand's other 31 establishments and will hold 50-60 people.
O'Donnell said the 32 stores, from Tennessee to South Carolina to Arkansas, are all just a dream come true from the Richards.
For all it might hold, it won't have a freezer, O'Donnell said.
O'Donnell said he intends for all the meat to be cut upon arrival, all the cheese grated by hand and all the soups and sauces made from scratch. He said the staff will make hummus, pita chips and Taziki's sauce fresh everyday.
"We [will] do prep sheets everyday," O'Donnell said. "The goal is to run out."
O'Donnell said the produce comes locally from Alabama-and the meat comes from Georgia.
All mornings will begin by preparing enough food to last until lunchtime, and, in the afternoon, the staff will do it again.
It will sell wine and beer, such as Fat Tire and Stone.
The interior will mimic a Grecian environment with stonewalls, hanging ceilings and low-hanging lights lighting high-top tables along the windows.
Amy decorated the interior and the art hanging on the walls were pictures taken from the Richards' time abroad.
A steel cooking counter takes up the room's back right corner.
Wine racks of handmade cabinetry will stand next to the to-go counter, and foilage will decorate the space inside and out, lending to its Grecian quality.
Something O'Donnell doesn't mind; he owns 43 plants himself.
O'Donnell, since he graduated from Auburn University in 1986, has opened 32 restaurants in 20 years, everything from Taziki's to Bennigans. He said he believes to work in this position you have to have some passion.
He said coming back to Auburn brings his life full circle.
O'Donnell's son will join him and attend Auburn High School where O'Donnell has already established a professional relationship.
O'Donnell said he plans to partner with the Auburn City School system and the Lee County Special Olympics.
Being community-oriented is a concept inspired by Taziki's own hometown origins.
"We're excited about everything," O'Donnell said.
With the interior largely unfinished, but crews on-hand and a staff ready after all their spring break plans, the new Taziki's plans to be worth all the hype.
"We're going to be a great restaurant in the simplest form," O'Donnell said.
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