After a fire on January 10, 2025, left his family's restaurant completely destroyed, Kostas Callis was left with a big decision. Auburn Cafe had been a staple on Jefferson Avenue for over 35 years, serving southeast Michigan fine Greek tavern-style food, but it also was literally home for Kostas.

“My parents (Serafim and Antigone Callis) not only founded Auburn Cafe in the early 1990s but the upstairs was my childhood home and where I grew up,” Kostas said. “It was heartbreaking to see the damage the fire had done.”

Before the fire, Kostas and his wife, Fotini Callis, were looking at a space in Monroe with plans to add a second location. The fire changed everything.

“I really didn’t know what to do,” he said. “Do we still go on with our plans in Monroe? Do we try to rebuild in Ecorse? Then we heard about a great spot in downtown Wyandotte opening up, so we looked into that.”

Kostas wasn’t sure what road to travel, but like his mother did all those years ago with his father, Fotini provided not only the most logical answer but the confidence and passion to put a plan in place that was the perfect solution.

The Auburn Taverna opened in early November in the same location as the former Bobcat Bonnie’s, which permanently closed on January 26, 2025, after an eight-year run. But the address is the only thing the two places share.

Fotini rolled up her sleeves and went to work to create a special space that would complement the relaxed, upscale atmosphere and amazing food. As a nod to the Auburn Cafe, she added a beautiful brick arch, which is the centerpiece of the room, along with a stunning colorful mural that somehow survived the fire.

“We put in beams with the shelves on the bar, added sound paneling, changed the bathroom and upgraded the kitchen,” Fotini said. “We started the renovation in February and I was here every day working on it all the way up until our opening. My blood, sweat, and tears have gone into this place. Our general contractor (Joe Pizzo) was a big help in making our dreams come true.”

While it’s not a new iteration of the old place, The Auburn Taverna does have similarities to the Auburn Cafe, especially on the menu.

“My mother-in-law's recipes are still here,” Fotini said. “It’s authentic Greek food at its finest.”

The Auburn Taverna is the only game in town when it comes to exceptional and tested Greek cuisine. The menu features an impressive lineup from land (lamb chops, pork chops, grilled chicken and porterhouse steak) and from the sea (calamari, grilled jumbo shrimp, grilled swordfish, grilled jumbo prawns).

There also is a wide variety of rice bowls, meze, salads, handhelds and sides along with a kids menu and gluten-free selections.

The drink menu is equally amazing with mocktails, specialty cocktails and a large selection of red and white wines. Kostas and Fotini have created something special, unique and flavorful right in the middle of vibrant downtown Wyandotte. And Kostas is not only proud of what his parents built in Ecorse, but is amazed at what his “beautiful” wife was able to create decades later.

“She is the brains of the operation and designed this whole place,” he said. “She designed the systems that are in place and put together such an amazing team. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

The Auburn Taverna is located at 118 Sycamore in the heart of Wyandotte. For more information, including a complete menu, visit theauburntaverna.com.