Food

Asheville’s best gas station eats

Pon’s Thai Cuisine is a warm and welcoming spot. | Photo by AVLtoday

Sure, they’re convenient. But did you know that you can find a lot more than gas and to-go snacks at our local gas stations? Read along for the best gas station eats in Asheville.

Mr. Sushi South, 1578b Hendersonville Rd.

Not technically inside a gas station (but right beside one), Mr. Sushi has been serving up sushi rolls and Japanese hibachi dishes since 2017. Pro tip: the decorative holiday party trays are a beautifully festive way to nosh.

The Brew Pump, 760 Haywood Rd. #3136

West Asheville’s bar-in-a-gas station is beloved by locals for its casual ambience and array of beers on tap. And while there’s no kitchen inside, accompanying local food trucks — including El Kimchi, The Purple People Feeder, and Blessed Soul Food — are always on hand to keep guests fed.

Sand Hill Kitchen, 491 Sardis Rd.

Located inside the BP gas station, this unassuming spot cranks out award-winning chicken sandwiches + burgers, hearty breakfasts like killer burritos, and sweet treats like banana pudding that could rival (or beat) your grandma’s. Bonus: there’s a drive-thru.

Black Bear Pizza, 3094 Sweeten Creek Rd.

Tucked away inside a South Asheville Shell station, here you’ll find Italian dishes including calzones, subs, salads, and of course, plenty of pizza that’s available in whole pies or individual slices. Bonus: vegan cheeses and cauliflower crust are also available.

Pon’s Thai Cuisine, 3101 Sweeten Creek Rd.

Located inside the Exxon gas station along South Asheville’s bustling Hendersonville Road, this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot dishes up generous servings of authentic Thai cuisine like curries, pad thai, crispy duck, and the highly addictive Tom Kha soup.

Patty’s Pupuseria, 1563 Patton Ave.

This eatery is connected to the Sunoco gas station and offers ample servings of authentic Salvadoran, Honduran and Mexican fare, including burritos, tacos, and their namesake pupusas.

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Thursday, Feb. 23

Discussion Bound | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 6-8 p.m. | Asheville Art Museum, 2 South Pack Sq., Asheville | Free | Award-winning author Keith Flynn leads a discussion about the book “The Great Recession of 2008.”
HITS! The Musical | Thursday, Feb. 23-Saturday, Feb. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | Diana Wortham Theatre, 18 Biltmore Ave., Asheville | $29-$89 | Dionne Warwick presents 90 minutes of pure joy with extraordinary singing, spectacular dancing, hundreds of costume changes, and state of the art lighting and sound.
Martin Bejerano’s Cuban American Trio | Thursday, Feb. 23 | 8 p.m. | Lipinsky Auditorium, Lipnsky Hall, 300 Library Ln, Asheville | Celebrated Miami-born pianist Martin Bejerano and his Cuban American Trio will perform as part of the UNC Asheville Loves Piano Series.*

Friday, Feb. 24

Edible Park Work and Learn Day | Friday, Feb. 24 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Stephens-Lee Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Volunteer at the oldest community food forest in Asheville.
What a Beautiful Buzz | Friday, Feb. 24 | 6-9 p.m. | Honey & the Hive, 23 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville | $45 | This pop-up meal will feature local cheeses and honey-themed small bites alongside meads from Noble Cider and juns from Shanti Elixirs.
Are You Ready For It?: A Taylor Swift Dance Party | Friday, Feb. 24-Saturday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville | $20 | Swifties, rejoice — this dance party features all of Taylor’s hits, plus a costume contest, lipsync battle + photo booth.*

Saturday, Feb. 25

The Great Pottery Throwdown | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 6-9 p.m. | Odyssey Clayworks, 236 Clingman Ave., Asheville | Free | Area potters will go head to head in ceramics challenges — attendees can vote on the winning potters, bid on pieces in a silent auction, take part in a raffle, and enjoy light refreshments.
Brewing for a Cause: Ale Sharpton x New Belgium Brewing | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 4-6 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing, 21 Craven St, Asheville | Free | This special event will feature samples of Piano Keys beer, handcrafted ice pops from Buggy Pops, and a panel discussion on the brewing process.

Sunday, Feb. 26

Wicked Weed West Chili Cook-off | Sunday, Feb. 26 | 12-4 p.m. | Wicked Weed West, 145 Jacob Holm Way, Candler | Free | Sign up by Monday, Feb. 20 to participate in the competition — or just show up to taste all of the entries and enjoy live music from Stephen Evans.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

74º | AM Showers | 39% chance of rain

Talk

Asheville artist Jenny Pickens is the featured speaker for the next Creative Mornings event on Friday, Feb. 24 at 8:30 a.m. at Citizen Vinyl. Jenny will speak on the global theme of “touch,” as it pertains to the creative process. Register to attend. 🎤

Family

Wee Trade Children’s Consignment Sale, the region’s largest market for new + soon-to-be parents, takes place Friday, Feb. 24-Sunday, Feb. 26 at the WNC Ag Center. There will be everything from strollers and nursery furniture to clothing and toys. Get more info and register for the special pre-sale. 🧷

Coming Soon

Foothills Meats is teaming up with Cup of Jomo to launch 107 Deli & Market on Black Mountain Ave. in downtown Black Mountain. The all-day concept will serve breakfast and lunch during the day and will host the re-launch of the Foothills Butcher’s Table series in the evenings. (The Valley Echo)

Plan Ahead

Calling all aspiring Jolenes. The Dolly Party will bring its Dolly Parton-inspired evening of dance to The Orange Peel on Friday, April 14. The traveling show invites attendees to dance the night away to divalicious tunes from icons including Shania Twain, Whitney Houston, and Sevierville’s finest herself. Get tix. 💗

Outdoors

Registration for the 13th annual Classic Hikes of the Smokies is now open. The fundraiser and guided hiking series supports nonprofit Friends of the Smokies and offers participants tours of historic structures, vistas, and a look at area wildflowers + wildlife. The monthly series kicks off Tuesday, March 14. 🥾

Pets

Looking for a fur-ever love? The Asheville Humane Society is offering $5 adoptions on all dogs ages six months and up through Sunday, March 5. Each adoption includes spay or neuter, microchip, vaccines, initial flea and heartworm treatment, and a bag of food. See adoptable dogs. 🐾

Listen

Calling all bibliophiles. Level up your reading routine with an Audible Membership. Why we love it: we can listen to our favorite books and discover new titles while doing everyday tasks like commuting, walking the dog, cooking, and cleaning. Sign up for your first 30 days free. 📚*

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Pawty like a shelter dog

A new kind of slumber pawty is coming to WNC

You too can spend the night dreaming alongside adoptable pets. | Photo via Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation

Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation has a new way to help promote animal adoption.

The Waynesville-based nonprofit will join shelters across the country in hosting a Slumber PAW-ty on Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26. It’s the first time an event like this has taken place here in WNC.

The event invites folks to “eat, sleep and ‘paw’ty at the shelter” for 24 hours. Participants will create fundraising pages to bring in money that will be used for the animals’ care.

There will also be painting with shelter pets, games, and “paw-dicures” so that participants and adoptable pets can put their best paw forward. Shelter staff hope that many animals will be adopted through event exposure.

Want to help out? Email Sarge’s Event and Fundraising Coordinator Caroline Ledford to become a sponsor, build a fundraising page, or donate supplies, food, and games.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Brook.

Editor’s pick: Are there any great gas station eateries I missed, Asheville? Do let me know, please and thank you.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? See the city’s most dog-friendly spots.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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