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🥑 Meatless Monday, anyone?

Vegan and vegetarian spots around Asheville

Pulp + Sprout’s avocado toast is a colorful, fresh delight. | Photo by @pulpandsprout_avl

Whether you’re searching for Meatless Monday inspiration or just interested in exploring Asheville’s plant-based food scene — we’re dishing out our favorite vegan and vegetarian spots around town.

Tahini Jar Food Truck, Location varies

Plant-based food on wheels. Check out this local food truck’s schedule to find it around town + be sure to try the Loaded Falafel Fries, featuring shawarma seasoning, toum, warm falafel bites, harissa, and fresh parsley.

Plant, 165 Merrimon Ave.

Don’t miss this sophisticated fine dining vegan spot. The menu typically varies by season, but some things we always order are the Crispy Mushroom Mole, Pecan Crusted Tempeh, and the Peanut Butter Cheesecake for dessert.

The Trashy Vegan's plant-based Tot Burger. — You can also never go wrong with The Trashy Vegan’s Tot Burger. | Photo by @homegrownvegana

The Trashy Vegan, 697 Haywood Rd.

As the name suggests, this West Asheville joint serves up vegan comforts like cheeseburgers, chick’n sandwiches, and loaded fries. Be sure to follow The Trashy Vegan on Instagram to stay up-to-date on weekly specials.

Pulp + Sprout Juice Bar + Vegan Café, 233 S. Liberty St.

This café is teeming with colorful menu choices — like the Goji Apparatus smoothie bowl with goji berries, strawberries, blueberries, and banana slices, and the Up-Beet Salad with lettuce, roasted beets, cucumber, avocado, and cashew ricotta. Pro tip: ask about the rotating selection of vegan cheesecakes and pies.

The Smokin’ Onion Food Truck, Location varies

Two words: vegan nachos. Run, don’t walk to The Smokin’ Onion’s website to find its schedule so you can enjoy tortilla chips smothered with cashew queso, pinto beans, lettuce, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, and salsa. Oh, and add the Fried Brussels + Kai Smash Burger to your must-order list.

Did we miss one of your favorite plant-based joints? Let us know so we can add it to this guide. Want more local food recs? We have guides to Asheville brunch spots, food trucks, and açaí bowls too.

8 more plant-based spots

Events

Monday, April 24

Ticket to Ride Tournament | Monday, Apr. 24 | 6-9 p.m. | Well Played Board Game Cafe, 162 Coxe Ave. #101, Asheville | $7 | Compete against fellow players in this classic train adventure game.

Tuesday, April 25

Queer & Trans Yoga | Tuesday, Apr. 25 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Down Dog Yoga, 51 Sweeten Creek Rd., Asheville | Free | Unwind with this inclusive + affirming yoga class led by Heart.
Tuesday Bluegrass with The Jacktown Ramblers | Tuesday, Apr. 25 | 6-8 p.m. | Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Ste. 200, Asheville | Free | Listen to some foot-tappin’ tunes performed by this four-piece American bluegrass, swing, and gypsy jazz band.
Black Mountain Library Celebrates 100 Years | Tuesday, Apr. 25 | 6-8 p.m. | Black Mountain Library Community Room, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain | Free | Celebrate the legacy of this 100-year-old library over refreshments.

Wednesday, April 26

Pottery Wheel Lessons | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | 2-4 p.m. | Fired Up Creative Lounge, 26 Wall St., Asheville | $60 | Learn how to make a small bowl or cup and come back to paint your masterpiece after it’s been bisque fired.
Homemade Health & Wellness Series | Wednesday, Apr. 26 | Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sandhill Rd., Candler | Free | Author and homesteader Ashley English teaches how to make all-purpose cleaner, wood polish, floor cleaner, and more.

Thursday, April 27

Dining Out For Life | Thursday, Apr. 27 | 12 a.m.-12 p.m. | Various Restaurants Throughout WNC, 554 Fairview Rd, Asheville | Free | This annual event encourages folks to eat out while raising money for the WNC Aids Project — 20% of sales will support this nonprofit.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Wellness

This company provides a natural, sustainable method for weight loss

A before and after photo of a PHD Weight Loss client.

PHD Weight Loss provides free maintenance support for life to help clients keep the weight off (which can be the trickiest part). | Photo provided by PHD Weight Loss

8,000+. That’s how many clients PHD Weight Loss has served. The doctor- and dietitian-developed program provides a customized, science-based approach to faster and more efficient weight loss with individualized meal plans and 1:1 coaching.

Starting with a consultation, clients get a customized meal plan and support focused on behavior change, nutrition counseling, and education, with a coach to act as a support partner for accountability — all without calorie counting, restriction, or medication.*

Learn more

News Notes

Coming Soon

Who knew inner peace tastes like waffles? Dolly Llama Waffle Master has filed a permit to begin construction in Biltmore Park. The Los Angeles-based artisanal ice cream and waffle chain offers its OG Liege Waffle, Hong Kong Bubble Waffles, and the Bubble Waffle Jr. (Ashevegas Hot Sheet)

Edu

Haywood Community College Foundation is unveiling a new scholarship for those affected by the Canton Paper Mill closure. The Haywood Strong scholarship awards $1,000 for mill employees to earn degrees and receive job training. Find out if you’re eligible to apply. (WLOS)

Environment

Want to keep AVL green and make some extra cash while you’re at it? The City of Asheville is looking for individuals and organizations to support community engagement on a possible single use plastic ban. Fill out this form by Wednesday, May 10, to propose your plan.

Feel Good

Throughout the month of April, Little Pigs BBQ has been celebrating its 60th anniversary. Head to this heartfelt Instagram post to see founder Peggy Swicegood celebrate the occasion with her family. Do you have a favorite Little Pigs memory? Share it with us and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.

Sports

Celebrate local high school athletes at the WNC Sports Awards Banquet on Sunday, May 7, at the Omni Grove Park Inn’s Grand Ballroom. The event, beginning at 5:30 p.m., is open to the public and tickets are $35. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Featured

Raise a glass to Green Man Brewing. The local brewery is included in PBS’ North Carolina Weekend series, featuring information about the brewery’s roots. Catch the video when it airs on Thursday, April 27 at 9 p.m. or watch it online here. (PBS North Carolina)

Asked

“At sundown, Fifteen pink alpacas throw a killer party.” That’s a line still dazzling us from our recent poetry contest. Be part of the judging panel and vote for your favorite poem. Fun fact: All the words in our finalists’ poems came from one of our newsletters.

Stat

1 in 6 children in NC face hunger. That’s nearly 400,000 kids. The YMCA of WNC is committed to addressing food insecurity and offering hunger relief via their nutrition outreach programs aimed at providing accessible, healthy food for all. Learn more or give today.*

Drink

Hydration is key this time of year. Need to buy some water that will actually make you want to drink water? Meet Hint and use code 6AMCITY for over 45% off. (Hint: We love the Watermelon and Peach Raspberry flavors.)*

Featured Home

Located in the center of Black Mountain, this 4 BD, 4 BA home is on the market for the first time in 30 years. Situated on a large, level lot, the home offers a lower level living space with a kitchenette, full bath + bonus room with unique skylights and an in-ground pool with mountain views. Take a peek.*

Travel

Itching to take a vacation? We’re always in support of time off + self care — so we’ve rounded up five drool-worthy vacation spots to help you plan. This romantic chateau in Nova Scotia is one of our favorites on the list. See the rest.

Holiday

Get excited to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with our online shop (Six & Main). Cheers with this Margarita Bundle from Simple Times Mixers, and treat your taste buds with Sobremesa, a small-batch mole and salsa company.

Correction

In Friday’s newsletter, we shared the finalists of our 2023 Poetry Contest, but we misspelled the name of Christin Nice-Webb, who wrote "“HERE’S A MOUNTAIN, WRAP IT...” Our apologies, Christin, and congrats.

Biz

Startups

Venture Asheville helps local startups surpass $100 million in revenue

Ginger Frank - Founder _. Co-CEO of Poppy.jpg

Ginger Frank, founder of Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn, poses with her product. | Photo courtesy of Darby Communications

Talk about making that bread — Venture Asheville’s incubator program known as Elevate has officially surpassed $100 million in revenue and raised $50 million in capital.

Venture Asheville launched Elevate in 2017 to create successful founders and companies that drive local economic impact. To date, the mentorship program has served 70+ Asheville startups like Moonlight Makers, Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn, and French Broad Chocolates.

In addition to generating revenue, these startups have bolstered the local job market through the creation of 360+ high-paying jobs with an average salary of $78,000. The jobs have ranged from engineering roles to positions in marketing and sales.

Keep up with Venture Asheville by following along on Instagram and listening to its Talking ‘Ship podcast.

The Wrap

Emily Shea wearing a black shirt next to houseplants

Today’s edition by:
Emily

From the editor

If you have a sweet tooth like me, you’ll be excited to hear that Dobra Tea is offering a new dessert item at all of its Asheville locations — lavender chocolate chip cookies. The treat is made with gluten-free ingredients + sweetened with coconut sugar.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Read up on the perks of renewable energy.

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