12.08.2023

SUBSCRIBE | REFER

Today’s Forecast

42º | Cloudy | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 5:30 p.m.

Which local spots send you to Flavortown?

Asked: Where would you film an Asheville episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”?

Honeybun hot chicken sandwich at Tastee Diner

All hot chicken should be served on a Honey Bun. | Photo by @chefccoleman, via @tasteedineravl

If you’re a fan of Food Network or just a devotee of spiky-haired, goatee-clad television hosts, you’ve probably seen an episode or two of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” (also called “Triple D,” for those of us in the know). It’s been a staple of the channel since 2007 and boasts more than 400 episodes, with restaurateur Guy Fieri traveling the country searching for casual spots with delicious food. And yet — not once has the self-proclaimed Mayor of Flavortown paid a visit to Asheville.

So City Editors Molly + Grace decided that they would save Guy Fieri and his team some work and design an Asheville-based episode of our own. (If you’re reading this, Food Network, you’re welcome.)

Most episodes feature three eateries, so this is where we’d send the red Camaro:

Tastee Diner, 575 Haywood Rd.
The show loves any dish with a twist, and this spot has comfort food twists and turns galore. You can get your hot chicken on a Honey Bun or your squash tempura-fried. Plus, Chef Steven Goff’s elevated culinary experience + the restaurant’s 1940s building are good pre-commercial-break backstory.

A plate of BBQ pork and hush puppies from Little Pig BBQ — Plates are piled high at Little Pigs BBQ.
|
Photo by AVLtoday

Little Pigs BBQ, 384 McDowell St.
Barbecue makes a frequent appearance in “Triple D,” so a family-owned restaurant that’s been serving barbecue since 1963 seems like the perfect fit. With classics like ribs, chopped pork, and substantial hush puppies, we’d imagine Guy would welcome it into Flavortown.

Two tacos and a Jarritos soda on a table at Taqueria Muñoz — Behind the casual storefront sit delicious tacos, sopes, burritos, and more.
|
Photo by AVLtoday

Taqueria Muñoz, 1438 Patton Ave.
If you’re focused on the Patton Avenue traffic, it’s easy to miss the unassuming storefront, but it’s always worth a stop. Simple, authentic, and delicious, the food at this joint would very likely earn a signature Guy Fieri straight-out-of-the-early-2000s compliment like “bomb-dot-com.”

Now listen — Asheville’s restaurant scene could fill a whole “Triple D” season, so our episode is only scratching the surface. We want to know where you would send Guy Fieri if he were to roll into town.

Let us know your favorite local diners, drive-ins, and dives in the survey below and we may include them in an upcoming newsletter.

Asked

Which local restaurant(s) should be featured in an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”?

Tell us the casual culinary favorites that you think are worthy of a Food Network feature.

We're rolling out

Events

Friday, Dec. 8

Holiday Lights & Cozy Movie Night | Friday, Dec. 8 | 6-8 p.m. | Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St., Asheville | Free | Enjoy some festive illumination, then settle in for a movie on the big screen + snacks.
New Queer’s Eve | Friday, Dec. 8-Saturday, Dec. 16 | Times vary | The Magnetic Theatre, 375 Depot St., Asheville | $25 | Take a seat for this show exploring decades of New Year’s Eve celebrations from an LGBTQ+ perspective.

Saturday, Dec. 9

North Asheville Tailgate Market’s 21st Annual Holiday Bazaar | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | UNC Asheville Parking Lot P34, 275 Edgewood Rd., Asheville | Start checking gifts off your holiday list with handmade and homegrown crafts + food.
Festival of Laughs | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Flood Gallery Fine Art Center, 850 Blue Ridge Rd., Black Mountain | Free | Join Rainy Night Theatre for a night of 10 Carolina comedians — purchase tickets for a suggested donation or bring a new or gently used toy for Life Changers of the Greater Asheville Area.

Sunday, Dec. 10

Winter Flow | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $16 | Build heat in your body for strength, fitness, and wellness during the chilly season.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament | Sunday, Dec. 10 | 4-9 p.m. | The Nerd Dungeon, 505 New Leicester Hwy., Asheville | $10 | Show off your gaming skills with a friendly competition at 4 p.m. and a prized tournament at 6 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 11

Homelessness Learning Series | Monday, Dec. 11 | 10-11 a.m. | Stephens-Lee Community Center, 30 George Washington Carver Ave., Asheville | Free | Attend the second session of the December series, with a focus on the present + future of community response.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

At its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners updated some requirements + guidelines for its Affordable Housing Services Program. Preference will also be given to projects that are energy efficient or include renewable energy systems and those that make some housing available to the unhoused.

Biz

It’s nearly time to get down to business. Venture Asheville will announce and rank the area’s 15 fastest growing startups at Venture 15 and Venture Asheville Honors on Thursday, Dec. 14 at The Orange Peel. You’ll dance, network, eat, drink, and celebrate the winners of awards like Best Startup to Work For + Entrepreneur of the Year.

Development

The Tempo by Hilton hotel, planned for 22 Carter St., was approved by the City of Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission. Construction would take an estimated 18-24 months with permit approval. This area of Carter and Haywood Streets has two completed hotels with one more scheduled to open later this month. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Cause

Mountain Bizworks, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting local business, announced that it will receive more than $2.3 million from the US Minority Business Development Agency. The grant will support entrepreneurs from rural and underserved communities as well as communities of color. (WLOS)

Job

News travels fast. Report for America selected Blue Ridge Public Radio to be a host newsroom for an early-career journalist as part of a pilot program. The 2024 program will connect a statewide cohort of journalists to report on regional issues and attend trainings throughout the year. Learn more about the position.

Plan Ahead

The Museum of the Cherokee People is ready to party like it’s 1998 to close out its 75th year and kickstart a new era. Join the celebration on Friday, Dec. 29 from 6 to 10 p.m. for an evening of entertainment, dancing, food, and drink with a dose of 90s fly — honoring the opening of the Museum’s main exhibit in 1998.

Retail

You could call it an Enza bonanza. The local Home Furnishings + Mattress Gallery is throwing a Holiday Season Floor Sample Sale, and rugs, mattresses, lighting, and just about anything home-related you can think of is up to 50% off. Take a look.*

Wellness

As we age, our hormone levels decline, affecting bone density, sleep, libido, and more. Test + optimize your hormones with Wellcore’s At-Home Assessment Kit — only $79 with code NEWYOU.*

Shop

The 2024 Go Local Cards are here

Hit the shops because the 2024 Go Local Cards are now available

2024 Go Local Card in front of West Village Market & Deli storefront

Grab your print card at a spot around town (like West Village Market). | Photo by AVLtoday

In a place like Asheville, it’s easy to shop local. There are hundreds of local businesses supplying creative wares, offering essential services, and dishing out delicious food. But in case you need an extra incentive to do your shopping down the street — the 2024 Go Local Cards just dropped.

The print or digital Go Local Cards give you access to discounts and special offers from more than 600 participating businesses (because who doesn’t love a bargain). More than that, though, the card is an annual fundraiser for City of Asheville public schools, with 25% of the purchase price going toward programming, supplies, and support for students.

You can grab your card in person at a handful of local businesses, or you can purchase one online. Bonus: There’s a Go Local Asheville app, too, with a directory + map.

The Buy

The Buy 12.08.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The cheeriest French press to bring some sunshine into your kitchen + make you a smooth, well-brewed cup of coffee.

Shoutout

Happy birthday, AVLtoday member Carolyn McGee. We hope your special day (December 9) is filled with your favorite things in Asheville! — AVLtoday team

Become a member, get benefits

Share AVLtoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_6}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

If you’ve got good tunes, good drinks, and niche books on your holiday wish list, you might want to stop by Little Jumbo this Sunday, Dec. 10 for the next installment of Denise Kiernan’s Craft: Authors in Conversation. Author André Darlington will discuss his book “A Booze and Vinyl Christmas” — a guide to holiday albums from the 1940s on, paired with complementary drink recipes.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY