Plus, how to become a poll worker for the 2024 Primary Election.
 
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Give in to the tempeh-tion

Vegan and vegetarian spots around Asheville
Pulp + Sprout Cafe
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.

Pro tip: Bookmark this guide so you can come back to it time and time again.

Dobra Tea, Various Locations
The food menus are different at each location, but all offer scrumptious veggie options. Dine on black bean queso dip with Darë Vegan Cheese at the West Asheville location or enjoy a kale Caesar salad with dairy-free dressing and cheese at the East Asheville location.

Tahini Jar

Tahini Jar’s vegan mushroom shawarma is pure delight.

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Photo by @tahinijar

Tahini Jar Food Truck, Various locations
Plant-based food on wheels. Check out this local food truck’s schedule to find it around town + be sure to try the Shawarma Seasoned Fries, loaded with warm falafel bites, toum, harissa, and fresh parsley.

Laughing Seed Cafe, 40 Wall St.
This downtown staple offers a wide variety of vegan, vegetarian, nut-free, and gluten-free fare. Pro tip: Try the Harmony Bowl with grilled tempeh, organic brown rice, black beans, seasonal veggies, and a delicious sesame ginger sauce.

Smokin' Onion Food Truck

The Smokin’ Onion’s food is just as beautiful as its vibrant truck.

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Photo by @thesmokinonion

The Smokin’ Onion, Various locations
Big news for plant-based peeps. The Smokin’ Onion is opening a brick-and-mortar location at 697 Haywood Rd., taking over the spot after The Trashy Vegan closed at the end of 2023. A specific opening date is TBD, but for now, you can head to its website to track down the truck so you can enjoy vegan nachos smothered with cashew queso, pinto beans, lettuce, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, and salsa.

ZenBurger Love Shack, 227 S. Liberty St.
From sloppy joes to Thai-inspired burgers, there’s a plant-based pick for every palate at this food truck, permanently parked in the gardens next to Liberty House Cafe.

Bonus: Pizza joints like White Labs Brewing Co. offer vegan cheese and meat substitute options for toppings. If you’re looking for something sweet, The Hop Ice Cream Cafe has a huge selection of vegan ice cream on its menu.
9 more recs this way
 
Events
Monday, Jan. 8
  • Financial Starters | Monday, Jan. 8 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville | Free | This workshop aims to bridge the racial divide in personal finance for teens and young adults, providing education on securing your financial future.
  • Mashup Mondays | Monday, Jan. 8 | 8-11 p.m. | One World Brewing - West Asheville, 520 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $10 | Each week brings new guests and musical genres to this lively set, with styles like funk, soul, and acid jazz.
Tuesday, Jan. 9
  • Idiot Men: Scott Gould in Conversation with Sebastian Matthews | Tuesday, Jan. 9 | 6 p.m. | Malaprop’s Bookstore, 55 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Hear Scott Gould speak about his latest book, a humorous collection of short stories from colorful characters who have made unsound decisions.
  • Tap Into ASL | Tuesday, Jan. 9 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Barrel Room at Highland Brewing Co., 12 Old Charlotte Hwy., Asheville | Free | Get instruction on American Sign Language, then practice your skills with fun activities.
Wednesday, Jan. 10
  • Intro to Rhythm and Drumming | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., Asheville | Free | Join TRAP of Asheville and get into the rhythm of this guided drum session — registration is required if you want to use one of the provided djembes, but you’re free to bring your own percussion instrument.
  • Citizen Swing | Wednesday, Jan. 10 | 6 p.m. | Citizen Vinyl, 14 O’Henry Ave., Asheville | Free | Sip on classic cocktails, listen to old jazz vinyl, and see performances from local jazz talents at the first iteration of this twice-monthly series.
Thursday, Jan. 11
  • Nerd Nite Asheville | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 7 p.m. | River Arts District Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St., Asheville | $10 | Join presenters in a deep dive into niche topics like creatures living on the ocean surface, the physics of archery, and how glue aids deep space communication.
  • Candlelight: A Tribute to Queen and More | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 8:45 p.m. | AyurPrana Listening Room, 312 Haywood Rd., Asheville | $35-$60 | Hear the Listeso String Quartet perform renditions of classic rock tracks like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”
Thursday, Jan. 25
  • Fantasia on Mysterium: The Epic Immersive Theatrical Recital | Thursday, Jan. 25-Saturday, Jan. 27 | 7:20-10:15 p.m. | WCU Bardo Arts Center, 199 Centennial Dr., Cullowhee | $5-$25 | See a genre-busting reimagining of a piano recital and theatrical play, blended with artistically-created + mind-blowing immersive visuals.*
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Travel

Travel and Outdoors

Road trip: Columbia, SC for the solo traveler
Presented by an AVLtoday Partner
Sideshow of sights around Columbia, SC.
From open air, artisan markets to elevated, Southern fare and cozy cocktail lounges, there are more things to do in Columbia, SC than there are hours to do them. | Photos provided by Experience Columbia
A new year calls for new experiences. Maybe you’ve resolved to travel more, exert more independence/confidence, or you’re just feeling ready for an adventure. Here’s an idea: Take yourself on a trip to Columbia, SC, a ~2.5-hour drive from AVL.

From outdoor adventure to a buzzing culinary scene and vibrant public art, there’s plenty for the solo traveler to explore and enjoy.

Here are four itineraries we’ve bookmarked to treat ourselves to this year:

For the outdoor adventurer

Explore outdoor attractions from high-energy activities to parks and gardens.

Looking for a few self-care options to wind down? Get ready to relax at your pick of nail salons + spas.

For the craft beer connoisseur

From lagers and IPAs to sours and seasonal pours, Columbia is a hub for all things hoppy and delicious (thanks to its breweries + brewpubs aplenty). There’s no shortage of restaurants and bars, either. Pro tip: Bookmark these new + noteworthy spots for your next visit.

Need a cool spot to crash after your adventures? Take your pick of local hotels or bed and breakfasts or pack your bags for one of these unique places to stay.

Looking for more inspo? Here’s our recommended solo weekend itinerary for the arts + music lover and for the history buff.
Pack your bags for Soda City
News Notes
Ranked
  • No. 2. That’s where Regina’s placed on USA Today’s Best New Restaurants list for 2024. The pretty pink spot is located at 1400 Patton Ave., serving breakfast and lunch daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Now we’re craving a fried chicken + pimento cheese biscuit.
Closing
  • Taco Billy will be closing its food truck that has been parked at Little Jumbo since the summer, with its final day of business slated for tomorrow, Jan. 9. But don’t worry, you can still get your taco fix at its West Asheville and Black Mountain brick-and-mortar locations. (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Drink
  • “Let’s Go Crazy” because DSSOLVR is celebrating its fourth anniversary with a Prince-themed party this Saturday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. Join the fun with special limited edition brews, merch, and a complimentary pancake bar. If you know, you know.
Learn
  • Asheville on Bikes (AOB) is holding a drop-in information session where you can learn about the AVL Unpaved, a project working to build multi-use natural surface trails connecting different areas of the city. Stop by 81 Broadway St. on Tuesday, Jan. 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. to hear more on the AOB-led initiative.
Arts
  • The Tracy Morgan Gallery is moving from its space on the South Slope to the 22 London studio, located at 22 London Rd. The gallery will be open by appointment in the coming weeks, with an opening announcement and exhibition schedule coming soon.
Concert
  • The Asheville Symphony’s next ALT ASO concert might make you rethink the meaning of classic rock. Guitarist JIJI will take the stage with a chamber orchestra to reimagine rock and roll tunes from legends like Led Zeppelin and Metallica. Find tickets for the Tuesday, Jan. 23 show at The Orange Peel.
Trending
  • Looking for your new favorite water bottle? The Owala Travel Tumbler combines the best of Stanley’s viral tumbler with Owala’s smart design. We’re liking color “Bunny Hop.”*
 
Civic

Working the polls

How to be a poll worker with Buncombe County Election Services in the 2024 Primary Election
Sign saying "vote here" with an arrow pointing to the right.
No prior experience is needed to help make an impact. | Photo via Google Maps
Interested in taking your civic duty to the next level? Buncombe County Election Services is seeking poll workers for Primary Election Day on Tuesday, March 5.

First things first, you have to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements, including being a registered voter and confident on a laptop. Poll workers will also need to attend a training session, help set up at the precinct on the afternoon or evening before Election Day, and be able to work the entirety of Election Day from about 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

And did we mention it’s a paid gig? Find additional information through Election Services, and send in an application.

Younger folks can get in on the action too by serving as student assistant poll workers. Interested students must be at least 17 years old by Election Day and be available for the required commitments. The application requires signatures from a parent or guardian and school principal.
The Buy

The Buy 1.08.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Sustainably sourced coffee. Or maybe some organic matcha. Or a low-caffeine chai blend, or a hot toddy spice mix — whatever your favorite warm beverage, it’s waiting for you in Six & Main’s locally-sourced coffee and tea collection.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Grace
From the editor
One of my favorite veggie dishes was the seitan steamed buns from Gan Shan West, which are sadly no longer on the menu. But that’s ok because there are still tasty veggie options available, like the mushroom corn dumplings. And even better, you can now get them on Sundays.
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