Q: Warning - Donut Stop LLC Sells Out Quickly!

Pulling up at noon, we were pretty confident we’d have our choice of fresh donuts at Donut Stop LLC in Arden. Wrong! The word’s out this is the place to get some of the best donuts in the Asheville area. They open at 5am, so folks heading out early get the best options. Storefront Hours are 5am until Sold Out every day but Sunday when they close at 2pm. SOLD OUT at NOON! Our donuts are made fresh by hand each day. With a wide variety flavors to choose from, there’s something delightful for everyone. Lucky for us there were a few left (in the back). Two Apple Fritters left? I’ll take two! Donuts filled with different Jellies or Bavarian Cream and topped with Glaze or Chocolate? I’ll take one of each! Barrie scored a few, also. People have said a couple things about their donuts in general (BIG) and Apple Fritters in particular – EXTRA BIG and LOTS OF APPLE. I can vouch for both! The Apple Fritters I took home covered a “sandwich” plate. Glazed Bavarian Cream Filled, Chocolate Bavarian Cream Filled, and Apple Fritter. Cinnamon Twist, Raspberry Jelly Filled, and Glazed Bavarian Cream Filled. No guarantees, but we were each given a small complimentary bag of donut holes. I’ve seen others mention they were also treated to this special gift. Donut Holes Their Menu covers all the bases and is priced reasonably, in my opinion. Menu Board Let’s just say Bill was not unhappy to see me coming through the door with fresh, delicious donuts. Donute Stop LLC 2270 Hendersonville Rd, Ste 4 Arden, NC 28704 828-767-5714

Q: Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack Rallies to Support Ukraine

Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack (https://rockyshotchickenshack.com/) will be donating 10% of sales from all three of their locations on Wednesday, March 23 to Asheville City Center to help fund their rescue mission to remove orphans from the battle zones in Ukraine. Rocky’s South Asheville location (3749 Sweeten Creek Rd., Arden, NC 28704), West Asheville location (1455 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806) and Greenville location (420 Laurens Rd., Greenville, SC 29607) will be open 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Guests can spread the word by sharing their meal or the attached flyer on social media, tagging @rockyshotchickenshack and using hashtag #StandWithUkraine.

Q: Koreana, for something different in Arden, NC

Arden – Tired of lunch at the same places time after time? If you find yourself in Arden, NC running errands (Lowes, OfficeMax, World Imports, Best Buy) like I do and want to grab a bite, there really aren’t that many options apart from fast-casual spots like Ruby Tuesday, Olive Garden, Chili’s, and fast food outlets like McDonalds, Arby’s, and Sonic. Ready for something different and delicious? Pop into Koreana for lunch or dinner. They’re on Airport Rd. near Walmart. Sweet Tooth and I did just that today. We ordered appetizers since we were hungry, but not starving. Sweet Tooth got the Bang Bang Shrimp ($9) and reports the coconut mayo sauce was especially good. I wanted to try their Korean Style Vegetable Pancake ($11), comparing it to a most fabulous vegetable pancake I’d had at Gan Shan Station (Asheville) quite a while ago. Although it didn’t beat out Gan Shan’s version, it was good. I’ll have the half that went home with me for a snack tomorrow. Read more about Koreana, with photos, in my first Koreana review. Koreana 221 Airport Rd Arden, NC 28704 Phone:(828) 676-2844

Question 1

Warning - Donut Stop LLC Sells Out Quickly!

Accepted Answer

Pulling up at noon, we were pretty confident we&#8217;d have our choice of fresh donuts at Donut Stop LLC in Arden. Wrong! The word&#8217;s out this is the place to get some of the best donuts in the Asheville area.
They open at 5am, so folks heading out early get the best options.
Storefront
Hours are 5am until Sold Out every day but Sunday when they close at 2pm.
SOLD OUT at NOON!
 
Our donuts are made fresh by hand each day. With a wide variety flavors to choose from, there’s something delightful for everyone.
Lucky for us there were a few left (in the back). Two Apple Fritters left? I&#8217;ll take two! Donuts filled with different Jellies or Bavarian Cream and topped with Glaze or Chocolate? I&#8217;ll take one of each! Barrie scored a few, also.
People have said a couple things about their donuts in general (BIG) and Apple Fritters in particular &#8211; EXTRA BIG and LOTS OF APPLE. I can vouch for both! The Apple Fritters I took home covered a &#8220;sandwich&#8221; plate.
Glazed Bavarian Cream Filled, Chocolate Bavarian Cream Filled, and Apple Fritter.
 
Cinnamon Twist, Raspberry Jelly Filled, and Glazed Bavarian Cream Filled.
No guarantees, but we were each given a small complimentary bag of donut holes. I&#8217;ve seen others mention they were also treated to this special gift.
Donut Holes
Their Menu covers all the bases and is priced reasonably, in my opinion.
Menu Board
Let&#8217;s just say Bill was not unhappy to see me coming through the door with fresh, delicious donuts.
Donute Stop LLC
2270 Hendersonville Rd, Ste 4
Arden, NC 28704
828-767-5714

Question 2

Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack (Sweeten Creek) Wings & Strings Concert Series

Accepted Answer

Live music is back at Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack’s Sweeten Creek location at 3749 Sweeten Creek Rd! Known for their Nashville-style hot chicken and made-from-scratch Southern sides, Rocky’s is kicking off its annual Wings & Strings summer concert series.
Every Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m., with the next show on June 5th, chicken lovers can indulge in hot wings and other fan favorites like the fried mac poppers and pimento cheese chicken BLT while enjoying live acoustic sets from talented local artists. Please find the full Wings & Strings lineup below:
Credit: Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack

June 5: Hope Griffin
June 12: Peggy Ratusz and Kelly Jones
June 19: Parker Zelter
June 26: Raphael Graves Duo
July 3: Eric Congdon
July 10: Tina & Her Pony
July 24: The Hillclimbers
July 31: Possum Royale
Aug. 7: Craver & Carmody
Aug. 14: Peggy Ratusz and Kelly Jones
Aug. 21: Gabriel Al-Shaer
Aug. 28: Hope Griffin

Please let us know if you have any questions. Rocky’s full menu is available HERE.

Question 3

Wings and Strings (live music) is Back at Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack!

Accepted Answer

Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack, the ultimate stop for Nashville-style hot chicken and deliriously good Southern soul food, is bringing back live music to their Sweeten Creek location with the restaurant’s Wings and Strings series.

This spring and summer, Wings and Strings will be held every Thursday, starting May 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Guests can enjoy Rocky’s delicious hot wings and other fan favorites like their Fried Green Tomatoes and Pimento Cheese Chicken BLT while listening to live acoustic tunes. Please find the full music schedule HERE.
Rocky&#8217;s Hot Chicken Shack
For any Rocky’s fans who cannot attend, check out online delivery services, Kickback, DoorDash, Uber Eats and Takeout Central, to bring their mouth-watering food straight to your door.
See Rocky’s full menu HERE.

Question 4

Mudpuppies - Best Sushi in Asheville?

Accepted Answer

First look at Mudpuppies Sports and Sushi Bar, &#8220;the area’s only Sushi, Sports, and Entertainment Bar&#8221;, fresh off their Grand Opening last weekend in Arden. Find them at 5 Andrew Way in Arden. They&#8217;re across Brian Blvd from Holiday Inn & Suites.

Destined to be considered the best Sushi in the Asheville area. (not an overstatement). Yaya and Danny were behind the Sushi Bar. You might know Sous Chef Yaya and her husband, Chef James, from Blue Ginger at Tryon International Equestrian Center. There&#8217;s Sushi on the menu you won&#8217;t find elsewhere in WNC.
Details matter when plating & presenting Sushi. Yaya&#8217;s all about details and it&#8217;s noticable.
Granted they just opened, but their case displays looked clean & fresh. Read image captions for more Sushi details. A selection of Salads, Burgers, and Sandwiches are also on the menu if you&#8217;re not feelin&#8217; Sushi.
There&#8217;s a legit raised stage with a full setup of mikes, speakers & electronics for live music. Again, guessing it&#8217;s gonna&#8217; be loud.
A full bar on the opposite side of the space adds balance. I felt compelled to taste-test a cocktail. Excellent!
Seating is mostly 4-tops and bar stools with backs. There are two &#8220;U-shaped&#8221; booths for larger groups.
45 screens, at our count, to feed your need for sports viewing. There&#8217;s something about the way they&#8217;ve grouped the screens that made it feel less manic than some other spots to me. I&#8217;m easily distracted. ?
Lots of hard surfaces means potentially loud when lots of people are on hand.
Decor consists of screens. Period. It&#8217;s a Sports Bar first and foremost.
There&#8217;s a spacious deck off the back. It overlooks a parking lot, but is raised enough that I don&#8217;t think that&#8217;s an isue at all. You&#8217;ll mostly be aware of trees bordering the lot.
Two lots, one on each side of the building, may or may not hold all vehicles when there&#8217;s a big game on? The bigger lot&#8217;s on the rear side of the building.

See their website for more information: https://mudpuppiesavl.com/
Mudpuppies Sports and Sushi Bar
5 Andrew Way
Arden, NC 28704
828-676-2151

Question 5

Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack Rallies to Support Ukraine

Accepted Answer

Rocky&#8217;s Hot Chicken Shack (https://rockyshotchickenshack.com/) will be donating 10% of sales from all three of their locations on Wednesday, March 23 to Asheville City Center to help fund their rescue mission to remove orphans from the battle zones in Ukraine.
Rocky&#8217;s South Asheville location (3749 Sweeten Creek Rd., Arden, NC 28704), West Asheville location (1455 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806) and Greenville location (420 Laurens Rd., Greenville, SC 29607) will be open 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Guests can spread the word by sharing their meal or the attached flyer on social media, tagging @rockyshotchickenshack and using hashtag #StandWithUkraine.

Question 6

Itto Ramen Bar and Japanese Tapas opens in Arden

Accepted Answer

Tony Lin, owner of Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas, has opened his third location at 335 Airport Road in Arden.
&#8220;Brand&#8221; content as it relates to food and drink program is creative and completely delicious, if a little confusing. Is it Itto Ramen Bar & Tapas or Itto Ramen Bar & Japanese Tapas? Is the website ashevillejapanesefood.com (Arden location only) or ittoramen.com (all three locations)? Scaling a business up isn&#8217;t always easy.
The Arden location website doesn&#8217;t have a menu posted, but lists their Specialties as Tapas, Sushi, Ramen, and Dim Sum. See the Arden menu here. I&#8217;ll be going back, but if they launch a solid Dim Sum program, you can bet &#8211; well, alot of things &#8211; that my family will be regulars.
Epicurean Notes:

See image captions for names of dishes.
Love the wall mural! Especially The Great Wave by Hokusai Katsushika. Such a classic.
They got the most seating possible into this space. It&#8217;s done well, but you&#8217;ll probably end up talking to people, definitely checking out plates, at tables near you.
Not easy to see in the image below, but there&#8217;s Sushi Bar seating rear left.
Every dish we had, including the Ramen to go we left with, was excellent!

When you go, keep in mind they&#8217;ve just recently opened and there may be a kink or two to work out. And it&#8217;s always good to call to be sure they&#8217;re open before heading out to a restaurant these days.
Itto Ramen Bar & Japanese Tapas
335 Airport Rd
Arden, NC 28704
828-676-0558

Question 7

Baked Pie Company - totally cute and delicious!

Accepted Answer

Arden &#8211; Sweet Tooth and I decided to check out Baked Pie Company a few days ago. They&#8217;ve been open about two months and getting rave reviews.
Check out the corrugated tin ceiling. And believe it or not, the floor is tile. I admit to touching it to be sure. As she served up our flights, owner Kirsten Fuchs&#8217; sister-in-law gave Kirsten all credit for the cozy decor.
In addition to being the only dedicated pie shop in the Asheville area, they are unique in that they are offering flights. That&#8217;s right. Three &#8220;slivers&#8221; of pie.
I&#8217;m hear to tell you that they are not &#8220;slivers&#8221;. They are slices. Not huge, granted, but certainly not slivers. Flights, including a scoop of ice cream, are $12.99. The ice cream is optional and will save you $2 if you do without.
All three of my choices were good, but if I had to pick a favorite, I&#8217;d go with the Honey Pecan.
Left to Right: Lemon Meringue &#8211; Honey Pecan &#8211; Apple
Sweet Tooth&#8217;s favorite was the Peanut Butter Brownie.
Left to Right: Peanut Butter Brownie &#8211; Cranberry Crumb &#8211; Apple
Both Sweet Tooth and I thought the Lemon Meringue was good, but could be a bit &#8220;brighter&#8221;. Meaning a little more &#8220;lemony&#8221;. The filling texture was a somewhat different from what you might expect. Maybe more home made?
We mentioned all of this when asked how we liked the pies. They were very receptive, so it may be different when you go. Definitely order it if you like Lemon Meringue.
We both liked that the Apple pie wasn&#8217;t over-spiced, with just the right amount of cinnamon.
A daily list of pies is posted on a chalk board behind the counter and on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bakedpiecompany/

When you cannot eat another bite, there&#8217;s a bus station for your dishes down the hall by the restrooms.
Oh! Almost forgot to tell you about the cookies they make! I especially flipped over the sheep cookie.
Baked Pie Company is most definitely Epicurean recommended!
Epicurean Notes:

All merchandise in the shop is for sale.
Baked Pie is open late-ish until 8pm most of the week and 9pm Friday and Saturday.
If you go later in the day, call to be sure they&#8217;re not sold out.
This is a great spot for a date night, girls night out, or after an early movie.

Baked Pie Company
4 Long Shoals Rd
Arden, NC 28704
Phone: (828) 333-4366

Question 8

Koreana, for something different in Arden, NC

Accepted Answer

Arden &#8211; Tired of lunch at the same places time after time?
If you find yourself in Arden, NC running errands (Lowes, OfficeMax, World Imports, Best Buy) like I do and want to grab a bite, there really aren&#8217;t that many options apart from fast-casual spots like Ruby Tuesday, Olive Garden, Chili&#8217;s, and fast food outlets like McDonalds, Arby&#8217;s, and Sonic.
Ready for something different and delicious? Pop into Koreana for lunch or dinner. They&#8217;re on Airport Rd. near Walmart.
Sweet Tooth and I did just that today. We ordered appetizers since we were hungry, but not starving.
Sweet Tooth got the Bang Bang Shrimp ($9) and reports the coconut mayo sauce was especially good.

I wanted to try their Korean Style Vegetable Pancake ($11), comparing it to a most fabulous vegetable pancake I&#8217;d had at Gan Shan Station (Asheville) quite a while ago. Although it didn&#8217;t beat out Gan Shan&#8217;s version, it was good. I&#8217;ll have the half that went home with me for a snack tomorrow.
Read more about Koreana, with photos, in my first Koreana review.
Koreana
221 Airport Rd
Arden, NC 28704
Phone:(828) 676-2844

Category: Arden

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