Asheville food bites: Sheetz coming, new breweries, restaurant closings, dining events

Tiana Kennell, Asheville Citizen Times
·4 min read

ASHEVILLE - A regional mega market is making its way to town; two breweries have grand opening weekends; taproom and restaurant closings announced; and dining events that celebrate melted cheese, cider, wine and next-level dining menus.

Sheetz rolling into Asheville

Sheetz, a Pennsylvania-founded fuel station and convenience store chain, will soon make its Asheville area debut with more locations to come.

"Sheetz currently is working through the planning process for three new store locations in the Asheville market,” Nick Ruffner, Sheetz spokesperson, said in an Oct. 19 email. “We are also excited to announce that we anticipate that our first store in Asheville will open in 2024. Our goal is to continue working collaboratively with local officials and the community to open five stores in Asheville within the next few years.”

Go into any of the more than 700 Sheetz locations across the mid-Atlantic on Friday and get a free free Nitro or Cold Brew coffee.
Go into any of the more than 700 Sheetz locations across the mid-Atlantic on Friday and get a free free Nitro or Cold Brew coffee.

Sheetz will offer dine-in services with self-service kiosks and indoor and outdoor seating, he said.

The made-to-order menu will feature food and premium beverages, such as breakfast items, burgers, chicken, hot dogs, milkshakes, espresso drinks and smoothies.

Fueling options will include electric charging stations. And the concept includes a car wash. The business will be open “24/7/365” and offer residents free internet and “super clean touch-free bathrooms.”

“While it is too early in the development process to provide a timeline or location for any additional stores, our goal is to offer Asheville residents the ultimate one-stop shop to fuel their bodies and their vehicles,” Ruffner said.

Sheetz has locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. The closest North Carolina stores are in Hickory.

Diatribe Brewing Co. opens

On Nov. 11, Diatribe Brewing Co. hosted its grand opening at 1042 Haywood Road.

Business partners Dave Byer and Betty Dunajski and their team renovated the former UpCountry Brewing building to create a new neighborhood hangout in West Asheville.

Diatribe Brewing Company will open on Haywood Road in West Asheville in the former UpCountry Brewing building.
Diatribe Brewing Company will open on Haywood Road in West Asheville in the former UpCountry Brewing building.

Byer, the head brewer, introduced the first beers including a German Lager, American Lager, New Zealand Pils, Marzen, Czech Dark Lager, Irish Extra Stout, Coffee Stout, Mango Sour, Dry Hop Sour, Cold IPA, Hazy IPA, Double IPA, and an English Dark Mild.

Full and small pours are available on draft.

Diatribe’s beverage menu continues with organic, biodynamic and natural wines, sake, non-alcoholic beer and handcrafted soda from the Waynesville Soda Jerks.

Dave Byer and Betty Dunajski, co-founders of Diatribe Brewing Company in West Asheville.
Dave Byer and Betty Dunajski, co-founders of Diatribe Brewing Company in West Asheville.

Snacks on deck include products from local companies Dare Vegan Cheese, Blunt Pretzels and Ovenbird Kitchen.

Diatribe’s hours are 3-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 3-10 p.m. Friday, 12-10 p.m. Saturday and 12-8 p.m. Sunday.

More Asheville brewery openings and closings

On the same weekend, Terra Nova Beer Co. opened a taproom with restaurant partner Loott House at 204 Whitson Ave. in Swannanoa. Its new brewery is slated to open to the public early next year in downtown Asheville.

On Nov. 18, Eurisko Beer Co., announced to close in July, will host its final day at its taproom at 255 Short Coxe Ave.

On Nov. 12, Terra Nova Taproom, in partnership with Loott House restaurant, opened to the public at 204 Whitson Ave. in Swannanoa.
On Nov. 12, Terra Nova Taproom, in partnership with Loott House restaurant, opened to the public at 204 Whitson Ave. in Swannanoa.

Food truck, dining shifts

The Trashy Vegan, a food truck-turned-brick-and-mortar, will permanently close at 697 Haywood Road, Suite E. Stop in for vegan burgers, sandwiches, desserts or a drink through Dec. 16.

The Scarlett Bee, a food truck serving Lebanese cuisine, is wrapping up operations after a five-year run. The last day of service will be Nov. 26. Visit thescarletbee.com to view its schedule with locations.

Gourmand, which specializes in French cuisine and wine, has closed at S&W Market in downtown Asheville.
Gourmand, which specializes in French cuisine and wine, has closed at S&W Market in downtown Asheville.

In October, Gourmand closed after less than a year at the downtown food hall, The S&W Market. The French cuisine/charcuterie eatery has shifted to a pop-up concept with upcoming events to be announced on Instagram @gourmandasheville.

Asheville dining events

North Carolina cidery, Botanist and Barrel, has added two new events to its calendar for its downtown Asheville tasting room, 32 Broadway St.

Raclette Brunch Party with Gourmand will be on Nov. 19 with seating between 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Reservations are recommended for the melted cheese soiree, but walk-ins are welcome. Guests will be charged $5 to make a reservation which will be credited to their final bill.

Botanist and Barrel in downtown Asheville May 7, 2021.
Botanist and Barrel in downtown Asheville May 7, 2021.

On Nov. 30, Botanist and Barrel and Marked Tree winery will present Progressive Wine Dinner with Chef J Chong and Better Thymes, a four-course meal with wine pairings. The event will be hosted at Botanist and Barrel’s downtown Asheville tasting room. Tickets are $165 per person, gratuity included.

Purchase tickets before they sell out at botanistandbarrelasheville.com.

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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Sheetz super stores confirmed for Asheville, Diatribe brewery opens