Asheville food bites: Saying goodbye to Taco Billy's food truck, tropical treats, more
ASHEVILLE - A taco joint shuts down mobile eatery at neighborhood cocktail bar; options increase for those living the zero-proof and vegan lifestyle.
Taco Billy exits Little Jumbo
Last spring, Taco Billy, a local taco joint founded in West Asheville and expanded to Black Mountain, launched a mobile eatery concept in the Five Points/Montford neighborhood.
Taco Billy’s food trailer was introduced as the resident food partner for Little Jumbo cocktail bar at 241 Broadway St., serving breakfast, lunch and late-night bites.
Jan. 9 will be the final day of operations for the food trailer, according to Taco Billy owner Hunter Berry. On Jan. 4, Berry said in an email that the difficult decision was due to several reasons but ultimately came down to finances.
Berry said he plans to focus on his brick-and-mortar restaurants, and that no plans have been made for the food truck.
Little Jumbo offers bar snacks, such as pistachios, but doesn’t serve meals.
Little Jumbo co-owner Chall Gray said conversations with local food truck businesses are in progress to find a replacement.
“We’re sad to see them go. They’re great folks and it’s been lovely having them but ultimately for us, we were excited to add in the food trailer spot back there and we’re excited to bring somebody new in," Gray said. "We’re also committed to finding somebody who’s a good fit for the neighborhood and complementary to our drink offerings to what their food menu is like.”
Gray said he’s open to suggestions for what food truck guests would like at the bar.
Dry January mocktails
Local eateries and drinkeries are supporting community members’ decision to live a plant-based and zero-proof lifestyle — or at least try it out for January.
For those seeking nonalcoholic beverages but still want to go out socially, The Tiki Easy Bar has curated a Dry January mocktail menu featuring 10 new recipes.
"They can expect the same amazing tropical vibe we bring to our boozy cocktails. We have carefully crafted these drinks to be thoughtful, yet unique and delicious,” Cory Tompkins, The Tiki Easy’s bar manager, said in a news release.
Mocktails include the Pomegranate Negroni made with pomegranate and cherry juices and bitters. The Island Fresco is made with peach, white cranberry and orange juices with demerara, fresh rosemary and seltzer.
The Tiki Easy’s owner, Chris Frosaker, said the special tropical mocktail menu is “to entice sober and sober-curious folks to come in and escape for a while too."
The regular cocktail menu has been refreshed with new drinks, as well.
The Tiki Easy, a speakeasy-style bar, is located inside Hi-Wire Brewing’s South Slope location at 197 Hilliard Ave.
In Waynesville, Roll Up Herbal Bar, a mobile mocktail bar, is pouring culinary mocktails from 2-8 p.m. on Mondays at Frog Level Brewing, 56 Commerce St.
Devil’s Foot Beverage Co. has several craft, specialty zero-proof drinks available for retail sale, local bars and at its mocktail/cocktail bar, The Mule, at 131 Sweeten Creek Road.
The New Year Refresher Pack is available as a 24-pack for local pickup or online shipping nationally. The case includes four of the six flavors for $47/pack:
NA Negroni (a collaboration with Burial Beer).
NA Dark & Stormy (a collaboration with Highland Brewing).
NA Razz Lemonade (a collaboration with Hi-Wire Brewing).
NA Sparkling Apple Spritz (a collaboration with Botanist & Barrel).
NA Unity Berry Soda (a collaboration with the Christmas Jam).
NA Mai Tai (a collaboration with Charles Towne Fermentory).
To order, visit shop.devilsfootbrew.com.
Celebrate Veganuary
Explore vegan eating with a tour of Asheville’s plant-based eateries.
The Hop is celebrating Veganuary, “a global non-profit that inspires and supports people to go vegan for the month of January,” by offering a flight of its plant-based ice creams, exclusively at S&W Market in downtown Asheville.
Also, stop by the ice cream shops in West Asheville and Black Mountain for additional vegan, non-dairy and regular ice cream flavors.
More places serving vegan fare:
Laughing Seed Cafe.
Plant.
Pulp and Sprout Juice Bar and Vegan Café.
Rosetta’s Kitchen.
Tahini Jar food truck.
The Smokin’ Onion (food truck – restaurant opening soon).
Stories you may have missed:
Asheville food events, festivals to put on the calendar this winter
2024 food trends predictions, where to get a taste in Asheville
Asheville bids goodbye to restaurants and breweries that closed in 2023
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] 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: What to know about Taco Billy food truck closing, plus January treats
