Last weekend I woke up early on Saturday, went to the gym, and then–despite telling myself that May would not only be a month of health and wellness, but a month where I limited how often I ate out–decided I’d head over to Ultra Coffee Bar to grab my very favorite breakfast sandwich in Asheville. “The Joey” is sausage, egg, and smoked gouda on an everything bagel (but to be frank, I often sub that out for a multigrain bagel, because again, I’m all about health and wellness), along with a generous portion of pesto. I’m obsessed with it. I don’t know why I never thought to incorporate pesto into breakfast sandwiches until I discovered The Joey, but at the risk of sounding hyperbolic, it’s been life-changing.
Typically, I’ve learned to get to Ultra before 9 AM or in the afternoon. It’s extremely popular (well warranted), and the line often snakes around the building. It’s also located in the very tourist-heavy River Arts District, and so is succeptible to people in vacation mode, and in my experience, people in vacation mode are a little slower than my northeastern ass would like (and native southerners are already a little slower than what I grew up with); they stop to ask a million questions, ponder whether a pumpkin or bran muffin would “be yummier,” and ask the cashier to give them the history of specific coffee blends.
This weekend was no exception. The line for Ultra snaked out the door and around the corner. And I don’t know, maybe I was just raised to respect other people’s time, but if I know I have a huge line behind me, I won’t make small talk or ask unnecessary questions. I’m going to arrive at the counter ready to give my order. I swear every party ahead of me either had a question or four to ask the cashier or squealed some version of “everything looks so good, I can’t decide!” The woman in front of me asked to try a sample of a chai latte. She also asked what chai was. “I’m trying to expand my palate,” she explained to anyone listening.
But you know what? The sandwich is worth the wait and the infuriating people who, for better or worse, are drawn to Ultra. The Joey is, in my opinion, the superior breakfast sandwich of Asheville.
My favorite lunch sandwich never has a line, and I’ve never encountered an infuriating person at Trout Lily Market in Fairview, probably because for many Ashevillians, Fairview itself is off the beaten path and not “worth” the drive. I live just outside the Fairview/Asheville cutoff, so for me it’s a quick 6-minute drive, but say I end up moving to West Asheville, I’m still going to be making the trek over to Trout Lily for their spicy turkey sandwich.
It might sound overly simple, but try as I might, I’ve been unable to recreate this in all its Trout Lily glory. The sandwich is simple: lots of shaved turkey, cheese (I think cheddar, but I’ve honestly never asked), and a healthy dose of Lusty Monk Mustard. They’ll ask you if you want it as is (Trout Lily–a specialty food market—has a full deli, but I think their premade sandwiches are excellent) or toasted, and I’m telling you toasted is the only way. It’s so, so good, and for $7.99, it’s also one of the best food deals in the area.
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