Eat This... with Stu Helm

Sometimes I wait too long to eat, and by the time I stop doing whatever it is I’m doing in order to eat something, I’m starving my face off. Also, I don’t drive, and walking to a restaurant when I’m super-hungry is not fun. Plus it’s been HELLA hot outside, so that makes everything that’s not literally air conditioning blowing right in my face -- such as walking in the hot sun -- no fun at all; bordering on a trip through Hell. 

AND the final part of this equation: My refrigerator is usually empty.

Solution: Delivery! Yay!

Recently, all of the above math and hunger added up to a box full of kibbe being delivered -- fresh hot and delicious -- from Chef Suzy Salwa’s Gypsy Queen Cuisine on Patton Ave in West Asheville, right to my front door near the River Arts District. I love me some Gypsy Queen, but I don’t get out to Patton often, so this was a really nice treat for me; and I tore into it like a rabid dog when it arrived. YUMMMM! I was so happy with my choice to order the kibbe!

For those of you who may not know, kibbe are lamb and bulgar croquettes (that’s fancy-talk for fritters) made with ground lamb, onions, pine nuts, pomegranate molasses, and Lebanese spices. They’re like little oblong meat-balls. In my world, kibbe is quasi-vegetarian, bordering on health food, and came with pita, hommus (some of the best I’ve ever had!), an exciting and wonderful mint cabbage slaw, house-made cucumber yogurt (aka tzatziki), diced tomato, and fresh parsley. 

I’m telling you what, to me this box of food saved me from a severe case of the hangries that day, and was about 300-500% healthier than most of the meals I eat. It was exactly what the doctor ordered to fix me up and set me right. It was, and I finished every scrap of food there was, and suddenly felt human again.

I’ve been a fan of Chef Suzy (both the person and her food) for many years, and I know she’s an Asheville icon and long-time local favorite, so many of you don’t need me telling you to go visit Gypsy Queen because you go all the time. BUT if you haven’t been in a while, or never at all, hit it up, yo! 

And don’t wait until you’re hangry.

Find all the food specials, new menu additions, events and more from Gyspy Queen Cuisine by checking out their Dig Local Profile.

Below you will find one locally curated Scoop chosen for each day this week — but make sure to check out all the Scoops this week on our Dig Local Scoop Calendar.

Monday, September 30

Wednesday, October 2

Wednesday Special: Walking Taco
at Asheville Tacos & Taps
Have you tried walking tacos!? A $3.99 individual-sized bag of Fritos or Doritos Nacho cheese filled with ground beef, lettuce, cheese, pico, and sour cream. Don't forget to add guac! Grab it, and walk away.
More details.

Thursday, October 3

Baa'd to the Bone Shakedown Dinner
at Highland Brewing Company
Come and enjoy the greatest tunes of several generations with The Rewind House Band, beverages from the famous taps of Highland Brewing Company, and fill up with the "Creative Tex-Mex" from Baa'd Sheep Burritos food truck, all while raising funds for Throwing Bones!
Tickets and more details.

Friday, October 4

Saturday, October 5

Sunday, October 6