Sunday Brunch at Tupelo Honey Cafe.
I meander down College Street. It’s Sunday morning and I have no idea if the sky will break above me, or the sun will melt the clouds that seem to hover just over the tops of the buildings. I pass the green awnings and outdoor seating for Tupelo Honey Cafe as I approach the entrance. The line is not long, but the place is buzzing with activity, nearly an hour before most restaurants downtown open.
“Just me.” I announce to the host. I’m escorted to the bar and sidle up next to two burly chaps with Bloody Marys. These gentlemen obviously need bacon in their beverage, but I am feeling brave, so I order a mimosa.
No one but the bartending duo pays my fedoraed noggin any mind as I peruse the menu. This isn’t a place I can be found every week, but it is a restaurant I know. I have seen Tupelo Honey grow from its meager beginnings right here on College Street to be a recognized name throughout the South. This place is something special. I reminisce as I am drawn to the waffle section of the menu. There it is. The mac and cheese waffles with Asheville hot chicken. That’s what I’m getting. That and a side of fried okra.
Momentarily, out come the waffles, swiftly followed by the okra. Two waffles neatly topped with mac and cheese, fried chicken, and pickles with syrup on the side. I pour the syrup and dig in. It is a refreshingly Southern combination of sweet, spice, and zip. The okra is right at home in this comfort food mash-up.
It would seem to the uninitiated that this unconventional combination might be a little odd. Especially with the pickles, but that is not the case. The whole combination all seemed to meld together and then just melt in my mouth. I’m glad I went with a mimosa; it was an excellent pairing with the waffles and the okra. It was a perfect kickstart to my day.
Twenty years ago, I would have recommended Tupelo Honey Cafe to anyone looking to spend time in Downtown Asheville, and I would recommend them today. They continue to take Southern comfort food to the next level. With an emphasis on quality, customer service, and creating a great working environment for their employees, it is the place for Sunday brunch, a late dinner, or anything in between.
So, head on down to 12 College Street in Downtown Asheville! Be sure to drop a comment and let us all know what you think! If you’d like to book a reservation, or just have a question, you can get ahold of the Tupelo Honey Team via their website: https://tupelohoneycafe.com.
