#AVLEats: Vortex Doughnuts
You guys. The South Slope section of Asheville may be my new favorite place to go when out and about. Have you been? It's got everything you could really want in a downtown jaunt: barbecue, breweries, and doughnuts!
Mike, Harlow, and I made a day of it, exploring the area one delightful bite at a time. After lunch, I needed a pick-me-up and something to satisfy the sweet tooth I developed during pregnancy and have yet to kick to the curb. I felt kinda bad about it, smelled the amazingness wafting out of Vortex Doughnuts, and went into Scarlett O'Hara mode: tomorrow IS another day. Sweet tooth:1, Brooke 0.
Something about a gigantic chalkboard menu makes me immediately like a place, so I was hooked before I even started shopping for their eponymous pastries. The staff was super friendly and patiently walked me through their daily selection. Which is a good thing, because Vortex offers way more than your typical glazed, chocolate, and cream-filled varieties. Oh no. This is Asheville, we like to get a li'l twisted up in these parts.
What To Order
Ask before you order! You won't be able to tell what the flavors are, or the ingredients used, just by looking in the case. They offer vegan varieties, plus yeast- and cake-based selections. Flavors include everything from Salted Caramel Bacon, to Grape, to Raspberry Molasses. They often post the lineup du jour on Instagram (@vortexdoughnuts), so check your feed if you're curious to see what's being served on any given day.
During this trip, we went with a little of everything, filling our four pack with a Vortex (cinnamon sugar with chocolate swirls), vegan Salted Caramel, Chocolate, and Espresso. You know your marriage is solid when you can successfully share a box of doughnuts so delicious they're downright criminal.
Vortex also brews a mean cuppa, serving up 1000 Faces Coffee based out of Athens, Georgia (any Bulldogs in the house?). I ordered a soy latte, and drank every drop.
What To Wear
I love a good jumpsuit, and this is the perfect time to put its comfy-chic wearability to good use. It looks pulled together but relaxed enough for lazily strolling around South Slope and catching up with a friend over coffee and doughnuts. Pair with a leather sandal, tote bag, and sunnies.
LOFT Keyhole Sunglasses