Table for One

When I am downtown, working in my studio, I often walk down the stairs of the Flatiron Building, step outside on the sidewalk, and walk the few steps to Chai Pani, Asheville’s popular “street” Indian food joint. I usually get a mango lassi, or a local brew, to go with my samosa and the fabulous Chicken Parsi burgers, which always remind me of childhood sloppy joes. Or maybe I walk past Pack Square and head down to Salsa’s—the original hip Asheville restaurant—hoping to catch a stool at their alley bar. I like how I’m right off the street, half-invisible, and how I get to banter with the waitress through the open window. If it’s late enough in the day, I’ll order a drink—a mojito or a margarita—to go with my burrito. But it’s the hot dog stand in the Home Depot parking lot I head to when I am home, like I am today, looking for wire ties to complete a dog fence I’ve been struggling with all morning. This is not your ordinary hot dog stand; all the food is fresh and local, and the menu includes healthy drinks and vegetarian options. I order a chilidog and a smoothie. There’s a bowl of fresh homemade salsa so I spoon some of that on top of spicy mustard and ketchup. Even after a generous tip, I’ve not hit the ten dollar mark. Taking a seat in the small wedge of shade at the side of the truck, I chill out to the flamenco music flowing above me like a breeze. I will take my time getting back to that fence.