12 Bones: Best Barbecue

What’s that sound? Why, it’s the rumbling of tummies for the tastes of Western North Carolina. And it seems that you, dear reader, are well aware that means much more than chewing tobacco, ramps and grits. The flavors of our region are as variable as its weather, from the peanut-butter tofu at Rosetta’s Kitchen (your favorite spot for late-night munchies) to the smoky heaven of a 12 Bones rack to the, well, grits (albeit a chipotle-spiked version) at Sunny Point Cafe and Bakery.

Speaking of 12 Bones, that newcomer made a big splash this year in the barbeque category, as did another newbie to our reader’s poll, ED Boudreaux’s Bayou BBQ. As far as great first impressions go, Izzy’s has you captivated and caffeinated, debuting at number one as your prefered place for coffee.

Mamacita’s: Best Cheap Lunch / Best Mexican

Everyone’s favorite spicy little number, Mamacita’s, continues to pack quite a wallop, wrapping up two first-place awards and a nod for second-best burritos. Also holding steady in the ranks are Marco’s Pizzeria and the Laughing Seed, winning best pizza and vegetarian food, respectively.

Although Subway managed to edge out 28806 in the best-sandwich category (curses, Jared!), it seems that – for the most part – Xpress readers like to keep it local when it comes to dining. It’s no wonder; whether lingering over a multicourse meal or just fueling the machine, WNC’s got the goods to feed every need.

– Mackensy Lunsford

Cheap lunch

Mamacita’s
77A Biltmore Ave, Asheville
255-8080
Doc Chey’s Noodle House
37 Biltmore Ave, Asheville
252-8220
Rosetta’s Kitchen
116 N Lexington Ave, Asheville
232-0738

Asian food

Doc Chey’s Noodle House
37 Biltmore Ave, Asheville
252-8220
Asiana Grand Buffet
153 Smokey Park Hwy, Asheville
667-0410
Heiwa Shokudo
87 N Lexington Ave, Asheville
254-7761

All-u-can eat buffet

Asiana Grand Buffet
153 Smokey Park Hwy, Asheville
667-0410
Mela
70 N Lexington Ave, Asheville
225-8880
Ryan’s Family Steakhouse
multiple locations

Barbecue

12 Bones
5 Riverside Dr, Asheville
253-4499
ED Boudreaux’s
48 Biltmore Ave, Asheville
253-5812
Little Pigs BBQ
384 McDowell St, Asheville
254-4253

Bakery

City Bakery
88 Charlotte St, Asheville
254-4289
West End Bakery
757 Haywood Rd, Asheville
252-9378
Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe
26 N Main St, Weaverville
645-9300

Breakfast

Sunny Point Cafe and Bakery
626 Haywood Rd, Asheville
252-0055
Early Girl Eatery
8 Wall St, Asheville
259-9292
Tupelo Honey Cafe
12 College St, Asheville
255-4863
Over Easy Cafe
32 Broadway, Asheville
236-3553

Burritos

Urban Burrito
640 Merrimon Ave, Asheville
251-1921
Mamacita’s
77A Biltmore Ave, Asheville
255-8080
Rio Burrito
11 Broadway, Asheville
253-2422

Candy/sweets

Chocolate Fetish
36 Haywood St, Asheville
258-2353
Mast General Store
15 Biltmore Ave, Asheville (and locations throughout WNC)
232-1883
The Hop
507 Merrimon Ave, Asheville
252-8362

Coffee/cappuccino

Izzy’s
74 N Lexington Ave, Asheville
258-2004
The Dripolator
144 Biltmore Ave, Asheville
252-0021
Old Europe
41 N Lexington Ave, Asheville
251-0001
Starbucks
various locations

Dessert

Old Europe
41 N Lexington Ave, Asheville
251-0001
Temptations Cafe
5 Biltmore Ave, Asheville
252-0775
Greenlife
70 Merrimon Ave, Asheville
254-5440

Diner/home-style

The Moose Cafe
570 Brevard Rd, Asheville
255-0920
Five Points Restaurant
258 Broadway, Asheville
252-8030
Tupelo Honey
12 College St, Asheville
255-4863

Greek

Apollo Flame Bistro
485 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville
274-3582
Pomodoros Greek and Italian Cafe
1070 Tunnel Rd 40, Asheville
299-3032
Three Brothers Restaurant
183 Haywood St, Asheville
253-4971
Stoney Knob Cafe and Patio
337 Merrimon Ave, Asheville
645-3309

Italian

Carrabba’s Italian Grill
10 Buckstone Pl, Asheville
281-2300
Vincenzo’s Ristorante and Bistro
10 N Market St, Asheville
254-4698
Pomodoros Greek and Italian Cafe
1070 Tunnel Rd #40, Asheville
299-3032
Trevi Pasta, Seafood & Pizza
2 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville
281-1400

Indian

Mela
70 N Lexington Ave, Asheville
225-8880
India Garden
156 S Tunnel Rd, Asheville
298-5001
Flying Frog Cafe
Battery Park Ave, Asheville
254-9411

Kid-friendly restaurant

Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co
675 Merrimon Ave, Asheville
254-1281
McDonald’s
various locations
Chuck E. Cheese
104 River Hills Rd, Asheville
299-3750

Late-night munchies

Rosetta’s Kitchen
116 N Lexington Ave, Asheville
232-0738
Tupelo Honey Cafe
12 College St, Asheville
255-4863
Taco Bell
various locations

Mexican/taqueria

Mamacita’s
77A Biltmore Ave, Asheville
255-8080
El Chapala
various locations
La Paz Restaurante and Cantina
10 Biltmore Plaza, Asheville
277-8779
Salsa’s
6 Patton Ave, Asheville
252-9805

Pizza

Marco’s Pizzeria
946 Merrimon Ave, Asheville
285-0709
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co
675 Merrimon Ave, Asheville
254-1281
Digable Pizza
794 Haywood Rd, Asheville
255-8586

Seafood

The Lobster Trap
35 Patton Ave, Asheville
350-0505
Bonefish Grille
105-C River Hills Rd, Asheville
298-6530
Red Lobster
139 Tunnel Rd, Asheville
253-1617

Smoothies

Earth Fare
66 Westgate Pkwy, Asheville
253-7656
Greenlife
70 Merrimon Ave, Asheville
254-5440
Pineapple Jacks
643 Haywood Rd #B, Asheville
253-8860
Port City Java
multiple locations

Sub shop/sandwiches

Two Guys Hoagies
132 Charlotte St, Asheville
254-9955
Jersey Mike’s
104 River Hills Rd, Asheville
298-6453
Subway
various locations

Sunday brunch

Sunny Point Cafe and Bakery
626 Haywood Rd, Asheville
252-0055
Early Girl Eatery
8 Wall St, Asheville
259-9292
Tupelo Honey Cafe
12 College St, Asheville
255-4863
Grove Park Inn
290 Macon Ave, Asheville
252-2711

Sushi

Wasabi
19 Broadway St, Asheville
225-2551
Heiwa Shokudo
87 N Lexington Ave, Asheville
254-7761
Zen Sushi
640 Merrimon Ave, Asheville
225-6033

Vegetarian

Laughing Seed
40 Wall St, Asheville
252-3445
Rosetta’s Kitchen
116 N Lexington Ave, Asheville
232-0738
Early Girl Eatery
8 Wall St, Asheville
259-9292
Heiwa Shokudo
87 N Lexington Ave, Asheville
254-7761