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Psst. Hey you. You with the entrepreneurial spirit and the culinary degree. You wanna make the big bucks in Asheville? Have I got a deal for you.

Ready? Here's the concept: a 24-hour Ethiopian diner. I'm talking wat and injera at 2 a.m.

Look, it doesn't have to be anything fancy: Asheville eaters love self-serve joints -- just check out how well Mamacita's and Asiana fared against their sit-down competitors in the Xpress' Best of WNC poll.

Don't worry if you can't find space downtown: Get a little storefront over on Haywood Road, and you're golden. That street's a culinary Walk of Fame, leading from big winner Sunny Point Cafe all the way west to this year's most underrated joints Tomato Cucina Latina and 28806.

But there won't be any underrating for you, my friend. Everyone's going to go ga-ga for a place that stays open late. Because even in chain-adverse Asheville, where locally owned restaurants topped all but three categories in the Best of WNC poll, Carrabba's and Taco Bell are tearing it up with their night-owl hours.

The proof's in the poll: Hungry readers want Ethiopian food, and they want it later. You can't lose.

Cheap Lunch

Chinese

Barbecue

Bakery

Breakfast

Burger

Burritos

Candy/Sweets

Coffee/Espresso

Dessert

Diner/Home-Style

Greek

Ice Cream

Italian

Indian

Japanese/Sushi

Kid-Friendly Restaurant

Late-Night Munchies

Mexican/Taqueria

Most Underrated

Pizza

Restaurant Still Needed

Seafood

Service

Sub Shop/Sandwiches

Sunday Brunch

Takeout

Thai

Vegetarian

I really love the owner of Apollo Flame. However, there is scarcely a greek thing on the menu!	Joey Oct 17, 2007 at 12:49 PM

I’m sad to see Noodle Shop once again rates below Doc Chey’s even though the flavor, portions, copious vegetables and seafood and service are all better!  Even the price is right.	Maneshevitz Oct 17, 2007 at 02:51 PM

I wish there was some way to edit a previous post where an error was made.  I misread--it looks like Doc Cheys and Noodle Shop are generally about on par...although I pesonally think Noodle Shop is better.	maneshevitz Oct 18, 2007 at 05:36 PM

How do I nominate Firestorm Cafe and Books. I had a peak food experience with their a roasted pepper portabello panini.	M.-J. Taylor Aug 26, 2008 at 01:36 PM

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