Asheville Pizza and Brewing is a Hall-of-Famer to be sure. Xpress readers have spoken time and time again: This pizzeria knows its pie inside and out.
Asheville Pizza and Brewing took over the very shabby-chic Two Moons Brew and View, built in a former two-screen movie theater, in '98. At the time, the theater was primarily filled with old couches; the now very family-friendly game room was populated mostly by 20-somethings smoking cigarettes, chugging beer and shooting pool into the wee hours.
The Asheville Pizza and Brewing Company has since cleaned up — but not too much — and added a second location downtown. Through it all, the APBC has retained a laid-back family vibe as well as pizza that pulls in plenty of accolades, despite very stiff competition.
Case in point: The Shear Delight, an Xpress staff fave, topped with portabellos, walnuts, pesto and gorgonzola.
Owner Mike Rangel says "We're really excited and feel honored to win. There's incredible competition — for such a small town, there's such a great pizza scene. Hats off to Marco's and Circle in the Square and places like that that make us have to stay on our game and keep coming up with new toppings and new ways to catch people's attention."
Even though he owns a pizza restaurant, Rangel says that he eats at those other establishments and is always impressed. "It's a noble battle," he says.
— Mackensy Lunsford
