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    12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER

    4.3 (1.2k reviews)

    12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER Photos

    12 BONES SMOKEHOUSE RIVER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - 12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER

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    Brown Sugar 12 Bones
    Lisa E.

    Frickin' awesome Recommend the 12 Bones w brown sugar because it has a brûlée like sugar coating, crisp & fabulous. Asked for 2 sauces Blueberry & Pinapple Habanero (yum, hab was spicy !!) Only a few sauces at the bar but not the ones I mentioned. We got the 12 bones no sides & added the 4 sides, amazing mashed sweet, cheesy jalepeno grits, a purple slaw special(I prefer a clear slaw but this was excellent) & cucumber salad. All fabulous. We knew that we would love 12 Bones & it did not disappoint. This Riverside location has a huge amount of indoor & outside seating, nice and cool inside on a mid 80 degree 6/29/23 day. A "do not miss gem" obviously. Enjoy !!

    Hannah H.

    As someone who grew up near Lexington, I always had many bbq options but nothing comes close to the creative and delicious options that 12 Bones has. Their ribs and brisket are some of my favorites but their sauces take everything over the top. Try their blueberry bbq sauce on their ribs and their mustard on the brisket for the perfect flavor combo. If you're looking for a sandwich option, their smoked Turkey and Brie is my go to (pictured here). Smoked Turkey and Brie : Jalapeño Grits : Corn Pudding : Ribs : Tangy Coleslaw : Collard Greens : Fried Green Tomato BLT : Smoked Chicken Philly : Mac n Cheese

    Kristine F.

    Love the vibe here. You can write on the mark and make your mark that you were there. Fast service. I'm not a huge fan of ribs but had to come try it out with such great reviews. Didn't disappoint!

    Lauren O.

    Great barbecue. I appreciate the variety of the menu! Everyone would find something they wanted, it happened to be taco Tuesday the day we went which was tempting but I opted for ribs /turkey and some sides. You just can't go wrong. I loved the sides just as much as the ribs! Baked beans and potato salad were great! There's so many seating options, shady outside or a bunch of indoor. The barbecue sauce bar was a little weird it was all very watery but likely that's the style. Get the ribs! That is all. Or actually get the smoked turkey too! Tons of parking.

    Black cherry
    Daniel R.

    Can you even go to Asheville without trying 12 Bones? This restaurant came highly recommended, and it was enjoyable! The service was top notch. Everyone was so kind throughout the restaurant! The food was also memorable. I LOVED the smoked Turkey. If I could eat that every year on thanksgiving, I would. The corn pudding was also a nice treat! I ordered the special rib meat sandwich, and while the flavor was exceptional, the meat was super tough. I had a few pieces of pure cartilage and gristle, which hampered the sandwich experience. I also was a little underwhelmed with the mac and cheese. It needed a bit more flavor to really pop. Overall, this barbecue restaurant had some real highs and would definitely be a good place to visit when you're in Asheville!

    Brown sugar 6 Bones with Mac and Cheese and Damn Good Corn Puddin
    Aimee H.

    Got the 6 bones with mac and cheese and corn pudding as my two sides and came with a slice of corn bread! I got the brown sugar dry rub cus i thought the blueberry chipotle bbq sauce would be included on their sauce bar on the side but it sadly was not :( The ribs were still super tender and flavorful and would definitely come back to try the blueberry sauce! The mac and cheese is good but have had better elsewhere (Rocky's lol) but eating it together with the rib meat is *chef's kiss* The corn puddin also lives up to its namesake and is DAMN good The only complaint i have is that it's on the pricier side (i paid about $22 i think) but it did end up feeding me for 3 meals haha

    Side of pork and side of chicken
    Emily A.

    Visited 3/27/24. Stopped in briefly before dinner while visiting in Asheville because THE SMELLS were perfection. We only each ordered a side of meat (pork and chicken) so we didn't spoil our appetites, but honestly we should've just had dinner here. The pork was definitely what I would recommend. Service was fast and there was a wonderful variety of sauces available for dipping or for putting on top. Overall I would definitely recommend and I found myself wanting to go back afterwards. Simply delicious.

    David H.

    Visited the River location of 12 Bones based on a recommendation of a friend. Great location as there are a lot of artist venues and shops nearby to check out before or after you're eating. They've got the Southern BBQ vibe down here. They're located in an old railroad building so lots of wood, creaky floors, and many, many windows. Loved it. The day I visited they had ground brisket so I decided to give that a try. They have sliced brisket the day before so I'm thinking they grind up everything left from the day before. It's a bit drier than I expected but since I was going to be ladling on the spicy vinegar sauce, that fixed everything in a hot minute. I just had the chips as I wasn't starving, will try some of the sides next time I visit. For drinks, they carry RC products along with a selection of beers (it IS Asheville after all). They have a small area that serves as a gift shop where they sell their sauces, seasonings, t shirts, hats etc. It's worth checking that out when you're there. Service was friendly, the cashier was full of suggestions. One note about the River location area, it's mostly dirt parking lots and roads. So expect mud if it's been rainy/snowy.

    Mac and Cheese
    Koriey H.

    Let me start by saying the Customer Service was TOP TIER! Walked in straight from a flight and the cashier was an absolute delight. Now to the food. Honestly it was all just okay, some bad some "good". -Mac n cheese was not Mac or cheesin. It was giving noodles and oodles. Now I think about it, I'm going to blame the cashier bc she knew better to give me this ( refer to pics) lmao - greens were good and seasoned well -brisket was tasty -ribs were a dubbed and tough AF. The ribs gave me old, "here you go bc we're about to close", Overall the experience was cool but I've had better bbq in the north and I'm ashamed to say that!

    Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken Plate
    Koreen D.

    Heard Obama went here and loved it so we went too haha. They sadly ran out of brisket when we went so we got the pulled pork, pulled chicken, and ribs with mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, vinegar slaw. And I think it was pickled okra. We got the ribs with the blueberry sauce and plain. The pulled meats were pretty dry. Probably why they give you a shit ton of different sauces, but I thought the chicken was especially dry and tough. The ribs had good smoke flavor, but were also quite tough. Maybe I'm just used to ribs that practically fall of the bone and are hella tender. These weren't it, but hey, it tasted good. For sides, I especially loved the slaw and okra (but I love all vinegary stuff so no surprise). The others were also alright. Overall, better than Luella's but honestly more of a 3.8 vs a 4.0. The vibe was pretty cool with the writings on the wall though. And maybe the brisket would have been the winner. Ohwell

    Directional post that will make you dizzy even if you've had nothing to drink
    David C.

    What an unexpected find. We were browsing and shopping in the Arts District of Asheville. We saw this place and the smell of smoking ribs wafting through the air compelled us to go inside. And are we glad we went inside. We ordered the daily rib sandwich and we each got a side order of Mac 'n cheese. The beers are brewed on site and I ordered a Hop Shower Sour Imperial fruited sour ale and my wife ordered a Stay Golden light American Lager. My fruited ale was hoppy and the citrus hit the palate forward for a surprising zing. Delicious! The sandwiches were served open face and looked like a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich with cheese, sautéed onions and bell peppers. But instead of paper thin sliced beef, it was filled with amazingly juicy and tender morsels of succulent smoked rib meat. (As I write this review, my mouth is watering!) The place has a Boho vibe with super friendly employees who obviously love their job. Prices are comparable to other rib joints. The decor is American graffiti gone wild. The dining area inside is quite large. Additionally there are two other outdoor dining areas. Even if you're not a passionate art lover, you need to venture here where the "art" of the rib is down home delish! The beers ain't bad either.

    Pulled pork sandwich with corn pudding!
    Angell T.

    Best BBQ in Asheville! ...and the corn pudding was out of this world!!!! Fun ambience and friendly staff!

    Jacqueline T.

    This place is an Asheville classic and my husband and I finally tried it on our last visit. We shared: - 6 Bones (Strawberry Hopsour & Blueberry Chipotle) with Smoked Potato Salad and Mashed Sweet Potatoes - 6 Bones (Brown Sugar & Blackberry) with Mac & Cheese and Damn Good Corn Puddin' - Banana Pudding The ribs were fantastic. I'm not a big rib person normally, but these were the best I've ever had. The blueberry chipotle was my favorite, but you really can't go wrong. The sides were also very good. The only one I wouldn't get again is the mac & cheese. It was basically just noodles with a little Velveeta cheese I think (not the kind of mac and cheese I like).

    Smoked Turkey Sandwich with 1 Side

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    Page 1 of 30

    Ask the Community - 12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER

    Out side seating for our small dog?

    Yes. Picnic tables under a tent are a good spot.

    Is your outdoor seating dog-friendly?

    Yep! Was when we were there!

    Do they offer a childrens menu?

    Hi Joey. We do not have a kids menu. We can offer a Grilled Cheese and Chips. We also have a side plate option that is good for children as well.

    Are you open for indoor dining?

    Hello! No, we are currently open for Takeout and delivery through Kickback AVL.

    Anyone know if they still serve the Hogzilla sandwich here? Has anyone had it? Was it good?

    Yes, they do and it's a beast. I think 4 different meats! 12 Bones is my #1 fav BBQ place! Great new location. They have it going on!

    View All 7 Questions

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    Luella's Bar-B-Que

    Luella's Bar-B-Que

    4.3
    (1k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    This place brings back memories. It was one of the first places I ate in Asheville as an adult. I…read morereally love that I can still enjoy it as a Vegan now. I love the Tempeh and the fried okra. It's really delicious and all Vegan. My husband loves this place and it's great we can enjoy it together.

    I had reservations at Luminosa for about a month now, but my husband was in the mood for BBQ. I'm…read morenot the biggest BBQ fan and personally would have preferred a nice Italian dinner, but decided to be a nice wife and find him the best BBQ on Yelp. Luella's won! We stopped in early after a bike ride. There was plenty of parking out front, which we appreciated because finding parking at some other restaurants in Asheville proved to be a big challenging. We were dressed for biking, but the place was pretty casual. It was also an adorable restaurant. My husband went with the brisket platter and I (with the help of the helpful man behind the cashier) ordered the burnt ends brisket sandwich. I got a side of the deviled eggs, which looked really good too. The brisket had a little too much sauce for my liking, but i tried to rub some off and ate the brisket along with the 3 deviled eggs (as good as they looked). I also helped myself to some of my husbands sweet potato chips, which were also delicious. And he was very happy with the rest of his meal as well. It was a lovely night in Asheville so we enjoyed this on their patio, which we had all to ourselves. And while BBQ isn't usually my cuisine of choice have to admit that was pretty tasty and my BBQ loving husband was thrilled.

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    Luella's Bar-B-Que
    Sweet potato chips
    Sweet potato chips
    Luella's Bar-B-Que

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    Iron and Oak Brisket

    Iron and Oak Brisket

    4.8
    (70 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    A Hidden Gem for Truly Great BBQ…read more We decided to try Iron and Oak after reading some online reviews, and I'm so glad we did. This place is truly a hidden little gem, tucked right beside a brewery. You place your order outside, and there are several outdoor tables with heaters to keep you warm. Our server also let us know we were welcome to sit inside if we preferred, but we chose a cozy outdoor table right by a heater. It was perfect. My husband was craving ribs, and he hasn't stopped talking about them since. He said they were some of the best he's ever had -- tender, flavorful, and cooked just right. He ordered slaw as his side and really enjoyed it. I went with the pulled pork sandwich, and honestly, it was exceptional. The server asked if I wanted it with onions and pickles -- I said yes -- and then asked her to add slaw on top. She said "Of course!" with no hesitation and then took a moment to explain the whole routine since it was our first visit: where to get sauces, forks, napkins, and how they deliver your food to the table when it's ready. She was wonderful. The pulled pork itself was outstanding -- not one bit of fat, just tender, flavorful, perfectly cooked meat. Truly one of the best pulled pork sandwiches I've ever had. I chose potato salad as my side, and it was delicious -- definitely passed the test, since potato salad can be hit or miss at many places. I forgot to take pictures, but trust me: this place is worth the trip. If you're in the mood for BBQ, make the drive and enjoy what I would honestly call some of the best barbecue in Asheville.

    WOW! JUST WOW!! We were in the mood for Bbq and four Iron &…read moreOak on Yelp! This is a cool little walk-up attached to the River Side Rhapsody Beer Co. Brewery. We ordered two Brisket Plates. With Potato Salad, Brisket Chili, Dill Pickle Pasta Salad & Creamy Cole Salad. Everything was AMAZING!! Everything came out quickly. It was great to just walk next door to grab a great Hazy! Thank you for a FANTASTIC meal!!

    Photos
    Iron and Oak Brisket
    Brisket Plate with Creamy Cole Slaw and Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with River Side Rhapsody Hazy Beer!!
    Brisket Plate with Creamy Cole Slaw and Dill Pickle Pasta Salad with River Side Rhapsody Hazy Beer!!
    Walk-up ordering

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    Walk-up ordering
    Huli Sue’s

    Huli Sue’s

    4.7
    (405 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    Huli Sue's is a cool and creative little spot on the outer side of businesses at Grove Arcade…read more Menu selection was sizable with some really cool creative dishes. Everything was made perfectly and tasted even better. Service was outstanding. Everyone was close by and checked in often. Very friendly, helpful, courteous, and truly customer driven. Loved my time at Huli Sue's! Most certainly will be back!

    After a day of hellish travel, we decided to get into a car and travel more. Everyone told us to go…read moreto Ashville and it was a great decision. We found Hulu Sue's and there was a parking spot right in front so we decided to come in for lunch. The ambiance was friendly and inviting. Although it was really busy, we were immediately seated at the last indoor table. We ordered the Poke bowl and the combination bowl and a spam appetizer. The started was simple and delicious. I was never on the spam bandwagon, but this simple preparation was fantastic. The poke bowl was delicious. It was a little heavy on the mayo, but all the components were great. I loved the macaroni salad. It was the reason I wanted to come in and I was happy! I sampled some shrimp and chicken from my guy's dish and they were both great-well seasoned and well prepared. I wasn't a fan of the pork, it felt on the dry side. We also noticed that NC likes their sauces. I mean, I like sauces, but I never expect 4-6 options on the table. We tried a little of each and the curry based option and the mustard were my favorites! This is a great find. I didn't realize that small towns still close up shop early on Sundays. So unfortunately we didn't get to spend a lot of time exploring. Nonetheless, this was a great place to stop into.

    Photos
    Cute decor
    Cute decor
    Green Chile Cornbread
    Green Chile Cornbread
    Bar was very nicely colorful and open, they were making mai tais & blender cocktails

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    Bar was very nicely colorful and open, they were making mai tais & blender cocktails
    Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack

    Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack

    4.5
    (1.2k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Rocky's is the BEST hot chicken sandwich I've ever…read morehad. The spice level is customizable and spot on. I always order the hot and it's just enough heat! I'm tempted to try the next level, maybe next time!! Their service is fantastic, you order at the counter and get to seat yourself wherever. Spacious, with a covered outdoor seating option, and it's quick! They have mastered every aspect of their chicken sandwich. The chicken itself is perfectly spiced and breaded, not too heavy or greasy - melty cheese and delicious ranch dressing. Paired with soft ciabatta to create a masterpiece. Their crinkle cut fries are done right - crispy and seasoned generously. I could drink the ranch. The fried Mac poppers??? Just incredible. Their fresh squeezed lemonade definitely gives a certain popular fast food chicken chain a run for their money... We will always make a stop here anytime we're in Asheville. It's worth every penny, every calorie, and every mile driven. If you haven't been, you HAVE to try it!

    Huge portions, and amazing food. You won't want to stop eating it. Medium is spicy!! They know how…read moreto make it hot!! Delicious and great quality. Wow wish I could come back every day . Rotisserie chicken was great as well as fried pickles. You can't go wrong whatever you choose. Very quick service!!

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    Bar and menu
    Bar and menu
    Another angle
    Another angle
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    12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER - bbq - Updated June 2026

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