Lucked up and found this burger joint connected to a Shell station off the highway…read more Staff is friendly, the restaurant was clean and had signs and posters everywhere. Everything came out hot and fresh. My husband had a cheeseburger and I had the Texas Traveler burger with fries. I wish we had time to eat at the restaurant but we were headed back to Charlotte. This place is a highway exit gem!!! I hope we make our way back the next time we're in Asheville!

Service and ambiance was successful. I got the Greek Burger (consisting of Greek dressing, banana…read morepeppers, black olives, lettuce and feta cheese) on a GF bun, alongside Cajun fries. The burger was well-cooked, the bun was toasted, and the flavors were able to remind me of Greek cuisine. The fries had a slight crisp and the Cajun seasoning was enjoyable. Overall, not half bad for being at a gas station.

All of the food was good but the waffle was the best waffle I have ever had. The staff was very…read morenice.

My boyfriend and I had our first date here. It's a lovely place with a homey atmosphere and…read morefriendly service, and the biscuits and apple butter are phenomenal.

***UPDATE*** ~ I called the restaurant Wednesday evening to request a call back from Daddy Mac's…read moremanagement and Benjamin returned my call within a couple hours. We had a productive conversation in which we were both able to discuss the experience and come to a resolution. I am very grateful for the quick response, being open to call, and listen further. Thank you Benjamin! On another trip to Asheville, we will try it again..... ********************************************************** My family and I were quite excited about trying an unique restaurant and seen great reviews, however, our experience wasn't so great! Upon arriving at the restaurant, we had seen some items we wanted to try, but the sanitation grade on the door was a 90, so that quickly changed our food choice and should have changed our food experience for the evening. We decided to try it anyway! The hostess didn't know the menu very well and couldn't answer many questions without having to go ask someone each time. Once we ordered, my brother tried paying for the food a few times and she kept walking away. While waiting for our food, the same hostess "cleaned" a table for waiting guests by wiping the food from last guest onto the floor and leaving it there and continued to seat the next few tables, and then decided to come back and get the food swept up. I guess it's normal because another server did the same thing and that never got swept up. Our food (wings and brisket) was ready. The pan lid was not closed all the way due to them putting all 36 wings that had different flavors in the same container. We continued to inspect our food and the wings weren't hot (fresh), all three flavors in the same container, sauce was clumpy, and wings were very dark and dry looking. We couldn't tell which flavor was which. My husband tried conversing with a young man (tall, dark wavy hair), who couldn't or wouldn't attempt any service recovery with my husband and pretty much told us everything looked good to him leaving my husband frustrated. I located a manager told her what was going on and she evidently didn't have any empowerment from upper management to decide resolution because she had to go ask the general manager to resolve. The general manager agreed to "remake" the order which they did separate the flavors this time and they were warmer. Considering this was a remake the GM brought our order out to us and should have been apologetic, making sure everything was correct and was satisfactory to us. He literally handed my husband the bag and took off. My husband had to make a comment to him in order for the GM to acknowledge him. We definitely would love to speak to a corporate member and or owner, and will make a phone call to them. This was very disappointing, concerning, and a disheartening experience in Asheville!

Driving by, my partner and I laughed at the name but it was very eyecatching and there were a lot…read moreof people and when we didn't know where to eat so late at night this place was still very busy! Their cod dip is very creamy and delicious, I love that it came with both crackers and toasted bread! My brisket Rueben was sooooo filling only able to eat one half and a hearty entree, collard greens were yummy with ham pieces and the brownie ice cream was massive and definitely worth it, highly recommend!!

Fun spot, good people!!! I would recommend, for a beer in the sun...True southern dive bar!read more

This is a true down home neighborhood bar. It's the kind of spot that patrons that frequented the…read moreplace for many years get off of work and go grab a drink. I love coming here for Karaoke and trivia. For the nights there aren't events you can listen to your favorite tunes on the TouchTunes box. No frills kind of spot with darts and pool table as well. Amazing bartenders. The staff really makes a place and I adore the bartenders here. They are always taking such good care of their people. It's hard not to have a smile on your face when you're cracking jokes with these amazing people. Full bar and even has the Altamont Deli connected. Love that I can get food play pool and sing my heart out in a place that no one is gonna judge and everyone is there to have a good time.

I was in town for a massive gathering of beer nerds for the homebrewers convention and needed a…read moresolid breakfast to reset my system after days of heavy tasting. I found Chestnut on Yelp and decided to wander in. The space has this elevated modern rustic vibe with a southern twist and a little bit of sass. They even sell shirts that say neither hoity nor toity, which cracked me up. Honestly, the atmosphere was great, but our waitress was the real star. She was absolutely phenomenal and looked after us perfectly. My palate was pretty fried, so I started with a Bloody Mary to wake up. Truth be told, it was just okay. The house mix had an odd flavor that nobody at the table could quite identify, and it seriously lacked spice. It was just kinda bland. I noticed a bottle of Firewalker hot sauce on the table, and splashing that in helped a little bit. After that, I transitioned to a mimosa. You really cannot mess up a mimosa too much, and it was a solid, reliable second drink. For the main event, I ordered the southern chicken and waffles. This came with a fried chicken breast sitting on golden malted waffles, smothered in sausage gravy, and drizzled with chipotle honey. It was a really great dish. The kitchen did a solid job with the fry on the chicken, and the gravy had a nice flavor. It leaned a little on the sweet side because of the honey, but it was not totally overdone. The real sleeper hit of the morning, though, was the side of cheesy grits. Those grits were absolute heaven. They were incredibly creamy and perfectly seasoned. If you go, you have to order them. Chestnut is in a great location, and despite the weak Bloody Mary, it was a stellar visit.

Worth Planning Your Asheville Trip Around…read more As a Bay Area foodie, navigating around San Francisco's incredible restaurant scene taught me to appreciate thoughtful cooking, quality ingredients, and genuine hospitality. Chestnut had been on my Asheville dining list long before I arrived, and after spending several days exploring Boone, Blowing Rock, and the Blue Ridge Mountains, I made it my dinner splurge before heading home. It absolutely delivered. A quick tip: skip the hunt for street parking and head straight to the garage across the street. The first hour is free, and downtown Asheville can be congested with both vehicle and foot traffic. I arrived around 5:30 without a reservation and was warmly greeted by the hostess, who offered me a table or a seat at the bar. Asheville was surprisingly hot and humid compared to the cool mountain weather I'd been enjoying, so the air-conditioned dining room was an easy choice over the sidewalk patio. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Fresh flowers, warm lighting, elegant stone countertops, comfortable booths, tables, and bar seating create an atmosphere that feels polished without being stuffy. What stood out most was the mix of guests. There were locals greeting staff by name, couples enjoying date night, families with children, and older guests gathering with friends. It felt welcoming and comfortable for everyone. As a solo diner, the bar was the perfect choice. I enjoyed all the energy of the restaurant while still having a peaceful dining experience. I started with a glass of Brut Rosé from Spain. Crisp, refreshing, and beautifully balanced, it was the perfect way to settle in after a warm afternoon. Then came the Lobster Bisque. As someone who has made lobster bisque from scratch, I know the work that goes into creating a great one. Chestnut's version, made with Oak & Grist Reserve Cream and finished with fresh chives, was outstanding. Rich, silky, velvety, and loaded with tender pieces of lobster. If I'm being incredibly picky, I would have enjoyed just a touch more sherry, but that's purely personal preference. The smaller serving vessel kept the bisque hot from first spoonful to last, which I appreciated. My only complaint was that I wanted a larger serving because it was that good. For my entrée, I ordered the 4-ounce Petite Filet. The steak arrived cooked a perfect medium rare with excellent flavor and texture. It was served with butter-whipped mashed potatoes, haricot verts, a crisp potato gaufrette, red wine demi-glace, and chive butter. Every component was thoughtfully prepared. The demi-glace added richness without overwhelming the beef, while the potato gaufrette provided a delicate crunch. My only minor critique was that the plate could have been served a bit hotter, but the quality of the food more than made up for it. One of the highlights of the evening was the service. Taylor, part of the management team, was personable, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. After my sparkling wine, he suggested a half-glass pour of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir since I was driving. Excellent recommendation. The wine was elegant, earthy, and beautifully balanced, pairing perfectly with the filet. As the evening progressed, the restaurant filled quickly. Watching the staff greet regulars by name and efficiently manage the growing crowd spoke volumes about how well-run the restaurant is. You could tell many guests were repeat customers, which is always a good sign. After dinner, I attempted to walk off my meal through downtown Asheville, but the summer heat quickly convinced me to head back to my hotel. I left full, happy, and already thinking about that lobster bisque. For a Bay Area foodie who plans entire trips around memorable meals, Chestnut exceeded expectations. Great food, thoughtful service, an inviting atmosphere, and a dining experience that felt special without trying too hard. If you're visiting Asheville, put Chestnut on your list. Life is too short for mediocre meals, and this one is worth making time for.

Dinner here earlier this week. One of those places if you're not necessarily looking you might…read morepass...but ...Dont. I had the artichoke app and the pork shoulder entree. Both were very good. The artichoke might be a temporary item as I didn't see them on the on line menu. The pork shoulder was really moist but had been grilled prior to serving giving it a nice little bark on the outside. Link below for description. https://www.griffskitchenandbar.com/items/pork-shoulder?location=griffs-kitchen-and-bar&menu=food I took a pic but later deleted it as simply was too dark to really see anything. I'll post the one of the artichoke that's okay. Appears that burgers are a big deal there so have that along with the shrimp and grits entree for the future. Service was nice pace and attentive.

I came to eat at Griff's on a Saturday with three others a bit after 1pm, and we were able to get a…read moretable immediately. The food was great - very fresh and good flavors. You can tell that the menu is carefully thought out, and it was great they have several vegetarian options. I ordered the seasonal salad, the falafel sweet potato fries, and the arancini to share with the table. The arancini came out first - very crispy and well done. The current risotto is a corn risotto. The seasonal salad came out next, and it was delicious. The sweet potato fries with falafel was an interesting combination, but it worked because the tzatziki sauce was delicious with both the sweet potato fries and the falafel. As a vegetarian, it was great for protein as well. The reason I knocked off a star was because the service was not the best. They were very friendly, and it felt welcoming, but the food took a long time for it not being very busy and the server had a hard time giving suggestions. They also didn't come over for long periods of time, especially for the long waits for the food. But the food was really great!

DA-YUMMMM! I'm no local but consider a move to Asheville, and Haywood Common is the kind of place…read morethat helps make the decision for me. A friend has brought me here a couple times - once to dine in on the patio with her dog, and once for takeout - and it's been just delightful both times. The dining in experience was a Monday lunch and very quiet while the takeout was a Sunday evening and much busier. Despite the takeout situation, I opted for southern fried chicken most recently and was really delighted with the meal. The collards were well seasoned, the cornbread was huge, the slaw was slaw (though nothing to write home about, it's hard to make slaw that's worth writing about), and the chicken was well breaded, not overcooked, and still kinda crunchy despite its steam bath. I might have had the southern fried chicken plate the first time too, come to think of it... it's just impossible to find well done Southern food in the west, so I can't pass it up! The patio has nice seating options including a couple coveted tables in the shade. They are all pretty huge picnic tables so you may end up sharing if it's busy, but that's kinda the vibe here. There are dog water bowls and ice water for the pups in the summertime. Regarding vibes, it's right up my alley with servers rocking hairy armpits and tattoos all over the place. If you're a little more physically conservative you may be a bit put off, but I'd encourage you to try it out anyway.

Absolutely incredible food with a great environment. In West Asheville. So many great options I'm…read moreso well prepared in a casual environment. That's good for a couples or groups. The staff are incredibly nice and just so thoughtful and helpful. Such a cool vibe in this place and very open the conversation and paired with great food and drink.. this is a new favorite for me. If you're in West Asheville, you have to come to this place

My husband and I arrived at Mama Dale's Kitchen just after noon on a Friday in August for lunch…read more The restaurant is located inside the old Dairy Queen, next door to the Shell gas station off Smokey Park Hwy, near exit 44's off ramp. The location is convenient for us coming from Candler. The dining room was empty upon arrival, with us being the only customers in the building. No one was at the counter and we questioned whether they were actually open. Fortunately, after about 5 minutes, a young lady popped out from the kitchen to take our order. The business is fairly new, so a few things stood out as being "unfinished." The menus were located next to the register on the counter, and not visually on display. The walls were bare and lacking in artwork, which hindered the atmosphere. But the establishment was very clean. The server didn't appear to be super knowledgeable about the menu, and they were out of select items (such as tator tots and certain fountain drinks) because "the delivery truck hadn't come in yet." The seating booths and restaurant equipment (like the fountain drinks dispenser) appeared to be left over from the prior establishment. Overall, the environment felt like walking into a ghost town; eerie. On the positive side, the place was quiet and not overly loud with obnoxious clanging or shouting conversations. I prefer a quiet environment when I eat. :) Onto the food: I ordered the Kim's Double Decker Club with fries and hubby ordered the Double Smash Burger. We only waited about 10 minutes for the food to be brought to the table. He tore his burger up before eating half my sandwich. The club was, hands down, one of the best clubs I've ever had. The candied bacon was so damn delicious. I can't remember the last time I ate a sandwich that had me actually celebrating my meal. The French fries had an appetizing seasoning, but unfortunately, I found them to be to mushy and greasy for my liking. Definitely could use to be fried longer. There was a second lady who checked on us periodically through the meal to make sure we had everything we needed and that everything was kosher. Overall, I heavily recommend this restaurant based on the food and affordable pricing alone. I'm sure they will decorate and find their groove the longer they're open and operating. Will undoubtedly be back, and hope to see others discover this surprising hidden gem. Ambiance 4/5 Cleanliness 5/5 Wait time 3/5 Service 4/5 Food 4/5 Price 5/5 Location 5/5

I made reservations for 20 people for my husband's 50th birthday a month in advance and confirmed…read morethe reservation 2 days before his birthday. When I arrived 15 min early to set up the place was closed doors locked. I messaged the owner and got no response. Very disappointed. I spent money on balloons and decorations and wasn't able to use. Also it is very difficult to come up with a plan bee with no notice for 20 people to sit down together and eat.