By far the best burger joint in Asheville, if you haven't made your way down to this place them I would recommend you make some plans to do so. Do yourself a favor and order the fries! We ordered them as our appetizer and holy moly were they delicious. Covered when cheese and bacon who could go wrong! I ordered the California burger and my friends got the classic and the burger with thousand island dressing. You can order the burgers with fries, Tater tots, or side salad ( love when burger places do this) They are huge burgers so come hungry Overall, this was one of my favorite places to eat during my trip to Asheville, so whether your a local or just passing through I would make some time and go visit! read more

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We spent the weekend getting the Christmas Shopping done and were looking for a good place that allowed dogs. The Universal Joint has an outdoor eating area and they love dogs. The restaurant is in an old renovated gas station. The setting is great for a fall lunch outside. We were looking over the menu when the waiter declared they had great burgers. We both opted for Cheeseburgers and they were indeed great. They have a full bar and a great selection of local beers. We will definitely be back. read more

Food was great, the ambience was great. A really cool little place to hang out with great fade.

The food offerings at this establishment are truly exceptional, and the level of hospitality displayed by the staff is nothing short of remarkable! read more

Another great place in Asheville for kids, dogs, and parents that want a hip atmosphere with good pints. I agree with all said about the burgers. The Steinbeck burger with pimento cheese and bacon is amazing. A surprisingly diverse menu too with some fish, salads, other sandwiches. The have a great list of seasonal beers on tap. Some locals but not near enough local beers for me. Westville Pub across the street has more local beers. Really great stuff and great patio. read more

Universal Joint - American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Stopped in for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon around 3:30. We got a seat fairly quickly. Upon being seated, the hostess informed us of the "mandate" that requires customers to wear a mask at all times unless they are actively eating and drinking. Which was a-okay with us. I wish other restaurants would implement this mandate. The table wasn't as clean as I would've like to see it. We sat inside, but with the doors opened, we were able to breathe the fresh outdoor air and the environment didn't feel closed off; which I loved. The wooden chairs were stiff and very uncomfortable; I constantly wiggled around attempting to get my back in a tolerable position. Overall, the atmosphere was relaxing and comfortable; not too hot, not too cold, not too loud. The server was very attentive and made sure our water glasses were always full. I ordered a mixed green salad, no pecans or onions, with ranch dressing. My husband ordered the Steinbeck Burger with tots. I was very excited to see the spring mix lettuce in the salad. I was not a big fan of the ranch dressing; it tasted like it was yogurt based. Also, they didn't really provide enough dressing to coat the salad. I would've preferred the cucumbers to be peeled (yes, I have learned that I am a picky salad critic, lol). Overall, not the best salad I've had, but didn't suck either. I only ate about 1/4 of the salad before deciding it wasn't really "hitting the spot." My husband's burger was cooked perfectly and, according to him, juicy and delicious. Although he did mention later how the burger "hit his stomach like a rock." The tots were cooked and salted perfectly. I'm a big fan of Sonic's tots, and after trying one of my husband's, still feel like Sonic's is better. Maybe it's the over zealous salt I like. Just a personal preference as these tots weren't near as salty, and I'm sure others would prefer it that way. I felt as though the prices were a little steep. $9 for a sub-par salad is a little overpriced IMHO, and it was "almost" worth $12.75 for the burger. I personally don't think the burger was worth more than $12; probably closer to $10 or $11 when comparing it to other local establishments. Overall, I'm glad we gave this place a try and would recommend it at least once. Please support LOCAL when dining or ordering out... our community restaurants need our business! read more

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Very good burgers! They had fast and friendly service as well. If you're in town looking for a burger, this is your place. They also have other selections including sandwich and soups! Oh, and a bar as well! read more

Universal Joint - Mushroom Swiss burger - American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Yummy burgers and decent services, but a bit slow when we were ready to leave. They charged us for extra ranch for my fries.

It was a gorgeous sunny weekend afternoon, so we took advantage of the dog-friendly patio and hunkered down with our canine pal for an early dinner/laaaaaate lunch. Service was cheerful though a little slow, but the place was humming. Reasonable prices, more than fair portions. I liked the pimento cheese sandwich; the cheese has a tiny spiciness to it. I added bacon for an extra dollar. The cucumber salad was kind of a weird addition to the sandwich, not sure the pickled cucumbers were the best complement for the pimento cheese. The ciabatta bread was probably the best part. Fresh and crusty, but not so crusty that your teeth will shatter. For a little over a buck, I upgraded to the small spinach salad for my side. It was a good size and had lots of ripe grape tomatoes. However, my choice of lemon zest dressing may have been less than ideal, should have gone with a different dressing. Maybe the pink hue and hints of ginger were throwing me off. I've dined at a Universal Joint in Atlanta and thought it was fine but not a restaurant I was dying to return to immediately. With all the eating options in Asheville, it felt a little funny to be having a meal at an establishment I have back home. However, I did notice and admire the strong neighborhood vibe which I also observed at the other Universal Joint. read more

Universal Joint - Pimento cheese sandwich with bacon added, along with a side spinach salad and lemon zest dressing. - American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

We been a couple of times. 3.5 stars. The pimento cheeseburger and pimento cheese sandwich (Southern Comfort) are good, but I have to say the California burger didn't do much for me. Fries and tots are fine, but nothing creative. Spicy eggrolls are pretty yummy. I say this place is good, but not necessarily incredible or something I'll go out of my way for. Basic pub/bar food. I will say it's a pretty big menu if you are with a picky crowd. read more

I met my friend here for a late night snack and it did not disappoint! She got a sandwich and I went for the cheese curds and we shared. Her bacon, bbq chicken sandwich was pretty damn good but it was the first time I have had cheese curds and I am so dang glad I got the large for both of us! The service was quick and they have a good selection of alcohol. I would like to go back and explore the menu a little bit more. I had my eye on a bunch of items but I had eaten at a small gathering a few hours earlier and just wasn't up for a full meal. They also have outdoor seating but I went in the dead of January and that just wasn't an option. I bet it is beautiful in the warmer months. read more

Universal Joint - American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Great food but the movie choices were terrible and except free guy. This place is in the middle of nowhere Asheville. it should be in a downtown area because it is nice. read more

Came here on a slow Sunday with our family of five. John was exceptional the entire time. We appreciate his kind and smiling demeanor. Food was great and kids loved it. read more

I've been here four times now, and every experience has been different. The food is consistently mediocre (over cooked meats in tacos and burgers, bland sauces...) with the exception of the tater tots. The only reason I will give four, instead of three stars is the tater tots. There is a tater tot dish here, piled with cheese, and diced, fresh jalapeños that is worth going for. The Bloody Mary I had my first visit was one of the worst drinks I've ever tasted - it was so limey, you would've thought it had margarita mix in it. I sent it back and had an OUTSTANDINGLY GOOD Mojito. Unfortunately, on my second visit, I ordered the Mojito and it was terribly sweet. I ordered a beer. The tots were delish, the burger was mediocre. Third visit, noticed it was a different bartender, ordered the Mojito, and this time it was made with far too much lime. Had a beer and some decent fish tacos. Fourth visit (hey, it's a neighborhood watering hole...) skipped the cocktails altogether, had a beer, and tots as an app, ordered the chicken tacos. Tots were great, chicken was dry. Reasons to go: GREAT tater tots. Decent beer selection, they are open nice and late, patio seating is a bonus, weather permitting. Forgo: any mixed drinks or cocktails - it's a total crap shoot as to what you'll get. Forgo dinner. Bottom line: great place to grab a beer and an appetizer. Perfect location, late, late hours are a plus. Wouldn't recommend for a full meal, or anyone looking for cocktails. read more

It's been a while since I've been to the Universal Joint, but some friends and I went Saturday night to have a burger and a drink or two. It hasn't changed much since the last time I was there. It's still popular, with parking (even in the Wells Fargo lot across the street) at a premium. The patio is pleasant on a nice evening. The biggest change I noted was that the waitstaff was friendlier and more helpful. My burger (about $10 with a side) was good, and the French fries that came with itwere excellent. I also had a Jack Daniels on the rocks ($7.50 for a moderate poor) and a local Jade IPA ($5). With one drink, one beer and burger and fries my tab came to around $23. All in all, a good West Asheville experience. read more

How is this place so under the radar??? In west Asheville, right in the middle of all the retro shops and very hippy vibed shops and restaurants sits in his place. Very cool outdoor dinning in the shad of a ton of plants. Stopped by for a snack and a beer and ended up trying several great bites. We ordered a avocado nachos and the Universal fries..but as we were waiting I saw people getting Tots which looked amazing. Grabbed our waiter and asked if we could do tots instead of fríes...best choice ever!!!! Tots come extra crispy (if you ask...and you should definitely ask!) loaded with cheese, bacon and jalapeños. Super crispy and flavorful. Wife loved avocado chips with salsa. We split a a Steinbeck Burger which has home made pimento cheese tender burger, cheese and bacon. Burger was amazing although I wish they'd asked temp as it was a bit too cooked for my taste (one star off). Solid place with great food. read more

Universal Joint - Menu - American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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Came here while visiting NC. This place was delicious; I got a burger which came out quickly and was super tasty. My drink was mighty strong ‍ our waiter (forgot his name but he had a long pony tail) was super nice and accommodating. 10/10 stars. read more

Stopped in with some friends for dinner and had a pretty good meal. Started off with the egg rolls and are really delicious! Great mount of cream cheese inside of the egg rolls and the mange chutney was really delicious! We had the signature universal fries which were really good and enjoyed them. A small is big enough for about 3 people so no problem with portion there. We spilt the fish tacos and were delicious but could use a bit more spice, but altogether were great and I devoured them before my friends got the upper hand. We finished with the smoke house burger and when it came out looked nice. Perfectly cooked medium rare burger even though I've seen some reviews that say it was over cooked, I can assure you that nine was absolutely not. The spinach salad was good but a bit overwhelming with the onions just because I'm not a giant fan of onions. The house made sauces were really delicious but some could use a bit more spice. Definitely recommend grabbing your closest group of friends for a fun and shareable dinner that will make your stomach happy and your tastebuds party! read more

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Leave it to a hip Asheville restaurant to give you a taste of apartheid this spring! I came here last Tuesday after the farmers market with another Black woman. Enjoying the weather and sunshine, I said I wanted a burger and she suggested this place. The sign says please seat yourself so we picked a Highly Visible table near the entry way of the outdoor seating area. A man came out and laid down menus, I commented to my date that his greeting was not very warm. Then we sat. And sat. At about 5 minutes I started to get agitated. No water? On such a warm day? Looking around we are the only Black people at this not crowded dining establishment- which I was aware of as soon as we sat down because in Asheville I am often the only Black person in public space. Several wait staff are walking around just beyond our table to serve the handful of guests in the area. But still no one finds their way to our table. I watch a white woman come in with her dog, sit down and immediately be offered menus by the same man who brought us ours. I hear him greet her and ask if she'd like a drink. In less than a minute not one, but TWO beverages are brought to her table. A glass of water for her and a bowl for the dog. Y'ALL! Two different staff came out for the glass and the bowl. Me and this beautiful Black woman are just supposed to be thirsty I guess. So at this point I am astonished. My date says we can go somewhere else. I reply oh we are definitely fucking leaving but I'm saying something. This waitress walks outside and I call her over. "We have been sitting here for 15 minutes with no service. We are leaving I just want you to know that's not a good look." She looks upset asks if we want anything on the house. I say no, "the dog got water before us we are out," as I get up to leave. Then another waitress comes running out after us. A whole scene. She apologizes and says she didn't know we were in her section. She's not that kind of person. Great. so, for the Universal Joint staff: 1. Learn to communicate. The unfriendly white guy who bought us menus was aware of our existence. I hold him completely responsible. If she did, in fact, know her section he knew we were still there and should have said something. 2. We know yall value dogs lives over ours but which of us is paying for your service? The impact of the staff negligence of the ONLY Black people in your establishment speaks volumes to your culture. read more

I really liked this place. It's not fancy or anything but the food is good, we got a hamburger and tater tots I would definitely order again, bloody Mary's that were not bad and a good beer list. The real thing that did it for me was a very nice waitress and an excellent patio that is dog friendly. I'll be back. read more

The tater tots were room temperature. The falafel was burnt and hard and dry. The tzasiki sauce was flavorless. The Irish coffee had no whipped cream. A very less than satisfying meal. Will not be back. read more

Great atmosphere, awesome people, significant menu, good location. When in West Asheville, the Universal Joint is my preferred restaurant. There are great spots to eat indoor and outdoor. The people are very laid-back. The food is pretty dang good. I especially like the tacos, and my kiddos love the tots! There is lots to try here, so there's always a reason to come back to check it out. read more

We were visiting Asheville and were looking for food near the Retroarcade and stopped here. The vibe is very casual like most of Asheville. We were able to sit anywhere and staff was friendly. The menu contained options like wings, burgers, sandwiches and quesadillas. And there were plenty of veggie options. I ordered the BLT with pimento cheese added on. I was disappointed when my food came out because there was no bacon or lettuce or tomato on my sandwich. It was just pimento cheese and cucumbers. We pulled a waiter and they took it back. I was starving at this point. They fixed it in less than ten minutes while I watched my husband eat his burger. Finally my sandwich came out. It was good, but not the best blt of my life. I've had better and the fries were average too. Overall this seemed like a neighborhood joint where people just come to hang out. The food is average, but staff seem nice enough. read more

Universal Joint - BLT with Pimento Cheese and Fries - American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Maybe dining in would've made a difference. I shouldn't even have to say that! I'm a cook at Forklore and I know if food is made right. My burger was well, I asked for medium. Ordered the angus burgers-on the menu they're $13.25 but we were charged $16.00? Didn't even get our water. The buns were burnt-not toasted. Small amount of fries. And it's crazy how the cook didn't even melt the cheese? Cold burger, very nice! I'd be embarrassed to be a cook at Universal Joint. read more

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Amazing burger spot! After a four hour hike, nothing sounded better. This was a recommendation from an Asheville native and it did not disappoint. Had great IPAs on draft which is always awesome and prices were very reasonable. Atmosphere is very laid back and enjoyable. Our group got the loaded fries as an appetizer. Fries, cheese, bacon bits, scallions, some jalapeños, ranch for dipping. It was the most amazing loaded fries I have ever had. We were all really sad when we cleared the plate! Ordered the Classic 101 and the California burger with salad instead of the fries and totes but another person in our group got the tater tots. They were a little too well done for my taste but that may be just that batch. The burgers were AMAZING and big. Will definitely be back on my next Asheville visit. read more

Universal Joint - Lunch - American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

The chips taste stale, there's a v small amount of meat, the cost of this versus what I got does not make sense to me.

Universal Joint is in West Asheville and I think it embodies the character of this part of Asheville. I would consider this a divey hipster bar. I came here on the recommendation of a friend from the area. The place is kind of dark and a little grungy, but that is what I came in expecting. I parked at the Wells Fargo across the street. That seemed to be what most were doing. The parking situation is a little confusing. I came in knowing I wanted a burger and some tater tots. I ordered the California Burger, which came with avocado, chipotle sauce, grilled onions, cheese, and bacon. The burger was delicious and the tater tots were even better. The tater tots were very crispy and were great dipped in the ranch that I got on the side. This would definitely be four stars, but for the fact that I woke up in the middle of the night after this dinner with an upset stomach. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I think that the blame lies with Universal Joint. With that being said, I would probably give Universal Joint another try. If you're looking for a no frills dive bar, this is your spot. read more

Universal Joint - California Burger with Tater Tots (Universal Joint, Asheville, NC) - American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

We went to this little place late one evening and we weren't expecting much. We were pleasantly surprised with our dinner. I had a delicious salad and my husband had the special of the day, which he loved! The server was very attentive. They have a full service bar inside and a nice outside eating area. We will definitely go there again! read more

Greeted immediately and was Seated quickly. We sat outside and Everyone (not eating) were wearing masks. Server took our order and answered our questions. Great burgers!! I would definitely go back read more

Amazing food and atmosphere. The staff was friendly and the food arrived quickly. Firecracker chicken sandwich was good, okra was amazing but the spicy egg rolls were out of this world. read more

This small establishment is amazing. My husband & I wanted an amazing burger! Guess what? We found it!! I got the bacon cheeseburger. It was a great cheeseburger it was delicious cooked to perfection! The French fries on the other hand wasn't that great but, the service was great and the burger so I gave them a 5 star rating! read more

Visiting in Asheville is always a treat to visit so many wonderful restaurants and Universal Joint is no exception. The wait staff could not have been friendlier! The food was so good. Everything we ordered was exceptional. The mixed greens salad, the Gyro, black bean burger, and the smoked trout sandwich. The Gyro was delicious. The tzatziki sauce was great and the meat was cooked perfectly. My mom had the smoked trout sandwich and she was blown away with how good it was. My dad definitely had no complaints about the black bean burger. I will definitely have to order that the next time we go. I do have two problems with this restaurant. One the bathrooms are a mess and look like stereotypical bar restaurants and the tater tots were subpar. The French fries definitely made up for it. Will be back next time we visit! read more

Universal Joint - Gyro - American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Best food always consistent great staff I always great southwest chicken quesadilla. Great tots

I had heard whispers...rumors even, of the Steinbeck. A large patty topped with Pimento Cheese, Jalapenos and Bacon. And now she was mine. Previous reviews said, "Get the tots!" And they were right. Fresh, crispy and delicious. What would make this better? The retractable windows were slid up their track to reveal a light breeze...breathe in, breathe out. Much better. Oh, and the Hi Wire Black IPA in my right hand tight, now we're talkin'. So where was I? Unwinding in a groovy place called Universal Joint, on a cool beans Friday night patio corner. Ohhhh yeah. read more

Universal Joint - American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Good place for a bite and a brew. I was pleasantly surprised by this pub. There is a good selection of beer and spirits along with some great tasting food. I had a bacon cheese burger with blue cheese and a gluten free bun. And to be honest this was the best burger I have had since I've been gluten free. It was amazing. And they also have Omission, a gluten free beer. All delicious and really hit the spot of exactly what I wanted. And I didn't have to sacrifice taste while staying away from gluten. read more

We sat on the front porch and enjoyed cheeseburgers, fried and beer. The burgers were cooked to order and plenty big. Very flavorful. We shared the Universal Tots which were a huge treat: Tot Nachos! Cheese, bacon and green onions w ranch for dipping. Super service, friendly and fast. Great little burger joint in West AVL. read more

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My wife and I visited Asheville and this was our first food stop. Really great atmosphere and staff. They have a beer list with solid local choices and a charming feel. My wife had the gyro and I had the Steinbeck burger. We loved them both. I went so far as to say that any burger I had after would be up against some serious competition. This was a highly recommended place for those new to the area. read more

Universal Joint - American Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

Oh my goodness the burgers here are SO good!! They have several different burger flavor combos that will satiate even the most ravenous burger eater. The bun is delicate yet stands up the the mountain of savory contents. Highly recommend if you are craving a delicious and satisfying burger! Price points are reasonable for amount and quality of food too. Opt for the tater tots over the fries. The tots we're golden, crisp and perfect! Transports you to being 6yrs old again ahhhh! The fries on the other hand came out oil soaked and limp-ewww! Our 2 servers were friendly, laid back and immediately agreed the fries were gross. She readily brought back a fresh order of crispy fries! Yay! The outdoor seating is lovely and pet friendly. read more

The U Joint is a solid choice for a beer and a bite to eat on the Westside. While I haven't been blown away by the food it is consistently good. This being Asheville they have a very respectable beer list and I've enjoyed the cocktails I've had. There is plenty of outside, dog friendly seating. It's more of a restaurant that has a bar, as opposed to a bar that serves food. read more

Great find. We stopped in after looking for a pet friendly burger joint while passing through Asheville and boy was this a home run. Pretty decent cheese curds for being outside of Wisconsin. Good beer selection including a lot of local stuff. My Steinbeck burger was excellent. Not good. Excellent. And my wife's Smoked Trout Reuben was an unusual twist on a classic that she loved. Friendly servers rounded out a great experience. read more