Very Specific Asheville Questions

[IHateKiddo]

Will be in Asheville for about 3 days and am looking for traditional Southern/Soul food. Any price range acceptable, quality is a must. Good cafeterias or meat-and-three's would be great to hear about, but fine-dining spots would be welcome, too. Also, where is the best fried chicken in Asheville? I'm specifically looking for fried chicken livers, as well. Anything like this going on? Perhaps these questions overlap . . . Thanks!

[IHateKiddo]

THANKS, guys, especially for the rec on Clyde's in Waynesville . . .Had a tremendous dinner there last night. Chicken Livers (grilled, not fried) were excellent, as was the Roast Pork and Dressing. All the sides were terrific as well, great mac and cheese, beets and onions, turnip greens and pinto beans with sweet pepper relish. What a great little spot. Thanks again and good eating!

[Eric Panic]

No one in Asheville has really good chicken livers (however, the chicken liver pate on Modesto's old menu was superb). The best place for chicken livers in the area is a little place in Waynesville called Clyde's Restaurant.

[Spreadhead]

I second the Clydes recommendation.I dont eat Chicken Livers, but everything else I have had there is spot-on.The BBQ joint next door is also VERY good.

[danna]

Oh, HELL yes. I'm so sorry they took that Chicken liver pate crostini off the Modesto menu. Also the giant salad of garlicky romaine w/ pistachio and currents was killer. Those two apps were the best things I've had there, both are gone now.

Agreed, it's hard to find southern food outside someone's house (or Watershed in Atlanda).

[catsailor]

It is hard to find true southern cooking in Asheville. The restaurants listed have some of the attributes your looking for but not the dining experience you're looking for.

[markrossi]

Catsailor hits the nail right on the head. Also, beware The Moose Cafe, as some may steer you there. You will leave disappointed with the food, and maddened by the lousy service.

[Jeff C.]

Cat and Mark are most correct re traditional southern cooking. However, if you can make do with neuvo-southern, Tupelo Honey and Early Girl are both pretty solid choices, particularly when it comes to breakfast/brunch fare.

[bethd127]

Corner Kitchen is a great restaurant in the Biltmore Village with good food with a southern flare; fried green tomatoes, grits ect. they do Breakfast(brunch), lunch and dinner. Tupelo honey for a good breakfast. I have heard The Ritz does soul food cuisine, but have no info or reviews.

[Animabandit]

I wouldn't hesitate to suggest Early Girl Eatery on Wall Street. The breakfast, especially, is pure south. Home made pork sausage, great biscuits and the best grits in Asheville. And the home fries are good too. And the omelettes.. and the bacon.. and the vegan sausage.. and the fried green 'maters when they have them.. and the etc.. However, no fried chicken :(

[CharlestonChow]

I really enjoyed Early Girl Eatery. I ordered so much food that the waitress made fun of me. It was not the Southern food I grew up with but it was really good. Most of the "real" Southern food joints are dirty little hole-in-the-wall restaurants in very rural areas. The cheaper and more simplistic, the more authentic. Most of it involves cheap pig parts, seasoning salt, and white flour breading. Vegetables should be cooked (with smoked pork parts) until they bear little resemblance to living plants.

[leahinsc]

it might help if you do an Asheville search as at least the topic of "fine dining" comes up very frequently. Start there and then we can narrow it down for you.