Authentically Ashevillian?

[baltoellen]

Is there even such a thing? I read through this entire long thread: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/444657 and didn't quite find what I was looking for, so am starting a new thread just hoping someone knows what I want and can point me in the right direction.

I'm looking for that place (or those places) that serve really great local food, the kind you don't find, or don't find as nearly well done other places. My thing is divey to moderate, and it can be the kind of place where you have to order at the counter or from a paper takeout menu. Uninspired decor is no problem, but I'd like it made up for with a little local color.

So, make any sense at all?

And, many thanks for any recs, and for understanding what I'm talking about!

[Leepa]

I guess it depends on what you think authentic Asheville is...

I've lived here for nearly 30 years and have seen Asheville go though many many incarnations. So, I guess, to me it means something that's been around a while and has weathered all the new glitz and glam the tourists expect. First thing that comes to mind is neither a dive or moderate. It's The Market Place on Wall Street. Their menu features local foods, prepared well. And the new Bar 100 might fit your definition for moderate. From their website...

Bar 100 is the new casual dining concept at The Market Place, a casual dining experience based on ingredients available within 100 miles of Asheville - with an emphasis on the seasonal, the local and the carefully crafted meal.

Bringing back Classic Cocktails and Inventing new ones from local ingredients along with a selection of wines, craft beers and cider reflecting the local nature of their region of production - of unique identity.

A place to drop in, meet your friends, savor the flavor of the mountains. At prices from the past.

Bar 100 HOURS: Monday-Saturday Open at 5 PM until...

NO Reservations For Bar 100.

[jbyoga]

Rosettas Kitchen and Tupelo Honey come to mind here - Rosettas is as close to what passes for a dive downtown and I think the food is very good - the atmosphere is as Ashevillian as it gets - let us know what you think.

[cackalackie]

Sounds like Salsas....

[baltoellen]

Didn't that also get some mixed reviews? (At least, that's what I thought I read in that looooong thread referenced above!) But, in general, it DOES sound like the kind of place I'm after....

[cackalackie]

We only go once a year, so perhaps don't run into the same issues. For us, it fits the bill.

Last time, we had some British tourists with us, and they loved it.

[mustardgirl]

Leah, My sentiments exactly- Overrated- GLOP OF TASTELESS FOOD
drinks are good but not at all worth the price of admission

[leahinsc]

Authentically Ashevillian....hmmm what would that be? It certainly isn't Southern food. It might be "great local food" in the sense of locally grown and organic ...sounds like Green Sage might fit the bill, though reviews here are iffy. 12 Bones bbq has made quite a name for itself in a town that isn't known for BBQ. Both of these are more casual spots.

[baltoellen]

Thanks. I was getting the impression that Asheville was probably better known for locally sourced meats and veggie sandwiches on 56 grain bread, than any thing like fried chicken or collard greens.

I'll also be around Raleigh, so I assume that's where I can get my bbq fix.

[leahinsc]

oh, we definitely have the locally sourced meats...Sugo (Italian) does a lot of their own cured. But definitely not all nutty, cruncy, stuff - though we have a good selection of places that serve vegetarian.

[meatn3]

For BBQ in Raleigh try this:
http://www.thepit-raleigh.com/
Little more upscale in environment, but very good.