The Southern Kitchen & Bar
41 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801
The Southern Kitchen & Bar Menu
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Address :
41 N Lexington Ave
Asheville, NC, 28801 - Phone (828) 251-1777
- Website https://www.southernkitchenandbar.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :12:00 pm - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Late Night
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Stacey C.
This is the absolute perfect place for people watching in Asheville. The patio can't be beat on a sunny day, especially Sunday for brunch. They have delicious savory and sweet offerings for food. As far as I can remember, I've enjoyed everything I've tried. Also part of the Sunday brunch is a build your own bloody mary bar, and wine specials by the bottle (which includes sparkling). So you have drink specials, good food, great people watching AND yacht rock on top of all of that! DJ Kipper completes the package to make it the best brunch experience in Asheville. Other than the spectacular patio, the Southern can be a great quiet spot for a quick drink inside since on a regular night it's pretty low key. Great for conversation with friends.
(4)Ravi G.
Great service Good Food Small Menu and Drinks. Service is fast nice environment large sitting area outside and lot of young people. Great place to hang out We sat outside and enjoyed watching the people walk by; the people watching was fantastic!
(3)Katie H.
"This is the least disappointed I've ever been after ordering a salad!" Anyway that's the reaction their Cobb salad provoked from me. Sounds like faint praise, but seriously, it was excellent! I usually get sandwich envy when I choose a salad over an awesome selection of sandwiches. For the Cobb, they use pimento instead of blue cheese and the toppings like avocado, crispy onions, and bacon are generous. On the other hand my friend's pulled pork sandwich was pretty meh. The ambience was nice enough, sort of upscale compared to what the name suggests so I was a bit confused about the branding. The interior is black wood n fleur de lis wallpaper, high ceilings. Looks like there's a good space in the back when it's operating as a bar, although we were there for lunch so only the front of the restaurant was occupied.
(3)Ashley C.
The food here was epic. And there was an awesome swing band with a stand up bass and trombone. With the heavy wrought iron patio, the fireflies, and the band I felt like I was sent back in time to the present-prohibition 20s. And they are puppy friendly on the patio. Based on these facts alone, I would have given 5 stars. But the service was so slow. We had to wait 15 minutes for our drinks, we never saw our server again after we got our food. We were finished for THIRTY minutes before we got our bill. And that was only after the table next to us to their server that we needed assistance. When our server brought our bill she did not apologize at all. We had to go to the bar to pay, after waiting for 10 more minutes for her to come back to the table. When my boyfriend complained, there response was that they were short staffed, there was nothing the could do. Said if we came back, we could get a free drink. But other than that they offered no apologies. Even when are short staffed in the Emergency Room and I haven't been in the room for an hour or so because I'm busy helping out in a code blue situation, I apologize go my patients. But back to the good stuff. Do yourself a favour. Get the catfish po'boy. The French bread it comes on reminds me of the baguettes you can usually only find in Paris. Flaky and crunchy on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside. The catfish was crusted in corn meal and delicious. The Mac n cheese was the best I've ever had. The pretzels with cheese sauce were the perfect answer to the beer munchies as well. So in conclusion, if you aren't in a hurry, you are looking more for atmosphere and good food, and don't really care about service this place is your place.
(3)Alexandria E.
I love this place! I like the outdoor patio mostly, and the food is definitely underated. The Mac n cheese is where its at, you can add lobster! Absolutely yum! Also the BLTP is to die for!
(5)Richard R.
My wife and I ate lunch here in August 2015. The food was very good, and the outdoor seating area is lovely. Nice place for people-watching and munching on a delicious dish of shrimp and grits. Recommended.
(4)Annika S.
I really like this place. The interior is a bit sedate. I'm not sure whether all the potted ferns are an ironic comment on traditional Southern aesthetics, or maybe someone actually thought they added to the atmosphere. But don't worry bout that too much; when you go to the Southern, the point is to sit on the patio and see the entirety of Asheville pass through. This is especially true on Sundays during their big brunch event. The people watching is so good, it almost seems irrelevant to mention the food and drinks, but since this is a business that serves those things, I can make some recommendations. Food 1) The building that houses the Southern kitchen is unique among Asheville restaurants in that it doesn't have a "hood." That's the thing that ventilates stoves in most kitchens, and is required by law for making anything on a cooking range. Like I said, the Southern doesn't have one of these, so their menu reflects that. House-smoked and cured meats are prepared right there on the patio next to the DJ and are worth trying. There's probably some kind of bread, meat, and cheese plate. Order that, it's fantastic. Also the hot dogs, house made and served with local spicy mustard, are the best in Asheville. 2) Also not requiring a ventilation system, pickles made in house. Look through the menu and order anything featuring pickles. You won't regret it. 3) I'm not sure about the specifics of how they prepare their mac&cheese, but I imagine it involves a slow cooker or an oven? (again, no hood!). At any rate, it's unique, comforting, and the people who order it once, order it again and again and again. 4) I once had a trout special there that was ON FLEEK. I don't know what it said on the menu, but I nicknamed it "Trout with nightshades three ways." Very delicate dish with poached fish, fingerling potatoes, capsicums, and tomatoes. If you see anything like it, go ahead and order it right away because it's great. 5) They have a small kale salad there that is the total bomb. If memory serves, it's shaved kale, served raw with champagne vinegar dressing, pecans, bacon (candied?), and maybe some cheese. I don't remember the specifics, but if you see it, order it. It's outstanding. It makes kale taste not very healthy at all. Drink: 1) They have a make-your-own bloody mary bar, which is fun. But the bartender will also make you a bloody mary, which is actually even better. Because the bartender knows what the hell he's doing, unlike you, dear friends. 2) Best hot toddy in AVL. There's no comparison. 3) AVOID anything with Fernet Branca. That stuff is disgusting. The scourge of hipster mixologists city-wide. 4) Barbie's Pool Party sounds kind of gross, but it's actually pretty good. 5) I often order a champagne cocktail, which is essentially just a glass of cava with a twist of lemon and a sugar cube and a dash of bitters. Some may argue that's not all that special, or different from a regular glass of bubbly that costs half as much, but I think it's pretty awesome. Especially with a hot dog.
(4)Dawn C.
Laid back. Nice location. Friendly service. Bloody Southern a very fine Bloody Mary. Brunch server recommended chicken biscuit . Less carby and more delicious than expected. I'd eat here again.
(4)Jamie S.
This place gets a solid 3 stars. Food was good, not great. Portions are minimal. Pricing is fair and inexpensive, as far as Asheville goes. Service was slow, but friendly. The outdoor patio is beautiful, great music and relaxing environment.
(3)Adriana A.
Always loves this place. The food is fantastic. Tonight I had the Pastrami and it was amazing. House made Pastrami, Annie's marble rye, Russian dressing, house-made red pickled cabbage, and gruyere. Wonderful combination of flavors.
(5)Caleb W.
Best people- watching in town from the patio. That alone is worth a visit. Go at cocktail hour and you may find yourself being sketched by one of the artists from the local fine arts group that tends to hang out here. People complain about the service, but I think it's just because they are slammed most of the time. I've never had any complaints myself. It's a fun little spot.
(4)Josh S.
Nice shaded patio in the middle of downtown. Food and service was good as well. I will have to go back and try more of the menu.
(3)Gerald M.
Loved it!!! Amazing patio space. We had several apps & they were all terrific. Service was perfect too. This place embodies southern hospitality & soul food.
(5)Nick H.
The staff kills it no matter how busy they'll get you never seem to have to wait. Great cocktails and the best patio in town make the southern. And if your looking for a late night snack the meat and cheese board is tit's.
(4)Robin C.
Two dames were out shopping and needing liquid inspiration before taking on the next store. We were promptly approached by the server and asked what we would like. I remembered a couple of years ago, I had ordered a French martini here. Not only was it screen saver beautiful, but had the right mix of ingredients to boot. So, that is what we ordered. The server seemed perplexed and asked how a French martini should be made. I gave the specifications, and he asked the bartender if she could make that libation.. Well, lo and behold, she did. The taste was on point, but the portions were skimpy. The server came by a bit later and remarked how the drinks had "evaporated." That wasn't a hard trick to pull off as there wasn't much in the glass to start. Beautiful old building. Will hope for a better pour next time.
(3)Daniel M.
Sunday brunch atmosphere was really nice with the outside patio and live dj playing chill out tunes. But the service was really slow, nice girls though. Food was decent.
(3)Ryan C.
This place has one of the best opportunities to be a premier place to indulge in liquid libations in all of Asheville. Great ambiance, good drink selection, and awesome location. How do you screw that up? By making me wait 20 minutes before anyone even acknowledges my presence. We had 3 different waiters look directly at our table, and continue right on with their evening. Not wanting to wait much longer we moved up to the bar. At the bar, it took another 5-10 before we ordered anything. I ordred a moscow mule. A simple drink that takes little effort, and of course this place managed to screw that up as well. For those of you who don't know what the recipe is it's vodka, ginger beer, lime and thats it. Sometimes places with substitute their vodka with bourbon, and i'm more than fine with that. The drink I got was more like something you see at an alcohol experimentation night at a sorority house. It was pink. Not clear, not brown, but pink. I went on a wednesday night. Save yourself the hassle. There are much better cocktail bars in the area.
(2)Dave W.
great location. outdoor seating. $3 pbr. left before ordering food because of the too cool for school shitty service. such a shame !!!!!!!! 20 min before even being acknowledged. another 10 for water. another for 2 beers. fuck this place !!!!! WORST SERVICE EVER !!!!!!
(1)Taylor R.
Totally serviceable bar for a nighttime snack and drinks in Asheville. They had a great Malbec for $5 a glass and even better mac 'n cheese. The server was delightful and chatted with our party about FitBits, Washington, D.C. and hot dogs. Quiet place for an evening drink - just what we wanted.
(4)Sara P.
Was a decent place to go. Unfortunately the bartender we had was very rude. If it wasn't for him we'd be back. The owner is very nice when he found out how bad our service was and did all he could to make us happy. If it wasn't for the bartender we would definitely come back.
(3)John A.
We really wanted to go to the hidden downstairs bar - but settled for a few drinks at the normal upstairs. Good atmosphere. Ordered the pretzels - which came out with three dipping choices: Apple butter, queso & delicious hot mustard (like the kind you get from a Chinese place. Also - they played non-stop thievery corporation - so I enjoyed that.
(4)Sid C.
Was really looking forward to eating here, but came at 5 PM on Sunday evening, tonight, and the music was oppressively loud with a dj working. A couple of middle aged women were dining at the bar; I don't know how they could. They definitely were not conversing with each other, because it was far too loud for conversation. I don't know how they could even eat without the pain from their ear drums ruining their meal. Lest anyone think that that I am old and frail, I love music, and go out for live loud music all of the time, but I like to eat without my ear drums throbbing in pain. I mentioned to the bartender that we were leaving due to the noise, but he did not offer to lower it. The place was empty other than the one couple of the bar. I am sure that they must be turning away business. No worries, we went to Mayfel's, which was our second choice and has a splendid time.
(1)Nate L.
Loved it! Pork cheek was fantastic and they had Pisgah Pale Ale on tap. I would definitely go back .
(5)Korrie B.
Came in for drinks before hitting a late reservation elsewhere downtown. Loved the vibe, cool people hanging out at the bar, and the bartender was nice. I'll say I'm a fan and will make this a dinner stop next time I'm in Asheville.
(4)Tim N.
OK, so we went here on a Monday night (first mistake) and it was not too crowded. We will begin by addressing the back of the house, they did a decent job (simple menu, timely delivery, good flavor profile all around). I even liked the champagne vinaigrette salad dressing that came out with my salad (which came out next to my main course). I'd give them +3/5. So here's the real discrepancy. It's a beautiful building. The interior needs some remodeling and a facelift to match the rustic menu but it's easily ignored since in the evening the dining room is essentially candle-lit. But the bartender. Upon walking in he said rather loudly to a patron "It's not like tonight is any slower than any other night !" I wondered why, and then the show started. This guy had a very complicated mustache that could only be described as "very complicated". He controlled the music AND volume, often he was unsatisfied with one desolate track of EDM and replaced it with a more somber track of EDM. There were occasional New-Wave pieces played but often they were overplayed by his...whistling? I rarely listen to Joy Division while eating Mac n' Cheese w/ Bacon at home, but here, on just the right evening, you too can listen to a more newer, far more worser band, AND PAY!! Try dancing with your upper body to the tragic melodies, while ingesting authentic cuisine, while knowing behind you there is a man playing HIS favorite songs REGARDLESS of your dining experience. He gets to dance like nobody is watching (except you ARE watching, you CAN'T help). I almost wanted to order more drinks to make him stop, and to further dull my realization of this experience.
(2)Lauryn C.
Stopped into the Southern Kitchen for brunch while visiting Asheville this weekend. There are plenty of options to eat brunch at in Asheville and I have a lot of favorites, but since the wait was so long at most of these places I decided to try something new. I walked by Southern Kitchen the day before while sipping on brewski's from LAB next door. This seemed like one of the go to places to hang out in Asheville. They have a great patio and a DJ outside playing some great tunes. The menu was very limited, but I don't mind that as long as I can find something I like. We all ordered the breakfast plate with 2 scrambles eggs, potatoes, bacon, and a biscuit. You can't substitute the eggs which was a little disappointing but all the food ended up being very good. The biscuit tasted more like a popover and I loved it. After seeing some amazing bowls of mac n cheese being delivered to tables near by we decided we must order some to share. Well worth it - order the mac n cheese it was incredible. My highlight of this trip here to Southern was the $5 Bloody Mary bar. They bring you a glass of vodka on the rocks and you can spice it up, mix it up however you like. So why the three stars? Well the service was really spotty, it took forever to get our checks, the server never came back to ask us how the food was and we had to get up twice during our meal. Once to ask for some ketchup, and then to get our checks. They were fairly busy and I know our server was new so I can look past it for this visit. But service is key to an experience so I hope at my next visit the service will be better. I love finding a new spot to hang out in Asheville!
(3)Aaron E.
The Southern has one of the best locations in town, but fails to pack a strong punch like it should. There's a good ambiance, with a decent selection of drinks. The outdoor patio is nice, but you should be aware that there will be plenty of smoking and a few bums will come up. The bouncers do a good job of fending them off. The food is above average for a bar, but overpriced in the scope of things. The staff is really hit or miss. I have seen a handful of fights here.
(3)Michael S.
We came here on a Thursday night, and had a very good time. The bartenders are very friendly and knowledgeable about their drinks. It is a very chill, but drinking friendly environment! Apparently Wednesday is a great night to join in on the stand up comedian fun!
(4)Cody F.
Great location on Lexington, on summer evenings the patio is some of the best atmosphere and people watching this side of Las Vegas. Menu is ok, some of the beers are pricey. What is it with Asheville's love of micro IPAs?
(3)Rachel H.
The drinks and food are mediocre. The inside is a little dark/grungy for me. Really it's just a nice spot to sit outside and people watch since it's right on the corner. It's also a good in between spot to grab a drink if bar hopping downtown.
(3)Anastasia M.
Alright, I'm giving a star for the bartender and the food, and the guy with an epic mustache. But the service, I'm not giving any stars at all. First of all, our waitress took forever to bring anything out including menus and even our water. After we finished with food, we decided to have a few more local beers. Even though, the server decided to bring our check to us three times before we were ready to actually leave. Then when we had enough of food and drinks, finally asked for the check to close. Bill was about 56$, since the service was pretty bad we decided to even out and give 4$. Which is WELL below the norm for me. She grabbed the check before we finished our last drinks. And as we're walking out, she said "wow, that's terrible" "thanks for nothing". You don 't ever say that around customers EVER. You know what, all you had to do is try, it would of been an easy 15+. We will never come back to this place despite our frequent travel. PS if you are a manager reading this, I don't remember waitresses name, but she worked on the night of July 2nd. We came in around 1140. The night was not busy at all.
(1)Trish J.
First off, I fell in love with Asheville. Definately my niche because of all the foodie places, live music in the parks, art boutiques and watering holes. This place was one of my favorite ones.
(5)Emiene W.
Beautiful patio with enough umbrella coverage over the cobblestones to make people-watching a treat even when it's raining. The night I went was dreary, but the atmosphere was warm!
(3)Tom G.
This place didn't do it for me at all. Some great beers on tap, the menu was so-so at best. Only one short visit, but lots of cool 30-ish folks who really like themselves slugging martinis back while their toddlers made a racket. Nothing overtly wrong with the place but I wouldn't go again and wish I didn't.
(2)Jaymie M.
Our waitress was helpful and this was about the only place in downtown Asheville still serving food at 1am on a Monday. Everyone sitting on the patio with us seemed to be having a good, relaxed time. A mix of out-of-towners, hospital workers just off their shift and locals. The house margarita was a little weak, but the Cubano sandwich and truffle deviled eggs were delicious and hit the spot. I can't comment on their full menu or the interior restaurant space, but our late night experience was just what we were looking for before turning in for the night.
(4)Sonja M.
Easy, nice ambiance.tried several of the specialty drinks-all were delicious but I have to say the Hinny was my favorite- The wait staff and and bar tenders were very friendly and available. We went back the next day, different staff, but the same comfortable, laid back feeling with great drinks and service. Thank you! I will certainly revisit the next time I am Asheville.
(5)Karen S.
Had a genuine "beer garden" vibe. AWESOME patio- it was pretty full so I think this is the place to do some outdoor imbibing when the weather is nice. They have food - the bread plate looked really good-but the staff was cool with you just having drinks and enjoying the patio.
(4)Lucie J.
Great drinks...our bartender Conner was fabulous!!!! Def a late night recommendation!!!!
(5)Heather P.
The patio has potential but the service and smoking really made it awful. We sat down to enjoy a couple drinks with our dog and baby after trekking through the area on a hot Friday afternoon.. We are city people used to going with the flow but the service offered by our sour waitress combined with almost every person smoking up a storm turned us off. Once we realized the smoking situation we cancelled our pretzel order, our waitress just seemed annoyed. Beer selection wasn't that great either for Asheville. Do yourself a favor and go to the brewery next door. 2 stars only because they allowed dogs.
(2)Caitlin C.
Came here for a quick Happy hour sit down right when Happy hour was just starting on Easter Sunday. We sat on the patio which enabled people watching and weather enjoying. I think it's $9(or maybe it was $8?) for a shot of whatever you want and a pint of PBR, which my company decided to get. I went for a blackberry margarita which was quite a knock out. They also have a small happy hour menu with things like mac and cheese, pretzels and mustard...on Easter Sunday they had deviled eggs. The food was good but not out of this world. I'd come here again for a happy hour drink.
(4)stephen N.
I eat here allot, love the place!!! Great outdoor patio, wrought iron and cobblestone type patio. The chef is a young woman who I met at the Appalachian Vintner, she pulls off an amazing variety of food at great prices! I've had sandwhiches and many of the small/large plates here, never disappointed. My favorite thing I've had there were the pork belly steam buns with house cured kimshi...yum. Today I had the short rib tamales, they were mindblowing like the other stuff I've had but I enjoyed them and was quite full. The stand out today was the shrimp tacos my friend had for dinner. For $10 he got three huge shrimp tacos with advocado and all sorts of fillings, plus rice and refried beans!!! A huge plate. If you are in town visiting and looking for a romantic or fun place, look no further than the Southern!
(4)Kelsey T.
This is my favorite bar in town. I love the atmosphere. They have great outdoor and indoor seating and a dark loud room in the back too. It's a good place to go to hang out with an intimate group of people or if you want to meet new people it works out great too. I do have some issues with the staff every once in a while, but the atmosphere keeps pulling me back in. I also have had 3 drinks with soda that have come out flat. I think they have regular issues with their carbonation. I feel bad sending them back all the time (especially on Monday's when well drinks are only $2!). But I'll probably always keep going back because they have the best atmosphere in town.
(4)Thomas T.
Came in Sunday night with my girl. We were at the bar decided to pre game! The bar tender Conner was a mixologist! Please order the Boheimein! He had unicorn hair. Great time. Great time!
(5)R P.
Pretty good cocktails, food was okay. Had the Salmon BLT which was good but not great. Nice patio to hang out on during the evening.
(3)Nick C.
Thought it was a cool establishment in the small hick, williamsburg hybrid town. Outdoors was awesome with marble stone seating. Great mixed drink. I was trashed off just 2 and wherever you sit someone comes over and asked what would you like. I can never ever get that at any N.Y bar. A Saturday night wasn't to crowded another plus but last call at 2a.m BOO!!!
(4)Andi P.
I remember when The Southern was the 'new guy' in town. It quickly became one of my favorite places to meet up with friends after work and I was able to go twice during my recent visit. I was delighted to see Connor behind the bar- that boy is one of my favorites! He's a fantastic bartender with a great personality. I also love the 'make your own bloody Mary' bar they have on Sundays. I was able to enjoy one and the bacon wrapped dates appetizer (devils on horseback) with chill music in the background by a live DJ. Hope this place stays around for years to come!!
(5)Ash H.
Great beer selection, good food, pretty chill environment. Food was pricy and didn't live up to expectations. $8 for a club sandwich and a portion of chips. For a late night bite to eat, great choice.
(3)Julia M.
They brought back the soft pretzels!
(3)Brian F.
I was told by Concierge to try this place. They had a great local beer, Pisgah Pale Ale. We went on Wednesday night which is $5 Irish whiskey night. (They had me at the moment the waitress said Irish Whiskey Night). I ate the Mac and cheese with braised pulled pork and it was phenomenal. My buddy had the southern burger and gave me half. I wish I would have ordered one of those as well because it was great. Young crowd but good food.
(4)jen d.
The outdoor dining out front is PERFECT for people-watching. But the food could've been better. They were out of several of our first choices on the menu, so we were left to pick from what was left. My chicken was cooked decently but then slathered with what seemed like a bottled bbq-meets-teriyaki sauce. Paired with bok choy and a crepe filled with asparagus made for an interesting and disjointed plate. The drink I had was delicious though. A habanero infused tequila margarita really hit the spot.
(3)Alex D.
I like the Southern. Obviously the best part is the patio on nice days and evenings. I would avoid it for dinner because the menu isn't especially big or varied. A really good selection of cocktails and beer menu. I really like the downtown location too.
(4)Tim C.
I ordered the Short Ribs Tamale, and it was a great deal. The meat was tender and well-flavored. It came with a side salad which wasn't anything special. The friends I went with had the lobster mac & cheese (which I tried a bit and it tasted pretty good) and the classic burger (which was decent). The outdoor seating area was nice and the service was good. Pretty good food for a very reasonable price!
(4)Brian K.
Good, not stellar. Shrimp and grits lacked something that popped. By no means a bad joint, but not worth the insane wait.
(3)Opal L.
You won't get any value here. I asked the waitress if the meatloaf sandwich came with any sides other than their "house made pickles." She said it comes with a salad. So I ordered it. Blah. The meat itself was ok - it was moist and had some flavor. But the salad looked as if a seal slathered in salad dressing rolled over this sad serving of wilted greens. The "salad" looked like a total afterthought. Bad presentation, and the greens/dressing weren't that great. But I'm not done. The pimento cheese on the meat was bland and oily. Part of it was chunky; the rest was melted. The meat's heat melted some of it, but it made for an inconsistent texture. They should chuck the cheese and serve some sauce with that meat. Cheez... I mean, geez. My dining companion had been eating salads lately for dietary reasons. He ordered the day's market salad after the waitress said it was really good. We were very disappointed that it only consisted of mozzarella and tomato slices, about 7 pieces total. The waitress should have recommended something additional. This was in no way fitting for a satisfying lunch. So, keep in mind that none of the sandwiches come with a side other than wilted oily greens, and if you want a side, you'll pay $3-$7 more for that. What a rip. Most places get it right by including fries, chips or potato salad. Not here.
(1)Elizabeth K.
Forget it! Their patio is the only thing they have going for them. And maybe some of their food. The service is what really makes this place so horrible. If you can even GET a server they are usually rude or can't remember what you ordered, etc. Once I ordered a gin and tonic and got a gin and Sprite, what?! It was so busy we never even got a check, we just left cash on the table and left. Another time I was with a large group and they could only split the check 4 ways. We had at least 10 people in there ordering drinks for 3 hours or more- it got very complicated and stressful. Inside it's too loud to talk and in the winter it smells like cheese. This is because almost all of their menu items have cheese on them. Some of this is good (their cheese board is good) but it really is just foul to go inside in the winter when the heat is on and it smells like farts. I have given this place so many chances, I'm sure I'll be back because everyone seems to go there even with the terrible service. At least they have good drink specials. Ugh.
(1)Elizabeth D.
We came here on a busy Saturday night at 8 pm for dinner because tupelo honey had a 2 hour wait and LAB wouldn't admit my teenagers. Next door to LAB, nice patio but our table of 6 had to be indoors. Solid pub food but not unusual. 6 of us with 2 beers came to $100 before tip. The soft pretzels were my fave with amazing mustard and great queso sauce; didn't care for the apple butter but it was a nice try. Order of pork sliders were good. I had the bacon Mac and cheese which was delicious but too much of a good thing. I'd recommend sharing that and a salad with a friend. Sandwiches come with a side of chips or salad or you can get the Mac and cheese for a few extra dollars. The chicken salad sandwich was decent with more of that good mustard. The meat and cheese board was fairly stingy on the protein but had nice house pickled veggies; would not recommend as a dinner. The service was fast and competent. Good place for drinks and casual food if the more popular places are jammed.
(3)Julia B.
you gave us a great space to meet and party to finish the year. The food was great and plentiful and the cost was very affordable. Bar service was prompt and delicious also.
(4)Kris T.
On a nice day, it's well worth a stop here to sit on the outdoor patio for some beer, a little nosh and some great people watching. It's probably not going to win any awards for innovation, but the food's good, they have a good local beer selection (insert those four words into every review I post for an Asheville restaurant), and the wine menu is excellent. If you go on a Sunday, you can get half-priced bottles of wine and you won't have to contend with too much tourist traffic.
(3)Meredith H.
To me, the food here is only okay. The pimento cheese crostini I had last time was a little greasy, and sometimes I find the portions skimpy. They were also out of the first two things I ordered, so there's that. That said, the drinks are dynamite - I highly recommend the sunday afternoon Bloody Mary bar, and the "Manmosas" (a mimosa made with Pabst Blue ribbon beer and OJ), while not my style, were quite a hit with my companions. And the tiramisu martini? Dear Lord . . . The patio is, as other reviewers have said, fantastic. And on Sunday afternoons, Asheville's best DJ spins late seventies/early eighties soft "yacht" rock. If you have something better to do on a Sunday afternoon in downtown Asheville than relaxing on a stone patio while sipping a Bloody Mary with pickled okra and listening to Steely Dan, prove it.
(4)Holly P.
I really wish we had a place like this where I live! So much fun. The front is a classy, dressed up bar/lounge atmosphere. We hung out in in the back, a game den with its own bar, pool table, pinball, foosball, and classic video game console. We had a blast here.
(5)J F.
Lobster mac and cheese Duck ham salad
(3)Bob C.
Good Spring Greens, Pork Tacos!!!! PBRs on tap, life is good.
(3)Tricia O.
What's that saying about "I'm outdoorsy in that I like to sit on patios and drink"? That completely applies to me. And the patio at The Southern looks like the perfect place to do just that. On the night we visited, it was way chilly, so we sat inside at the comfy bar and chatted with the friendly staff members, the type of which are more often than not found in Asheville eateries and bars. Viewing the damask wallpaper (love) in the bar area almost made up a bit for the nippy temps outside, and the meat and cheese plate and the truffles were just the right portion sizes for a late night snack. There is a cave-like room in the back of the establishment that has a totally different vibe from the rest of the place. Perhaps it was a vault at one time? I'm told the building itself formerly housed a jewelry store. House music blares, fluorescent graffiti tags the walls, and pool tables and other bar games abound. Since I didn't get to fully enjoy the patio surrounded by a cast iron gate overlooking Lexington Avenue, I fully plan to make that patio my own during a warmer weather visit.
(4)Ann M.
My sister and brother-in-law took us here for pre-dinner drinks and apps before moving on for a birthday celebration and it was excellent. We absolutely loved the feel of the place, dark and cozy with nice privacy for groups 2-6. I wish I could remember exactly what we ordered, but here are the highlights. I love to order cocktails, so I had a one from their specialty menu that had whiskey and a ginger/sugar rim. It was very good. My brother-in-law ordered a bloody mary that hands down if you could guarantee me that every bloody mary would taste like that I would always order one! For food we ordered a hot southern (Pork and pimento cheese on crostini ) and "pigs in a blanket" which wasn't at all what you are probably thinking it would be. Puff pastry with pork belly and kimchi....unbelievable. We would go back again in a heartbeat and wish they would open one out here in Portland, OR!!!! Can't wait for our next visit to Asheville.
(4)Doug D.
Another solid meal in Asheville. Had the tamales which were great. REALLY liked the habanero hot sauce they served with it. Not too hot. Just right.
(4)Todd B.
I have been to The Southern twice this week, once with people from work and again this weekend with family - great outdoor seating and I recommend the following food: Hot Southern - great appetizer Cubano - best cuban sandwich I have had in a long time Also the bar is really cool with the iced taps, check those out, and a nice beer selection.
(5)Michael F.
I would have given this place 3.5 stars if it was an option, just for the record. But anywho.... Every now and then I go to The Southern or, rather, its attached bar, "Dirty South Bar" or whatever it is called, (1 star on the name selection on that by the way) for a drink after work. The drinks are always fine, the place is seriously dark, which is kinda weird, but eh, makes people look better I guess, and the crowd is often a kinda funny mixed Asheville bag. But I digress, the reason I am writing this review is because I was really pleasantly surprised by the food I got there the other night. I got the large cheese board, a mac and cheese side, and my friend got the homemade ice cream sandwiches (we shared everything), and while I know that doesn't sound like an astounding smorgasbord of culinary creations or anything, I have always thought that a cheeseboard (or antipasto platter if you will, which is really what this was actually), and mac and cheese are always good touchstones of how well any particular place is making its grub, and how much they value good ingredients. This was an excellent antipasto platter, really delicious. I just love a good antipasto platter, and as I said, I was just really pleasantly surprised, because, I don't know, I guess I don't expect great things all the time, especially from a relatively new place downtown. The mac and cheese was pretty darn good too. I definitely reserve my top praise for some other mac and cheese that I've had in my life, but this was no doubt yummy and made with real cheese. And the coup de grâce was definitely the ice cream sandwiches. Wow, wow, wow, sinfully delicious! round, rich chocolate cookies that I'm pretty sure were homemade, yummy ice cream inside, perhaps homemade also? and the perfect size: large, but not too big, with two on the plate. Well done. I will be back for all of the above and one time or another I'm sure.
(4)Shannon M.
Absolutely love this place extremely friendly, attentive, and delicious food. I come here whenever I visit!
(5)Chriss F.
Pretty much another late night bar. The best thing we experienced is the nice waiter who had a great sense of humor. I am not sure about the food since we were not hungry at the time. Decent location, however.
(3)Aurora L.
Food was good as were the drinks but the very rude servers were unpleasant.
(2)David H.
I have no criticism of this meal. Had the organic chicken with spaetzel. This is not ordinary bar food. This is really good gourmet mountain fare. Came in late night with my traveling party and NOTHING was open after 10PM on a sunday other than this and a few other places. Definitely was not expecting it to be this good. Was actually better than the meal we had at The Admiral the next night. The deviled eggs were a hit. Plus the wine was half off by the bottle. Oh, and good music.
(5)Reggie G.
The husband and I went to The Southern for dinner last night and were pleasantly surprised. First off, they have a ton of outdoor seating in a prime people-watching zone. Secondly, the staff is super friendly. Lastly, the food is pretty damn good. I got an amazing cocktail with St. Gemaine (my favorite!) and lemon juice - the Lemon Square, which was perfectly mixed. We also shared the Mezza Platter, which had this delicious, super garlicky hummus in it and the black bean burger. The veggie burger was the best I have had in a long time and apparently won Mountain Ex's best VB a few years in a row. This might be my new go-to.
(5)Meg C.
Went again recently and had the same reaction....good, not great. I had the tamales. The drinks are still tasty & service is pretty good. Might be a good appetizer/drinks place or late night dessert place.
(3)dominick d.
In town for a wedding and went here with some friends. The bloody southern is probably the best bloody I've been ever had! I really appreciate it when a place is passionate about crafting a quality cocktail with fresh ingredients. The bartender Emily was fantastic. I had the meatloaf burger with bacon and it was delicious
(5)Allure Laser Treatment A.
Great atmosphere, descent service. Food was mediocre. I would say a good place for cocktails :)
(3)Lynn G.
The Prosciutto and brie sandwich was to die for. Loved the patio!
(5)Hazel R.
If I could give this spot less than one star, I would. While the beer was good, the service was at a glacial speed and our cheese and meat plate was an absolute joke. I'm still laughing about it. For fifteen dollars, I would expect more than two slices of cheese, three olives, a tablespoon size of goat cheese, and a slice of prosciutto ripped into three tiny pieces. I dont even think there was an actual serving size of any of the food. Our waiter assured us upon ordering that these were "fancy" cheeses And meats. I'm sorry, but does "fancy " mean sparse? It was ridiculous. I even got the feeling that our waiter was embarrassed about the size of the portions. But not enough to actually be attentive. He took half an hour to even bring us our beers and then an extra half hour for the food. I have been to places such as bin. 152 in charleston South Carolina where you are taken care of like you are VIP and you pay 9 dollars for a meat sample, which came with two rows of thickly sliced sausages and unlimited baguette. DO NOT GET THE MEAT AND CHEESE PLATE HERE. YOU WILL REGRET IT.
(1)Eric H.
Very good food. Excellent and unique drinks. Great patio to hang out and people watch. The place to be downtown on warm spring or summer evening.
(5)Margaret G.
Must eat more tamales. And our service was on point. Two friends had their steamed buns with pork and neither were impressed with those. We dined outside, but beware of smokers. Unless you like that kind of thing while eating. Will go back and try more food and update score if necessary.
(4)Carolina W.
Went to check the Southern out on a recent warm Sunday. Found our server polite and efficient. Outdoor patio with wrought iron and black marble decor lends the place a cool gothic vibe. Fun people watching spot, friendly vibe customers, and food was solid. We had the meatloaf sandwich and the pulled pork. Both were tasty to the last bite. Being from the Northeast, I was definitely crushing on their tender, tangy pulled pork since it's quite possibly the best I've had. The only downfall of the meal was the salads that came as a side with our entrees. It looked like the kitchen had hastily ripped some lettuce and thrown it on our plates--that's so not okay in my book. I'm paying to eat a nice meal and presentation is about leaving a favorable impression on me, the customer, the least the kitchen can do is make a little bit of effort. One last thing: the make your own bloody mary station was wonderful. I'm not sure if this is an option every day, but even if it's once a week, I was loving it. We got to the Southern well after brunch hours, so the station was in disarray when I ordered my first bloody but by the time I ordered my second, they had neatly restocked the station to all of its glory. Will most definitely return on my next trip down to Asheville.
(3)Betsy E.
We all want The Southern to be a great new restaurant because we love the location BUT they need to get it together. I was there 9/4 and agree with rating given by the other person there the same day. I happened to check Yelp while we were waiting forever to get acknowledged and saw the shocking review. We had second thoughts about spending big bucks on entrees so we decided to get drinks and appetizers. I ordered a Late Bloomer, one of their "specialty drinks". Believe me it was nothing special, it tasted like watered down orange aid, no liquor at all for 7.00! I sent it back and got a Hibiscus something, still could not taste any liquor but at least it had flavor. We had the Truffle Deviled Eggs and Pimento Crostinni. The eggs were so bland, I think their special ingredient is mayo! The crostinni was good cheese on toast, big whoop. Really I want this place to get it together, maybe inconsistency is the problem because there have been positive reviews posted. Word of mouth I have heard on The Southern has not been good so please listen and work it out because we want you there!
(1)Suzie M.
Out of all of the restaurants in Asheville, The Southern seems to be the most overrated. My boyfriend and I grabbed dinner there with the intention of grabbing a slice of their chocolate ganache (we stumbled upon their ganache a few months ago and were very impressed), which could possibly be the only thing on the menu that the chef has actually mastered. For an appetizer, we ordered the spinach and feta dip with grilled pita bread. On the bright side, the dip was not weighed down with cream (as many restaurants do with their dips) but it was significantly lacking in flavor. It tasted like a bowl of cooked spinach with some feta sprinkled on top. It desperately needed more feta, a kick of garlic, or at the very least some salt to elevate the flavors. I would have added my own salt but the restaurant did not keep salt or pepper on the table, a move that many upscale restaurants are making these days. (However, as with The Southern, this move can backfire and even come off as presumptuous when guests are not presented with perfectly seasoned dishes.) For entrees, my boyfriend ordered the burger with a salad as his side. He's not critical of food at all, so I can't offer any insight as to how well they do burgers, but both of us were surprised when we saw his side: 2-3 bites of greens on the side of his plate, almost like an afterthought. I'm not a stickler for huge portions, but I've seem garnishes that were more substantial. I ordered the walnut apple salad, which was fine but nothing to write home about. I've had side salads at other restaurants that were better and more filling and again, it needed a bit of salt to tie the flavors together. Finally, when dessert came around we ordered the ganache (the purpose of our visit) but our server informed us that they didn't have the ganache anymore. My boyfriend was a little heartbroken, but I suggested that we try the chocolate brownie instead. Bad plan. It was dry, mediocre, and uninspired. Also, it was advertised as coming with a scoop of caramel pecan ice cream, but ou scoop turned out to be more of a tablespoon. Certainly not enough to balance out the overly dry brownie. Our bill came out at just over 33 dollars, which left us feeling ripped off (especially since we had an incredible meal at Honey Tupelo the night before for less than 33) and hungry. I will not be returning to The Southern and I give it two stars, one for the ganache (assuming they eventually offer it again) and one simply because nothing was necessarily terrible.
(2)adair b.
Great company aside, the atmosphere is a bit trendy and a little too dark. The pretzels were great as well as the drinks. GREAT DRINKS! The food was amazing, but the tamales were a bit dry, actually very dry and the masa could have steamed a bit longer. I recommend spending some time in a Latin kitchen before trying to personalize a tradition Mexican dish.
(3)Tracy C.
The food was great and the wait staff very friendly. We stopped in for drinks and appetizers but I wish we could have stayed for dinner!
(4)