Hey, y'all. I recently went to Asheville, NC for a business trip. I stayed at the Omni Grove Park Inn which is a blog post all on it's own. What a beautiful place. I ate at 3 different places while I was there. One of them 3 times - because it was delicious and was at the Grove Park Inn which was very convenient after a long day of work.
Let's start off with Pack's Tavern. This wonderful gem is located in downtown at 20 S. Spruce Street. There is street and lot parking available. They are open 7 days a week. Now, let's get down to the pretty details. Look at how inviting this place is from outside. I love all the lights outlining the windows! And that truck is to stinkin' cute! I would love to own that!
The historic Hayes and Hopson building built in the early 1900's. The restaurant's website shares a story about this building being a hotspot during Prohibition. The building was then a lumber supply, so the loading dock, the basement and an underground tunnel made for a booming business for moonshine makers and lovers. As you look at the menu and take in the atmosphere, you will see the theme of Pack's Tavern - 1932 - a tribute to the proverbial beginning of the end of Prohibition.
(Photo cred: Pack's Tavern Facebook page)
Pack's Yellow Truck also known as the "Juice Box"
(Photo cred: Pack's Tavern Facebook page)
It was pretty late when we got there and the outdoor pics I took left a little to be desired. We entered this beautiful vintage building into a modern tavern with a beautiful interior, a vast bar selection and a very enticing menu to explore. We were immediately greeted and seated. The place was pretty full and everyone in there seemed to be having a great time. The air was full of wonderful smells and laughter. Just the way I like it. They also have a beautiful patio for seating! I am a sucker for outdoor seating when it isn't 40 degrees outside. Lol.
Check out the menu! See the 1932 theme? So many offerings - some traditional with a modern twist and some eclectic!
(Photo cred: Trip Advisor)
We started off with the fried pickles and Boy, Howdy, they were phenomenal! Nice and crispy, fresh out of the fryer and a tasty side of housemade garlic aoli.
Next, we ordered entrees, my co-workers had the 12 oz. grilled ribeye 12 oz. Angus rib-eye, mashed potatoes with mushroom-sage gravy and a delicious looking house salad - which looked phenomenal. Pack's offers a Thai vinaigrette which according to my friend was amazing. Sorry - no pic of the ribeye. (They usually get started on their food before I can snap a picture. :) )
I ordered the Prohibition Pot Roast, one of the Signature Entrees. It did not disappoint, y'all! Beef shoulder braised in local porter, carrots, mushrooms, bacon, pearl onion jus, mashed potatoes & grilled baguette. Seriously, friends, what could be wrong with that? The meat was so super tender and the porter sauce was full of flavor. 5 Stars, for sure.
In addition to a great selection of appetizers, side and entrée salads, soups and the Signature Entrees, they also offer wood-fired pizza, calzones and subs, assorted sandwiches, burgers and fish tacos. Many of their offerings can be made gluten free also. Just ask your server. They have dessert offerings also but we were all stuffed, tired from traveling and ready to settle in for the night.
The second place I want to tell y'all about is Luella's BBQ!! There are two locations in Asheville. We went to the 501 Merrimon Ave location for lunch after setting up our booth. Look how cute this jewel is!
(photo cred: Luella's Facebook page)
This location has LOTS of outdoor seating! Yay!!
And is super cute inside, too!
We studied the menu for a few minutes and decided against an appetizer this time. I was really thinking about the deviled eggs or the Brunswick stew. I was also intrigued with the Dry Rubbed Sweet Potato Chips.
We ordered at the hostess stand. I already knew when I went that I was having brisket in some form. I am a total brisket addict! I narrowed it down to the Texas Baked Potato and the Burnt Ends Mac 'n Cheese. Which one do y'all think I ended up ordering?
Drum Roll, Please.... I ordered the Burnt Ends Mac 'n Cheese! That's what the server suggested and I wasn't sorry. Of course, I ordered the fried okra as my side. Yummy! And I love that it came with hushpuppies! The sauce - let's talk about the sauce.
Luella's offers 5 signature sauces. Sweet Pisgah, Scooter's Vinegar, Hot Flash, China Chipotle and Lusty Mustard. I chose the Hot Flash sauce and had to get an extra. Yum-o-licious! My friend had the sliced brisket and we could have totally shared his meal.
Again, we didn't have dessert at this stop either, but I have zero doubts it would be delish. Luella's also has specials throughout the week. Check them out below.
They have a large selection of local beers, wine and cocktails as well as soft drinks, tea and lemonade.
Look up Luella's when you are in Asheville. It is definitely on my "do-it-again" list.
Okay, y'all! Let's talk about Edison, Craft Ales & Kitchen at the Omni Grove Park Inn. I arrived at the hotel starving about 4 p.m. I didn't want to have a meal because I knew we would all be going out to supper in a few hours. I had already picked out Pack's Tavern for supper. :) I spotted this little beauty and got a seat at the window overlooking the grounds. Turns out that the restaurant is named for Thomas Edison who frequently visited the Grove Park along with his "Vagabonds" (Edison, Harvey Firestone and Henry Ford) according to the Omni Grove Park Inn website. Serving a nice collection of North Carolina craft beers, small batch bourbons and handcrafted cocktails, along with some amazing food in a fun setting, this quickly became my favorite restaurant at the hotel. I quickly chose a local blackberry sour and the crispy fingerling potatoes! Oh my word, y'all!! Crispy fingerling potatoes with a Calabrian aioli pecan wood smoked bacon and beer cheese!!! It was a crisp, peppery cheesy delish gift.
The next night, we decided to eat there again. LJ had a steak that smelled and looked amazing. I had the fingerling potatoes again along with the pretzel bread with beer cheese and lusty monk honey butter. Shared those with the rest of our group because I was still stuffed from Luella's.
Just in case the Carb Police are reading, I know I was totally living on carbs that night. And I am not ashamed. :) The final night of my stay, LJ and I went back to EDISON'S and he had the Smashed Burger and fries and I had the ribeye which was served with the fingerling potatoes!! SCORE!!! It was all so good. Service was perfect! Two Thumbs Up, y'all! Definitely go try it out and explore the Grove Park Inn! It is a stunning property!
Well, friends... I am hawngry now. Lol. Thanks so much for stopping by. Please feel free to share this with your friends who love to travel. The more the merrier here at The Dash. Let me know in the comments if you have been to Asheville and what your favorite spots are. I would love to hear from you.
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Till we Dash again,
xoxo - Jeanie
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