7 Terrific Asheville BBQ Joints You Don’t Want To Miss
Nothing beats Asheville BBQ. From locals, find the best spots for BBQ in Asheville for dine-in, takeout, families, and gf, vegan, and veggie diners.
This is the South, and Southern comfort food is famous, especially for its cornbread, hush puppies, BBQ, baked beans, fried okra, and deep-fried Oreos.
There is nothing better than pulled pork sandwiches, Mac & Cheese, a rack of ribs, and a side of coleslaw or potato salad. Show us the kielbasa paired with local craft beer.
Of course, one of the most controversial questions with contentious answers includes: Where can you find the best BBQ in Asheville, NC?
And, what are the top Asheville BBQ restaurants for both takeout and dine-in? How about for families?
Plus, where can you chase the best Asheville barbecue food trucks across breweries, festivals, and local farms?
As AVL locals, we’ll share where to get delicious barbecue in Asheville along with a few insider tips and tricks.
Dine like a former U.S. President, and see which Asheville BBQ restaurants have vegan and gluten-free options – we are a Celiac and UC household, after all.
So, unfasten that top pant button, and let’s get started.
Afterward, you might also enjoy our Asheville Restaurant Dining Guide.
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Table of Contents
7 Best Asheville BBQ Joints
1. Luella’s Bar-B-Que
North Asheville: 501 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804; (828) 505-7427
South Asheville: 33 Town Square Blvd., Biltmore Park, Asheville, NC 28803; (828) 676-3855
Website: http://luellasbbq.com/
As residents, if we had to pick only one place serving up the best BBQ in Asheville, we’d start with Luella’s. Imagine ordering giant platters of barbecue that will last for days.
We especially love Luella’s North Asheville BBQ restaurant, which is pictured above.
Grandma Lue is Luella’s namesake. This BBQ joint is not only committed to serving delicious food but also gives back to the AVL community.
Sit inside or out with steaming plates full of ribs and pulled pork. Their sandwiches come with a heaping 1/4-pound of meat. Skip the bread by ordering a platter.
Find mouthwatering items like Brunswick stew, deviled eggs, smoked wings, comfort fries, pork ribs, beef brisket, cobb salad, and loaded BBQ baked potatoes.
Luella’s has vegan and vegetarian options like tempeh and salads.
Also find gluten-free selections, making Luella’s one of the most diet-friendly Asheville BBQ joints on this list along with Bear’s Smokehouse.
In fact, Luella’s labels its menu as gluten-safe, vegetarian, and NC-made – and if you ask while ordering, servers will also check the ingredient list. (We are a UC, lactose-intolerant, and Celiac household.)
Afterward, head over to The Hop Ice Cream Cafe – the North Asheville location – for dessert. Think vegan and regular ice cream, floats, shakes, and treats.
Or, walk off your meal at nearby Beaver Lake and the Botanical Gardens at Asheville.
Discover all that you can do in North AVL; it’s a great AVL neighborhood to spend time in.
2. Buxton Hall Barbecue
32 Banks Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 232-7216
Website: http://www.buxtonhall.com/
Buxton Hall is one of the most well-known and popular spots for BBQ in Asheville and sits across from Catawba Brewing in Downtown’s South Slope neighborhood.
Buxton Hall is part of the Chai Pani Restaurant Family. Think James Beard-award-winning Indian street food at Chai Pani.
Buxton Hall specializes in all-wood, whole-hog Asheville BBQ, and they serve up delicious craft cocktails.
Along with classic barbecue meats like a pulled pork plate, ribs, or brisket, order collard greens, baked beans, fries, burgers, fried chicken, and BBQ hash.
Buxton Hall Barbecue is full of history too.
Located in the old Standard Paper Sales Company building, back in the 1930s, the building housed a roller skating rink and an old boat showroom.
Today, enjoy BBQ in a trendy wide-open space with exposed brick and huge windows overlooking Urban Orchard, one of Asheville’s top cideries.
On your way out, head to Vortex Doughnuts for vegan donuts and a cup of coffee before adventuring off around South Slope.
Discover all of Downtown Asheville’s restaurants, both casual and fine dining.
3. 12 Bones Smokehouse
River: 5 Foundy St. Ste 10, Asheville, NC 28801; (828) 253-4499
South: 2350 Hendersonville Rd, Arden, NC 28704; (828) 687-1395
Website: https://www.12bones.com/
Are you hoping to dine like a former U.S. President?
It’s no secret that on their 2008 trip to Asheville, the Obama family hiked Craven Gap along the Blue Ridge Parkway and ate at 12 Bones Smokehouse – the River Arts District location.
In fact, their picture is on the wall with 12 Bones staff. We read on Today that Barack Obama ordered barbecue ribs with blueberry chipotle BBQ sauce.
12 Bones Smokehouse slow-smokes their meat over hardwoods and cooks old family favorites as well as new flavors.
Get in line, choose from a delicious platter or sandwich, and don’t forget the draft beer. Stop by the sauce station too.
Grab a seat on their numerous outdoor patios surrounded by RAD’s most vibrant street murals. Or, eat inside and read all the funny and sweet wall inscriptions.
At the 12 Bones South location (Arden), enjoy 12 Bones brewery and taproom – and you know Asheville has a terrific craft brewery scene.
Pay homage to Anthony Bourdain with Gus Cutty’s brilliant mural.
For many visitors, 12 Bones Smokehouse has the best barbecue in Asheville because of its claim to fame, food, and atmosphere. We do love it.
12 Bones is also a great Asheville place to eat for families.
We highly recommend 12 Bones for lunch in Asheville followed by a stroll along the riverwalk and early evening drinks at our favorite Asheville wine bar, Bottle Riot.
4. Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ
Downtown: 135 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801; (828) 505-7088
South at Sweeten Creek Brewing: 1127 Sweeten Creek Rd; (828) 412-3453
Website: https://bearsbbq.com/asheville
We are Connecticut natives – and halfbacks – and we actually have a Bear’s Smokehouse near our CT hometown. Small world; big BBQ!?
Bear’s Smokehouse has a BBQ food truck and dine-in restaurant on Coxe Ave, which is also home to the motherload of AVL beer – pictured above. (You’ll be close to Chemist Distillery too.)
Bear’s also has a South Asheville location at Sweeten Creek Brewing.
For delicious barbecue in Asheville, select from pulled pork and chicken, kielbasa, and brisket.
Vegan and veggie diners will find items like smoked tempeh, Impossible meatloaf, and smoked portobello.
If you are going big and grand, be sure to check out Bear’s Favorites, including a baked potato topped with meats and Mac & Cheese, nachos, and cornbread or fries with meat and cheese.
Of course, Bear’s Smokehouse’s menu also features ribs, salads, and sandwiches along with kids’ meals.
If a regular-sized sandwich is too small for you, upgrade to a “Bear Sized” beast. Just don’t tell our resident AVL black bears, though…
Bear’s Smokehouse mixes delicious meats into their black beans.
If spice isn’t your jam, just order your meat sans sauce. Their sauces and rubs are gluten-free (but always double-check).
While we’ve eaten on-site, for Asheville BBQ takeout, Bear’s Smokehouse also does a fabulous job. They also offer full-service catering and private food truck service.
5. Moe’s Original BBQ
4 Sweeten Creek Rd. Asheville, NC 28803 | (828) 505-8282
114 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792 | (828) 595-9200
Website: https://www.moesoriginalbbq.com/
Even though it is a chain, Moe’s Original BBQ makes some of the best BBQ in Asheville. We can’t help but devour their flavors.
Find Alabama-style pulled pork and in-house smoked meats. Order a local brew too.
Located near Biltmore Village in Asheville – with an outdoor patio – try Moe’s pulled pork, ribs, turkey, and chicken.
Of course, they have those infamous Southern sides and sauces. We enjoy Moe’s BBQ baked beans and potato salad.
Moe’s Original BBQ also has allergy-friendly menus ready to go for gluten-free, vegan/veggie, and lactose-free diners.
Their Asheville location makes them a great Biltmore area restaurant to try after spending a day on the estate.
If you find yourself outside of Asheville, Moe’s Original BBQ Hendersonville restaurant is also great, especially since Hendersonville has a plethora of fun things to do, including museums, hiking, and waterfall chasing.
Like Asheville, Hendersonville has a great coffee scene – don’t miss Black Bear, ShareWell, or Appalachian Coffee Company.
6. Carolina Ace BBQ
Rotating WNC BBQ Food Truck: Grab Their Schedule On Facebook
OK, we might be cheating on this one, but you cannot miss the best BBQ near Asheville: Carolina Ace Catering. We just love them.
We first found Carolina Ace Catering at Guidon Brewing in Hendersonville – about a 40-minute drive from downtown Asheville.
Hendersonville is home to stellar breweries with food trucks, tons of outdoor space, our favorite brews, and a few newer gorgeous taprooms.
We weren’t even supposed to be eating dinner out. However, we could not resist Carolina Ace Catering’s BBQ menu filled with delicious pulled pork fries and sandwiches.
The ribs sucked us in, and they also have meatloaf, chicken, and brisket. For Asheville BBQ joint favorites, they are up there!
7. Garage BBQ
Rotating WNC BBQ Food Truck: Grab Their Schedule On Facebook
New in 2022, if you are looking for some of the best barbecue in Asheville, be sure to catch Garage BBQ.
This rotating food truck is run by Jonathan, and he frequents large events, churches, local farms, distilleries, and the WNC breweries, including 7 Clans, Blue Ghost Brewing, Highlands, and Packa’s Place.
Garage BBQ features pulled pork and chicken, and everything but the buns is gluten-free – just always double-check, in case this changes.
Grab BBQ pork sliders with chips and a brew at your favorite Asheville brewery.
When he first started, Jonathan invited Uncorked Asheville out to try his homemade BBQ sauces on the house as well as to introduce himself.
We are so glad he did! We love small businesses, and Jonathan has some fabulous Asheville recommendations.
Thanks to our readers for putting us and him on our radar. If they are on the menu, be sure to try the Apple Butter, Pumpkin Spice, Gloppy Tom, and Vinny’s BBQ sauces.
Uncover even more of the best Asheville food trucks for BBQ, pizza, burgers, and more.
A few more spots for the best BBQ in Asheville include:
Haywood Smokehouse
Little Pigs Bar-B-Q
Black Bear BBQ
Huli Sue’s BBQ and Grill
Sadly, Big South Kitchen – one of our all-time favorite Asheville BBQ takeout restaurants – closed in December 2021.
Save Your Favorite Spots For Barbecue In Asheville For Later:
Where To Stay In Asheville
Explore the best places to stay in Asheville. A few of our top suggestions:
- Aloft – Downtown Asheville – Centrally located and recently renovated, enjoy a rooftop pool, a gorgeous bar, and trendy rooms.
- The Omni Grove Park Inn – Treat yourself to a luxury resort in North Asheville, complete with breathtaking sunsets, terrace bars and dining, and loads of Asheville history.
- Hampton Inn And Suites Asheville Biltmore Area – A budget-friendly but renovated hotel on busier Brevard Road that’s perfect if you wish to stay between Biltmore Estate, Downtown Asheville, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Asheville Cottages – Gorgeous 1 to 3-bedroom cottages with a private deck, housing a grill and hot tub. Find luxurious heated-floor bathrooms with rain showers, a well-stocked kitchen, and the cleanest rooms in town.
- Foundry Hotel – An oasis in Downtown Asheville, Foundry Hotel is a nod to AVL’s industrial history. Find famous restaurant Benne on Eagle while sleeping ensconced in charm and elegance.
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Asheville Westgate, NC – Located off of the highway as you enter AVL, find a sleek and clean hotel at a great price.
- Black Walnut B&B Inn – Designed by Biltmore’s supervising architect, Richard Sharp-Smith, this 1899 inn is close to Downtown AVL and serves afternoon tea. Two rooms are pet-friendly.
Don’t miss out on these Asheville properties on Booking.com, too.
Who serves up the best BBQ in Asheville, NC?
Where do you love to go for BBQ in Asheville? What is the best WNC city for barbecue? Best state? Best country?
Plus, what do you like to order? Do you have a go-to meal?
If we had to pick only three spots for the best barbecue in Asheville, we’d go with Luella’s, 12 Bones, and Carolina Ace BBQ.
For staple orders, Christine is all about that pulled pork. Tom almost always orders gluten-free ribs.
Let us know your favorites in the comments, and join our newsletter for more local finds.
Still Hungry? Head This Way:
Asheville Food and Drink Guide
Where To Order Thai Food
Best Sushi
Taco Joints
Burgers Across AVL
Pizza In AVL
Christine Frascarelli
Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner and lead writer of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina home. When her pointy Italian nose isn’t stuck in a book, Christine is adopting all of the kitties, getting lost in the forest, and drinking an ESB. She has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. Christine also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.
If you are near Black Mountain, check out Phil’s BBQ. I think it’s better than many of the ones on this list.
We love Black Mountain. Thanks for the tip!
We live about 7 minutes from Doc Brown’s in Candler and it is fantastic! They do ribs several different ways, have great pulled pork, and, when they have it, their turkey is wonderful.
We will have to check out Doc Brown’s. Thanks so much for the recommendation.
12 Bones was like #1 on Andrew’s Asheville list and it did NOT disappoint! I think we got a tub of mac and cheese for the road!! Next time we’re back, we’ll have to try the others!
Andrew wanted to dine like a former President! Haha. I wish that I could eat Mac and Cheese. In Tampa, there was this delicious BBQ place that had vegan sides like Mac & Cheese. I about died.