WestAVLeats — Food Critic | FoodMedals

WestAVLeats

Grand Curator

Asheville, NC

Tacos ExpertBurritos ExpertFried Chicken ExpertFried Chicken Sandwich ExpertNachos ExpertPulled Pork ExpertBrisket ExpertBBQ Ribs ExpertRamen ExpertSushi ExpertIndian Curry ExpertPad Thai Expert

76 pts36 medals12 categoriesSince 2026

Crown Jewel

Mamacita's Taqueria

🌮Tacos · Asheville, NC

#1 Pick

Your Crown Jewel pick earns this restaurant a bonus point on the leaderboard.

2026 Trophy Case

🌮Tacos

Mamacita's Taqueria

Asheville, NC

Winner

12 Bones Smokehouse

Asheville

Chai Pani

Asheville

🌯Burritos

Mamacita's Taqueria

Asheville, NC

Winner

12 Bones Smokehouse

Asheville

Chai Pani

Asheville

Fried Chicken

Buxton Chicken Palace

Asheville, NC

Winner

sweet tea brined fried chicken with honey butter biscuits. Elliott Moss knows what he's doing

Bear's Smokehouse BBQ

Asheville

Mamacita's Taqueria

Asheville

Fried Chicken Sandwich

Buxton Chicken Palace

Asheville, NC

Winner

Mamacita's Taqueria

Asheville

Bear's Smokehouse BBQ

Asheville

Nachos

Mamacita's Taqueria

Asheville, NC

Winner

Chai Pani

Asheville

Bear's Smokehouse BBQ

Asheville

Pulled Pork

12 Bones Smokehouse

Asheville, NC

Winner

Mamacita's Taqueria

Asheville

Bear's Smokehouse BBQ

Asheville

Brisket

Bear's Smokehouse BBQ

Asheville, NC

Winner

12 Bones Smokehouse

Asheville

Mamacita's Taqueria

Asheville

BBQ Ribs

12 Bones Smokehouse

Asheville, NC

Winner

12 Bones ribs with the blueberry chipotle. been going since they were in the tiny spot on Riverside Dr

Buxton Chicken Palace

Asheville

Bear's Smokehouse BBQ

Asheville

Ramen

Neng Jr.'s

Asheville, NC

Winner

Maguro

Asheville

Pad Thai Asheville

Asheville

🍣Sushi

Maguro

Asheville, NC

Winner

Chai Pani

Asheville

Pad Thai Asheville

Asheville

🍛Indian Curry

Chai Pani

Asheville, NC

Winner

Chai Pani's okra fries and the Sloppy Jai. Meherwan Irani built something special downtown

Cinnamon Kitchen

Asheville

Mela Indian Restaurant

Asheville

Pad Thai

Suwana's Thai Orchid

Asheville, NC

Winner

Suwana's on Merrimon Ave has been doing Thai in Asheville since before it was trendy. The pad Thai is traditional and consistent. Small family-run spot.

Pad Thai Asheville

Asheville

Thai Pearl Restaurant

Asheville