Fried chicken$west-asheville
Biscuit Head on Haywood Road in West Asheville builds full breakfasts around $7 cathead biscuits with house preserves at the jam bar. The under-$15 Asheville.
Try: Cathead biscuit and gravy
Tip: The biscuit-and-gravy plate is the value play; the Mimosa Fried Chicken biscuit pushes over $12.
Indian$south-slope
Meherwan Irani's Chai Pani lays out a snack menu starting under $7 from its 32 Banks Ave South Slope home (moved 2024).
Try: Indian street snacks, chaat
Tip: Lunchtime walk-in moves fastest. Order three small snacks for under $20; skip the thalis if you're keeping it cheap.
Taqueria$downtown
White Duck Taco's downtown room on Biltmore Avenue runs counter-service soft tacos $4-6 each.
Try: Globally inspired soft tacos
Tip: Counter service. The Korean bulgogi, crispy fish and lamb gyro are the strongest under-$5 tacos.
Vegan$downtownTue-Sat 16:00-21:00
Rosetta Star's Rosetta's Kitchen on North Lexington Avenue runs vegan comfort plates under $14. The Peace Burger with mac and cheese on the side is the cult.
Try: Vegan Peace Burger and mac
Tip: Counter service. The Buchi kombucha on tap is a useful pairing; cash and card.
Burgers$downtown
Farm Burger on Patton Avenue serves Hickory Nut Gap grassfed burgers and farm fries counter-style, under $15 for a single cheeseburger and side.
Try: Grassfed burger and fries
Tip: The build-your-own with a single patty is the value play. Counter service; order pickup ahead online.
Soul food$south-slope
Ashleigh Shanti's Good Hot Fish at Burial's South Slope runs a $14 fried catfish basket as standard. Hush puppies, slaw dog and Carolina mustard included.
Try: Fried catfish basket
Tip: Order at the counter upstairs. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Beer downstairs at Burial.