Tastee Diner

I wish I could give this place more stars. At first when I heard everybody talking about the tastee diner, I was so confused. I had lived in Asheville previously and this was one of our go to morning after hangover breakfast spots. When people were talking about the cultivated menu and unique entrées, I thought I was hearing them wrong. I was not - this place has had a remake and remodel while still keeping that old-school diner charm.

One of the things I love is that the menu does an incredible job of is identifying some unique classics and making them local. Then they take those classics that are uniquely done, and make them vegetarian. You can find a chicken sandwich with a honey bun as the regular bun also offered vegetarian. And that's pretty cool.

The menu is both extensive options, but still specific and small. There's something for everyone, but they do a few things really well, and then just kind of spin off of those. That's how you know they're doing the stuff they do with passion and perfection. Their sandwiches are incredible and the French toast dessert is stellar. They have alcohol options for all budgets.

One of my favorite things is to learn about the chef and what he brings to the restaurant. He has quite a following and has created a community supporting those that are unhoused in a way that feels non-judgmental. Truly a unique spot that feels like a neighborhood joint that also takes care of its people. Definitely not somewhere you want to go on a diet but still an incredible hangover option just leveled up.

For them to call themselves Tastee Diner is offensive to the long standing establishment that once held the same name. They took over this once incredible diner and ran it into the ground with pretentious dishes that are inedible and terrible staff. The least they can do is change the name if they are going to change absolutely everything else about the business.

I tried the "new" Tastee for the first time last night after being a long time fan of the original diner for many years. I called in my order off the late night menu.

When I arrived, it was about 1:45 AM and although I could see through the window that the bar and kitchen was fully seated and the woman cooking was running around inside, the door was LOCKED. (What??). So I rang their door bell. Nothing happened. I made eye contact with several patrons at the bar while they watched me try in vain attempt to get inside to retrieve my $50 take-out order. They seemed to think this was a normal occurrence.

I finally managed to sneak in as someone was leaving. I approached a woman at the register and asked if I was doing something wrong as the door was locked. She just laughed it off and said "whoops! That must have been my fault!"

I ordered the buffalo wings, fries, two "cokes", and the Brussels.

I live about five minutes away and when I got home, the "cokes" had spilled throughout the entire bag. I put the "cokes" in quotations because it's not coca-cola. They have some sort of soda stream contraption and they bottle (apparently POORLY) their own soda. They don't tell you this when you're ordering. What was left of the "Coke" was flat. No carbonation whatsoever.

The wings were completely inedible. There was no buffalo flavor to them at ALL. They tasted as though they had been smoked over a campfire for three weeks. They then threw a bunch of shaved vegetables on top of them to give them a pretentious "I just graduated culinary school" flair. Ridiculous. And at $19!? Unbelievable!

The Brussels were "decorated" in the same pretentious way but were edible.

The fries were fries. Hard to fuck up fries.



For the love of all that is holy. This is NOT TASTEE DINER! This isn't a Diner at all! This is some bizarre art project gone wrong.

I'm always rooting for the little guy, the mom and pop, the independent giving it a go. But these folks simply shouldn't be in the food business. Maybe car repair? Landscaping?

10am and place is empty--only one other table w 2 folks. Menu has "the Big Tastee" which must be their flagship dish, their best work, so that's my choice.

Amazingly long wait.

It's 2 eggs sausage bacon on a pancake. Plus hash browns.

I asked for eggs over easy. they clearly have no idea what that is. Overcooked and leathery just a disaster.

Bacon is limp and soggy not really edible.

Sausage ok I guess.

Hash browns are an oval hockey puck identical to McDonald's. Doubt if they made that in house.

Pancake is enormous but doughy. No maple syrup, just the industrial corn syrup chemical tasting stuff. I asked for honey as an option but even there they couldn't be bothered with sourcing something local. Got the little over processed packets from smuckers.

I'm guessing since they're open til 3am!!?? They cater more to drunks kind of like Waffle House.

If you're at the incredible Sunny Point and cannot handle the wait you just might wander over here and be seduced by the hipster vibe. You might even think they care about great food.

It pains me to write this. I'm rooting for the little guys out there But you're a restaurant with professional equipment and you should be able to cook at least as well as I can at home. For God's sake just hit a youtube video on how to properly cook eggs.

I guess the purpose this place serves is to give drunks a place to eat. But if you're sober and care one iota how your food tastes, steer clear.

Absolutely amazing food, Great service and the perfect atmosphere
We highly recommend the tastee diner. Parking is available in the bakc.

Great service, food is definitely diner style but elevated. Flavor is prominent and wonderful.

The atmosphere is quirky and fun with tons to look at.

Chef Steven is always working up masterpieces and Tastees menu is no different. It's quirky and eclectic but has so much nostalgia in it.

We got the yard bird which included super juicy chicken, a crispy batter, American cheese all on buttered Texas toast. Our side of cold soba noodle salad was refreshing and tangy and balanced out the sandwich really well.

My favorite dish were the Cali fries. They were crispy, seasoned with a spicy dry rub and sticky honey like glaze all served up with an aioli. YALL - they were delicious!

Stop by next time you're in west Asheville!

We just got to the revamped Tastee Diner for brunch.
Wow! We liked the old diner but Chef Goff is taking it to a different level.
It has a funky dive atmosphere inside and lots of outdoor seating.
The menu has so many options, it is hard to make a decision. Everything looks good!
We ordered the smoked pork congee bowl and the baked ziti sandwich with a side of sesame noodles.
Also a pancake.
Everything was delicious. You can really see the love and care put into the dishes.
The wait staff was friendly and attentive.
It is probably my favorite for breakfast/brunch/sandwiches right now.

Unsuspectingly phenomenal food. It is a dive bar diner so if you're looking for upscale decor, this isn't the place for that. But the food?! Very easily became my new favorite breakfast spot in Asheville.

When we first arrived we were sat next to a homeless man sleeping at a table. He then was asked to leave and we carried on, I ordered a omelet and when I got it they forgot my side of bacon. They also gave my husband the wrong order and offered to remake it but said it would be another 30 minute wait. There was hair in my omelet and as we left with disgust. DO NOT RECOMMEND!

Chef Goff has taken the "divey diner" concept and elevated it in every possible way.

The servers are genuinely friendly, and go the extra mile to ensure a great experience. Dogs are allowed on the patio, and are treated like family.

The interior walls are graced by the work of local artists, most of them from West Asheville - you can purchase and take the artwork home with you, supporting our community in the process.

Having experienced homelessness and food insecurity himself, Chef G is keenly aware of these challenges, and has begun the "Wooden Nickel
Program" - just five bucks buys a token which can be redeemed, by someone in need, for a full sit-down meal in the restaurant. This allows people to not only be fed, but to feel seen and appreciated as well.

And the food - just wow. I've liked every item I've tried, but let me just highlight the Asheville Hot Chick'n Sandwich. This charmer has sweet. It has salty. It has smacky twang. It has a multitude of fantastic flavors, some subtle and some bold, ingeniously juxtaposed for an umami bomb that you won't soon forget. I've been vegetarian since 8th grade, and this is one of the best chicken alternatives I've ever had. Incredible texture, and the breading has real crunch - no, I mean it, CRUNCH. This. Sandwich. Is. Everything.