12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER

Great place in the art district. Indoor and outdoor dining. Felt great inside. Long line to get in so we knew it was going to be great. It did not disappoint. You can bring sharpies and leave your mark on the walls. RC and cheerwine drink options along with adult beverages and water. We had the brisket, pulled pork, and blueberry chipotle ribs. All amazing. For sides we had smoked potato salad, collard greens, cucumber salad, and baked beans. All were amazing. Topped it off with peach cobbler pound cake. We couldn’t hardly walk when we left. We will definitely be back and bringing friends.

So I've been here before, but the other location. I thought the atmosphere and service were excellent, but I was a little disappointed in the meal. I got the ribs, baked beans, and mac and cheese. I felt the ribs could have been more tender and were a bit dry. The beans I thought were a little bit hard, like they could have been cooked a little longer. The mac and cheese were good, and the corn bread was alright. It could be my expectations based on previous visits, but as someone who talks up this place, I was a little disappointed. Will I come back, probably because everything can't be perfect every time and I hope this was a fluke.

We had come here several years ago when it was at its old location. I couldn't wait to eat here today. The food is delicious! We really liked the blueberry Chipotle 💙 ribs!! I of course had to have the pulled pork. My daughters mac n cheese and smoked potatoes were great and would definitely get them again. The service was great!! The staff were all so kind and were good at keeping up with the crowd

Wonderful BBQ spot in downtown. Great options, daily specials. I got the MLT, mushrooms, lettuce and fried green tomatoes on wheat berry bread with mashed sweet potatoes and cucumber salad. They had about 4-5 of their sauces that you could dispense for yourself. Liked it so much I bought a T-shirt, a bottle of sauce and some pint glasses on the way out!

Yes, please! Get some more 12 Bones in me! This was one of my hubby's favorite spots while he lived in Asheville, and it did not dissapoint! We have our local favorite BBQ place in Atlanta, and 12 Bones definitely gives them a run for their money! We even left with a few bottles of sauce. I always judge a good BBQ place based on their ribs. I got the traditional dry rub, because I had never been there, and wanted to try the classic/traditional. My hubby got the blueberry chipotle, which was a mind blower for me! Blueberry?! Who would have thought?! Sooooo gooood!!! More importantly, not only were the ribs amazing, but the sides were equally as good. It is so important to have good sides. We got baked beans, corn pudding, collard greens, and cheese grits. Um, yum!!! Everything was great! They have a bunch of side sauces you can get for everything. And I am a sauce kind of girl. Plus, we saw a sticker from our favorite local BBQ joint on the wall. It made me feel a little less like I was cheating, and a little more like we're all just sharing the joy of great food! You'd be missing out if you didn't eat here while in Asheville!

Glad I was able to squeeze this place in on our trip! The pulled pork was nice, but the mustard was NICE. We also had a few “bones” which were solid. The blueberry sauce was good too. BUT the star of the show…the grits! Neat that they’re connected to a brewery too. The whole thing was very good

Finally, I had the time to try some local bbq. I was 2nd in-line and got to try some brisket. Got the plate meal with 2 sides. The collard greens were good not great. The smoked potato salad was okay. The brisket was okay. The corn bread was okay. The sauces were excellent and the restaurant was really fun. I wish they had a sampler plate so I could try everything. Maybe they did, but I didn’t see it. Second trip and tried the worlds driest ribs. The collard greens were awesome and the Mac n cheese was very good as well. The baked beans needed more time to cook and the cornbread was not good.

Let me first off say the food was great once I was able to eat it. I ordered their smoked turkey with no bacon because I have Crohn’s disease and I am unable to eat bacon, they convinced me at the counter to put it on the side so my partner could eat it. When I got the sandwich I noticed it wasn’t on the side. I took a bite into my sandwich and instantly spit it out because it was loaded with bacon, I complained and they remade the sandwich with my 2 sides… I can’t believe the difference in plate size… this was a major slap in my face. I went from 2 scoops of potato salad to a tiny one and a tiny bit of Mac and cheese. The customer service and kitchen need work here because the food is great! They also took my cornbread and never brought me another slice. I will never come back to this establishment. Below are photos for proof… EDIT: the manager flagged me down after my meal and apologized, comp’d it and gave us extra cornbread. I am updating my review to 4 stars to reflect the chef and managers who were very nice.

Sooo yummy I was so very pleased with the food and I'm going back for sure! I'm bringing my grandsons to this place!!!!!

I visited the River Arts location of 12 Bones Smokehouse and enjoyed myself. When you arrive, be prepared to wait in a line to place your order; the line moves pretty steadily, though. After placing your order, you seat yourself (indoor & outdoor seating is available) and a staff member will bring your meal to your table. I ordered the pulled chicken sandwich with mashed sweet potatoes. The chicken was seasoned well and wasn't dry, which often happens at BBQ restaurants, and the mashed sweet potatoes were buttery and smooth. The atmosphere is definitely casual and it was fun to sit in the room where people left drawings and sayings all over the walls. If you're in the Asheville area and in the mood for good BBQ, give 12 Bones Smokehouse a try.

12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER is located just minutes from downtown Asheville in the River Arts District. As first-timers to the area, we were eager to grab lunch before exploring the many studios and galleries that make this district so unique. We found parking just a short walk from the entrance. Ordering is done at the counter, and although a short line stretched out the door, it moved quickly, giving us just enough time to review the menu. To get a taste of their most popular dishes, we decided to order family style. The ribs were undoubtedly the highlight of our meal. We chose a half rack, splitting it between the brown sugar and blueberry chipotle sauces. The brown sugar sauce offered a delightful balance of sweetness and spice, while the blueberry chipotle delivered a bold, smoky flavor with a hint of fruity tang. We also tried the chopped brisket, a daily special available only on Fridays. The brisket was well-prepared, however I should have considered the texture before ordering, as it turned out not to be my preferred serving style. As for the sides, my favorite was the corn pudding; its sweetness perfectly complimented the savory meats. Overall, our experience at 12 Bones Smokehouse RIVER was a perfect blend of delicious food, great atmosphere, and the unique charm of Asheville's River Arts District. It's a must-visit spot for anyone looking to enjoy a relaxed, flavorful meal in one of the city's most creative and vibrant neighborhoods.

We had a few different choices for BBQ and we chose 12 Bones because of the reviews. Unfortunately it did not hold up to its reputation. They didn't prepare any brisket that day and so we ordered the ribs. The ribs were served tepid and were not at all tender. It was difficult to chew off the bone. The smoked turkey was super dry and hard to swallow without adding bar-b-que sauce. They have several homemade bar-b-que sauces and we tried them all but settled on the pineapple habanero. It had a nice balanced flavor with a little kick. The Mac and cheese was the biggest let down for me as it was so bland and did not seem cheesy at all. I remember thinking that a box of Kraft would be better than those tasteless noodles. Overall a disappointing experience and would probably not go back.

NC BBQ just doesn't do it for me. Food was ok, but not great. All the sides have allergens and even the sandwich I ordered came with the one item I said I was allergic to. Service was friendly but lacking. Restaurant was huge and clean. It probably not them, it's probably me and joe much I prefer Texas bbq to what is offered here in NC. No offense, North Carolinians! It's just not that good to me.

Love the vibe here. You can write on the mark and make your mark that you were there. Fast service. I'm not a huge fan of ribs but had to come try it out with such great reviews. Didn't disappoint!

Great barbecue. I appreciate the variety of the menu! Everyone would find something they wanted, it happened to be taco Tuesday the day we went which was tempting but I opted for ribs /turkey and some sides. You just can't go wrong. I loved the sides just as much as the ribs! Baked beans and potato salad were great! There's so many seating options, shady outside or a bunch of indoor. The barbecue sauce bar was a little weird it was all very watery but likely that's the style. Get the ribs! That is all. Or actually get the smoked turkey too! Tons of parking.

I'm glad I was able to visit an Asheville institution, but man I was pretty disappointed. Even one of the workers looked at my brisket and asked, "is that dry??". I wasn't going to complain, I just assumed that's how they do brisket in North Carolina. It looked like bacon and was super fry. Don't get me wrong, even bad brisket is still pretty good, but this might be the worst I've ever had at a BBQ place. Even the ribs were just okay, which I expected to be much better considering all of the flavors they do. The slaw was just okay, but I really liked the collards and especially the grits! Overall, for $48 I would say it was a big bust.

Visited 3/27/24. Stopped in briefly before dinner while visiting in Asheville because THE SMELLS were perfection. We only each ordered a side of meat (pork and chicken) so we didn't spoil our appetites, but honestly we should've just had dinner here. The pork was definitely what I would recommend. Service was fast and there was a wonderful variety of sauces available for dipping or for putting on top. Overall I would definitely recommend and I found myself wanting to go back afterwards. Simply delicious.

Nothing to add beyond what the other 1,000+ reviews have already mentioned about 12 Bones. I will say that we were surprised by the cornbread, in a bad way. Dry, not interesting, surprisingly poor given the high quality of everything else we tried (ribs, the Mountain Man burger special, the brisket, the sauces, the corn pudding, the baked beans, the mac and cheese, and the jalapeno cheese grits). If it's allowed, I would ask for a different side to swap in for the cornbread because it was so poor. The rest of the food, service, prices, space, etc.? Five stars. Just skip the cornbread! If I could only pick one BBQ spot in Asheville though, Bear has a slight lead as of now.

Frickin' awesome Recommend the 12 Bones w brown sugar because it has a brûlée like sugar coating, crisp & fabulous. Asked for 2 sauces Blueberry & Pinapple Habanero (yum, hab was spicy !!) Only a few sauces at the bar but not the ones I mentioned. We got the 12 bones no sides & added the 4 sides, amazing mashed sweet, cheesy jalepeno grits, a purple slaw special(I prefer a clear slaw but this was excellent) & cucumber salad. All fabulous. We knew that we would love 12 Bones & it did not disappoint. This Riverside location has a huge amount of indoor & outside seating, nice and cool inside on a mid 80 degree 6/29/23 day. A "do not miss gem" obviously. Enjoy !!

Best BBQ in Asheville! ...and the corn pudding was out of this world!!!! Fun ambience and friendly staff!

Food excellent but not enough for prices. The service very good, everyone attentive and quick to help. The outside decor makes it difficult to find entrance......its mock graffiti...but that's on all the buildings. Nice place to sit outside..small interior seating area. Will go back.

This restaurant is a unique experience! We took about 8 guest from out of town and there was a total of 14 dining! This large almost warehouse style is very casual! Walk right up to counter, and place your order and pay when you first come in, pay at the same time. Take a number and the hard working staff will locate you group pretty easily, and set you up as soon as order is ready! We were served our delicious meal in about 15 min. EVERYTHING was delicious! Great Bbq , ribs, sauces, tasty sides to die for! We probably stayed a hour and a half just enjoying the food, family and the experience! Definitely worth the $$

As someone who grew up near Lexington, I always had many bbq options but nothing comes close to the creative and delicious options that 12 Bones has. Their ribs and brisket are some of my favorites but their sauces take everything over the top. Try their blueberry bbq sauce on their ribs and their mustard on the brisket for the perfect flavor combo. If you're looking for a sandwich option, their smoked Turkey and Brie is my go to (pictured here). Smoked Turkey and Brie : Jalapeño Grits : Corn Pudding : Ribs : Tangy Coleslaw : Collard Greens : Fried Green Tomato BLT : Smoked Chicken Philly : Mac n Cheese

My visit to 12 Bones Smokehouse left a flavorful impression. The ribs, with their subtle smoke and blueberry chipotle glaze, were a standout. The crispy bark, well-cooked meat, and balanced texture made for a satisfying bite, even if they weren't fall-off-the-bone. The smoked turkey, though less smoky, was perfectly cooked with a good taste and subtle seasoning that added to the overall variety of flavors. While the mac and cheese was creamy, it fell short of greatness. On the other hand, the collard greens were a hit - well-balanced in terms of cooking, taste, and the added bonus of brisket pieces. Overall, 12 Bones Smokehouse offers a taste of the South with its nuanced flavors and well-prepared meats, making it a worthy stop for barbecue enthusiasts.

Can you even go to Asheville without trying 12 Bones? This restaurant came highly recommended, and it was enjoyable! The service was top notch. Everyone was so kind throughout the restaurant! The food was also memorable. I LOVED the smoked Turkey. If I could eat that every year on thanksgiving, I would. The corn pudding was also a nice treat! I ordered the special rib meat sandwich, and while the flavor was exceptional, the meat was super tough. I had a few pieces of pure cartilage and gristle, which hampered the sandwich experience. I also was a little underwhelmed with the mac and cheese. It needed a bit more flavor to really pop. Overall, this barbecue restaurant had some real highs and would definitely be a good place to visit when you're in Asheville!

Hard to narrow down which BBQ place to visit in Asheville since there are so many but settled in on 12 Bones. My wife and I split a half rack of the Blueberry Chipotle ribs that came with cornbread and two sides which we picked the baked beans and macaroni salad. Also got a small cup with a taste of the smoked turkey which was standalone amazing in its own perspective. The cornbread did taste slightly dry, but was still flavorful nonethless. The ribs were the star of the meal, so tender and I loved the juicy meat on the bone. I can also appreciate that it did not fall off the bone, that's the way it should be. The blueberry chipotle sauce was stellar, has to be one of their best sellers. I also got a small cup of the pineapple habanero sauce on the side which was spicy! That's not a rib sauce option, but they should make it one, that is one outstanding sauce. The baked beans and potato salad were delicious as well, good size portions for a side. Place can be a little costly for two people but at least you can say you are getting your moneys worth, great place, but you don't need me to tell you that based on the 1,000+ reviews.

Been dying to try this place. I've had their cook book for several year and rely on it for recipes often. Was traveling to Asheville and was pumped to try it. Definitely let down slightly. Had the ribs brisket and BBQ and of the ribs tried three versions. Wasn't bad but just didn't wow my taste buds. Place is pretty cool so worth the visit but was just expecting more. I thought the ribs were a little dry. No they were a little dry. Ribs are always gonna be slightly different each time you order them so maybe I just got the mediocre batch that day. BBQ was better but nothing crazy. Brisket was ok. Maybe I had higher expectations. Still solid.

I stopped here for lunch and my day just got better! I had the cuban sandwich which was a combo of pulled pork and pork loin on Cuban bread. The pulled pork was especially tender and delicious. The standout was the jalapeños sauce. Just the right amount of heat and coupled with the pork-absolute YUM. Hubby had the smoked turkey sandwich and the thick sliced sugar bacon was a winner. We bought the cookbook just to get that recipe! Also took home a pound of pork pork and had on baked potatoes that evening. Couldn't get enough of this smoky delicious barbecue.

Got the 6 bones with mac and cheese and corn pudding as my two sides and came with a slice of corn bread! I got the brown sugar dry rub cus i thought the blueberry chipotle bbq sauce would be included on their sauce bar on the side but it sadly was not :( The ribs were still super tender and flavorful and would definitely come back to try the blueberry sauce! The mac and cheese is good but have had better elsewhere (Rocky's lol) but eating it together with the rib meat is *chef's kiss* The corn puddin also lives up to its namesake and is DAMN good The only complaint i have is that it's on the pricier side (i paid about $22 i think) but it did end up feeding me for 3 meals haha

The rustic location was fantastic and the service superb most importantly the ribs were so well done. Tender perfectly cooked, while they were still flavorful and juicy, but not greasy. I don't know how they did. It never had them quite as good before the wide choice of rubs and sauces were also amazing, I recommend a visit to this location by the river on your next trip to Asheville

First, I live in NC but I can take BBQ or leave it. Until now. 12 Bones is without a doubt the best BBQ I've ever had. I got the pulled chicken sandwich. I usually get a sandwich not because I like sandwiches but because they are smaller. I usually remove the bread. I thought I would taste the meat and then put the sauce on it but, oh boy, this stuff doesn't need sauce. I did get some sauce so that I could see what it tasted like. I mixed the sweet with vinegar and yum. The cucumber salad was very good with tomatoes, cukes and onions in an italian type sauce. Other sides they offered were mac & cheese, corn pudding, green beans, greens. There were others but I can't remember them. The portions were generous. For the littles, they do not have fries. I'm ok with that but my granddaughter was a little disappointed. The chips were like Layes ridged and not stale. There was peanut butter pie...yum but I just couldn't. There is indoor and outdoor seating. We were on the trolly and it was stop 8 at the river Arts District. If you like straws, bring your own. Fortunately, I had a kid's cup with me. Overall, the stuff of dreams!!

Best BBQ in the Asheville area. Both locations are great! A girlfriend also visited while touring the Biltmore Mansion and I recommended 12 Bones BBQ. I have known Brant for years and nobody works harder for perfection.

Visited the River location of 12 Bones based on a recommendation of a friend. Great location as there are a lot of artist venues and shops nearby to check out before or after you're eating. They've got the Southern BBQ vibe down here. They're located in an old railroad building so lots of wood, creaky floors, and many, many windows. Loved it. The day I visited they had ground brisket so I decided to give that a try. They have sliced brisket the day before so I'm thinking they grind up everything left from the day before. It's a bit drier than I expected but since I was going to be ladling on the spicy vinegar sauce, that fixed everything in a hot minute. I just had the chips as I wasn't starving, will try some of the sides next time I visit. For drinks, they carry RC products along with a selection of beers (it IS Asheville after all). They have a small area that serves as a gift shop where they sell their sauces, seasonings, t shirts, hats etc. It's worth checking that out when you're there. Service was friendly, the cashier was full of suggestions. One note about the River location area, it's mostly dirt parking lots and roads. So expect mud if it's been rainy/snowy.

Let me start by saying the Customer Service was TOP TIER! Walked in straight from a flight and the cashier was an absolute delight. Now to the food. Honestly it was all just okay, some bad some "good". -Mac n cheese was not Mac or cheesin. It was giving noodles and oodles. Now I think about it, I'm going to blame the cashier bc she knew better to give me this ( refer to pics) lmao - greens were good and seasoned well -brisket was tasty -ribs were a dubbed and tough AF. The ribs gave me old, "here you go bc we're about to close", Overall the experience was cool but I've had better bbq in the north and I'm ashamed to say that!

Heard Obama went here and loved it so we went too haha. They sadly ran out of brisket when we went so we got the pulled pork, pulled chicken, and ribs with mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, vinegar slaw. And I think it was pickled okra. We got the ribs with the blueberry sauce and plain. The pulled meats were pretty dry. Probably why they give you a shit ton of different sauces, but I thought the chicken was especially dry and tough. The ribs had good smoke flavor, but were also quite tough. Maybe I'm just used to ribs that practically fall of the bone and are hella tender. These weren't it, but hey, it tasted good. For sides, I especially loved the slaw and okra (but I love all vinegary stuff so no surprise). The others were also alright. Overall, better than Luella's but honestly more of a 3.8 vs a 4.0. The vibe was pretty cool with the writings on the wall though. And maybe the brisket would have been the winner. Ohwell

I LOVE 12 BONES! This was one of my favorite spots when I lived in Asheville so it was a MUST for a foodie trip to Asheville. I think I missed the blueberry chipotle ribs the most but honestly you can't go wrong here. My favorite things on the menu besides the ribs are the smoked turkey and brie sandwich, the collards, and the mac n cheese. You may have a wait but know that it is worth every second. Check their hours before going because they feel wonky if you don't know them.

What an unexpected find. We were browsing and shopping in the Arts District of Asheville. We saw this place and the smell of smoking ribs wafting through the air compelled us to go inside. And are we glad we went inside. We ordered the daily rib sandwich and we each got a side order of Mac 'n cheese. The beers are brewed on site and I ordered a Hop Shower Sour Imperial fruited sour ale and my wife ordered a Stay Golden light American Lager. My fruited ale was hoppy and the citrus hit the palate forward for a surprising zing. Delicious! The sandwiches were served open face and looked like a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich with cheese, sautéed onions and bell peppers. But instead of paper thin sliced beef, it was filled with amazingly juicy and tender morsels of succulent smoked rib meat. (As I write this review, my mouth is watering!) The place has a Boho vibe with super friendly employees who obviously love their job. Prices are comparable to other rib joints. The decor is American graffiti gone wild. The dining area inside is quite large. Additionally there are two other outdoor dining areas. Even if you're not a passionate art lover, you need to venture here where the "art" of the rib is down home delish! The beers ain't bad either.

Good food, unique atmosphere and service was friendly would recommend this place. Just check it out.

We came here because of the amazing score on Yelp. There was a decent size line but it moved at an okay speed. The ribs were very over cooked and the meat did not fall right off the bone. The Mac reminded me of kid food. They did have a great selection of sauces by the soda machine. Overall I feel this older is over rated and I thought the food was going to be better.

This place is an Asheville classic and my husband and I finally tried it on our last visit. We shared: - 6 Bones (Strawberry Hopsour & Blueberry Chipotle) with Smoked Potato Salad and Mashed Sweet Potatoes - 6 Bones (Brown Sugar & Blackberry) with Mac & Cheese and Damn Good Corn Puddin' - Banana Pudding The ribs were fantastic. I'm not a big rib person normally, but these were the best I've ever had. The blueberry chipotle was my favorite, but you really can't go wrong. The sides were also very good. The only one I wouldn't get again is the mac & cheese. It was basically just noodles with a little Velveeta cheese I think (not the kind of mac and cheese I like).

Very over priced. Sliced brisket sandwich w potato chip $21. Meager amount of brisket Chopped brisket sandwich . Almost like soupy sloppy Joe on a bun. Will not return

The bbq was delicious and slow cooked. Great sauce. I go anytime I'm close. Why? What more to say?

Let me start with the good, service was super fast and very friendly, we came on a celebration weekend, they we're celebrating an anniversary and I was celebrating a birthday. The atmosphere was cool, the food was good. I've been told North Carolina is known for great BBQ, and even though I've tasted good BBQ, Mrs Smokey's in west palm and Georgia pig in Fort Lauderdale are still better. The ribs were a bit over cooked, yea the meat came off the bone but it wasn't moist. Six bones didn't come close to five bone plater at Georgia pig, I can even finish 4 at Georgia pig, at 12 bones I ate half my wife's food and went to bed hungry about 4 hours later. I'll try again next time maybe the prep for the celebration cause an over production of ribs for the night. But still I would go again and Recomend it.

What a great place!! Don't let the line deter you. It's worth the wait!! Also, just FYI, this location closes at 4:30 pm Monday - Friday and is closed on Saturdays and Sundays. We were visiting friends in Asheville and they invited us to 12 Bones for lunch. I wasn't sure what to expect. When we arrived, it took a minute to find a parking place because it was packed, and once we found one, we had to walk a little way. Also, the line was out the door, but this gave my husband and me a chance to check out the menu. The line moved quickly, and once inside, there was a lot of available seating. My husband ordered the ribs, and I decided on the pulled pork sandwich with two sides. The sandwich was piled high and huge, and the meat was not dry or fatty. In other words, it was absolutely delicious!! Another thing that I liked about 12 Bones was that they had unique sides. They did have your typical chips, potato salad, mac and cheese, and slaw but they also offered, corn pudding, mashed sweet potatoes, buttered green beans, collard greens, and jalapeno cheese grits. Also, their slaw was vinegar based rather than mayonnaise-based which I prefer. One thing that I want to do differently next time is to try their different sauces. I was too busy checking out the menu to realize that they had such a variety. Their sauces include blueberry chipotle, sweet tomato, spicy vinegar, pineapple habanero, and hot jalapeno. Overall, a wonderful experience!! Also, a quick tip, if you are sitting outside, don't forget your sunglasses.

Chopped brisket was mush, minced very finely & too sugary. Ribs had a lot of burned char on them & weren't special at all for $35. Collard greens were in a thick grease & sugary. Slaw was heavy in celery seed & sugar. The damn good corn pudding was delicious, & the jalapeno grits were yummy as well.

Lots of food and great BBQ! We got lucky and got here on brisket day. Lean, tender beef on an amazing bun! Got it with Mac-n-cheese and it was delicious! Fun area too! Try it...you won't be disappointed!

I like 12 Bones Smokehouse. I think it is very good.....but not great. The ribs are not "fall off the bone". They are very meaty with an excellent flavor, but the consensus about being a little tough I found to be true. I want to experience the taste of the meat so I don't want my ribs drowned in sauce. The take out appears to be different from sit down in that the sides are placed in small containers. Both the slaw and potatoes appeared to be more limited in the containers.....which I guess appears to make sense. The corn bread did not ring the bell. It was dry and lacked flavor. The smoked Turkey with bacon was really memorable. I think I would go with the Turkey sandwich over the ribs. On a windy day you may have to cover up from the dirt road. I'm also not a fan of dogs surrounding my table while I am eating.

We stop here on our way home from visits with family. It's kind of an out of the way place in Asheville NC, but we'll worth it. My husband loves the "ribs and sides" and I get the "4 sides". The service is a line set up, but it moves fast and the food is hot when you get it! The place is unique even for it eclectic feel. We enjoy it every time. It's well worth a stop if you are close by.

Got the 6 bones with two sides which was the perfect amount of food to share with my husband for an early lunch. The ribs were tender and fall off the bone, corn bread was sweet and peppery, Mac and cheese was divine, and the cucumber salad gave a nice pickled tart flavor to balance the meal. Got there 10 min before opening and got to be the front of the line, by the time 11:30 hit the line was quite long. But the food came fast so they definitely know how to manage the crowds. Everyone was polite and serving with a smile. The building is cool with rock music playing and graffiti on the walls inside and out. Loved the vibes!

What in the world is wrong with people in Asheville? This was way below average barbecue. How are there so many positive reviews?? I'm seriously puzzled! I've never been to Chilis, but I'm willing to bet their ribs are better than 12 Bones! I strongly recommend that they pressure cook those ribs before throwing them on the grill! That would have made our experience much better! Instead we had to eat some EXTREMELY DRY and bland ribs! Extremely dry and burnt! Not to mention VERY overpriced!!!! Their corn pudding was meh! CITY BBQ has way better corn pudding! This was our first stop in Asheville and what a big disappointment! Clearly the people in Asheville have no clue what good Barbecue is.

It's a bird, it's a plane, no, it's HOGZILLA! When I first heard the legend of Hogzilla, I thought it was a joke or a myth. I thought it was an old wise tale in the High Country that parents told their kids so they would behave. I thought it was just a cool name for a sandwich, but I had no idea it would change my life forever. But I sit here before you, as a survivor, and can tell you, Hogzilla is real. I can humbly tell you I have never been more intimidated by a sandwich than when it was delivered to my table and we were eye to eye. Hogzilla is a behemoth of a sandwich. Hogzilla is not for the weak or faint-hearted - it towers on a hoagie bun, with a base of homemade smoked Bratwurst, piled with pulled pork, sliced brisket, topped with sugar bacon, and bonded together with melted pepper jack cheese. It's a meat monster that would make even the mighty Ron Swanson tear up with fear/joy. Hogzilla is no joke. The battle of picking up the sandwich almost threw my back out. It's a thicc sandwich. The first bite and flavors were overwhelming, and I am man enough to say I almost blacked out, which caused me to make the most rookie of mistakes, and I put the sandwich down...no matter the circumstances, DO NOT put the sandwich down once you pick it up. Hogzilla will open once it hits the metal platter, and spread like wildfire, almost like a defense mechanism. It will be extremely difficult to keep the sandwich together. If you must put the sandwich down, it is not the end of the world, but you will need a fork for the scraps. As I tried to defeat Hogzilla, one bite at a time, I could feel myself getting fuller and fuller. I could hear off in the distance my physician reading off my spiked lab results, but I muscled through. After 20 minutes, I couldn't take another bite - Hogzilla won. As I stared at the platter there were two generous bites left, and Hogzilla was laughing at me. I felt full and ashamed; I couldn't eat anymore. I made a last-ditch effort to eliminate all of the sugar bacon, but the rest of Hogzilla stayed victorious. I sat there full, defeated and in shock. But the thing I enjoyed the most was the overall atmosphere of 12 Bones. It was covered in graffiti art ceiling to floor, yet it was relaxing and so clean. The staff could not have been nicer, nor the weather. But make no mistake, Hogzilla is the real deal. It might be one of the best BBQ sandwiches I have ever had. I fully expect to go back in a year's time to try it Hogzilla again. Until then I will just try a platter (doctors orders). One last piece of advice, do not attempt or expect to do anything productive after Hogzilla - it won't happen so don't even try. To you, the creator of 12 Bones, I tip my cap, and to Hogzilla, I yield my surrender.

What can I say about north Carolina. They know BBQ! What a great find! Located by the arts river district this place has some great BBQ!! I was craving for some great BBQ and I found this gem. I had the half rack( 6 bones) baby back ribs with sweet vinegar slaw, with sweet mashed potatoes and corn bread and or course a lite beer. Since, I've arrived to north Carolina, I have been eating like a pig. I swear, I'll come back to California 100 lbs heavier. Lol... So far, most of the people I've encountered at the restaurantas, they have been nothing but friendly, and polite! I need to come back to north Carolina. I know there are other great restaurants out there, which I haven't been able to explore but so far this experience has been nothing but phenomenal! Service is great! Great cashier, very friendly. Ambeience is great..you can either sit inside or outside..outside has a long bench. Food is great!! Location is right by the French river board walkway and is surrounded by other great places to eat and great coffee place summit coffee... Thank you 12 smokes for the great food and great hospitality!??

Loved this recommendation from a local on where to get some good bbq. The Philly was sold out by noon! The jalapeño grits were delicious! There is a sauce bar inside where you can select from four sauces. The bbq is so good on the pulled pork sandwich. Have to wait in line outside to place order before securing a seat.

This was a neat place - the line took a while, but the food came out incredibly fast and it was easy to find a seat. The different sauces were fun and the food was all really good.

Hubby and I came to check out some bbq from 12 bones! They did not disappoint! Juicy bbq and Plenty of seating to spread out. The staff was awesome! Be back when in town! Thank you so much!

When I'm looking for a meal that has a little meat on its bones - this is the place I go. Their barbecue bones are great - like at their other location on the southside. I love the corn pudding and I got a huge chunk of it this time. The line moves right along and the workers are courteous and friendly. You can actually hook up to the Wi-Fi next-door if you have the password. It's extra nice if you have time to get a brew at Wedge which is also next-door (but on the other side) I know these ribs are going to stick to my ribs, so I am one happy belly.

This place was recommended and glad we went. Service is very friendly, food is fresh and delicious in BIG quantities. We ordered ribs, wings, Mac and cheese, collard greens, brisket, and pulled pork. Max N cheese was VERY good. The pulled pork was DELICIOUS. the cornbread was a little dry but tasty. You can write all over the walls which is cool, they sell spices and clothing. Wished I could go back there. If you are around please try this place out.