12 Bones Smokehouse SOUTH

Mid, at best. Highly disappointed in the brisket. Dry, lacking flavor, and very very lean. The pork ribs and the collards were the highlight of the dinner and that’s not really saying a ton. Got the salt and pepper and the brown sugar ribs. Both were good but most guys in their backyard could probably do as good if not better, just probably not at scale. Ribs had more chew than I prefer but were flavored well. Sauces mid.

I've heard about this place, so I decided to check it out. It has a cool atmosphere, but that's it. I got the brisket plate, mac n cheese, and collards. It's a pay before you eat, so I had a low bar. The food came out fast. The brisket was dry, and the Mac n cheese was bland and not good. The collards were really good. It felt like cafeteria food. The lady at the register was unhappy and miserable. Overall I wouldnot recommend going here. We got a few extra sides, and it's pricy and not good bbq. What a waste of money.

I'm pretty sure I died & went to BBQ heaven!! Blueberry Chipotle Ribs are you kidding me?!? The ribs were so perfectly seasoned, smoked, & caramelized that they were like meat candy!! 12 Bones will now be a required stop for any trip to Asheville!!

Great BBQ joint with a standard selection. I ordered the Hogzilla which came with bacon, a whole bratwurst and pulled pork on a hoagie bun. Very messy but delicious. The corn pudding was also some of the best I've ever had and frankly stole the show. Only downside was the sauce selection, there were only 4 options as far as I could tell.

Great barbecue! Super easy and were able to accommodate my large group effortlessly. My only regret was the lack of size selection for the Hogzilla t-shirts! No large ones! Broke my heart. 😉

We're super fans of 12 Bones and have been for many years. We would have lunch down at the River Art District 1-2/month, until Helene hit and devastated the whole area (sad emoji). Now we head to the Arden location every chance we get for some of the best BBQ in the south-east. Servings are huge, and besides the great meats, their sides are fantastic. They also have a superb selection of brews. We're always recommending 12-Bones to our guests.

Absolutely some of the best BBQ we've ever had. Just passing through the area and read this was a place to try. If definitely did not disappoint! Only suggestion is check out the menu or plan on spending a few minutes in line. It gets busy quick and it's a popular place for sure.

Ribs were very tough and chewy. Beans were good, corn pudding was next level good. I hate paying and tipping before I even get a drink cup let alone my food. Below is all I could eat of the ribs.

Brown Sugar Ribs (5/5): Exactly the kind of ribs I love. Smoky, meaty, just a little sweet, and you have to work to fully clean off the bone. Good bark with a perfect dry rub that doesn't require any sauce at all. Top tier ribs! Blueberry Chipotle Ribs (5/5): Saucy ribs with a hint of blueberry and chipotle. Wished this was a little spicier. Great ribs, but the brown sugar ones are on another level. Jalapeno Cheese Grits (5/5): Love the texture of grits, but they're usually too flavorless. These are packed with flavor though! I only wish it was a little spicier. Smoked Wings (4/5): Not very smoky, but the rub had a nice sweetness to it. The chicken was also pretty juicy. Came with a chipotle mayo type dipping sauce that I thought was just ok. Smoked Potato Salad (4/5): Smoky and tangy with a lot of paprika flavor. Damn Good Corn Puddin' (4/5): Sweet corn pudding with a lot of juicy corn kernels. Smoked Turkey Sandwich (4/5): LOTS of turkey meat, tasty bacon, and perfect Texas toast. I wanted a more smokiness from this though. (To be fair I'm also just not a big fan of turkey in general). Corn Bread (2/5): Dry and not sweet enough. RATING SYSTEM 5 - Great (Need to get this again) 4 - Good (Would get this again) 3 - Ok (Might give this another shot) 2 - Not Good (Won't get this again) 1 - Bad (Telling people to avoid this)

I moved back to Asheville in 2017, and always said I was going to try 12 Bones. No idea why it took me this long, but I'm mad at myself for waiting! I ordered the family pack with 2lbs of pork, collards, cornbread, smoked potato salad, an extra order of cornbread, pint of Mac & cheese, a rack of ribs, and 1 lb of pulled chicken. Incredible is the only word. My dad, who is BBQ snob was in Heaven. He loved it all, especially the smoked Potato Salad. I want to personally apologize for waiting 8 years to finally come here, but I promise, I'll be back enough times to make up for it!

Ate it so fast I did not take pictures. Yes this place is worth all the hype. The jalepeno grits, the smoked potato salad, the greens, the ribs, the pork. My god well worth it

Good BBQ restaurant. Through the front door is a pick up area. You order the food at the next room for eat in. Then they have another area in the back, more like a brewery. But good area to sit and eat. The food is really good, large portions. The drinks and sauce bar are all self service. One of my favorite places to eat.

I've been coming to 12 bones for years and it never changes (and that's a good thing). The blueberry chipotle ribs are ELITE (iykyk). They also have some great sides to choose from. Some of my favorites are their Mac, collards, corn pudding, and grits. The turkey and Brie sandwich is also a favorite of mine. Go knowing you will probably have a line to get in but I promise it's worth it.

Best ribs in town! Sides are always solid too. Great service and chill atmosphere. Also, if you want an ice cold beer they have good selection from their own brewery in house!

After driving past - only took about 15 mins to get done - ordered pulled pork and chicken - Mac n cheese w beans - very good would definitely stop here ***

Order at the counter; menus available to look at in your hand or in the chalkboard behind the counter. These people know their ribs, with at least four different sauces/rub choices. Our table loved the blueberry habernero. I chose the hogzilla sandwich - smoked bacon, pulled pork, a brat and cheddar jack YAAASSSSS I took leftovers home and I'll be eating them for days this sandwich was so large. Our fav sides were all that we tried: slaw, corn pudding, cornbread. Of note: they also have for sale potted plants, Koozies hats and Tshirts, and a number of other fun items. Beer on tap is their own!

Enjoyed our evening here. I'm not normally a fan of BBQ but I loved my platter. I had the traditional rub on the ribs with buttered green beans, cornbread and corn pudding. The ribs and corn pudding were exceptional. Service was quick and friendly, ambiance was conducive to a big group and it was yummy.

Unbelievably nice people. Very cool build out. The ribs and brisket taste is good. But not soft and dry. It's not so hard to make ribs "fall off the bone". Brisket is tough. But it's your job to make it right. I liked the mashed sweet potato and corn bread. Mac and cheese was ok.

I placed a call in order as I was heading to the airport. Food was good and I told the guy at the register that I was about to get on a plane and he made sure everything I purchased was wrapped for travel. Will definitely be returning once I'm back in town.

Smoky, tender BBQ was perfect after a long hike at Pisgah national forest. As a KC person I was curious to try NC BBQ. The sauce & meat didn't disappoint! I ordered the pulled pork plate with jalapeño cheddar grits- something I can't get in KC. It complimented the pork so well and were nice and spicy! I also had the coleslaw. I sampled all of the sauces & really enjoyed the vinegar based sauce. Our food was served quickly and the busboy promptly cleared our table when we were finished. The restaurant is very chill- tables with rolls of paper towels for sticky fingers. Self serve drinks, outdoor seating. Brewery is next door and you can order beer there.

Good food...nice atmosphere. The ribs (blueberry chipotle) and chicken along with the sides; sweet mash potatoes and smoked potato salad. I got the corn pudding and that was not corn pudding more like stuffing or dressing. That was the only side that could have stayed in the store. The peanut butter pie was pretty good

Best ribs I've had in a while! Brisket was also very good. Tender, juicy, right amount of fat. I also like the addition of the pickled white onions to balance it all out. I got the pulled pork as a sample but I would definitely get that as a main. It was so juicy and flavorful, wish I had a brioche to slap it on there. Service was friendly and quick and I like the seat yourself and help yourself stations. Cuts down on a lot of fuss! Very clean and industrial but not harsh esthetic. Bring a friend like I did to share and tell!

The most consistent BBQ in town. Quick cafeteria-esque service. Down side is that they aren't open very late, so it's easy to miss your window.

Friendly service. Cool laid back atmosphere in and old industrial building. The food tastes awesome and all the sauces are on point. A hot jalapeño, tangy mustard, spicy vinegar and a sweet tomato. One of the best pulled pork I've eaten at a BBQ place. I'll be back to try some more on the menu. As a bonus it's attached to their brewery. Good beer too.

The barbecue turkey was delicious with their delicious sauce. My friend had the baby back ribs which were so meaty she couldn't finish them. My side of mashed sweet potatoes were great

I loved the pulled smoked chicken platter. The chicken was amazingly tender with just the right amount of smoke. The jalapeno cheese grits were excellent. The mac and cheese had a nice smooth cheesiness, but was probably the least interesting things about the dish -- it was good, not great. But the cornbread more than made up for it. A large chunk of the best cornbread I've ever had. I'm not sure what exactly they do to it -- maybe sage and a few other herbs, but it is truly damn good. I had a beer that they describe as being like a typical British pub beer, and indeed it was. Medium color, but tasted like a dark beer without being nearly as heavy. Homey, comfortable place with a friendly staff. Take me home, country road! Definitely on the comeback rotation.

First time trying BBQ. So good I came two days in a row. I totally see the hype and think this place is amazing. I came since they have unique rib flavors like the famous, Blueberry Chipotle or intriguing Pineapple Habanero. Thankfully, they allow you to try 3 or 6 bones of different flavors to mix and match. I did 3 bones of Blueberry Chipotle and 3 bones of Pineapple Habanero. For sides, I recommend the smoked potato salad and the sweet vinegar slaw. The sweet potatoes were tasty, but basic while the corn pudding although popular, I found not needed since I got cornbread with my meal. I didn't find the corn pudding all that. The Blueberry Chipotle was my favorite. You can taste the subtle sweetness of the blueberries while still enjoying a smokey flavor. The pineapple habanero had a slight but nice kick to it which I enjoyed. As someone who is predominantly vegetarian and who only eats meat occasionally, this place was the bomb. So much so, my partner and I came the next day to get more. My partner has multiple food allergies (peanuts, eggs, walnuts, shellfish) and the staff were able to check and ensure no risk of cross contamination. I was ecstatic to find an opportunity and place for them that is a local staple to eat at! Overall, the interior is very spacious and the staff are all incredibly kind and helpful. The service itself was quick and easy. But honestly, the staff made the place and it was great especially to see how much they care about their customers and their safety. Hats off to the lovely food and customer service of this place. Definitely worth the hype, check it out.

A group of us recently returned to Asheville for the first time since before Covid. We used to visit as couples and this place was always a favorite spot for us. We were pleasantly surprised to see how much it has grown since our last visit. The addition is fantastic! The food is still just as delicious as we remember. The service was friendly and super fast!!!

Thank goodness we found this local gem! After a day of hiking, we wanted 3 things--delicious food, local brews and dog friendly and 12 Bones really checked all the boxes and more. The food was delicious and very filling - a few of us had left overs. The wings were seasoned well and didn't even need the dipping sauce. The pulled pork was moist and the ribs were juicy and tender. The sides were yummy co-stars to the meat--we wish we ordered 1 of each just to try. Dont sleep on the baked beans. corn pudding and slaw. We would re order these meals in a heartbeat.

Excellent BBQ and great variety of beer. They happened to be having bingo night when we were there which was great fun!

Food was delicious, service was great. We sat outside where our pup had fun. I called before hand and was told our pup was allowed to sit inside (only in the brewery) as well. Felt welcomed, great atmosphere, good service.

This was some of the best smoked bbq I have had since moving to NC. I am pretty proud of my smoked ribs and pork so I am very critical of others, but could not find anything bad with this location. The ribs were perfectly cooked with plenty of smoke and rub, the pulled pork was so full of flavor and juicy. If I had any complaint, it would be more sauces to try but what they offered was very good. The location was just cool, old train style building with plenty of seating and great beers to drink while eating, along with very friendly service. We will be back when we are in this part of NC.

Enjoyed our work BBQ lunch this week from 12 Bones in Arden! For carry-out we ordered the turkey lunch plate with green beans & potato salad, the wing plate with collard greens & corn pudding and finally the ribs from the 'Just a Taste' part of the menu. Everything was delicious, still hot when it arrived and full of wonderful flavor! Loving the 'Just a Taste' portion of the menu for those of us who want to try multiple items without ordering too much food. Also, like the 'Side Plate' option where you can order four different sides and it comes with cornbread. The ordering was easy, which can sometimes prove challenging when placing to-go-orders via phone these days. Very professional, courteous & knowledgeable about the entire menu!! This will be on our list for many more carry-out lunches in the future!

Huge disappointment. After googling best bbq in Asheville, they popped up so figured I'd give it a shot. Waste of money. The Mac was absolutely horrific. Watery. Tasteless. Couldn't even see one speck of pepper. Terrible just terrible. Ribs were tough, not fall off the bone like I had hoped for and I didn't taste much flavor on them either. I got the brown sugar and barely tasted much. Only thing I did enjoy was the cucumber salad. It was crunchy and fresh. But everything else was a no go for me. With all the 5 star reviews I can only assume people got other stuff than what I had or they like bland food.

Was excited for NC bbq and have to say we were underwhelmed. Honestly, we like our hometown joint more but this was a fun experience. I really liked the green beans, slaw and smoked potato salad. Cuke salad needed more acid and the sweet potatoes were too thin, like baby purée. Ribs were pretty good but I didn't like the pork flavor.

Fantastic NC BBQ. Loved the 'German' slaw and the potato salad was smoky delicious. I also had the brisket and ribs and both were on point. One of my favorite BBQ restaurants anywhere.

The ribs were so dry. Pulled pork was a bit dry as well. Maybe it was an off day.. not sure because the other reviews are so good. The sides, however were very very good. Loved the corn pudding. Collard greens and grits were good as well as the slaw. Staff was nice.

Order the family platter, you can sample everything and it's worth it!!! Would highly recommend!

We came here for lunch on Saturday and in a week we dined at three different BBQ places this was our favorite. I got a half rack of ribs with baked beans and corn pudding, hubby got pulled pork sandwich and I gave him half my sides and two bones of my ribs. I chose the chipotle blueberry and that was a great choice, I didn't need additional sauce. The ribs had really good flavor although weren't as meaty as I thought they would be so regretted giving away more than one bone :). When hubby smokes ribs I usually eat 3-4 bones but I think I would have needed all six since we split sides too. The sides were excellent. I make corn pudding at home and this was as good. The baked beans were light and fresh, sweet without being cloying. The bite I tasted of hub's pulled pork was almost as good as his. (I am spoiled by living with a great smoker). So we will definitely plan to come back on future visits to the area. Prices are on the high side though, be warned. Sandwich plates are more affordable of course, a half rack plate with sides runs $22. So not necessarily an everyday thing but the quality is there. They also have a soda fountain, yay!

Atmosphere is great. Service is good. They bring you the food and clear the tables. Nice selection of drinks. I had the pulled pork, Mac & cheese and smoked potato salad. Husband had the chicken tacos and wedge salad. Tacos were good and so was Wedge. The Mac & cheese was dry and not very creamy. The potato salad lacked flavoring. The pulled pork tasted old, a bit dry and lacking flavor.

This was amazing. Grabbed a blueberry Hefeweizen at the bar to go with some blueberry chipotle as my sauce. I ordered the smoked Turkey, which tasted amazing. The jalapeño grits were the right type of spice, and the collards were decent. The sweet potatoes had a very nice natural baking to them. While I feel JDs does a better version of everything (more sugar), it's great to have a smoked Turkey option in the area, and 12 Bones may offer the best meal if you're looking for Turkey bbq

With all the great reviews I expected amazing food. That is not what I got. The Mac & cheese was bland and barely edible. The collard greens were so bad I couldn't even finish half of them. And the pulled pork was mediocre at best. I'm not crazy about Western NC BBQ as it is but this was terrible. I don't get how people eat here. Service was terrible outside of the one guy bringing people their food. The inside looked cool at least I guess. I'd never eat here again.

We had been meaning to try the 12 Bones Brewery & had a very tasty hazy IPA. We also had lunch. I enjoyed the smoked turkey sandwich with candied bacon, melty Brie, & pesto mayo. I really enjoyed the smoked potato salad side. My partner had the pulled pork bbq sandwich & chips. His only complaint was he would have preferred to sauce it himself. Staff was very friendly & welcomed us in. Very casual ambiance with both high tops and regular tables on the brewery side with many patrons with dogs inside. Tip: don't wait in line. Go to the brewery side & use the table QR code to order for dine-in.

Thought I had reviewed this location awhile back. Yelp is telling me otherwise. 1/2 or whole rack of ribs with delicious sides is the best value. Blueberry chipotle packs just enough sweetness and heat. The meat falls off the bone; it can be a bit on the dry side but this is the style they embrace. Over the last 2 years I (we) have been here 7-8 times. Usually the first eatery we bring family and friends who come to visit. Jokingly call it the AVL to 12Bones route. Gift cards from 12 Bones are a nice gift. They do have some veggie items on the menu. Love their later closing hours (8p) and can spend additional time in the brewery until 9p. The staff is friendly and helpful. They are kept quite busy bring food to the tables and cleaning up afterwards.

Best dry ribs I have EVER eatenthe blueberry chipotle ribs were very good too! Corn bread was yummy and so was the sides! Collard greens and cheesy jalapeños grits! My husband and I shared 1/2 rack for lunch which was plenty! Enjoyed their stay golden light lager was very enjoyable! Highly recommended!

We enjoyed this dog friendly and family friendly bbq and brew house while visiting Asheville. The chill vibe allowed us to linger over beers a few hours while we waited for our Air B n B. The food was delicious and we enjoyed the other local food vendors they were featuring that weekend.

Turkey sandwhich was great. Worst Mac and cheese I've ever had. Michelle O. would not approve. - Texan.

I thought this place was an excellent choice for bbq! Plenty of parking, then upon walking in there is a little store that sells logo merchandise. Ordered at the counter, tons of options and especially sides options! Loved that they labeled items gluten free- thank you!! We were able to order beers and food at the same time, although there is a separate area with just the brewery if you chose to do that. The bbq was awesome, loved the sauces too! Great place and well worth the visit!

This place has taken a lot of my dollars and I'm very happy about it. Every time I've come here has been a slam dunk. The sides, the meat, everything feels like you're in someone's grandma's kitchen. Run don't walk to grab some food bbq. There are a variety of sides. Cornbread is typically a go to for me but you can't go wrong with any of the sides. The service is fast which is a surprise considering how busy they always are. The ambiance is very laid back. It's good for more casual meals. If you're going during the lunch rush, you could always order your food for pick up to make things faster.

Our club visited 12 Bones a second time. It is rare that I (a reluctant meat-eater) give a BBQ place 5 Stars. But the food has always been good now that I know what to ask for. However, this time I award all five stars for the ABSENCE of obligatory obnoxious loud head-pounding recorded "music" that emanates from every orifice in most restaurants to prevent conversation among the diners. Despite acoustics in the building, my friends and I enjoyed quiet rational informative discussions while we ate lunch. The food and service exceeded BBQ standards. This was at about noon Saturday, November 18, 2023. No one should be punished for forgetting to plug the amplifier in!

As someone who doesn't eat meat, the cuisine at 12 Bones wouldn't have been my first choice, but I went there knowing I'd be ordering a salad and some sides. What I didn't know was that there was a brewery awaiting us! That was quite exciting. My Green Salad was filling and delicious, though it had just a bit too many candied pecans for my taste. I guess that's just a salad in the south. I also enjoyed a side of cucumber salad, a side of baked beans (which comes with bacon, for all you non-meat eaters), and a bite of my friend's corn pudding. She almost didn't get the corn pudding but decided to last minute, and it was quite a treat. The outdoor seating was spacious and allowed us visitors to enjoy the fickle southern weather, thunderstorms and rain included. The only bizarre thing about 12 Bones is their hours, so be sure to double-check when they're serving food before going.

Best Bbq in North Carolina! I haven't had better bbq since my daddy passed away 25 years ago! That is a long time ago for perfect ribs!

Absolutely the BEST BBQ anywhere hands down Whenever I am home I have to come eat here

12 Bones hosted a super Elite Yelp event. We had our choice of pulled pork or chicken sandwiches on bulky rolls, a delicious side, and a brewski from the 12 Bones Brewery. This is my favorite location at 12 bones has. I made some great new friends and the owners took good care of us and were welcoming and generous. (I think they're like that with all their guests.). They really want to know what's good, what's working and what is delicious! If you haven't been here yet, GO! Try to go during a time when it's a little more quiet because this place can get rockin!

Perfectly located minutes away from the airport. I was able to have dinner and drinks with family before heading back to the airport to pick up my friend who was flying in town to join us. We sat at the tables outside and ordered a flight of beers to try. My father really enjoyed the lager. We ordered food and sat outside, we got one 1/2 rack of naked ribs and the other one with brown sugar, some chicken wings and different sauces to see what they were working with. The brown sugared ribs were favored out of the 2. I got two sides that came with my ribs which I ordered baked beans and mac & cheese. The mac & cheese was nice and creamy and delicious but I didn't care too much for the beans. The blueberry sauce was a nice twist from the norm but the mild bbq sauce was delicious too. I grabbed a 4 pack of beers and pecan pie for the road which we drank and nibbled over the remaining days. Last time I was in Asheville I enjoyed a different 12 bones location and plan to hit it again next time in town. Amazing BBQ and the beer is a plus!

I love it when the restaurant name tells you exactly what you should order! I love stopping here or at their other location for BBQ in Asheville. They typically have 4-5 sauces for ribs and I thoroughly enjoyed the Blueberry Chipotle. My son enjoyed his pork which was great by itself or with some vinegar sauce. They are not stingy on the sides. Come hungry and be ready to bring some leftovers home. You will leave with a smile and full stomach.

Let me be honest. I was very excited to try out this fine bbq establish that is very well known. It was pretty underwhelming. Maybe I got the wrong thing. The sliced brisket was too lean for my taste (and dry). CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS MAC N CHEESE?!? bruh.... where the cheese at? My friend needed to put bbq sauce in it to liven up the flavor. I will give them the corn pudding, that was tasty and I recommend that. The ribs were also solid and they have a few different flavors, the blueberry/chipotle one was interesting, next time I would get a more traditional flavor. Sweet potato casserole was also good. Cornbread was alright, I'm not huge cornbread guy tho. My friend rly liked it. My friend also thought the potato salad was amazing! But how can a well known bbq joint have dry brisket and plain Mac n cheese? You tell me...