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Menu
Worst customer service of any area restaurant. The manager could have cared less about us. Very unfortunate because they do have good subs, but will never go there again.
I agree with Asheville Dweller on one point. There IS alot more to Asheville than downtown. However, downtown is a wonderful, quirky place that means different things, and offers different things, to different people. But, there is something for everyone downtown. This is why there is so much tourist traffic on downtown streets. My guess is that Asheville Dweller is generally an unhappy person, and wouldn’t know good food or drink if it slapped his lips.
Sorry, I hate Tunnel Road with a dire passion more then I hate the overated Down Town Asheville that everyone holds in high regard. I still stand by my remarks as always, lousy bars and shoddy Places to eat. But you must love it with all the chains moving in.
There is more to Asheville then Downtown, downtown is the worst part so un-original.
Asheville Dweller, I’m sure your too busy trolling Tunnel Road for all their cuisine which seems to fit your tastes, your just mad that there isn’t a Dollar Menu in downtown!! Whatever. You will always be complaining and moaning about Asheville and never offering anything productive. Life goes on without you.
Downtown Asheville has never been good, oooh Bars and Shoddy resturant big appeal.
If an Apple Store came downtown, I’m sure they would be welcomed with open arms.
Actually, I don’t mind chains. They make the rest of us look better.
Well, that’s what I would’ve done if it were really that detestable…
There are way too many choices out there (especially for sandwiches) to go back even once to a brand you hated so much on the first visit.
Oh, and by the way, it’s called free market capitalism. Competition always benefits the consumer, and if independent stores don’t have the ability to match the quality and value of the evil chain, then the only entity to blame is the whims of the consuming public, not the corporate tycoon who saw an opportunity.
I don’t want to see Asheville’s downtown become nothing but a string of chains either, but Temptations was a joke and if some local decided to take a chance with a franchise brand and make a go of it, more power to ’em. Let the market decide. It definitely decided for Temptations, Nova/Scratch, Sugo, Whiskey Tavern/Decades, etc etc.
Actually the first sentence said 3 different Jimmy John’s. The second time was a second chance. Surely they couldn’t all be as bad as the first. The third was so as not to be rude to the friends I was visiting in Charlotte. Perhaps I should have told them that they had no sense of taste, refused to eat there, and refused to visit again unless I could choose where we eat. This place is so bad, I might just do that next time.
So, you ate at the same restaurant twice more after you realized it was terrible the first time? Smart!
Have eaten at 3 different Jimmy John’s over the last 2 years. No need for me to try the one on Biltmore. The food at each was as dreadful as the previous one. For once, I was pleased to have only a couple thin slices of meat in a sandwich. Think I’ll just order a sub roll next time.
The number of chains and franchises surviving downtown is becoming impressive. No need to worry. The transformation of downtown will be slow and steady. We’ll just wake up one day and realize we made it to the big time. We’re just like every other downtown area. But WE have a drum circle! Franchise royalties will help build the new downtown. Ten cents of every dollar sold will go to the home office to fund advertising and promotion to help grow the chain and franchisee’s market. If the indie’s can’t compete? See ya! We need some good hair cuttin joints don’t we? Can’t wait for Great Clips to come in to downtown. What about McDonald’s? All that goodness for only a buck! Maybe we could spy some old buildings we could tear down to build us a Pep Boy’s. Adding these chains to downtown is exciting. Let’s all get out there and support them.
RT makes a solid fact that some people just cannot handle. They moan and groan certain chains but jump up to defend others as it goes in Hypicrital town of Asheville.
Chains are bad unless its a cool one then its ok and they welcome it with open arms, you don’t get it both ways. If a Chain is local owned then its local owned that includes Subway and the like.
Fast Guy — I tend to agree (although I would hope that any chains downtown would keeps their stores appearances in character with downtown). I was just trying to point out how those who make the biggest fuss about the idea of chains downtown tend to be selective about which ones they rant about.
I guess I don’t understand all the anti-chain speak. This is a locally-owned business, employing local residents. Yes, it’s a chain, but if you like the product what’s the big deal. I say, if you want to create a local, non-chain competitor that consumers like just as much, go for it. Otherwise just appreciate it for what it is, a sandwich shop that provides decent sandwiches and fills a niche in downtown Asheville.
Add Three Dog Bakery to the list of chains downtown…if anyone is counting that is.
Oooh right. I forgot about that.
Mellow Mushroom has stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, and Arizona. Doesn’t sound terribly "regional" to me, but I guess it is a case of all of those who think that chains downtown are the harbinger of the end of western civilization applying that standard selectively.
I can maybe see how whether or not Greenlife constitutes being downtown or not could be open for debate, but Jersey Mike’s is across the street from City County Plaza. That’s hard to think of anything but as downtown.
I wouldn’t say the location of Greenlife qualities as "downtown". Or Jersey Mike’s for that matter.
Also there are 7 Mast Generals. I know that’s a "chain" in it’s purest sense, but probably not an outrage who like to keep downtown exclusive to regional companies.
For the record, I don’t think it’s cool either. But people don’t care enough to fight to save Asheville’s integrity, so what do you expect?
Enjoy Mellow Mushroom if you want, as they have good food. And, isn’t that the point? But, a simple check of their web site shows they are hardly a "regional" chain, unless by regional you mean the U.S. http://www.mellowmushroom.com/#/o
Chains in downtown Asheville:
Doc Chey’s
Marble Slab
Mellow Mushroom
Jimmy John’s
Subway
Jersey Mike’s
Kilwin’s
Whole Foods (aka Greenlife)
Urban Outfitters
Renaissance Hotel
Sheraton Hotel
Mast General Store
I’m hoping Jimmy John’s puts Subway under, then the number of chains will be a wash.
They buy all of their produce from Mountain Produce which I believe buys locally as much as possible.
HELL NO. This is NOT cool and I will never step into this chain or SUBWAY. Mellow Mushroom and Doc Chey are cool. Mellow is more of a regional chain and Doc Chey uses local farmers to get their food, so yes, they are cool.
Interesting that the folks who complain about chains in downtown are silent about this. Is this one of the "cool" chains they like, such as Mellow Mushroom, Doc Chey’s, or Marble Slab?
They’re also open until 3 am on Friday and Saturday. Great for late-night / wee-hours munchies.
The sandwiches are tasty, fast and affordable. Had one delivered today since it was kinda hot and I didn’t feel like walking over there.