Here’s the latest word going around, which comes from a solid source: Kathy Taylor and her business partner Les Doss have sold the north Asheville bar they own, called the Usual Suspects.
The two opened the bar about five years ago at the corner of Merrimon and Gracelyn after taking what I remember was an old paint store and remodeling it into a cool urban space for a great restaurant and bar. The place is always busy – a hot spot for the people who put “posh” in “posh North Asheville.”
Kathy Taylor is well-known on the local bar scene, having served up many a drink at the old Charlotte Street Pub before moving over to the Usual Suspects. She’s all-around great.
Anyone got anything else?
21 Comments
avenue m/old usuals is still great! the owner, craig, is a delight and really tries to remember each customer by face and name. the food is still delicious and the staff is just as great as ever. bravo, kathy and les, your legacy is in good hands!
The new owners are in place. I met them tonight. They are very nice and turned out to be friends of a friend. They do not want to change much…maybe add more fish options and some gluten free options. Looks like my Goat cheese stuffed figs are safe. : )
Hi!
I love Usual Suspects. I cannot handle the thought that I may not be able to get my goat cheese stuffed figs. Kathy and Les are so nice and such hard workers. In regards to the staff and service, I agree that some of the staff have an odd flaky way about them, but I have never in the 50 plus times I have been ever received bad service or bad food. Good luck to Les and Kathy!! In fact each time I go there most of staff walk right up and say hi, can I get you your figs! : )
i think ‘posh’ is pushing it. maybe posh biltmore forest. many parts of north asheville are straight up seedy. some of the nicest houses are next to places that need to be condemned. the prices may be higher due to proximity to downtown, and more residents may be married/2 income compared with more single w-avl, but i see a lot of decay and disarray and modest old houses and not much ‘posh’ in north asheville.
My husband and I live in North Asheville, are in our early 30s & late 20s respectively, and frequent Usual Suspects about once a week. It is a wonderful option, has good food that is not too terribly expensive and is close to our house. I hope it is still going to be a restaurant that offers several quality food options, great cocktails and vast beer selection. There is always a great mix of people there-families, couples, students, etc, has great outdoor seating and the atmosphere has improved even more now that the non-smoking law has gone into effect. Any word on what it will become?
hey ash– the new comments are not showing up on the web page.
Amen to that Fred. A new staff would be a welcome change.
All current staff are secured their positions, as per the contract (so I have heard). In addition, there is a 5 year no-compete clause; thus, they wont be opening up a place in Asheville that could be competition to the Usual Suspects. I have heard they plan on traveling for a bit then may consider a new venture–where and what undefined. Personally, I am proud of their achievements and think it is wonderful that they have built a business worth purchasing. Now they can be free of the grueling hours and work required to operate and own a restaurant/bar and explore life. I don’t know too many people who wouldn’t consider that a success.
Comments on posh: depends on your taste as to what one person defines as posh. Personally I would not define the Usual Suspects as posh. It lacks a snobbish overtone implied by the word. I do consider it an excellent place to dine and socialize–far better than the Table where I have consistently been served sub-par food (burnt, over-cooked, dry/crumbling breads) and have had horrible service (waited hours, literally, to be served).
The Usual is a great place with great staff and great owners. If it is true that they have in fact sold, I hope little changes about the place. This is one of the favorites. We dine there frequently and have never encountered rude staff or poor service. All the best to Kathy and Les.
Usual suspects is being sold, however it has not been sold.
The new owners to be are North Asheville residents for over 14 years and have extensive restaurant experience from Los Angeles, New york City and right here in North Asheville.The new owners to be, plan to operate Usual Suspects as it has been operated since opening in 2004.
With the obvious exception that Kathy and Les will be on to their next adventures in life.
All current staff will be staying on and training the new owners how to be "Usual suspects"
The new owners." to be"
Before it was a paint store it was "Mountaineering South" a camping, hiking, outdoor supplies store.
their tempeh reuben is to die for!!!! sure hope they don’t completely change the menu. but #1– you are right. some of the waitstaff had quite a gift of making you feel like your presence was a source of annoyance to them.
and i have lived in both north asheville and now west asheville, and in the immortal words of jim morrison- the west is the best, baby
I was wondering why they were hiring for a bartender on C-list.
North Ashevillian – the housing prices and the neighborhoods of North Asheville are posh to me, as a West Ashevillian, so you’re right, my roots are showing.
Kathy and Les are the best and it won’t be the same around Asheville not seeing them behind the bar. Hope they take some time to chill because they are both very hard workers!!
The former paint store that was there was my famiiy’s business. I believe my brother still owns the actual building. I’d hate to see Usual go.
Ash, there ain’t nothing "posh" about North Asheville, and as nice as The Usual Suspects is, it ain’t posh either. I’m afraid you’re letting your "West Asheville" roots show, if you think North Asheville is posh. Even Lakeshore Drive has its share of humble houses. Maybe you’re getting North Asheville confused with Biltmore Forest and The Usual Suspects confused with Table.
Oh dear, this is a great theatre bar for after show cavorting. On any given night you can drink and make merry with lovely peers!
Just have to say that Kathy and Les are a true asset to Asheville. They are the perfect neighbors, hard workers, phenomenal customer experts and just good, decent human beings. Cheers to whatever they decide to embark upon.
Will they open a Blarney Stone Pub in East or West Asheville?
Good. Maybe the new owners will hire some waitstaff who don’t have a bad attitude and no concept of service.