Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
With a tentative open date of mid to late March, downtown Asheville’s new Farm Burger is nearly ready to go.
Co-owner George Frangos and partners Jason Mann and Sean Gray plan a casual downtown eatery, one that Gray’s wife thinks will have character unique to Asheville. Each of the three other Farm Burger locations works with a different local farmer (Asheville’s is in talks with Hickory Nut Gap Meats), and Mee Gray said she looks forward to how the downtown Farm Burger’s “personality” will develop as owners choose local beers, local beef, local products, and local touches on the menu.
The connection with Hickory Nut Gap might run deep, and Frangos is talking to Hickory Nut Gap’s Jamie Ager to raise cattle just for the restaurant.
Frangos said the menu will share a core group of offerings with other locations, but will evolve to reflect Asheville’s tastes. Eight to ten local beers are soon to be selected in a tasting.
Farm Burger’s home in the oddball former Studio Five Imports space on Patton near Salsa’s has been heavily renovated to include exposed brick interiors, an enclosed patio (with big open windows, LAB-style)–and an all-weather indoor bocce court.
Historic touches, including the stained-glass “Leader Building” sign, will stay, Frangos said.
Farm Burger expects to seat up to 60 at tables, a communal dining area, and the enclosed patio. One World Brewing, a nanobrewery and speakeasy owned by a partner’s brother-in-law, will open downstairs.
Look for a photo essay closer to opening. For now, here’s a few snaps of Farm Burger in progress, coming soon to Patton Avenue downtown.
Indoor bocce court
Future home of the enclosed patio
Farm Burger website
If it is anything like their Decatur location, it is going to be fantastic. Looking forward to their opening.