West Asheville’s Tomato Cocina Latina has closed

Jason Sandford February 11, 2013

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

The tasty Central/South American restaurant that moved from Patton Avenue to Westgate has now closed its doors for good, according to Asheville Scene.

A shame: Tomato lost something in the move from Patton to Westgate, but still served delicious food.

From Mackensy Lunsford and Asheville Scene:

Tomato Cocina Latina closed its doors for the last time on Thursday, Feb. 7. The restaurant, serving pan-Latin fare, opened on Patton Avenue as Tomato Italian (with the assistance of local chef Hector Diaz), taking on a spicier identity when it morphed into Tomato Cocina Latina in 2005.

In 2010, the restaurant moved into the space next to Earth Fare in the Westgate Shopping Center, leaving its Patton Avenue location vacant. Rocky’s Hot Chicken Shack would eventually take over that building after leaving its Arden location.

Read the whole article here.

Here’s Tomato’s announcement of its closure on Facebook.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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9 Comments

Kelly February 13, 2013

This is a damn shame. One of the best and most affordable restaurants in town for Latin fare. I will miss these tasty affordable dishes!!!

Reply
burnsey February 12, 2013

I have lost count of all of the operations that have occupied that space. Sorry to see them close up shop.

Reply
ashevillain February 11, 2013

Funny…I thought they were better after the move to Westgate. I loved the lunch buffet and had a number of nice dinners there as well.

I don’t think it’s a bad location. I think that it was a bit too big of a space for them…and for some reason Latin-American fare (other than Mexican) doesn’t do too well around here.

Reply
nimby February 11, 2013

Good food, poor location…its a shame. Hope they open again in a different store.

Reply
Murphy February 11, 2013

MtnXpress has a photo with its’ article showing a big “?” like the ones currently covering the windows at street level in the Haywood Park Hotel … any connection?

Reply
1. Jennifer Saylor February 11, 2013
  
  Murphy, great observation. Looks like Tony Fraga and FIRC group, who now rent the former Flying Frog space that had the question-mark windows, also own Westgate Mall. Looks like a connection, though not necessarily one that will have anything to do with the next tenant.
  
  Reply
CF-1 February 11, 2013

Used to love this place in its original location, but like you said they certainly lost something when they moved. I also think that the westgate location is cursed.

Reply
1. Luther B February 13, 2013
  
  Me too. I wouldn’t consider moving there if I owned a restaurant. Maybe the best thing to do with that space is for Earth Fare to take it over for its cafe.
  
  Reply
  1. CF-1 February 13, 2013
    
    Thats actually a pretty great idea.
    
    Reply