I'm not sure how there are good reviews of this place. I must have gotten a really bad cook.The brisket had no aroma, no rub, and tasted like heavily boiled beef. No flavor WHATSOEVER. I couldn't quite believe that it was brisket. The ribs were dry, tough and flavorless like they had been microwaved. I also got hushpuppies; their flavor wasn't bad, though again they were just dry.It's unfortunate we live a ways away, or I would have brought this back. It ended up dog food.
Paul Sena
Update: Went back a second time and the brisket was cooked much better. Enjoyed the mealFirst time here, tried the brisket plate. Brisket was extremely dry and overcooked. There was no pink in the meat or flop when picking it up to show moisture. The bark was pretty thin. The fried okra side was good and it's saving grace. Previous Google reviews and photos looked better, willing to go back and try this place again. Possibly with staffing shortages they're not bringing their A game and not smoking as much fresh brisket but still, no reason it should be overcooked by this much.
Michael Sanchez
Do not go here! 20$ for a plate of lunch meat heated up in an oven to make it dry. Got there and were the only people there only to have to guys come in 20minutes after us and get served before us. Then after a 30+ minute wait we get our meals. My wife’s brisket was 3 strips of fat and way over salted fries. My 1lb of “smoke daily” turkey was a pack of lunch meat! The one spoon full of 4& greens was the best part. I see why the place was totally empty! Never again. Worst 70$ I ever spent
Eric J.
Food wasn't the greatest as well place is very dirty. Service was good overall minus how dirty the place.
Lois Petersen
Things have changed at Bonfire with new management. Dining room is half the size & menu has changed a bit. My first time here since Covid. Used to be a hopping place, but was dead on a Friday night. They were out of some things, but the service was good & we were happy with our meal. BBQ pork was tender & good selection of sauces from around the region. They seem to be focused mostly on catering & carry out these days. Plenty of free parking.
Derek R.
We were completely blown away with this spot! I'm a serious BBQ guy (maker, eater, etc., lol) from out-of-state (Georgia), and I was on the hunt for my first taste of WNC and ENC BBQ (my favorite kinds of BBQ) in the actual state of North Carolina. Unfortunately, our roadtrip route from Georgia either didn't pass any spots that were open (it was a Sunday) or that had solid reviews. By the time we got to Asheville, we were starving for ANYTHING to eat before we checked into our hotel and could rest before exploring the town. Bonfire appeared as an opportunity on the map, and we rolled in with minimal expectations. I kept it simple--just a classic pulled pork sandwich with both ENC and WNC sauce--and my wife did the same with the brisket. My first bite reminded me why I enjoy traveling and eating truly local/regional food, because it was EXACTLY the flavor I've always associated with NC-style BBQ. This increased with each bite of my food, as well as my wife's! Not only was the food great, but the service and prices were equally as spectacular.
Charles Dacus
Decided to try and take advantage of my upside app offer. The food was good, the service was fast and accommodating. Only thing we did not like were our iced teas. They tasted old. Both the sweet, and unsweetened. It had a very rustic feel to it. Oh! Could of done without the cobwebs also.
Rose Melissa
$9 for fried pickles that look like they were dunked in milk then fried. Ordered wings didn’t get carrots/celery and when asked for them was met with rude behavior. Food was subpar. Service sucked. And was not worth the money I spent. If I could give this gross looking establishment zero stars I would
EDJ1036
My hubs and I were in Asheville and went to Bonfire BBQ on a recommendation from family. Excellent Brisket, the Bonfire BBQ is VERY good! Highly recommend!
tojo72
Passed by Many times looked good,always saw a lot of people around,so decided to try it out.We were pretty disappointed,place was on the dingy side,the service was fast and friendly but the food was very unimpressive.Pulled pork not very tasty or smokey,turkey dried out,sauce bar sloppy and nothing special. Visitors,if you are looking for great BBQ in the area go to 12 Bones ,Shorty's or the Haywood Smoke House in Waynesville and pass this place by.
Our food took 30 minutes to come out of the kitchen even though their were less than 10 patrons in the whole restaurant. Food was only barely warm. Brisket was quite fatty and the serving was very small. Waitress didn't ask how our food was. If she had I would have told her instead of writing this review. Very pricey for such small servings.
Sean M.
Gotta say the meat was great, and the fried green tomatoes were the best I've had in a long, long time. Only docking a star because the Brunswick stew couldn't have been touched, it was unfortunately a cup of grease :( but all in all I'd certainly return here. I had come with a large party and everyone was impressed
Lisa B.
The food had potential but left us flat. The pork was tough and dry and the turkey was limp. The sides were over spiced to cover up being over cooked. The service was ok but considering how slow they were could have been a bit better.
Bunny H.
Love the fact that there is outside seating and dog friendly! The staff was pleasant even for a very hot day. The specialty fries were interesting but the brisket was over done and dry - very disappointing.
Joe Thomas
Not what it used to be. I'm sure the pandemic took it's toll, but they don't even seem to be trying. First time we'd been in for a few months. Sandwiches seemed to be half the size, with run of the mill buns, but the biggest disappointment was ordering the previously amazing Smokehouse wings, only to receive very clearly NON-smoked, tiny fried wings. At least change the menu. Staff was great, and I feel sorry for them, as management clearly doesn't care anymore.
I'm not sure how there are good reviews of this place. I must have gotten a really bad cook.The brisket had no aroma, no rub, and tasted like heavily boiled beef. No flavor WHATSOEVER. I couldn't quite believe that it was brisket. The ribs were dry, tough and flavorless like they had been microwaved. I also got hushpuppies; their flavor wasn't bad, though again they were just dry.It's unfortunate we live a ways away, or I would have brought this back. It ended up dog food.
Update: Went back a second time and the brisket was cooked much better. Enjoyed the mealFirst time here, tried the brisket plate. Brisket was extremely dry and overcooked. There was no pink in the meat or flop when picking it up to show moisture. The bark was pretty thin. The fried okra side was good and it's saving grace. Previous Google reviews and photos looked better, willing to go back and try this place again. Possibly with staffing shortages they're not bringing their A game and not smoking as much fresh brisket but still, no reason it should be overcooked by this much.
Do not go here! 20$ for a plate of lunch meat heated up in an oven to make it dry. Got there and were the only people there only to have to guys come in 20minutes after us and get served before us. Then after a 30+ minute wait we get our meals. My wife’s brisket was 3 strips of fat and way over salted fries. My 1lb of “smoke daily” turkey was a pack of lunch meat! The one spoon full of 4& greens was the best part. I see why the place was totally empty! Never again. Worst 70$ I ever spent
Food wasn't the greatest as well place is very dirty. Service was good overall minus how dirty the place.
Things have changed at Bonfire with new management. Dining room is half the size & menu has changed a bit. My first time here since Covid. Used to be a hopping place, but was dead on a Friday night. They were out of some things, but the service was good & we were happy with our meal. BBQ pork was tender & good selection of sauces from around the region. They seem to be focused mostly on catering & carry out these days. Plenty of free parking.
We were completely blown away with this spot! I'm a serious BBQ guy (maker, eater, etc., lol) from out-of-state (Georgia), and I was on the hunt for my first taste of WNC and ENC BBQ (my favorite kinds of BBQ) in the actual state of North Carolina. Unfortunately, our roadtrip route from Georgia either didn't pass any spots that were open (it was a Sunday) or that had solid reviews. By the time we got to Asheville, we were starving for ANYTHING to eat before we checked into our hotel and could rest before exploring the town. Bonfire appeared as an opportunity on the map, and we rolled in with minimal expectations. I kept it simple--just a classic pulled pork sandwich with both ENC and WNC sauce--and my wife did the same with the brisket. My first bite reminded me why I enjoy traveling and eating truly local/regional food, because it was EXACTLY the flavor I've always associated with NC-style BBQ. This increased with each bite of my food, as well as my wife's! Not only was the food great, but the service and prices were equally as spectacular.
Decided to try and take advantage of my upside app offer. The food was good, the service was fast and accommodating. Only thing we did not like were our iced teas. They tasted old. Both the sweet, and unsweetened. It had a very rustic feel to it. Oh! Could of done without the cobwebs also.
$9 for fried pickles that look like they were dunked in milk then fried. Ordered wings didn’t get carrots/celery and when asked for them was met with rude behavior. Food was subpar. Service sucked. And was not worth the money I spent. If I could give this gross looking establishment zero stars I would
My hubs and I were in Asheville and went to Bonfire BBQ on a recommendation from family. Excellent Brisket, the Bonfire BBQ is VERY good! Highly recommend!
Passed by Many times looked good,always saw a lot of people around,so decided to try it out.We were pretty disappointed,place was on the dingy side,the service was fast and friendly but the food was very unimpressive.Pulled pork not very tasty or smokey,turkey dried out,sauce bar sloppy and nothing special. Visitors,if you are looking for great BBQ in the area go to 12 Bones ,Shorty's or the Haywood Smoke House in Waynesville and pass this place by.
Restaurantji Recommends
Our food took 30 minutes to come out of the kitchen even though their were less than 10 patrons in the whole restaurant. Food was only barely warm. Brisket was quite fatty and the serving was very small. Waitress didn't ask how our food was. If she had I would have told her instead of writing this review. Very pricey for such small servings.
Gotta say the meat was great, and the fried green tomatoes were the best I've had in a long, long time. Only docking a star because the Brunswick stew couldn't have been touched, it was unfortunately a cup of grease :( but all in all I'd certainly return here. I had come with a large party and everyone was impressed
The food had potential but left us flat. The pork was tough and dry and the turkey was limp. The sides were over spiced to cover up being over cooked. The service was ok but considering how slow they were could have been a bit better.
Love the fact that there is outside seating and dog friendly! The staff was pleasant even for a very hot day. The specialty fries were interesting but the brisket was over done and dry - very disappointing.
Not what it used to be. I'm sure the pandemic took it's toll, but they don't even seem to be trying. First time we'd been in for a few months. Sandwiches seemed to be half the size, with run of the mill buns, but the biggest disappointment was ordering the previously amazing Smokehouse wings, only to receive very clearly NON-smoked, tiny fried wings. At least change the menu. Staff was great, and I feel sorry for them, as management clearly doesn't care anymore.