Editor’s Note: Fork & Dagger is 828newsNOW’s anonymous restaurant review series, written by our independent Grub Scout—no freebies, no press perks, no agenda. Grub Scout pays full price, visits unannounced, and takes notes on food, service, atmosphere, and value. Each review reflects a recent, honest experience rated on our 1‑to‑5 fork scale. We aim to help you discover standout dining spots—from casual diners to white‑tablecloth affairs—one bite at a time.
Oh, the eternal debate … Oh, the drama … Oh, the headstrong opinions …
Who makes the best barbecue in the Asheville area? You probably had a visceral reaction in the “pit” of your stomach when you read that. Sorry, I couldn’t resist the pun.
For a long time now, I’ve heard about Iron and Oak Brisket Co. in Woodfin. This spot is rumored to hold the current title of best brisket in Asheville. I’d been trying to go for months, but the hours are tricky.
I finally made it out on Sunday, but there were even more caveats than the limited hours of operation. I arrived, only to find out that the brisket is only available Thursday through Saturday. Not only that, but the ribs are only available after 3 p.m. Of course, I arrived at 2 p.m. Luckily, there were many more enticing options.
The chopped pork plate was the first item ordered. It was quite tasty, and I’m not even big on pork barbecue. It was as moist as one could desire. Very nice. I tried all three sauces: a peppery Texas-style red sauce, a sweeter Alabama-style red sauce and a tangy North Carolina vinegar sauce. They were all fantastic. The pork came with a couple slices of white bread, which, in my opinion, is essential, as well as a pile of pickles and raw onion. I wholeheartedly approve of this plating.
The sides were solid. There was a dill macaroni salad, which I cannot wait to have again, and mashed potatoes and gravy, both absolutely perfect.
Though there was no brisket to be had, there were other hints of it. The brisket burger was decadent and delightful and gloriously messy — exactly what a barbecue burger should be. I paired it with queso and chips loaded with brisket, a combination that was every bit as indulgent as it sounds. Holy moly, you gotta try that. Just wow.
Incidentally, this restaurant is attached to Riverside Rhapsody, a cozy little brewery down on Riverside Drive, just past Zillicoah, heading north. The IPA was delicious. I’ve had it a few times before at other places. The lower alcohol Hazy IPA was also quite good.
I love the vibe of Iron and Oak. It feels very locals only Asheville. It’s simple, rustic and no frills. This is a great place to hang out. You could also take a cue from the guy in front of me in line who dropped in just to get a Nathan’s chili dog to go.
I loved it there. Just make sure to check the business schedule before you go, if you’d like to explore every option.
