Did you know that O’Charley’s has its very own niche?
Neither did I, but they do and it’s PIE! Yes, pie. They specialize in pie, so when you go, you don’t just save room for dessert, but you save room for their amazing selection of pies. They have rotating seasonal specials and an array of standards (that are anything but standard). We tried the peach pie and the chocolate silk. You know what they say: ‘Life is short, eat dessert first.’ Well, we did have our pie at the end of the meal, but I’ve always liked that saying.
We arrived at O’Charley’s on a weekday evening about 7 and it was hopping. I immediately liked the warmth of the room, with curved brick archways, cubbies for cozy seating, and a happy staff. We sat across from the bar, which happens to be a full bar that can create about anything you’d ask for, down to the bitters. Or if it’s beer you’re after they have eight taps, local beers and a big selection.
The first O’Charley’s started in Nashville, Tennisee, so it makes sense that the food is American Southern. It makes no apologies for the home-cookin’ menu of steaks, seafood and chicken, lots of sides, starters to share, and, yeah…pies.
Every meal starts with a basket of their famous yeast rolls. Nearly as light as cotton candy, a basket of melt-in-your-mouth dinner rolls with whipped butter will make you happy while you look through the menu.
O’Charley’s house special is slow-roasted prime rib (served Friday thru Sunday only, because of the s-l-o-w roasting), and it’s going to be very popular this coming Valentine’s Day, which falls on a Saturday. It pairs with two sides and a starter. Save room for pie. Since it wasn’t a weekend night Tom had a combo of sirloin steak and the Baby Back Ribs, hand rubbed and tender-off-the-bone delicious.
I love the sound of Honey Drizzled Southern-Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes, don’t you? And the home-style chicken potpie with white meat and veggies rings southern yum too.
But I decided to go with the Cedar Plank cooked Atlantic salmon. At nine ounces it was on the large side, so I brought some home. It was perfectly cooked and flavorful. The cedar added a new taste twist. It came with two sides and I chose the asparagus, again cooked pitch-perfect, and the hush puppies, which were a little different, but the best I’ve ever tried, with a sweet and smoky taste.
I’ll admit the cornmeal breaded and golden-fried catfish with hush puppies, Southern coleslaw, seasoned fries and tarter sauce did tempt me, but it’s January and I wanted to be good….up until the pie.
I don’t think you can say you’re Southern if you don’t have a signature Mac and Cheese. O’Charley’s has theirs; it’s a bacon mac and cheese. Double southern hitter!
If this all sounds like a long lazy family meal at Grandma’s house, you’re right, but there are plenty of salads and daily soups to choose from as well. The poblano chowder popped out as a new soup I’d like to try. They also have a lunch menu and a $9.99 menu offering nine choice meals any day or time.
If you’re looking for Sunday brunch and don’t want to go downtown, try O’Charley’s from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There’s everything you’d like to see on a brunch menu, plus the unexpected like chicken and waffles. And if you’d like a mid-day cocktail there’s the Southern Bacon Bloody Mary, a Moonshine Mary or classic Mimosa.
We could see why O’Charley’s is a popular spot, even as it’s a bit out of site up on the hill off Tunnel Road. It’s a casual or date night spot, great for families, kids, celebrations and friends. It has a good feel inside, the service is impeccable, the staff is happy and it shows. Give it a try. And don’t forget the pie!
O’Charley’s
2 Kenilworth Knolls, Asheville
(828) 281-0540
Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.;
Friday & Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.