Food halls are food courts’ younger, much hipper sisters.
Instead of having to choose between Panda Express, Sbarro or Chick-fil-A, you would be faced with picking between Roost & Ramen, Kream Coffee Culture, or Field to Farro (no, these are not real spots, but you get the picture).
But the idea of community seating and having plenty of food options is definitely the same.
A food hall is typically a mix of local artisan restaurants (instead of several chains), butcher shops + other food/brewery-oriented boutiques – all under one roof (but usually not connected to department stores in a traditional mall-like setting), and typically located in big cities.
The food hall movement in the U.S. started with NYC’s Eataly, a high-end Italian food hall started by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich in 2010. Since then, more + more food halls have popped up across the country, as close to us as Greenville‘s Gather GVL and Charleston’s Workshop + Garco Mill.
Food halls provide a common area for local restaurateurs to try things and get started, while not having to bear the full burden of their own stand-alone brick and mortar. Kinda like a food incubator, of sorts.
Is Asheville ready for a food hall? We absolutely think so. And, so do you.
Last week, we asked you on Instagram + Facebook where you think it should go + who should be involved. Almost 100 of you replied. Here’s what you said –
“OMG! I have been dreaming of the day that Asheville would get a food hall! I think it should go in the RAD.” –Emily via Facebook
“River arts district (Phil mechanic studio, RAMP studios or new construction on Depot St.)” –@postwaffles on Instagram
“We need something different in South AVL. Great local, independent options all over town, except the south side.” –Michael via Facebook
“The Old Innsbruck Mall. I’ve thought that for years.” –@jonathanahunter on Instagram
“Sweeten creek! Every time I pass by that old cider place near hillman’s I think how cool that place could be” –Ariel via Facebook
So 👏 many 👏 options. 👏
To narrow it down, we put together a poll (scroll to the bottom) so we can settle the question.
You all also helped us brainstorm potential vendors
- Chai Pani could definitely host a spot. Their pop up hotspot Chotta Chai Pani was a major hit.
- And, who wouldn’t mind seeing Bun Intended or Melt Your Heart in a permanent location?
- For those of us patiently waiting for Chef Katie Button’s bagel shop (coming this fall), how cool would it be to get a freshly baked bagel with a veggie spring roll on the side??
- Maybe Taco Temple would open a second location. We’ll always say yes to tacos.
- We know how much Asheville loves High Five Coffee – wonder if they’d want to open a fourth spot as a grab-and-go cafe?
Need some visual inspiration? Click here or on the button below to see a list of the most drool-worthy food halls in other cities – with #goals photos, of course. 👇
Bonus: Read to the end and vote for the best Asheville food hall location.
Here are some places we can look to for inspiration:
Ponce City Market | Atlanta
Make latin sandwich shop El Super Pan your first stop; the steamed coconut bun with chipotle tofu is life changing.
Urbanspace | NYC
Here’s to saving my first sushi burrito experience for Hai Street Kitchen This is the Times Square of food halls.
7th Street Market | Charlotte
Sam from our sister team at COLAtoday lived in Charlotte and claims she practically helped pay the rent at Not Just Coffee (their caramel + dark chocolate latte syrups are house-made) + Local Loaf (order the cheerwine chicken biscuit).
Liberty Public Market | San Diego
Two words: Arancini balls – fried rice balls stuffed with things like mozzarella cheese or italian sausage, with a whole egg crate of sauces for days.
The Source | Denver
I’ve yet to make it to Colorado, but the tacos + ceviche cups from Comida look like they’d be worth the trek across the country. Also, another New Belgium location in here – and that’s a big deal since the only others are in are right here in AVL + Fort Collins, C.O.
Legacy Hall | Plano, TX (near Dallas)
Y’all, this is described as a “3-story restaurant wonderland.” 22 different chefs (food ranging from bahn mi to lobster rolls), vendors, bars (one is sponsored by Titos) + it’s a music venue. Plus, CAE just made it easier to fly to Dallas, so we see a weekend getaway in your [and our] future.
Workshop | Charleston
Workshop’s style is that restaurants are meant to be temporary (typically food trucks looking to try out a brick and mortar). So try Pink Bellies + Spanglish Cuban Kitchen while they’re there.
Gather | Greenville
Our sister team at GVLtoday says Spartanburg ice cream sandwich shop Rocky Moo’s is opening there soon and a Hendersonville chicken + donut shot, HenDough, will join it.
Morgan Street | Raleigh
Bonus: Set to open on July 23, Raleigh is adding its own array of pizza, coffee, curry, burgers + tacos to its Warehouse District. Check out the list of current vendors here.
Now it’s time... Vote for your ideal location in Asheville and share with friends.
Take the vote, then comment on an exact location – if you have one in mind. Who knows, maybe the right person will see this and take action. 👏
So now that we’ve hopefully got your mind flowing with ideas (and probably your mouth watering as well), let us know what they are: Where would you put a food hall in AVL + what do you want in it? Respond to this email or this morning’s Instagram post.
Someone is always watching; you never know who might see this email and make our ideas into reality. 🙌
And, if you forgot to take the poll, go ahead + do that now here. We’ll release the results next week.
Have a great weekend, Asheville.
