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.
Nearly three decades after opening, Cornerstone, an Asheville staple, still delivers hearty diner classics, strong brunch cocktails and a menu big enough to satisfy any craving.
I moved to Asheville in 1999, and one of the first restaurants I remember being excited about was Cornerstone on Tunnel Road. To be honest, I was far from a foodie yet, and coming from a lifetime of sitting in dingy smoke-filled Waffle Houses, Huddle Houses and other mom-and-pop diners, diner culture was more my thing. That’s what made me feel at home.
Though Cornerstone was completely renovated in 2017, and the dingy smoke-filled aspect is just a romantic fading memory, the food has remained nearly the same. If anything, it’s just improved and expanded. There are more American, Greek and breakfast items than ever before. In fact, even though I always know what I’m going to order, I still sift through the Chinese restaurant-sized monolith of a menu at each visit.
This was a brunch day, and with that must come a pint-sized Bloody Mary with massive olives and a nice slab of bacon. This is the best in town. Trust me on that.
She had a Mimosa, which was as reliable as ever. They also have quite the draught list.
The omelets here are wonderful. You can’t go wrong with any of them. There’s Cowboy Western, Greek, Ham and Brie, El Guapo, and my usual, the Carnivore, packed with bacon, sausage, ham, steak and mozzarella, perfect when you’re feeling decadent. It’s the Ron Swanson version of a Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity. I ordered it with home fries and a biscuit. Make sure to slather jam and butter on that biscuit and pour a lot of the Firewalker hot sauce on the omelet. I’m rarely able to eat the whole thing, but I always feel completely satisfied.
She went traditional, having two eggs, sausage patties, a biscuit and grits, and was very pleased.
This review is obviously more about my general experience here than today’s particular meal. You should visit and try things I know to be amazing, such as the lamb gyro platter, the country fried steak, their wide array of southern-style egg Benedict or even the ribeye and eggs. I’m telling you, this is the spot for most everything!
The service is always great and full of southern hospitality. I will say that if you visit during brunch hours on the weekend, be prepared to wait. Though it’s a huge place, it’s always busy.
I invite you to be a part of Cornerstone’s rich legacy. You’ll be glad you did.
Rating: 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴
