LIFE
New restaurant growth, beer awards mark Asheville food scene wins
Asheville food and brew news, including restaurant openings and craft beer award winners
Tiana KennellAsheville Citizen Times
July 23, 2026, 5:11 a.m. ET
ASHEVILLE – A West Asheville restaurant doubles down on locations; Western North Carolina breweries win national awards; a storm-ravaged restaurant reopens in the historic Biltmore Village
Burger joint to open second dining room
Thunder Burgerz Grill is getting a second home in West Asheville, this time at 521 Haywood Road
The restaurant is tentatively set to open on Aug. 3
Roy Trantham, owner, said customers can expect the same 1950s diner-style dining room as the original Thunder Burgerz Grill at 301 Smokey Park Highway, which opened in 2023. Memorabilia and race car decor will be featured as a nod to his father, Roy Trantham Jr.’s years racing
Diners can also look forward to getting the same signature smash burgers, 25 flavors of jumbo wings, hot dogs, hand-breaded chicken sandwiches, chicken and waffles, hand-dipped ice creams, milkshakes and other comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Unlike its sister location, the Haywood Road restaurant will offer a full bar with boozy drinks
The more spacious Haywood Road restaurant, estimated to be about two to three times the size of the Smokey Park Highway eatery, will offer about 90 indoor seats, with about another 90 seats on the front and back patios
Trantham said that he constructed a stage and intends to host outdoor events, like karaoke and comedy nights and movie screenings. The back parking lot may become the setting of motorcycle and car shows
“I was born and raised in Asheville, and we’re going to do our best to collaborate with other restaurants and support the community,” Trantham said
Thunder Burgerz Grill is named after “Thunder Road,” a 1958 movie filmed in Asheville, starring Robert Mitchum. Trantham’s father and his 1936 Ford made cameos in the film
The building at 521 Haywood Road has had a couple of other restaurant tenants in recent years, including Taco Boy, which closed in 2025, and Zia Taqueria, which closed in 2022
Thunder Burgerz Grill will have a staff of about 30 people; interested candidates may apply on Indeed. For more about Thunder Burgerz Grill, visit thunderburgerz.com and follow @thunderburgerzgrill on Instagram
The U.S. Open Beer Championship winning local brews
The U.S. Open Beer Championship winners have been announced, with Western North Carolina craft breweries bringing home medals
The U.S. Open Beer Championship, reportedly the nation’s third-largest beer competition, features more than 180 categories and subcategories
Wicked Weed Brewing’s Freudian Sip won the gold medal in the Vienna-Style Lager category, as well as its Peach Habanero Saison in the Belgian-Style Fruit Beer category
The Asheville-founded brewery also received bronze medals for its Mango Wowie in the Specialty Pale category, Freak of Nature in the Imperial India Pale Ale category, and White Angel in the Barrel Aged Fruited Sour category
The Bier Garden won a silver medal for its Jabroni in the Italian Pilsner category
Twin Leaf Brewery’s Insanity of Dreams earn a silver medal in the Specialty Beer category
Whistle Hop Brewing Company, in Fairview, earned the silver medal for its Orange Blossom Tripel in the Specialty Honey Beer category
Oklawaha Brewing Company, in Hendersonville, was awarded the silver medal for its Breakfast Joe in the Breakfast Stout category
Mountain Layers Brewing Company, in Bryson City, won the gold medal for its Smoke Over Lublin in the Historical beer category. It also received a bronze medal for its Maize into My Eyes in the New Zealand Lager category
Booneshine Brewing Company, in Boone, earned the silver medal for its Squatchy in the American-Style Wheat Beer category
View the complete list at theusopenchampionships.com
Welcome back, Wendy’s
On July 24, at 6:30 a.m., Wendy’s will reopen in Biltmore Village, at 776 Biltmore Ave., after it was severely damaged during Tropical Storm Helene in the fall of 2024
“Wendy’s is excited to be a part of the amazing recovery in the Biltmore Village vicinity of Asheville. We will have lots of giveaways on opening day, including the opportunity to win free food for a year,” Tad Dolbier, CEO of the franchise company Tar Heel Capital Corporation, said in a news release
Dolbier said that the restaurant’s updates were completed with customers in mind, including classic fresh menu offerings, the breakfast lineup, late-night hours, and its revamped look and feel. Mobile ordering, kiosk ordering, contactless pick-up and delivery options will also be available. A walk-up window was added for the convenience of delivery drivers and mobile customers
The company stated that the interior design was made to have a lower impact on the environment, and showcases open, bright dining areas with multiple seating options and Wi-Fi
“We are also highly committed to the development of our people and to providing tremendous career growth opportunities for all who show interest. We continue to build out our Wendy’s team and will be hiring through the opening,” Dolbier said
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Co., covering the food and beverage industry, including the James Beard Awards, Michelin Guide, restaurant openings, closings and other hospitality industry news and events. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram.Sign up for AVL Bites and Brews, our weekly food and drink newsletter here
