At Mojo Kitchen and Lounge, they make it their mission to only use high-quality local ingredients that are in currently in season. Throughout the day, and well into the night, they rotate through three menus absolutely packed full of delicious appetizers and entrees. With gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and traditional fare galore, they definitely have something for everybody.
As a nod to their humble beginnings as a mobile kitchen, they keep tacos, nachos, and plantains close to their heart with plenty of classic menu offerings. Their menus have also expanded greatly since those days, including everything from burgers to mac and cheese. The only thing they are lacking is dessert, though their sweet plantain bowl with a sweet trio of slaw, salsa, and sauce comes close.
With their location in the heart of downtown Asheville, they serve as a popular place to hang out, eat great food, and enjoy live music. They often have local musicians come to play during the evening hours, though they request a donation for entry to the bar area during these shows. If you plan to dine as well, you will need to sit in the restaurant area instead.
While here, we recommend you try:
Tostones
Part of their gluten-free fare, their Tostones have a bright citrusy kick and sugary sweetness for days. With your order, you receive a generous pile of thick plantain chips topped with citrus-cumin slaw and chimichurri. You can up the ante even more by adding either Mojo pulled pork or blackened catfish for an extra charge.
Sugaree
Available in gluten-free or traditional varieties, the Sugaree sandwich boasts a powerful combo of flavors sure to delight your taste buds. They pile this sandwich high with turkey and bacon before adding on the awesome fixings, including sprouts, pickles, and pepper jack cheese. Mayo and sweet chili sauce provide an awesome kick to beautifully complete this sandwich.
Jerk Chicken and Waffle Sandwich
Served all day as a part of their a la carte breakfast offerings, the Jerk Chicken and Waffle Sandwich takes a classic dish and elevates it in amazing ways. They start this imaginative remake by stacking their fried chicken tenders on a Belgian waffle. Then, they add sliced apples, mozzarella, and jerk sauce before placing another waffle on top. Make sure to dip each bite in the jerked syrup for a flavor experience unlike any other.
Mojo Nachos
People come from far and wide for the Mojo nachos, a Mojo Kitchen and Lounge original from their mobile kitchen days. They begin this iconic dish with a generous portion of house-made tortilla chips. Then, they cover the stack with two kinds of cheese — cheddar and mozzarella — plus scoops of black bean ranchero. Their Signature MOJO sauce completes this dish, but you do have the option to add your protein of choice, including braised beef, for an extra charge.
With so many great options on all their menus, you can easily find your favorite treats and even add a few new ones to the list. Remember to visit the restaurant each season to experience new dishes, as the menus change with ingredient availability.
Insider Tips:
– Since they do not have a dedicated lot, free parking is elusive at this restaurant. You can park in the parking garage on Rankin Avenue or find street parking. In the garage, the first hour is free. On the weekends and after 6 pm, street parking is free as well.
– You can skip the trip altogether by having your meals delivered through Takeout Central, which is available until 10 pm. With the closing of Asheville Munchies, late night delivery service is no longer an option.
– If you come down in the evening to hear the live music, they ask for a small donation to cover your entry and provide a wristband to wear for the duration. For a quieter dining experience, come down for lunch instead.