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…