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Asheville NC: Moose Cafe

Moose Cafe is a gem located at the entrance to Asheville's Farmers Market, one of those serious, wholesale truck farm markets that draw food nerds like magnets. Moose Cafe clearly takes advantage of the ingredients brought to their door; I'm sure they also reach out to other local purveyors for items that may not come through the gates of the market. They list several local partners, for example, for their meats. The large restaurant was very busy. My server was very friendly and efficient. The manager explained that they open their doors at 7 AM seven days a week. They clearly take their work ethic seriously.
Breakfast started with this superb biscuit and outstanding applesauce. The biscuit was tender and the size of my not-inconsiderable palm. The applesauce was clearly homemade and full of apple flavor.
The menu contains a number of breakfast items. But I chose the all-you-can-eat breakfast, so big I couldn't show it all in one photo. The scrambled eggs were examplary. The cheese potatoes were a huge hit, full of flavor and a melange of textures. The grits were much more flavorful than the typical fare. The bacon, from a local provider, was very porky and provided just enough of the curing flavor without being overpowering. That is yet another biscuit, above and beyond what arrived before I ordered My server was gracious enough to let me try both of their gravies: the light one from sausage and the dark one from bacon. Both gave superb flavor and perfect, silky texture. The pancake was an add-on; it arrived wafting a perfect pancake smell. It was clearly baked on a hot griddle with a batter of the perfect consistency. And all this is truly all-you-can-eat. If you want more of anything, just ask and it will arrive promptly. The price on this breakfast is remarkably modest. And it provides outstanding mountain flavors.
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