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.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — When we walked through the doors of Xico, the scent of charcoal wafted through the air. I wasn’t expecting that, and it was a beautiful olfactory experience.
As the host welcomed us in, we were pretty amazed by the decor and overall aesthetic. It’s very classy, yet retains accents of some non-descript Latin American village.
It was a calm 11 a.m. brunch, and a few patrons dotted the large main dining area. We were enjoying the house soundtrack as we perused the charming array of menu options.
I started with the Carajillo Coffee, a refreshing iced coffee with Licor 42, a citrus-and-vanilla liqueur. It was delightful. Others in my party chose the blood orange margarita and the espresso martini. They very much enjoyed them. We shared the Guacamole and chips appetizer, which also included three salsas: a tomatillo, a Chipotle and a pineapple habanero.
Each was incredible.
For my entree, I chose Arrachera con Huevos, grilled Angus skirt steak, marinated onions, fried eggs, papa’s con rajas, chiles torreados, pico de gallo and queso fresco, culminating in one of the finest meals I’ve had in ages. This was absolutely outstanding. Do not miss the opportunity to order something grilled from this place.
Also ordered was the Tinga de Pollo: shredded chicken wrapped in corn tortillas, baked in a cast-iron skillet with a sweet and spicy tomato chipotle sauce, topped with queso mixto and Mexican crema, and cotija cheese. This was also outstanding.
The food was wonderful, the vibe was nice, and the service was as good as it gets. I loved this place, and you will, too.
