The story
Poole’s Diner has been a fixture on McDowell Street since 1945, when it first opened as Poole’s Pie Shop. For generations, it has been the place where locals gather to dine and celebrate. In 2007, chef Ashley Christensen took the helm, honoring the diner’s comfort food roots while layering in a dedication to seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and meticulous technique.
The result is a modern diner serving reimagined American comfort food. Christensen’s work here earned her two James Beard Foundation awards—Best Chef: Southeast in 2014 and Outstanding Chef in 2019—and the restaurant has since earned a Michelin Recommended distinction, a testament to the consistency and warmth of the experience.
The soul of Poole’s is its original Double Horseshoe counter, where twelve seats are available by reservation and another twelve for walk-ins. The space has grown over the years, expanding into the building next door. Today, guests can also dine in the Main Dining Room and Bar, grab a quick drink or snack in the lounge, or book the cozy private dining room in the back of the original diner.
The menu changes weekly, sometimes daily, but always highlights seasonal ingredients. Recent offerings have included Ricotta Gnocchi with spring vegetables and green garlic pistou, Dry-Aged Long Island Steak with creamed greens and oil-cured olive butter, and a Sunday-only 10oz Wagyu Royale with Cheese. The drink program is equally considered, with a tight list of classic and modern cocktails, a rotating selection of North Carolina beers on draft, and a curated wine list by the glass and bottle.
Whether you’re perched at the counter watching the kitchen work or settled into a booth in the main room, the hospitality is the same: warm, unpretentious, and genuine. The restaurant’s motto—“Don’t Forget Kindness”—sums it up. Poole’s is open for dinner seven nights a week, welcoming both regulars and first-time visitors to the Double Horseshoe.
Recognition
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