Tall John’s Neighborhood Tavern Now Open

ASHEVILLE, Oct. 17, 2022 — Tall John’s opens to the public for its first dinner service Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 152 Montford Avenue.  

The recently released menu can be found on Tall John’s website at www.talljohns.com/menu. It includes recognizable favorites like prosciutto with parmesan, caesar salad and steak. The bar will serve classic cocktails, family wines, draft/packaged beer and crafted non-alcoholic drinks.

For now, Tall John's will offer dinner service Wednesday-Sunday from 4-10pm. Additional service offerings will soon follow, including weekend Sunday brunch and expanded dinner hours. Patrons can enjoy the full menu from seats at the bar, kitchen counter, dining room tables or the outdoor patio which will open in the spring.  

Along with his team, Payne has spent the last nine months remodeling the restaurant space formerly occupied by Chiesa, transforming it into Tall John’s, a neighborhood tavern offering classic European-American food and drinks. Located in the Montford historic district, the soon-to-open restaurant and bar is located in a distinctive circa-1906 building that maintains prominent historic details, including its original windows and floors. As part of his down-to-the-studs renovation, Payne opted to pair these original details with modern updates, including a new open kitchen and spacious bar. 

Payne has returned to his hometown of Asheville after 14 years cooking professionally in Portland, Oregon (Clyde Common, Le Pigeon, Little Bird Bistro, Olympia Provisions).

Tall John’s staff compensation packages are focused on transparency, equity and generous benefits for all employees. Despite citywide staffing challenges, Tall John’s has filled all of its positions after receiving over 150 resumes for 20 positions. It is common for back of the house employees (line cooks and dishwashers paid an hourly wage) to make much less than front of the house employees (servers and bartenders paid an hourly wage plus tips). In an effort to equalize pay, Tall John’s bills will include a 5% fixed gratuity to distribute to back of the house employees to ensure they are well-compensated alongside their front of the house peers. 

Tall John’s, 152 Montford Ave., Asheville, NC, 28801, 828-782-5514, www.talljohns.com 

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