127 South Depot Street
Boone(828) 263-9511 Sunday thru Thusday 11:30-9pm
Friday & Saturday til 10pm

We ate lunch here one January day.

Ray: We shared an Everything Sampler (three kinds of chips and guac, queso, and “hot” salsa, $4.50) and I had a White Trash BBQ Buritto (steak with carmelized onions, BBQ sauce, slaw, cheese, rice,and red beans in a whitebread tortilla, $6.50) and a Newcastle Brown Ale to drink. The Sampler was good, with crisp chips and three tasty dipping sauces to choose from, all of which were good. I especially liked the guacamole and the queso dip. The “hot” salsa was not really that hot, though.

Tom: Well, “hot” for you is just below the flash point for tooth enamel! I liked the chips and dip as well, although I am still uncomfortable eating chips that have a color not found in nature! I had the Ragin’ Cajun Burrito, which is shrimp and sausage in a chipotle tortilla with red beans and rice, cleery, cheese and a cajun red pepper coulis topped with hot salsa–a lot of good eatin’ for six bucks and six bits.

Ray: My buritto was very tasty and filling, and huge! I asked for a bottle of hot sauce, anticipating it not being hot, however the burrito had a nice balance of spiciness. The Newcastle was served at a temperature more appropriate for a lager than an ale, but it’s hard to get ales at the correct temperature anywhere in the US

Tom: I found the ordering confusing since we sat down expecting table service before noticing that you have to order at the counter.

Ray: That’s because you missed the 2-ft x 3-ft sign above the counter which said in big, bold red letters “ORDER HERE,” you moron!

Tom: Once we ordered, service was fast and cheerful, with no problems.

Ray: However, for a place that serves beer, paying for the meal up front makes it more difficult to order additional beverages. It might be possible to keep an open tab, but this information was not volunteered to us by our order taker.

Tom: I thought the decor was sort of “early fraternity,” remniscent of that at the Klondike Cafe–definitely another student hangout.

Ray: The Black Cat’s decor consists of some funky artwork, old, unmatching chairs and tables, and some really nifty retro lights. Best described as “eclectic”, the decor fits the atmosphere of the place. In addition, there is blues playing in the background, which is always a nice touch, at least for me.

Tom: Yeah, but make sure you know where the exits are–I saw miscellaneous wires hanging out here and there. Let’s hope they are just old band audio connections.

Ray: The food at Black Cat is served on nice, simple plates with plain institutional flatwear. Nothing fancy, but it fits in with the decor of the restaurant well.

Tom: “Institutional flatwear”? I suppose the cooked in a ‘workmanlike manner,’ too. Kinda harsh!

Ray: Still, the Black Cat is a good place to go for a drink and a very filling meal. They have a decent beer selection at good prices, and their burritos are more than most will be able to eat in one sitting. The service is fast and friendly, to boot. I wouldn’t say the food is outstanding, but it is certainly good, and well worth a visit.

Tom: Well, part of the reason the service is fast is that the customer does most of it! But it was good enough to merit a return visit later.

Ray: I would not hesitate to take friends and family to Black Cat, and would heartily recommend it to anyone, without reservation.

Tom: Would you take a date there?

Ray: I can’t even remember when I had my last date!

Tom: Er, sorry…

MapQuest map GPS Coordinates
Lat: 36° 13.104′
Lon: 81° 41.069′Menu (prices may change)Page 1 Page 2