Purple Onion

Address:	16 E Main St, Saluda, NC 28773, USA
Phone:	+1 828-749-1179
Site:	purpleonionsaluda.com
Rating:	4.5
Working:	11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–3PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–3PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

Margaret Fennessy

My 93 yr. old mother was visiting me and I took her on a tour of 3 of my favorite places. Landrum, Tryon, and on to Saluda where we had lunch. " The Purple Onion", the waitress did not tell us her name so cant share that, but the service was terrible, she told us there special for the day was grilled chicken,corn black beans with other spices in a wrap. chips and salsa on the side. We asked about sharing and she said that was ok since it was a lot of food and the warp was cut in half. Put a couple glasses of water on the table, no ice which is ok with me, my mother likes ice in her water. then the wrap appeared with two plates about 8 chips and a 3oz container of salsa. The wrap was cold tasteless .( i have had delicious wraps) this one sucked. Not wanting to upset my mother I did not say anything. We asked for hot sauce just to give it a little taste. My glass was completely empty had to call her for some more water which was very warm. Finished this horrible meal and left. Would not recommend this place to anyone. A lousy ending to an otherwise perfect day.

Wesley Gibbon

This is our go-to for dinner whenever were in WNC--preferably on a Thursday or Saturday when there is live music. (Though youll need to sit outside the main dining room if you want to easily carry on a conversation with your meal-- options are a covered area thats heated in winter + an open air patio that is available when weather is more temperate.) Good beer selection and some organic wines on their list. Food is locally sourced and everything weve tried has been delicious. Standouts are the pizzas (including gluten free crust) and the spicy shrimp (which you can get with zucchini noodles instead of pasta.) We dont eat meat but friends have said their steaks are fantastic. Be sure to check out the desserts in the case on your way in to see what catches your eye. The Purple Onion takes reservations every night but Saturday. If planning to go on a Thursday, make a reservation. Its a popular night due to the live music and people tend to camp out at their tables after dinner and turnover is low. There is a FCFS bar with about 10 seats where you can also enjoy dinner.

A Private User

I was told that we would have a forty minute wait (even hinted that it might be less), as it was very busy. I wasnt even all that upset when we waited an HOUR AND A HALF! What very much frustrated me was that there was not a single apology offered by anyone, and when I asked to speak with someone and mention this, the manager not only refused to apologize, but also implied it was MY fault for not mentioning that wed been unhappy about waiting so long. I asked to speak to the owner and she merely backed up her manager. I eat out a lot, and Ive never waited that long without at least a sorry about that, and usually theyll toss in a free hors dœuvre. Nada. I will never eat in this restaurant again. The food wasnt bad at all, and the ambience was not bad either, but the attitude of the staff about the whole situation left a very, very sour taste in my mouth which no amount of tasty food will wash away. If you find yourself in Saluda, your time would be better spent at another restaurant where the staff actually cares about you.

Doug M

Two friends and myself took a little day trip to Saluda from Greenville. One used to live in Tryon, and had dined at the Purple Onion previously and highly recommended it. Going in is like going back in time, with the old original ceiling and bare brick walls. Great atmosphere. Of course the dessert case is right by the door, so youre thinking about that all during lunch! I had the Apple Brandy Beef Burger with Caesar Mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle spear and tostito chips. This was a new taste for me, and I found the Caesar mayo to be a delectable choice. Of course, after going by the dessert case, we all had to partake of a sweet treat. All were wonderful, but I was partial to my thin pecan pie, which was rather like a pecan pie pizza! Service was pleasant and prompt. Overall great place, though a tad on the expensive side for a small town like this. Im sure well be back!

William Rigg

This is mine and the wifes date nite spot every week, unless we switch to lunch for one of the best burgers around. Almost every week for the past 2+ years. We live south of the border in Greenville where there is nothing down here that can touch it! The selection, food, staff and atmosphere are always tops . The drive is pleasant, relaxing and beautiful while avoiding the hassle and stress of driving downtown or to the east side only to wait in a line for 45+ minutes to be disappointed in the choice of selections. The purple Onions items are farm to table and usually locally grown. Only the best makes it through the doors to their kitchen.

RK Fergie

This was our first visit to the Onion and hate to say will probably be the last. Made our way up from Greenville, SC in hopes of a pleasant relaxing evening. We phoned ahead and told them to put us on the waitlist and we would be staying for the band. Upon finishing dinner and desert I was placing an order for an after dinner drink before the band came on and waitress said we would need to leave our table or take our drink over by the window. I have been dining out for over 30 years and have never been asked such a thing. Food was very average and obviously they dont get how to treat people. Its like they are herding cattle...Skip it!

A Private User

We arrived at the opening to have a meal at the Purple Onion for the first time. The black bean soup special was great and the scallop appetizer was two huge scallops perfectly prepared. The braised lamb fell off the bone and was a huge portion. The wine selection is good with adequate variety and reasonably priced. The chocolate desert is intensely chocolate with a raspberry sauce that intensified the chocolate. Drinking a good full bodied red wine brought out even more of the wine and the chocolate. The servers are very attentive and upbeat. This is a well priced restaurant that can only be described as very fine dining.

Gerald Wood

Just stumbled across this place after getting off the 4-lane looking for some lunch. Saw most of the reviews were positive, so gave it a shot. We were greeted at the door and seated immediately. The tables outdoors were nice and shaded. The waitress was on it, and was able to answer all our questions about the menu, as well as present us with the specials of the day. We ordered the appetizer special, crab and arugula flat bread, and it was excellent! Our entres were delicious as well. Definitely didnt expect this from the looks of the building. Definitely would eat there again.

Candy Hurtig

Our first time to the Purple Onion and what an unexpected gem in a small mountain town! It has both quaint indoor and outdoor seating. Our meals were delicious! The atmosphere was festive,and the R&B band was awesome fun. We like to set out on our dates to unknown places but no one was a stranger to you here. We met people from Indiana to Conneticut. The staff was running ragged it was so busy, yet they treated the patrons as if they had all the time in the world to please them. Yep, Ill go again. Slightly pricey, but worth it.