The Purple Onion Deli & Grill — Restaurant in Homewood

While traveling through Alabama we stopped to do a bit of thrifting and catch lunch. We like to try local businesses and we were pleased to see a Mediterranean place not far away. It was exciting to see that the Purple Onion had been in business since 1991. At 12:00 on a weekday the place was basically empty, which we should have realized was not a good sign. My husband ordered a Santa Fe Chicken Wrap with a side of French Fries. I ordered the Grilled Mahi sandwich with a house salad. We added on two Iced Teas and the bill came to $42! Now you would think that something called Santa Fe Chicken would have a bit of spice to it, but it didn't I am very sensitive to spices and when my husband offered a bite of his wrap I was nervous. It was so bland that it was difficult to identify any flavors, just flavorless mush. He ate half and gave up. The fries were good and that's why the place earned two stars. The fish sandwich did have a flavor, just not a good one. The house salad was soggy and the house "dressing" tasted like vegetable oil and was reddish in color. Absolutely no acid or herbs. Because I am diabetic and had to eat something, my husband got me a piece of chocolate cake that I couldn't say was homemade, but I don't think any store would sell something that oily with almost no frosting. We quickly excited and were pleased we had a couple of apples and chips in the car to tide us over for a...

Went after my sons playoff game at Pleasant Grove High School. First of all, the only hot food they had was a food truck with at least a 30 minute wait for tiny portions, so I skipped that. We lost 47-18 so I had a really bad taste in my mouth. This establishment was open late and they had more than chicky nuggies and Big macs so we decided to order to-go. The parking lot was similar to a college club in the early hours: music bangin from rattling car trunks, kids leaning on their vehicles, the slight smell of a skunk (wink-wink) mixed with chicken in the air. I immediately felt safe and started salivating at the goodness that must be inside the restaurant. Everyone inside was wearing masks at 10pm and the place looked clean enough, there were a few chairs askew but other than that it looked decent. My family of four had 2 orders of wings (Lemon Pepper and Mild), a chicken finger meal, a blt meal, and a philly cheesesteak wrap. I was supposed to eat and drive back to Huntsville but I finished that wrap in the parking lot. It was so good y’all!! The wings were great too! My wife let me taste a few. Fries were crispy and seasoned just a lil bit with salt & pepper. The rest of the food was good but I didn’t taste it....actually I got a cold chicken tender that my daughter didn’t finish and its good too. Next time I’m in the area, I will visit one of these Purple Onion establishments....

This review is mainly about value. Purple Onion food is still good for the most part but they are extremely overpriced. I literally got a Gyro Combo with extra meat and add cheese and grilled onions. This is was normally $15 and I paid over $20. That is ridiculous! I been going here for a while and I know the pandemic has caused prices to go up. I literally got this same sandwich a month ago. Then the bad part was the portion was literally like a normal portion. This was the part that was unacceptable. They charged 3.50 for extra meat and 2.50 for cheese and grilled onions which neither was ever that much. At this point I probably will never go back. So be warned that you’re not going to get your money’s worth even if you pay extra.

Edit!

I’m officially done with Gyros in Birmingham due to the price and value. I just got one from a place in Joliet Illinois 40 miles outside Chicago. For $12 they gave me the following. It was so much meat it was ridiculous. I really gorged it and regret it due to being miserable afterwards but it was worth it.

Only thing I give Purple Onion is their tzatziki sauce is better imo.

None of the franchises come close to this. Those 3 raggedy thin slices are pathetic. I know most people don’t really travel and experience different places and cuisines but just know you all are...