Opened 20 years ago by owner, Chef Hector Diaz, after relocating to Asheville from Miami in 1994, Salsa’s is a melting pot of Latin cuisine. Judging from their spectacular Margarita menu, I was initially under the impression this was a TexMex joint but boy was I wrong. Hector Diaz is Puerto Rican and has a profound background in the preparation of Caribbean food as well as that of most Central and South American cuisines. His dishes represent flavors from Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Columbia, and even Spain. I have tried almost every dish on the menu and among my favorites are; Paella del Mar (scallops, salmon, shrimp, mussels, avocado, bean, plantain, chimichurri, saffron risotto), Columbian Paisa (steak, house chorizo, pork, egg, pupusa, avocado, rice & bean, yucca, chimichurri) and Mexican Huarache (steak, queso fresco, avocado, rice & bean, nopales & corn, pepper, onion, chili sauce). As with all three of Hector Diaz’s restaurants, the ingredients are top-shelf, local, and mostly organic. He brings an unmatched level of creativity to his Latin-inspired dishes and the menu is so diverse that everyone can find something to love. With regard to spirits, Hector offers perhaps the lowest-priced wine list in town and has a prodigious mixed drink menu with a choice of 9 different margaritas, 5 different Mojitos, 7 specialty cocktails, and a long list of cervezas. I know a group of people who show up after work 2 or 3 times per week to meet at the open-air bar for happy hour. As with all of Hector’s restaurants, the wait staff and bartenders are knowledgeable, helpful, and very friendly. I think you will like it!
Hours: 11:30 am -3:00 pm 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm – closed Tuesday
6 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801– Downtown
Website: salsasnc.com
PH: (828) 252-9805