What’s an onion blossom? If you’re not familiar with this delectable dish, it consists of thin layers of batter-fried onions that are stacked and served with savory fillings like fish, chicken, beef, or cheese. Originally created in the Mexican state of Sonora in the mid-1800s, they were brought to the United States by immigrants who used them as a taco filling.
When we think of onion blossoms, our mind goes back to the traditional recipe which consists of onion, potatoes, tomatoes, green chilies, and coriander leaves. The restaurants that serve onion blossoms are considered special and different from others.
Know More About Onion Blossom
The onion blossom dish is prepared by slicing open the bottom of the onion, filling the center cavity with finely chopped vegetables, and then closing up the onion and cooking it in a pan until tender.
It is also said that the dish was originally supposed to be called the “Pearl” dish because of the sweetness of the onions mixed with pearls. Throughout the decades, however, it has evolved and become known as an American dish, just like how it has become a Chinese dish in America.
A recipe for Onion Blossom Dish can be found in Fung’s Restaurant cookbook and many claim that it is very similar to fried onions cooked in oil or butter with a small bowl of sodium bicarbonate at the bottom. Originally, the dish was meant to be eaten with rice, but later on, many people claimed that the onions would sometimes get stuck in their throats and they changed their style of consuming it.
Most of the time, this dish is served with green onions, celery, carrots, and bean sprouts. Other ingredients may include broccoli or water chestnuts. Many will claim that this dish has become part of their daily diets as a quick snack and it meshes well with most dishes.
Most chefs will use sweet purple onions for this dish because they are very cheap, sweet, and fit perfectly into an onion blossom dish. There is also no need to peel these onions because you can eat them just as easily as you can cook them.
List of Hotels That Serve Onion Blossom
There are many restaurants that serve onion blossoms. These restaurants have a long history and some specialties. Here are 10 restaurants that serve onion blossoms or some equivalent.
1) Cracker Barrel
The breakfast food is served all day, and it features a maple-brown sugar topping with a side of butter. It comes in both yellow and white varieties, but if you want to know what’s in store when you bite into an onion blossom, white will suffice.
The pale bulb part is filled with eggs, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese; it’s then wrapped in bacon and deep-fried until crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. When you cut through that outer shell, your mouth is greeted by a sweet and savory combination that’s absolutely irresistible. Well played Cracker Barrel. You nailed it!
2) Bob Evans
The best onion blossom comes from Bob Evans. In fact, it’s their signature dish and they call it the onion king. If you like your onions deep-fried in bacon grease and doused with cheese, as well as scrambled eggs and toast (on which to put them), head over to your local Bob Evans for a breakfast experience unlike any other.
Just be prepared for long lines. People who love Bob Evans are diehard fans, and an endless wait is just part of that commitment. Note: Be sure to use #BobEvans on Twitter or Instagram to appear hip among foodies.
3) Maggiano’s Little Italy
Maggiano’s is best known for its veal chops, lasagna, and mozzarella bar, but it’s no surprise that its most legendary dish is an onion-topped blossom. With a sauce made from sautéed onions and three pieces of cheese (mozzarella, parmesan, and romano), it makes sense that Maggiano’s serves more than 200 of these delicious appetizers every day.
The restaurant chains’ customers also rave about their minestrone soup and salmon Alfredo. But if you ask us, save room for dessert because Maggiano’s cannoli takes the cake — literally. For $7, patrons can get one pastry filled with sweet ricotta cheese.
4) Red Lobster
Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuits are a staple at most locations, but there’s something even better lurking behind their seafood restaurants—deep-fried onion blossoms. The fried batter rolls are slightly crunchy on the outside and stuffed with cheese and onions inside.
The Bloom specialty onions are prepared by their chef trained in a unique variety of appetizing food prep techniques, including hand carving into shape using his specialized tools to cook to golden perfection. Drizzle the onion into Bloom’s mouth-watering signature pink sauce for added flavor.
5) Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse is a chain of casual dining restaurants operating in several countries around the world. The restaurant’s menu includes various meats, seafood, pasta, and vegetarian dishes. Of course, the onion blossom is there! You can order a 12-ounce porterhouse steak with one onion blossom.
It has been a tradition at Outback Steakhouse to serve the Blooming Onion since it opened. Be prepared to wait about an hour if you want to eat at peak times though – Outback servers are not exactly known for their promptness, according to Yelp reviews.
6) Texas Roadhouse
In some states, it’s possible to find onion blossoms on Texas Roadhouse’s menu. The restaurant is known for its live music and their onion blossom is a big hit, too. You can order it in either half or full-sized portions and can choose between deep-fried and grilled onion blossoms.
They also offer many other heart-healthy options, including red wine vinegar braised short ribs (made with organic flour dredged fish that has been brined 24 hours). This truly unique dish will fill you up without weighing you down!
7) Applebee’s
Applebee’s is not known for their onion blossoms, but they do serve them as an appetizer. Ordering onion blossoms at Applebee’s is a good idea if you’re planning on ordering other items off of their menu. The combination of food will give you some great flavors and feel like more than just eating one thing.
What does it taste like? It’s difficult to describe exactly what onion blossoms taste like since there are so many variables involved in making them delicious, but think crispy outer texture with a slightly gooey texture inside — kind of like onion rings minus all that pesky batter or breading from standard-style rings.
8) Olive Garden
On their menu, they have a dish called Zuppa Toscana that has potato, sausage, pancetta, and onions. It is served in a bread bowl. The outer crust of bread serves as a boat to keep you from making a mess when eating Zuppa Toscana.
I don’t think it is as good as Onion Blossom but it might come close enough for some people who can’t find onion blossoms at restaurants. It does look good though! Has anyone tried it? Let me know what you think! But if you really want to try something great go get yourself an Onion Blossom sandwich at Blimpie! Good luck hunting for it!!!
9) Golden Corral
This buffet restaurant has an onion blossom on its menu. Golden Corral is a casual dining restaurant and caters to families, so it’s no surprise that it serves dishes such as onion blossoms. The meal is complimentary, although patrons must purchase other items if they want to complete their meals.
This means that while you can get away with consuming only onion blossoms at Golden Corral, you will have to spend more money in order to achieve fullness at some point during your meal. Still, it’s not too much of a stretch to believe that these types of hidden costs are likely worth it for most guests given how appealing these fried onions appear.
Whatever you decide, though, be sure to let everyone know about your trip by sharing pictures of yourself eating onion blossoms on Facebook or Instagram!
10) Cheesecake Factory
The Cheesecake Factory not only offers a delectable selection of cheesecakes, but it also serves up Onion Blossoms. These tasty appetizers feature a fresh-baked hoagie roll with onions and provolone cheese baked on top.
However, they’re best enjoyed while they’re piping hot. If you try to save them for later, they quickly lose their scrumptiousness. Check out The Cheesecake Factory today to enjoy these mouthwatering treats!
Conclusion
Onion blossoms are a delicacy in many parts of the world. Onion blossoms are delicious and versatile. You can use them in many different ways; they are often served as a side dish to main dishes or used as an ingredient in cooking. If you want to try something new, why not try onion blossoms at one of these restaurants?
If you haven’t tried one, you’re missing out on something special. When it comes to food, there’s no shame in trying new things! So go ahead and order some onion blossoms from your favorite restaurant!