Salvage Station, founded in 2016, is one of the best places to hang out along the French Broad River in Asheville. While it’s a popular concert venue, that’s not all that’s going on at Salvage Station. They offer delicious BBQ and sandwiches as well as local brews and a full bar. Facilities also include a large lawn with ample picnic tables and hammock stations as well as a nine-hole disc golf course, volleyball court, corn hole games and a bocci court. This part of the river is great for tubing and the management is happy to let patrons leave their car in the lot if they plan on a little after-meal ride.
The menu at Salvage Station features sandwiches, salads, bar appetizers, and “bowls.” The Sunday brunch menu includes a fun collection of breakfast and lunch items, such as breakfast totchos, a combination of tater tots with cheese sauce, black beans, scrambled eggs, peppers and onions, topped with salsa and sour cream.
While the menu clearly favors meat lovers, there are a few vegetarian options, including a tempeh burger and a portobello mushroom salad. Please note that the bar food is all fried in the same old, even the vegetables, which may be a turn off to some vegetarians. Families will be happy to learn Salvage Station also offers an excellent kid’s menu.
On the down side, we’ve heard many reports of rude, unfriendly servers, although we haven’t experienced any such behavior. The sound system at Salvage Station, for a concert venue, could use an upgrade. On really hot days, the lack of shady spots can be an issue (although there is an indoor dining area.)
A few of our favorite menu items at Salvage Station include:
Vietnamese Loaded Fries
This bar staple with an Asian twist is one of our favorite dishes in all of Asheville. The fries are crispy and topped with a creamy garlic sauce, hoisin sauce, sriracha and peanuts. It’s an explosion of exciting flavors.
The Caribbean Bowl
This is the perfect meal to have on a summer’s day along the river. It’s filling without making you feel stuffed and overheated. The base of coconut rice is mixed with spicy black beans, kale, jerk chicken, spicy slaw and sliced plantains.
Beefaloaf Burger
Made with Beefalo beef, the burgers at Salvage Station never disappoint. The signature burger is made with a BBQ glaze, melted Swiss cheese and a side of mushroom gravy. Yummy!
Pulled Pork Plate
Salvage Station is also one of our favorite places to eat pulled pork. Here, the meat is slow-roasted, moist and flavorful. It’s served cornbread and your choice of two sides. (Options include cole slaw, coconut rice and beans, fried plantains, roasted vegetables and mac and cheese.) We always choice the mac and cheese.
Insider Tips
-Keep in mind that Salvage Station is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and every day during the winter season.
-Although the venue has a park-like setting, they ask that you leave you dog at home so it doesn’t bother the wildlife that live along the river.
-Cover charges vary for concerts and diners who are already at the venue are asked to pay the cover if they stay until the music starts.