Purple Parrot Grill
From 1921 - 1950, the Purple Parrot was a student-published humor magazine at Northwestern University, containing short stories, poetry, and essays. Eclectus parrots, including the rare South American purple hyacinth macaw, are often referred to as ‘purple parrots,’ the most sexually dimorphic of all the parrot species. At the Purple Parrot in Rehoboth Beach, you will not commonly find Northwestern graduates fond of poetry and essays, but you may find dimorphic patrons of all kinds and types, particularly in the evening when the restaurant morphs into one of the most glamorous exhibition spaces at the beach. Known for its exciting and often fascinating night life, featuring Rehoboth’s best karaoke party, live music, and various exhibitions, all accompanied by plenty of drinking, singing, and partying, Purple Parrot is more nightlife than restaurant, and makes no excuses for either, provoking the question: is it a restaurant or a nightclub? In downtown Rehoboth Beach, where PP fittingly makes its home, that’s often a distinction without much of a difference. Purple Parrot attempts to turn food into edible accessories for a naughty expedition to the other side of midnight; indeed, it is two kinds of places in one. The menu focuses on standard bar food that is easily prepared and served in a sometimes-raucous environment, including various wings and baskets of anything that can be fried. Volumes of quesadillas, burgers, and wraps conclude cuisine that liens tropical, at least in theory, but really is focused on lining your stomach before the partying begins. Décor is, well, monied, with dollar bills adorning nearly every inch of wall space and bras, many of which started on a person at the beginning of the evening, occasionally finding refuge around the walls as well. Purple Parrot is among the best nightlife stops at the beach, a place where you enjoy people-watching, singing, or just ogling at the sometimes-outrageous festivities, not expecting much in food quality or service, both more than passable, but not gourmet. This is a restaurant review site, however, so we dispense stars based upon food quality, service, ambience, and experience. If entertainment only was considered, four stars might be appropriate, but only if you’re not a Northwestern graduate who fantasizes about the former Purple Parrot’s reams of poetry from the 1950s or, perhaps, pondering a sexually dimorphic parrot species, whatever that means. No matter the origin of the name, Purple Parrot is a fun time, with fun food and service, and should be a stop on your Delmarva culinary and nightlife adventure.