Leigh N.
Yelp
I start this review by saying we spent many years in Texas were you can get some of the best middle eastern food on the planet, next to being there, (160+ cuisines served in Houston nightly, not kidding), plus my husband was born overseas and we have traveled overseas, so to say we live and breath Mediterranean / Middle Eastern food is putting it lightly.
In our search for the best Iranian / Persian food, we drove 2.5 hours specifically to dine at Flame Kabob. The restaurant was clean with a pleasant atmosphere, but some of the furniture is in disrepair, so our evening started out with my husband badly injuring his finger on a poorly maintained chair. Although staff didn't mention it, I am not sure how they could have missed the incident, plus us examining the broken chair. They could have at least offered him some ice.
Our waitress was polite, and the food was freshly cooked. While most dishes resembled traditional Middle Eastern cuisine, some did not meet our expectations, possibly due to regional taste differences. Notably, the koobideh dish needs improvement, as the uneven spice distribution resulted in inconsistent flavors. However, the chocolate mousse was excellent.
Initially, our experience was peaceful and enjoyable, but it quickly declined. After our meal, my husband approached the counter to order tea and encountered an extremely rude older woman who told him to get it himself. This exchange caused significant upset, particularly since it was our first visit. To make matters worse, the kitchen staff began yelling in Spanish, like children in a school yard, followed by a loud gathering of staff and visitors, having some sort of family reunion. I urged my husband to pay the bill so we could just leave.
Our $47 unitemized check also left us frustrated, as it exceeded the menu and dessert menu prices. Our order consisted of 2 kabob koobideh, 1 kabob chicken breast, 1 chocolate mousse, and 2 complimentary teas. Upon checking UberEats, we discovered considerable discrepancies in online and in-house pricing, validating previous reviews highlighting unexpected price differences. Photos from past menus also revealed a pattern of price inflation at the restaurant. Thus, it remains unclear whether we were overcharged or if the restaurant's menu prices are wrong.
This restaurant, small as it is, as the potential to be date night worthy, even with its well worn furniture and average food because of the atmosphere. But overcharging, rude service, and the sporadic taco truck ambiance is not going to get you there. This is a consistent theme in many of the reviews for this restaurant, many starting after the business changed hands.
WE DROVE 2.5 HOURS TO EAT AT THIS RESTAURANT, only to be treated rudely and then overcharged. The food is below average by our standards, and, honestly, we get better and cheaper food at the two fast food Mediterranean places, and one Greek place, we have here locally in our town. We will not pay over $20 a plate, only to be treated like an inconvenience, especially when we are the ones that had to come to the counter to order something, because you staff couldn't be bothered to ask us if we needed anything or if we would like self service tea.
Notwithstanding, if you are an upscale, $20+ a plate restaurant, I should be able to trust the prices listed in your restaurant. I would have given three stars for the food and nice atmosphere, but screaming cooks, overcharging, and rude staff earn you one star, which would be zero stars if I could rate you that low.
