Flames

The food is amazing, the beef and chicken melt in your mouth. The patties are spicy with wonderfully flaky crusts. The cabbage is perfectly cooked with a lovely cruch. The service is very efficient. The venue is average, usually pretty hot in the summer.

Oct 2024: I enjoyed the meal overall, though it leaned a bit on the greasier side. The plantains were a standout—perfectly cooked and delicious. While the portions are generous, the pricing felt a little steep. The rice could use a bit more seasoning to bring out its flavor, but it was still a satisfying experience.

This Jamaican restaurant is my go to spot and they never disappoint.. the staff are always nice too and I appreciate having a good meal, being full off of it, and then flushing it down with the green Ting… Thanks for the chef’s for making the magic happen, yall deserve the Purple Heart fr!

I've come here many times over the years. This place has gone down hill. The service is terrible. My husband and I walked in today and not one person was inside. We were not greeted. When the woman behind the counter finally greeted us she had an attitude. The workers always have an attitude. We walked out, we didn't even eat there and we don't plan on coming back. There is no reason to be rude to your paying customers. The first thing you do when someone enters your business is say hi. The food is hit or miss. When it's good it's great and when it's bad it's dry. The portions and price are not consistent. You lost a long time customer.

I know the real deal Jamaican good from the island directly and this is not it. Not enough flavor for the curry chicken. Rice was too steamy overcooked, no flavor, bland, the gravy from the curry was bland too. Chicken seemed steamed. When you try to cook a lot of food, you lose quality. And stop using spices with MSG. Got me bloated all evening and feeling sick.

Flames is a very popular restaurant in my Dorchester neighborhood. Over the years, many people of different ethnicities come here to enjoy a taste of the Caribbean. Until recently, my last time there was probably three years ago and I've never been disappointed, until now. The service was horrible and both ladies behind the counter was rude and lacked customer service. I ordered the curry chicken. It was bland and had no seasoning. Everything tasted like it was cooked in one pot. It definitely wasn't what I was expecting from them. Maybe they have a new cook or new management but the quality wasn't the same. Between the bad customer service and the bland food, I doubt I'll be back.

Great spicy Caribbean food with bad customer service. A lady that serve food is like a deaf. She is NOT listening what you order. When you ask questions, she'll say “Huh?〝with angry face. I had jerked chicken & OXtail! Love food in specific!:)

I come here all the time for that real Jamaican soul food! Everything has flavor!

The food isn't the problem, it's the prices that are becoming more & more outrageous. 30 dollars for one plate isn't reasonable, especially for the customers who have been loyal to this place since the early 2000's. May I suggest congestion pricing? Higher durning lunch/peak times & back to regular for the late night local folks? I've been staying loyal because I'm always going to support my black owned businesses & JAMAICA runs in my bloodline BIG UP JA still!! (But let's not abuse that loyalty PLEASE & THANKS!)

Lady in at the register has the worst attitude for no reason. My daughter needed to use the rest room and she opened the men's room. Terrible.

Good food rice peas and oxtail are really good as well as their jerk chicken. Their carrot cake is good too. Customer service not so much

My girlfriend and I were introduced to this establishment 3 yrs ago by my in-laws. The've been tried and true. This is the best goat curry we have found around the area. The first time I tried it, I was hooked. Next steps for us are to try the jerk chicken and the oxtails. Don't skip out on the beef patties. Fantastic.

Ughh, it's just not the same as back in the day. Food is bland, and a lot of bones less meat

Yes friends. Flames on blue hill have always do. me right. I've got to say, great service and great portions. They dont care about my calorie intake and whether or not I eating myself to an early grave, and I love em for it =') Now if you wanna see an example of *pretend* "large" oxtail dish see my review and pic for Blue Mountain Jamaican Restaurant!

I love Flames! Been a fan since it opened first in Mattapan then Grove Hall and Ashmont station. Sometimes the food might be too spicy. No chef cooks the same in these establishments.​

Please tell your workers to not take calls when they are checking out people for payment. I'm guessing this is why the line is always long in this location. Food can be good but customer service will close your doors fast if not addressed.

Flames s/b Flames no matter the location and this one just aint it. I have to travel long and far, fight for a parking space and pray to get decent seating in Brigham Circle. Its worth it. So very worth it. I know the cooks arent the same, but a recipe is a recipe, right? Rice be dry. Salmon tastes like freezer burn. Don't ask for xtra gravy, you already know! This aint it.

Are all 3 flames owned by the same person/family or have they turned it into a franchise across the city? I ask because the customer service in the grove hall location is utterly atrocious. There is absolutely no reason that EVERY time I walk into this location it takes over 15 mins for me to get my food and get out. In addition, none of the staff is EVER COURTEOUS. There is no smile, there is no greeting they just kinda grab the plate and spoon and stare at you until you tell them what you want. Now, when I go into the Huntington Ave location the ambiance is great, the staff is extremely personable and they SMILE.. greet upon entrance etc. To make matters worse, after waiting in line for upwards of 10 minutes, I announce my order only to be told they're out of curry chicken.... How does a Jamaican eatery run out of curry chicken?? I think for the sake of service etc I will start taking my business to the Morton or Huntington ave

This is the first time I've tried Flames on Blue Hill. It was pretty good...not the best oxtail in the city but good enough. At least they were tender and definitely satisfied the craving that I've had for the past week. I went pretty early in the day while everything was hot and fresh. I'll be back for sure cause the fish looked like it was to die for.

I have tried this spot several times over the years and i must say it hasnt changed for the good. I seem to always have a problem with my food mainly being undercooked or tasting old. Today i tried their ackee and salt fish and i must say the ackee and salt fish was great but those potatoes taste like cold fries reheated. Totally gross. I will be going to my original location on morton street. They are the beat and way more friendly as well.

Visited this place 40 minutes after opening on a Thursday, and staff was still setting up. After waiting in line, there were multiple items on their menu that weren't prepared yet. Please keep in mind, this business opens at 11am, which means food still wasn't ready to be served by noon. Workers were driving up and carrying in containers of prepared food loosely wrapped with plastic wrap. Saltfish with "rice and peas" was okay. Jerk chicken with yellow rice wasn't great. The chicken lacked flavor.

Flames is one of my favorite Jamaica restaurants, this one tastes better than the other two of the chains (Morton St and Huntington Ave). The food is more seasoned here and there are more options food wise and ice cream options. I love coming here because it doesn't taste like fast food, it's very authentic and tastes like the Caribbean. I definitely appreciate the portion size they give you, I'm always able to split the medium sized plate into two and have leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day. My partner and I also go and buy one plate sometimes and share it and it's more than enough for two people! The pricing is reasonable for the amount of food given. My two favorite meats to get are the curry goat and the ox tails, I usually choose between the two and get rice and beans and cabbage with it. I did try the fried fish one morning for breakfast and was impressed by how well it tasted, so yes, I do recommend them for any time of the day! I will say that depending on when you go will determine the type of customer service you receive. The older staff aren't very friendly but I believe that this is a cultural barrier, the younger staff on the other hand are very pleasant. You can sit in this restaurant if you like, there's a small seating area but it wouldn't work for larger parties. The decor isn't fancy and the furniture is a little worn but it is good enough if you don't want to wait until you get home to eat.

I just bought some dinners oxtail, king fish, jerk chicken wings, curry chicken, rice n beans, and cabbage from Flames and couldn't be more disappointed. Why o why didn't I read the reviews first. I normally go to the one in Mattapan but it burned down some time ago so I thought I'd give this one a try. YUCK! All jokes aside... This daggone food really sucked. The jerk chicken and oxtail were black and looked like they were cooked with the same ingredients. The jerk chicken looked burnt and dry and it tasted burnt and dry. The snapper smelled a little fishy. Can't put my finger on why, but the rice n beans weren't great either. The cabbage was raw, stiff and drenched in curry sauce. No Bueno! I heard the curry chicken and green beans were OK, but What a waste of money. You don't have to worry about me ever returning.

Horrible customer service at flames III(blue hill ave). If I could give a negative star I would. I have eating there before and the food is just alright. I called to place an order and this lady started screaming at me on the phone stating "if you dont know what you want why are you calling me" because I asked her a question about their portion size so I can figure out what size I should order! I refused to give my hard earn money to a place like this. Whoever is in charge of hiring. Tell your employees " they are not doing a customer a favor by taking their order and preparing their food!" Do your job!!!! I have to add, I've been told they only act like that in certain flames. So do the math black people!

Very disrespectful and rude lady staff ..no customer service! I questioned one lady about handling money and serving food at the same time and she threw my money on food at me which landed on the floor..

I like to have a nice Jamaican breakfast on Sunday mornings, so I'm willing to drive all the way from the South Shore to this Flames' location (used to go to the one in Mattapan before their fire) to get me one. They're advertised as being open at 7:00AM on a Sunday. So I left my house at 6:45AM (I'm an early riser), and got there about 7:15AM. The doors were locked. I went around to the side, and signaled to one of the workers and she motioned for me to hold on a minute. I went back to the front, and she came around to the door and opened it, but not before taking her sweet time to put on her apron and tie it (and I really do mean taking her sweet time). There was no one at the counter so I waited just off to the side close to the cash register. A gentleman came in after me, and I hear the older lady (if you've been here, you know who I'm taking about), address him asking him what he would like. He notices I was here before him and let's me place my order. When I do place my order, she brushes me off rudely saying, "yuh nuh si seh wi nuh have that pon di line yet," and then quickly addresses the gentleman instead. They didn't have some of what he wanted on the line either. Other people start coming in, and some are able to get what they want, others like myself are still waiting. At some point she tells some of the patrons that are waiting that the cook was late today and he's the only one making all the food right now. At 7:50AM, what I wanted still didn't come out onto the food line. I just think that's ridiculous. That's when I decided to leave. If you open at 7:00AM, then food should be expected at 7:15AM, the latest. Anything beyond that is just bad business practice. The food here is generally good, that's why it gets 3 stars. However, service is terrible. I probably won't be coming back to this location. I'll just have to wait until I go to Jamaica to get my mom's home cooking, or wait until she visits the states again. I just can't support a business switch such terrible customer service, no matter how much I'm craving that specific kind of food.

Only giving them two stars for the food, good food but shitty services if they aren't hitting on you, then they're cussing you out! I literally just had the most unpleasant experience, in the midst of ordering the employee just harassed me from asking me out, to asking my age, asking about my personal life and disgustingly calling me beautiful. Now had he got the original message and hadn't harassed me along the way, I probably would have been ok! But then he had his friends (one of the cooks) come out and ask if I was the one he was referring to. This has happened several times and there's no real resolution! Your foods not that great for you to treat people like you do!

I love flames they're mac and cheese is out of this world. The customer service was great and it is a must go to. I also had oxtails which I rarely eat but it was very well seasoned. They are not expensive and give you a large abundance of food. I suggest everyone stop by and grab a plate! Food: 5 Customer service: 5

nbs, respectfully.. you & i both know you should not have served that rice yall made tonight around 630 ...

Can't go wrong with Flames. The curry chicken, oxtail, brown rice, yellow rice, and Mac and cheese are some of my favorites. Flames is a local Boston classic. Make sure to ask for extra sauce on the rice when you get any type of meat! Prices are extremely affordable and serving sizes are huge. Support this local business!

I love the food, rice and beans together it's amazing and the taste of beef sauce so delicious. And the server Danielle she's so nice. I hope the guys open a restaurant in Somerville area. Thanks!

The food is pretty decent but the amount of time it takes to get a plate of pre-made food is up absurd. However when I have a lot of patience and time to spare I have swung by on occasion. The one star rating is for the service. Not only do they not apologize for moving at snail speed but every single time I am leaving from the counter I have said "thank you" just to get a "mmhhmmm" in return! No your welcome, no smile, no nothing. Not only are there numerous food options available but multiple Jamaican restaurants in Dorchester. You would think they would be thanking ME for my business. Won't be a returning patron that's for sure.

I am here multiple times a week for a number of reasons. The food is authentic and flavorful, the menu is varied, and the place really represents soul food blended with the islands. Beef patties, rice n peas (aka red beans n rice), whole snapper, saltfish, curry goat and chicken, jerk chicken, and some of the best and sweetest plantains in the area are just a few notable things. It's in the heart of the Grove Hall Roxbury community as well. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu items. This place will keep getting my support, as will the other Flames restaurants (if I am near them). Need a taste of the islands? Need a little soul? Need both together?? Come on and bless ya life. Dooooo iiiittttt.

The Oxtails were sub-par at best. Had little meat and lacked flavor. The cashier/server was an old rude bitch. The macaroni was under flavored and the rice had hard and disgusting lumps.

Okay I just left flames & I'm feeling some type of way! The younger girl in there at the register is super rude!! Let me be clear, my food is bomb but the customer service was horrible . Asked for shrimp plate she tells me they're out, with out even looking. Thank God the older lady was ear hussling she then tells me it'll be done in 10 mins!? Ok waiting over 20 mins .. get the food everything came out to about $50.00 . I ask for hot sauce this weirdo gives me 1 container !!!! Like girl I jus got 2 plates sides and some more . She said we could only give 1... omg too weird can't support

If I just got on record what just happened people's mouths would be wide open. Okay. I get there. I ask for some wings. This mean old woman says "no more left, nexxxxxt!!!" Wait what? First of all its early you should have them. Second, she was the rudest meanest woman I've ever encountered in my life! She literally didn't even say can I get you something else or sorry or anything just "nexxxxxxxt!!!" And I look to all the people next to me and they go "she mean as shit we are just used to it." WHATT!!? Bizarre! Not only that but she completely just disappeared after that. No one was there to serve anyone. Safe to say that's the worst customer service in the world!

This location is terrible!!!!! I love the location on Huntington Ave, however.. the location in Grove Hall I would only recommend if you're interested in rude staff, a dirty kitchen floor, overcooked oxtails (extremely chewy NOT sliding off the bone), small portions... shall I continue??? I'm pissed as I'm writing this because I spent $14 on an oxtail plate that was basically rice. Ridiculous and cheap. I will only patronize the Huntington location from now on.

If you enjoy west Indian food this is the place for you. I love the curry goat, jerk wings & beef patties. The portions are generous. The line may move slow but keep in mind this is not fast food. This is quality food cooked & served with west Indian flavor & style. Fish Cakes are very good too. I always go out of my way to stop here.

When I would come to the city for work, I would make a trip to Flames in Dorchester. It was banging in the 1st few trips , but I got some curry goat and oxtail. Goat was bland as shit , no spice , no flavor . Oxtail was tough but sauce was good . Guess it's time to start shopping around.

My favorite food here is the curry goat with the rice and beans. Ive also had their beef patties which are not bad. Ive had their bun and cheese as well, which was good. It's a cafeteria style establishment, but portion sizes great and food seasoned and flavorful! My go to!

I gave Flames I five stars yet I only gave Flames III two stars. I was in Boston and I was going to drive to Mattapan to Flames I. I passed by the restaurant that is located in Grove Hall so I decided that I would give them a try. So I ordered two stew beef plates with cabbage. One plate had white rice and the other rice and beans. I asked for plaintains as well. Sometimes Flames has them and sometimes they don't. When I got home, my fiance and I ate lunch together. First of all, they forgot to put plaintains in one of the plates. Second, the stew beef was not tender. In addition, there was not enough sauce. My fiance did not finish his food. I just threw it away. I was disappointed in the food. I am loyal to Flames I. I am sorry but I had to be honest. I will not return to this particular Flames ever again.

Burnt tilapia, bland yellow rice. Don't come here. Go to the other locations. Customer service isn't knowledgable either. I really thought it was going to be some blackened fish or something - but if you take a look at that photo, it's just crispy burnt. When I was able to look closer I couldn't understand how any establishment could serve something like this. Like, really.

Great Authentic food. But if I want great customer service, I would recommend Golden Krust.

Tried my hand at Jamaican food because no one would STFU about Flames. Judging by the sheer volume of people who came through between 4 and 6 on the Thursday that we went, I'm guessing it's a neighborhood favorite. We went in and I decided on goat - because, hell, let's do that damn thing, right? Although I wasn't the biggest fan in the world, I think it was more because goat might not be my thing. My counterparts LOVED their food. One complaint: they ran out of beef patties while we were there, and as that's such a necessary staple, we waited around for the replacements. It took nearly 45 minutes before they were made. We left with probably 12 of those things (bringing them back as gifts, I guess, I don't really know) and a lot of cocoa bread.

I love this place. It was introduced to me by a coworker. They've got plenty of choices- stew beef,steak and chicken, curried chicken and goat, oxtail, ackee, king fish, salmon and shrimp. My favorite is the excellent jerk chicken. I ask for the dark meat with extra sauce on my rice. (DROOL). I love the rice and peas. Has coconut milk in it. So yummy! Outstanding cabbage. (Cabbage outstanding? I know I didn't think possible either but it is). It so good and works so well with the spicy jerk chicken. The place is clean and welcoming. No real menu but the family that owns and runs it is more than happy to explain every dish. LOVE LOVE LOVE Flames. So sad I didn't know about it sooner I live up the street. Three sizes. I always get the large so I can eat the leftovers for 2-3 days (no joke I'm a big eater too).

DELICIOUS--oxtail, brown rice and cabbage from 'Flames', it's just perfection. The rice is cooked so well, seasoned and great texture. The cabbage is crunchy, a little on the greasy side, but it's the best tasting cabbage I've had in a while. And don't get me started on the oxtail & gravy, just tasty. It's juicy, seasoned to perfection and is everything with the rice. They pack it on which is a little too much for me. It's usually 20% cabbage, 30% rice and 50% oxtail and sauce. And a little pricey, even for a "small" (which is not so small :D) GREAT none the less.

Flames has really good Mac n Cheese and they don't skimp on the cheese. You should try the Mac with Oxtail gravy because it's like heaven. The Oxtails were flavorful and tender. The jerk chicken was a little dry but enjoyable and spicy which love. The portion sizes are good I love having left overs so I can relive taste. The coco bread and beef patty wasn't bad. Customer service was less than desired the staff looked annoyed by simple questions. In the end I would return but I'll know what I want to so I can get in and get out.

The reason why my stars are Solo the food is good but the portions that they give you a very small every time you order food or I order food from there I always still be hungry after eating

I felt for jerk chicken, went to flames in grove hall food sucks taste like boil chicken no flavor no jerk sauce on chicken i

My elderly mother called me, she ordered some curry goat from the Grove Hall location, when she got home the food was so hot, she could not eat it apparently the scotch bonnet pepper was cooked out in the food, instead of just put in for a flavor, mind you my mother is a former cook who at one point had her own restaurant. She kept calling no answer, so I decided to call all the way from Atlanta, I called about ten times no answer, I don't know how this location is still in business considering their food is hog food (a Jamaican term for food thrown together with no thought, preparation or presentation). I finally called the one in Mattapan where the gentleman on the phone was so nice and courteous. I am amazed the Grove Hall location is still in business considering their terrible customer service and horrible hog food, of course their main clientele is black Americans, who for the most have no idea of what real, authentic Jamaican cuisine is. If they knew they would never patronize their awful establishment. As a native Jamaican I am embarrassed at what passes for Jamaican cuisine in this "restaurant" their aught to be a law.

Amazing food I've been here three times and I would like to say they don't not disappoint at all. Might be my favorite Jamaican place to get food in the Boston area. Nothing wrong you can really say about this location I want to try the other but I fell like it won't be the same atmosphere!

YA MON i come here for the fish! and i really love their jerk chicken all of their soups are good too mmm i want sum now

I have been here a few times (not by choice!) and every time the food got worst. My first try was the oxtail which lacked seasoning and very fatty. The second time was soup--by far the worst I've ever had. It tasted like it was cooked in a burnt. Yuck, yuck, yuck!!! Not sure who's the cook, but I do suggest whoever she/he is should taste first before bring to the front!

Just bought a steak and cheese on cocoa bread from the rude staff just to go home and see that the whole thing was crumbling apart, cold , and the cheese wasn't melted..waste of time and miney

If you are looking for good Jamaican food, Flames is the place you are looking for. The curry goat, the stew beef, or the bbq pork are all delicious imo at flames. I usually decide between these three. The portion is fairly decent. The only reason why i gave it a 3 star rating is because the price is to high for a la cart food. When you step into Flames it feel like a fast food place. (it usually around 10 for rice/beans and two choice) Every time i come here the Jamaican beef patties are always sold out. But i manage to get some the other day and i was very disappointed. I love Jamaican beef patty and all i can say is, it was way to dry and to much beading over meat ration. But they do have sweet and sour bbq wings on certain days and they are quite pricey, but you should definitely try it. It is the best thing i had at Flames y far. The atmosphere is normal, nothing stands out. One good thing about this place is it is very clean. Dating wise, i don't recommend coming here as a first date. The setting seem like a fast food joint, but is serving a la cart food. Nothing special about the decor and no music is being played in the background. The place is usually empty because people do take out usually. It would make a better place for you to hang out with your friends. There is just no vibes or an atmosphere of engagement here.

Went in to order a poridge and patty i said it twice two patty she said ok. I am standing waiting she is eatting her breakfast. I look at the receipt notice she only charge me for a soup. I ask her if she charge me for the patty. "You have the receipt don't you".

There's an older and short lady that works here, she's very RUDE. I ordered a Small meal but then I change to a large and she got so upset because I change the size of the box, I came back with my wife the following week and she got upset again because my wife change her protein item. I guest if you don't know exactly what you want before ordering you're gonna have a problem! I am a paying customer/guest I have a right to choose what I want, and change my mind if I need to, she has no customer service experience, I honestly cannot blame her, I blame the person who hired her. I oversee 15 restaurants, I am the district manager for my company, if this was one of my restaurant I would have her go through the customer service training, and also teach her how to apologise to a displease guest.