Phoenix Flame

Wow just wow. This place was randomly found on Google and glad that we found this little hidden gem! The food is amazing. Had the Grilled Octopus and the Martinez Cups. Perfect portions. The lambchop dinner was amazing the lamb was made to perfection and the fries soak up the juices no ketchup needed 😋 and let me tell you about the Argentinian steak so good with chimichurri great texture and good flavor on the veggies. And our waiter Seth is so kind. Was asking how each meal is, making sure everything was made to our liking, and is very informative. Just overall great customer service. Will be back again and will tell family and friens to try this place. And what very different and interesting was that the owner came out to speak to the clients and ask how the meal were. & Thank you for my birthday dessert the Baklava was made to perfection. ❤️ Oh and great choice in music 🎶

The restaurant, only two years old, is sparklingly beautiful and feels brand new. What really captures the eye is the large mural on two opposing walls—a delicate, beautiful work with clear Mediterranean influences. We were fascinated to learn it was created by the chef. Our dining experience was excellent, with one minor exception. We started with steam bun pork belly sliders and red cabbage, which were wonderful—perfectly balanced between sweet, savory, and smoky flavors. My husband's chicken soup with hand-pulled chicken and Greek yogurt was another outstanding dish. I had the grilled octopus next, which was disappointingly tough and chewy. However, my husband's main of white fish with crispy grilled vegetables and an eggplant-tomato sauce was superb. Overall, it was a wonderful experience. Meeting the chef and hearing the story of his mural was the perfect finish to the evening.

Outstanding! 5 stars. If you want a meal that, upon first sight of the plate, hits the table, you know it is going to be good. Then, upon the first bite, your taste buds come alive. Go! The tucked-in plaza location to the Phoenix Flame in Rolling Meadows, IL, stands proudly on its own! The cuisine is so flavorful, the quality of ingredients is superior, the presentation is superior, and the recipes, unlike the competition, including the plethora of restaurants, are oh so close. The menu choices are what I would call a Mediterranean-meets-Ecuadorian fusion of food and flavor—seasoned to complement yet not overpower. I am a bit of a quality food snob. My taste buds know which flavors and foods pair perfectly. The Phoenix Flame passed with Perfection. Quiet atmosphere, lovely, knowledgeable server. The chef/owner came to our table and asked about how we liked our meals. He even shared how his wife meticulously perfects each recipe trying them on her own family and watching them trying it. One of my friends had been there before it ever hits the menu.

Outstanding! Worth the extra drive! Enjoyed all of our appetizers, each tasted unique and wonderful. Grilled octopus cooked perfectly tender and juicy. The Mixed Grill was a nice way to try out their entrees. It was lovely chatting w the Chef afterwards, we got to compliment him directly. Bravo! Atmosphere and music set the tone for the dinner, highly recommend. Will be bringing more friends next time!

Great dinner, service and atmosphere. I had the Ultimate steak sandwich. It included Ribeye, New York Strip, and Flank Steak with fries. One of the best sandwiches I've had in a long time. To top it off the owner came over to the table and we had a nice conversation about our food choices. Give it a try.

Based on recommendations from a friend, we decided to try this restaurant. We were pleasantly surprised with the food menu options. The food was very fresh with amazing flavor! The Paloma’s were fabulous! They had a very friendly and knowledgeable staff. We’ve added this restaurant to our favorites list and we will definitely be back! Try it……you’ll love it!

We went here recently for my daughter's birthday dinner. The service was friendly and attentive, and the food was delicious. We had a variety of sandwiches and the Mixed Flame. We ate well past being full because it was so good. The drinks were also well made - strong but not overpowering. For dessert we had baklava and the Dubai chocolate cake, and we practically licked the plates. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Went here for my birthday and everything was absolutely perfect in every way! Food and drinks were delicious and presented beautifully. Service from Diana was kind and attentive. Vibes were on point for the style of the restaurant. The owner Yanco stopped by our table to greet us and he was an absolute gem! Will definitely be back to try the Cuban sandwich!

A friend was visiting from out of town, so decided to try out this place. The restaurant is in a strip mall off Kirchhoff. I don't live in this area, so I absolutely had no clue the restaurant is here! The place is modestly decorated, with a bar area. The staff is friendly, and the menu consists of Latin cuisine, but also some fusion with Asian cuisine. Bonus, if you are looking gluten-free option, there are plenty of options! We had an appetizer - a plantain cup filled with slaws and grilled shrimp or steak. It was quite delightful as the plantain cup was crunch, with crispy slaw and juicy tender steak. For entree, we had a pork kabob with lemongrass skewer, and grilled shrimp skewer. Each came with sides that you could modify. The food was flavorful. Then, we closed out the dinner with a dessert - a poached pear wrapped inside a meringue. We never had this, but we thought the meringue was a little too sweet for our preference. There are also good list of cocktails if you are looking for something addition. It is a good spot for an outing with good foods. Check it out!

I have to avoid dairy, wheat, soy and eggs so finding food I can have is always a bit difficult. I am just sensitive, not deathly allergic so please contact the restaurant for specific allergy questions and accommodations. The Yukka fries were amazing! I loved the sauce. No idea how they made it creamy, but I loved it. Chicken was full of flavor and a nice variety of flavors. My partner did go here to eat in person and commented how the music was a bit too loud in his opinion. Overall I liked their food and would highly recommend.

From the moment you step into this restaurant, you are greeted with the utmost respect and appreciation. The waitress we had was very knowledgeable and took the time to explain the dishes & recommend her favorites. We had the Martinez cups for appetizer, the trio meat platter with veggies & I got the Berry Bliss cocktail. The reviews/recommendations for the Martinez cups did not disappoint. The cocktail was a fresh berry seltzer with strawberries and blueberries. They are a Mediterranean/latin inspired restaurant & the flavors are on point! Every time has a unique flavor (lemongrass etc). You can also see kitchen & yes the chef was wearing gloves. The decor is beautiful -greenery and twinkle lights. There are fresh plants on every table. They also have a bar with seating. Highly recommend & will definitely return

Stopped here while we were visiting Chicago to grab lunch before leaving town. Tito was our server and took good care of us. We started with the grilled Zucchini, but somehow due to a problem in the kitchen our appetizer came out after our actual entrees. Not the end of the world. It was good - the fresh dill really makes this tasty. My wife had the short rib bulgogi bowl, which was amazing. I had the ultimate steak sandwich. Let me just say that his thing is an unholy mess to try to eat. Seriously. It's damn good, but the different cuts of steak combined with the herb sauce, caramelized onions and cheese caused it to keep sliding out of the brioche bun. Better eat this one with a fork and knife if you order one. Drinks and service were both good. Would definitely come back to try some other dishes.

UPDATE: This restaurant is still amazing. Cozy and chill interior. Changes in work schedule does not allow us to frequent as much but I'm glad we went. Changes to the menu. We do miss the plantain chips with pico and the absolutely amazing skirt steak sandwich. That sandwich was delicious with garlic sauce and onions. Oh well changes happen. We split a shepherd's salad, my wife had the steak and fries and I had the Cuban sandwich. Best Cuban I've ever had. The pork in it is amazing and I feel like they could do more with it. I could eat a plate of that pork. As always, fries were delicious. Thanks for the food!

This is definitely a gem and truely stumbled on it. Don't let the location in a strip mall dissuade you. The food is delicious with a Latin/ Mediterranean twist. We got the an appetizer, the steak and fries along with the Argentina steak. All of it was delicious and melt in your mouth. The owner/ chef came by to check on us as well. The dessert we got was the Latin poached pear- try it! It was perfect with the sweetness while being light esp after we stuffed ourselves. Definitely will be back!

After finding great reviews for this restaurant, we decided to give it a try. We were warmly greeted on a Sunday for dinner service. The staff were very attentive. Overall, the food was good. The accompaniments with my steak were my favorite (mashed potatoes and vegetables). I also really enjoyed the Pork Belly sliders.

Great service, great food and drink list! Reasonable price for the amount and quality of food...except the yuca fries. :) The hangover soup is def a shareable size or can be an individual entree. Love the corner salad with fennels, cashew and grapes! The Argentinian steak is well seasoned and cooked to the requested temperature:) so soft and melt in your mouth! Will come back and check out the kabob next!

Hidden Gem I strongly suggest visiting this venue, day or night, to experience a revitalizing mocktail, flavorful chimichurri steak, and exceptional coffee. The professional staff guaranteed a memorable experience. The bar staff crafted a proper Old Fashioned.

The place was small and intimate and surprisingly located in a strip mall. The place was very clean and we had seating right outside the kitchen, where you could watch food being prepped. Service was good. Not only were the servers attentive, the owner was very friendly by going around table to table chatting it up. Food was soo good!! Although the appetizers were small, they were packed with lots of flavor. We started off with the plantain maduro and low carb yuca fries. If you're looking to share appetizers, you'll want to order a few. My gf ordered the Argentinian steak and I ordered the steak and fries. Both steaks were packed with flavor. The chimichurri sauce was amazing- not only for the steak but to dip the fries in. It was so simple yet so delicious. We finished the meal with some crème brûlée and it was big enough to share. I was really intrigued by their chocolate cake- which is the owners mom's recipes so I'll have to try it next time I stop by... My only complaint was where we were seated which was right next to the hallway that leads to the bathroom. There's a gap that leads to the hallway then another table actually along the hallway wall. When both tables are occupied- it makes it narrows the passage way so needless to say, other patrons were knocking into the corner of my car, along with the servers. I was fine with the first bump but by the 3rd I was annoyed and wished we had been seated elsewhere. So if they try to sit you in that spot- request a different table...

came on a friday evening and my husband and i were seated right away. i ordered the phoenix flame sandwich and my husband got the ultimate steak. my sandwich was delicious and the fries were good too. lots of flavor and i love the buttery brioche. it was a very expensive meal though and i was not very full. i was also peeved that the menu said the prices were $19 and $22 but the receipt said $19.78 and $22.88 which is a little misleading. probably won't be coming here too often unless we want to drop $55-60 on dinner.

Wet impressed with the service and quality of food. Don't expect this type of dining in a strip mall but so pleased with our dinner. Our party had the Argentinian steak, the flounder and shrimp skewers. All were top notch chimichuri was tasty on the steak and the mango crème brûlée was a perfect end to our dinner. Highly recommend.

Food was absolutely incredible. The menu had some great options, variety, and the food is simply premium ingredients and the dishes are all perfect. The Cubano is one the best ever and highly recommended it!

Excellent food and service. We had shrimp skewers, shepherds salad and fries and lemon grass pork kabobs, cabbage salad and yucca fries. For dessert we had a chocolate pistachio tart and a spiced pear poached in wine with a meringue type in of cream sauce. It was excellent. We highly recommend Phoenix Flame for it's excellent cuisine.

Excellent! Interesting menu and smart twists on familiar dishes. Really delicious Cuban sandwich! And the spiced poached pear for dessert was a yummy surprise (and it's not something I typically like!) - so good!Dishes show real care in execution. Owner is passionate about the food, service and ambience. Well worth a visit!

What a gem! Upscale-looking high end fare. Great service, fast kitchen. Will be back!

I can't say enough good things about this place, I have been there 4 times in the last month and the food is delicious and unique. They have something on the menu for everyone and they are sure to surprise you with some unique twists on delicious classics. On top of this, the service is wonderful, the staff is very friendly and you will find the owner there often and willing to greet you and get to know you better! The establishment is good for dressed up or dressed down and very comfortable.

This place is simply phenomenal! Why haven't I reviewed it before. First, the service is always top notch. Yanko, the owner, continuously checks on each table. We had the Cuban sandwich today again, it's probably the best Cuban I've even had. My son had the steak with the chimichurri sauce. Amazing. We had the baklava for dessert. OMG!! The best. I'll keep coming back to this gem.

Wow. Where have a been that I'm just finding out about this place? They opened Sept 2023 and are like nothing in this area - a total gem. In a very unassuming strip mall location, this place is delivering high quality, delicious food. Everything we had was spectacular. We started with the Plantain Maduro - it was sauces, sweet and salty - absolutely incredible and I'll be dreaming about it for a while. My husband got the Argentinian style NY steak and I got the grilled salmon entrees. I added chimichurri to mine. We were both raving with every bite. We found the prices to be reasonable for the quality and portion of food, but I wouldn't be surprised if some patrons thought it was expensive. Honestly it's just like nothing else in the area, but in a very very good way in my book. And bonus points - they indicate dietary restrictions on the menu like gluten free which I always appreciate. Service was fine, nothing special or bad there, but the chef came out to check on each table throughout the night which I thought was a very nice touch. Truly, you need to try this place. We will be back!

Love this little gem! Came here for dinner and everything we ordered was delicious . Staff was friendly and the owner came to greet us. It's located in s strip mall but spacious inside. Will definitely recommend to anyone interested in a good fusion restaurant!

The Food was phenomenal!!! I had salmon, my husband had Lake Superior whitefish. Those were both very tasty. The potatoes were my favorite, so crunchy and yummy, Vegetables were done to perfection.The service was great and we loved the ambiance! We will be back for sure

The Cuban sandwich is outstanding. Can't recommend that enough. The RM hot chicken sandwich is pretty good too. The chicken tenders were not good. It seemed like low grade quality chicken or chicken that was frozen and then plopped straight into a fryer. It lacked flavor. Texture was off. Just bland overall. Fries pretty darn good as well.

My wife and I love this restaurant. It was our second time visiting the new location. It's a nice intimate vibe and perfect for a date. The short rib bowl was fantastic and very filling. The plantain chips were tasty and the pico is refreshing.

AMAZING food!!!!!! Great prices and service was spectacular- HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place for lunch or dinner. I took my mom and sister who are very picky on food and they loved it. The sauces are yummy. Great variety on food choices!

An interesting blend of Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine. The Martinez cups are a must-try.

The food was really great. We had the Cuban and short rib sandwich and both were amazing. We also substituted fries with the plantain Madura - so different and really yummy. We will be back.

Immediately our server was so kind and welcoming and set a great tone for our dinner. She happily answered any questions about the menu and was very attentive despite being busy. We ordered the yuca fry appetizer (you MUST try the green herb sauce), the Phoenix Flame sandwich (short rib) and the hangover soup. I also ordered the Paloma which was great. All of our food was so interesting and delicious! After dinner, the chef came to each table to personally to greet the patrons and we were able to discuss the inspiration for the menu. The chef is Bulgarian and his wife Ecuadorian, so the menu is a nice Latin-Mediterranean combo which is very unique! We were already talking about what dishes we want to order when we come back. Very excited to have this new restaurant in the neighborhood!

This restaurant used to be in Niles, and was primarily a lunch takeout kind of place. Now it is in Rolling Meadows, and has transformed into more of a fine-dining dinner scene. The interior is nicely decorated, with artistic wall engravings and cascading live plants. I have been to this new location twice now. Our first visit was shortly after they just opened, and it took a very long time to get our food. We didn't inquire, but were informed that a previous event had them running a bit late in the kitchen. Fair enough. We visited again just this past Saturday, and again, it took a really long time to get our food. So that may just be how it is here. Don't arrive too hungry. That said, the food you are waiting for is excellent. We have tried the yuka fries, plantain maduro (note: this is more savory than sweet), Martha Corner Salad, short rib bowl, Cuban sandwich, and skirt steak sandwich. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. Everything is flavorful and fresh-tasting. Portions are reasonably sized for a single person's appetite (so, if you want to share, you should each order your own thing and split). I noticed they have added brunch hours, but I have not yet seen a brunch menu. Might be a good excuse for me to head back soon!

It's was fine. Not really memorable. Can't even remember what we ate. So just didn't impress. Maybe need to give it another try.

Best Hot chicken sandwich I've ever had! This place is great. Went twice during my work trip. Will be back next time I'm in the area!

While the food was very good, I will not be coming back. When I asked the waitress if I could substitute the Phoenix flame potatoes for the french fries she said yes. No mention of an extra charge. When I received the bill there was a $5 extra charge! It also took us at least 20 minutes to get our food and there were only two other couples at the restaurant. To cap this off, both bathrooms were "all gender" bathrooms! Will not be coming back!

Went for lunch. Very friendly service and good beef overall. Bottled beer was okay (had a Germain Pilsner, so had probably been sitting around awhile and therefore a little spunky), Had signature steak sandwich and beef bowl. Good, but not sure would return if had to wait because of being busy. Nice addition to the neighborhood.

The food here is sooooo good. I had some salmon and veggies. Their green sauce they add on the side is amazing. 10/10 definitely coming back. Service is great here and outstanding staff.

Read the reviews and thought it might be worth the 30 min drive to give this place a try. We had the Martinez cups for an appetizer and really enjoyed them. The best part was the Short Rib " Bulgogi" Bowl. The flavor was fantastic and the meat just melted in my mouth. Would I make the drive to go again, a big YES! Give it a try.

I wish we'd just come for appetizers...yucca fries were great. Cuban sandwich was fine. Daughter enjoyed her huge hunk of salmon until she realized it was raw in the thicker part.

Amazing restaurant the passion from the chefs and the food is unbelievable there's no other restaurants like it

So good! Recommend the Latin cabbage salad and the Argentinian stake !!! New favorite place.

Great food. The service was amazing as well. You can see the kitchen through the restaurant . Love the greatness for the ingredients.

Food was fantastic. I had the ultimate steak sandwich. And it's by far the best steak sandwich I've ever had. The place was very well decorated and calm and a romantic way to spend an evening just for 2. The service was phenomenal and food came out fresh and hot. We will be back.

We had birthday dinner tonight at Phoenix Flame group of 9 people. Service was outstanding. The owner and stuff were very welcoming . We tried different appetizers and everyone ordered on tray. Everything we tried was delicious especially grilled octopus and shrimp kisses. From the flame shrimp skewers and Argentinian style NY steak was delicious! We ordered different cocktails and wine and everything was great. The owner brings plate with homemade baklava (they make it in a restaurant) was complimentary for the birthday and we ordered tiramisu and Latin pear for dessert. The Latin pear was unusual dessert we never try before anywhere. I really recommend this restaurant if you want to try something different and good quality. Thank you for the best evening and outstanding service!!!

Phoenix Flame is such a hidden gem. The food is amazing. Delicious deep flavors, such well cooked tender meat, tasty vegetables and perfect potatoes and fries, can't say enough! The atmosphere is very nice as well. The owner is also very kind and thoughtful. When we mentioned my son has food allergies to Dairy and Nuts, he came out to greet us so he could answer all of our questions and assure us things would be safe for him, adding in the detailed care he and his staff take. He even checked on him throughout the meal. The whole experience really put us at ease as eating out with allergies can definitely be challenging at times. My family and I plan to make Phoenix Flame a go-to spot for us.

I trekked out from Chicago to find the types of savory Latin American/Mediterranean fusion food that this place is known for...The restaurant is in a strip mall and doesn't look like much from the outside. The inside is nice. There are some vines around and otherwise sparse decoration. Of course, due to its small size, the tables are small, and for our group of five, it was a tight fit even though the restaurant was sparsely populated when we came in on a Saturday night without a reservation (I don't know if they even make reservations) and we had our pick of seating. Only three staff and one busboy were working as servers (maybe a higher-up and one lower level). The water was brought out quickly. Then, the one server and order taker was distracted from talking to another table while we waited a while to get his attention. Once we were finally able to get him over, the food came relatively quickly The service, while slow, was very nice. I would recommend that the owners increase the training, professionalism, and efficiency of staff, which would take the restaurant to another level. The food was delicious! The group tried different things from the Ultimate Steak Sandwich, Hangover Soup, Cuban Sandwich, Plantains, etc. Everyone liked what they had and said that the food was worth it, and so much so for my partner and me that we wanted to go back to try more things. I highly recommend a visit to see for yourself. I hope to visit again in the future.

Excellent steak sandwich. Really good fries. Fast and friendly service. Recommended if you are in the area.

Excellent service and outstanding food. The food is obviously prepared to order and is served hot and fresh. Many of the dishes have a special ingredient or preparation that makes them stand out. Seasoning is also spot on. We have eaten here twice in a week and cannot wait to go back. The owner is very welcoming and his wife, who is the chef, is a delight.

My husband and I did take out and wanted to check out this restaurant. Very nice when I walked in and staff was friendly. Food was really good! My husband had the Ultimate steak Sandwich and he said it was totally worth it. I had the lemongrass l pork skewers and they were really good especially with the cabbage slaw and potato! We will definitely be back and will dine in next time.

A very nice experience!,, Good food, good service, pricing was appropriate. We will be back!!!!

Came here for a good steak sandwich and OMG this place has a wonderful and delicious sandwiches I recommend this place and this sandwich.

Great Place! We loved the cocktails, food, atmosphere and the service. The owner and the waitress, his daughter were very friendly and efficient. We will definitely go back.

The best restaurant I have been to in a long time. Although in a strip mall, once you step inside you are impressed with the clean and snazzy decor. Staff was incredibly friendly. Our waitress was prompt and well versed in the menu. Answered all our questions with great suggestions. We ordered appetizers, soup/salad course and dinner. Everything we had was perfectly flavored. The blend of Mediterranean/Latin and Asian elements were paired in smart ways. We started with the Bao Buns/Bites. Great flavored pork paired with the fluffy Asian Bun/Taco. I followed that up with a salad--crisp and fresh. I got the Phoenix Flame Sandwich as my main course. It was a delight. Short rib was tender and flavorfull. The slaw had a slight edge and crisp to the dish. Fries were some of the best. My buddies who accompanied me were equally impressed by the Steak Sandwich and the Argentian steak. They know how to properly cook meat here. Properly seasoned too. On top of the gourmet quality of our food, prices were extremely reasonable. While eating the Chef/Owner checked in on us. Very friendly and humble. But he and his wife should be proud for creating a great and unique restaurant. I can't wait to return and want to bring the whole family for the experience. Highly recommend.