Amazingggggghgg Food and great service. It was just the place and food me and my boyfriend needed for our weekend getaway to Illinois. Will definitely be back if we are ever around again!!! Steaks were to die for! Mac and cheese was amazing. And incredible Spinach and Crab Dip read more

Best place to get a steak in southern Illinois. Service is great and their menu is impeccable.

Flame has really stepped up their game. I went for the Monday night all you can eat crab. The kept them coming fresh and hot. Service was great. read more

I had lunch here with a few girlfriends. The restaurant has been remodeled a bit since the last time I was there and it is truly beautiful. From the moment we walked in the hostess was a bit snooty. We asked to sit in a booth and she seemed very put out by our request. She actually scoffed. Once we were seated our server came over to table and she was very inexperienced. Everything we asked her she had to go check with someone else. Possibly just new but she never said one way or another. It was my birthday and my friend told her twice but it was never acknowledged and we all thought that was rather strange. I ordered a brisket burger after deliberating for quite some time only to be told it was no longer available. I settled for the plain Jane burger and it was nice and juicy but soaked my bun to the point it was mushy when served. I ended up eating it like a chopped steak. Next time I will just order appetizers. They were FABULOUS!! We shared stuffed mushrooms and lobster dip. Omg! Must have if u go!! We shared the fried bread pudding. It was delish!! It's rather pricey but worth it if the food is good. If I were giving a review on overall experience of just this visit it would be a 3 star. But, I have dined here before and the food is generally really good and surely the hostess and servers are better on other days so I gave 4 stars. read more

Meh. My steak tasted like they haven't cleaned the grill for years. Like dirty charcoal. Not worth the money. The service was ok.

Decided to eat here based in the reviews. Family of 4. Our dinner consisted of 1 Lasagna, 1 Salmon w/veggies, 1 TBone steak & 1 Chicken Risotto w/asparagus. Every was very delicious! The drinks we ordered, Cosmopolitan and Margarita were very delicious. Just the right amount of liquor. We ate in the patio and that was nice. I was worried about the bugs but they told me they sprayed and it helped! The service was fast and professional. We would go again. read more

The boyfriend and I visited Flame for the first time tonight. The ambiance is lovely, very old school steakhouse with a modern twist. Clean, open floor plan, with intimate booths, nice wood throughout and a great color scheme. There was music, but it was low enough to allow conversation while still being a pleasant addition to the meal. We started with drinks, I had a Moulin Rouge martini, which was fine for what it was, but it turns out I'm not a fan of Pimms. Even so, it was clearly well made and reasonably priced ($7 for a good martini is definitely reasonable). My boyfriend and I were both excited that they carry Canyon Road wine, something we can't find in the stores, and miss terribly from Houlihan's. We might go back just for that. The menu is inviting and has a lot of options with App prices ranging from $6 to $10, they have flatbreads, burgers, soup, salads, entrees and steaks. Overall, a nice selection without too many options. We split the candied bacon and deviled eggs appetizer because it sounded interesting, but it was underwhelming. The bacon was fine, but it was chewy and a little odd, I would have preferred it crisped, crumbled, candied, and sprinkled over the deviled eggs. The eggs were a bit flat. There just wasn't a lot of flavor there, beyond spicy. I appreciate the creativity, but the flavor balance wasn't there. My boyfriend got the steak and shrimp alfredo special, and I got the chicken oscar. Both entrees came with soup or salad and bread to start, we both got the house salad, and it was lovely, complex, crisp and fresh. The steak was a perfect medium rare, the shrimp were grilled and smoky, the sides were perfect compliments. The only issue was, again, the flavor balance. The alfredo had, I believe, basil in it, which gave it a harsh flavor. It wasn't exactly bad, but it didn't entirely work. The chicken was an airline cut, with hollandaise and crab meat, and it was delicious. Hollandaise is a very difficult sauce, and I was impressed that it was absolutely perfect and the flavors on my plate were balanced nicely. We split the cranberry walnut bread pudding for dessert, which was a low note. It had a vague walnut flavor to it, but was clearly heated up in the microwave and was too hot in the center, and was generally lacking in flavor, beyond the sweetness. I had coffee with dessert, which was just standard coffee, not particularly tasty, but not weak brown water either. I had a cocktail and a glass of wine, my boyfriend had two glasses of wine, we split an app, each had an entree, and split the dessert. We left full, but not over full, so I'd say the portions are perfect. We spent $77 before the tip. One minor downside was the service. I saw several wait-staff who looked beyond capable and everyone was pleasant, but our waiter seemed to be in a hurry. He stopped to check on us several times while he had a tray in his hand and couldn't actually take anything away or take an order, or refill a beverage, so that was both odd and off-putting. So, front-of-house could use a bit of work on training and consistency. All in all, it was a pleasant meal and we'll be back. It's not Houlihan's or Boondock's, but it's interesting and the food was all cooked perfectly, so hopefully the flavor balance will even out in time. read more

Went for my 21st birthday! Amazing drinks, food and service! Highly recommend for date night or classy group event

Came on Mother's Day with our whole family and 8 plus kids under 10. Unfortunately there was not a kids menu. Otherwise service and food were great. I highly recommend some simple low cost items for kids like macaroni and cheese and milk to encourage more young families to come out to eat at the flame. Thanks! read more

My wife and I visited Flame on our trip and we were blown away. We order the couples dinner for two for $49.99. What a deal! With this you get an appetizer to share, a soup or salad, an entree, dessert and a bottle of wine! Each course I would give 5 stars to if possible. This food and service was amazing. Highly recommend! read more

FABULOUS! We had the Ribeye and it was wonderful. The best Steak I've had in a long time. The offerings on the menu sound delicious. We almost got dessert but were too full to contemplate it although a personal size coconut cream pie almost changed our minds. Can't wait to come back and work my way through that menu. The staff was very knowledgeable, polite, perfectly reserved and you could tell see felt the food would speak for itself and it did! Will definitely be back soon. read more

Great food, great service, great all around experience. Had the bacon wrapped meatloaf, wife had the creole seasoned tilapia, everything was really really good. Great place for a couple to enjoy a much needed date night!!!!!! read more

Love the Sunday all you can eat catfish! The chicken is okay, but the fish is the best! You also get Philadelphia corn, green beans, mashed potatoes and homemade biscuits!!! Everyone should try it. Perfect place for after church! read more

Date night this was the place we chose. First thought was nice environment and the bartender was great as were the drinks. Both of us order steak one NY Strip and one Filet. The flirt was medium rare instead of medium well. The my strip had a good flavor but wore my jaw out chewing it. It happens so I didn't complain. When the check came I about fell out of my chair. $108 including tip (not the servers fault) for 2 steaks and a mushroom app. I don't mind paying good money for good food, but the food was lacking on this one! read more

Decent food and drinks. Very nice outdoor patio. Gambling machines inside are very tacky for a restaurant.

Had dinner here and was really impressed with the place. They have a good selection but they focus on steaks. Really well decorated and great service. Tomato basil bisque is delicious. Ordered filet Oscar and it was great too. A great place to eat when in Carbondale! read more

As far as steakhouses go, this is probably the best one in Southern Illinois that I've been to. A ton of steak options to choose from. This is usually the place we go when in Carbondale. read more

First place my fiancee has ever eaten his entire plate of food, that says something. His steak was cooked exactly how he ordered it. I got the stuffed flounder and although I didn't leave full for $20.00...I absolutely crave that dish. It was fantastic and I would gladly hand over another fistful of cash for that fish. read more

Pretty good place for a date night. I had the patty melt and a spicy ( and they aren't kidding) Bloody Mary. The waitress was good and took care of us. read more

Great service and prices. It is nice to have a more upscale restaurant in the area. My only complaint is that there is just 1 vegetarian option - a mushroom burger... maybe they can come up with at least 1 or 2 more options? read more

Very good food and very good service. First time here and I wasn't disappointed. I had one of least expensive things on the menu because I wasn't sure if this place was any good and if the more expensive items are as good, you won't be disappointed. 5 out of 5 stars. read more

I went there on a date it has a great ambiance and a lovely out door sitting area. I did find the the poker machines tacky and out of place. Our waitress was very lovely and had great wine knowledge. She suggest a wine "If You See Kay" just say that a few times and you will get what it means. I found it humorous and the wine was amazing, but the food......Let's just say it was good but way over priced. We got their wings for an appetizer and they where nothing special. For a main course I got a steak and I asked for mid-rare and it was medium well. If you are going to be an upscale restaurant please cook your steaks to the customers specifications. However, It tasted good and I finished my plate. read more

So wonderful to see our old favorite "Murphy's" open again. The outdoor area is such a gorgeous spot in the middle of town. I'm so happy to see it being enjoyed again. I have been to Flame a few times for lunch with friends and once for dinner with my husband. Lunch has been great every time. Dinner was delicious. I had filet oscar and hubs had the ribeye. We both had a glass of Cab with our steak. Great food. Service has been poor, decent, and great. It just depends in who you get! Pick a gorgeous day and enjoy your meal in the garden! The June cocktail of the month is delicious! Cucumber rosemary lemonade. read more

This beautiful, quiet restaurant had, hands-down, the best tomato basil soup I have ever tasted. It was absolutely fantastic. The salmon n'orleans was delicous and cooked to perfection. The meat portions were large, but the vegetable sides were skimpy (three stalks of asparagus, eight pieces of red potato). We had the crab cake appetizer and nachos. I enjoyed the crab cakes but the cheese on the nachos was the tasteless carnival cheese. I did expect better than that. The steak was okay. If we were to go back I would definitely order fish. read more

Tom the bartender did a great job. Salmon was excellent. Here on business and felt right at home. Recommend.

I have eaten here several times and the meal has been stellar every time. The service is always efficient. Their steaks are phenomenal! The place has a very relaxing ambiance to boot. Love it! read more

Came for lunch and didn't even finish our meals. The chicken was subpar. The steak was anything but cooked well. The lettuce was brown. Bread was stale. I could not believe how terrible the food tasted and that I had paid for it. read more

The problem I had with this place is the price for some of the things that they offer. $4.99 for the lobster Mac and cheese side, which seem like a fare price, no it was a rip off. It wasn't even real lobster, I got fake crab. This place is a joke. Trying to portray something better then they actually are. I have never in my years payed such a high price for fake crab/lobster what ever you wish to call it. The fact that everyone says their lobster Mac and cheese is so great, and then I go to try it and it taste ok but above all I'm paying the price for real, and I get fake. I just thought I would let people know before they get it, because I didn't know, and it made me upset. The burger was great for what it was not really worth its price either. The last time I went I had gotten the steak and it was good all except for the food poisoning I got from this place. Just my thoughts, but I would listen to what I'm telling you Red Lobster has far better food worth the prices they charge. read more

GREAT food. Horrible hostess. One night we came in around 7p.m. and the hostess told us they weren't sitting anybody FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT! There were open tables EVERY where. Another night we went in around 7:30p.m. and was told there was a 30 minute wait and there was 4 or 5 tables seated...the rest was open. read more

Went there for my wedding anniversary. The waitress was wonderful, the steak was tough and half of it was fat. We will not revisit.

The bruschetta had no mozzarella in it and the tomatoes tastes like they were from a can the hottest took forever to seat us the waiters took forever to bring out food out and for the price the food was subpar expected gourmet got food from a can heated up in a microwave tasted no better than Applebee's huge waste of money read more

I have to agree with one of your other customers, I ordered a rib eye asked for it to be cooked medium rare, i got totally rare, i do not send food back either, i was very disappointed. On the other hand the place is very nice and clean, the other food we ordered and my friends ordered, well, it was cooked very well and taste great!!! We are going there tonight for my birthday dinner and i do hope they are getting better at grilling the steaks, this would become one of my favorite "go to "restaurants if they please me tonight. read more

We dropped in on a Monday night- had never been at the Flame before. I'm a Southern Illinois transplant from Chicago so I find the restaurant choices very limited down here. What a treat- awesome food we had salmon and the crab legs. Service was impeccable- Jessica was an outstanding waitress! We will be back for sure! read more

The food is very good! The service is friendly and typically fast. The mac and cheese with lobster is absolutely incredible!!!! One of my all-time favorites, Murphy's, used to be at this location. I hated to see them go, but the Flame is doing a great job of filling up the parking lot again!!! read more

Definitely worth a visit! We had the stuffed mushrooms- they are huge! Very tasty as well. My husband had the bacon wrapped meatloaf and I had the steak salad. Both come highly recommended! Service was great, environment is wonderful. Great date night spot. read more

I don't know what to say about Flame. Well, actually, I do (when have I ever not known what to say on Yelp). First, I should say that I have been a fan of Dan and Shaun's restaurants. They make good food, or hire people that cook good food. The food at flame was fine and you get a lot of it (at lest we did). I had the shaved stake sandwich and my mother had the chicken sandwich. We shared. We both left food on our plate because we got so much. The onion rings were super yummy and crispy. The truffle fries were ok. But I need to learn that just because truffle oil is supposed to be great, I don't like it very much. I didn't care for the decor. I don't know why I have a meh feeling about it, but I do. I think I am comparing to the other places Dan and Shaun have had. Maybe that isn't fair, but for those of you who know Carbondale, you probably have been to one of their other places and understand this comparison. read more

My husband and I tried Flame last night for the first time, and I can't say enough good things about our experience. We are both 20+years into restaurant careers and can be tough critics, but our experience last night was flawless. We were immediately great by a friendly host who got us seated right away in a cozy booth. Adam (#1) was our server and he was amazing. He was extremely polite and professional. He attended to our every need without interrupting our time together too often. The pace was perfect we didn't feel rushed and had time to enjoy each course. My favorite things that we tried were the mushroom bisque, lemon asparagus rissoto the bone in pork chop, and of course the steak. Each dish had levels of flavor that were well thought out and executed perfectly.There wine list is quite impressive and the dessert was delicious. We will definitely be back. ( We were told there are 2 servers named Adam so they are Adam 1 & Adam 2. In our opinion Adam 1 gave us a level of customer service that is typically lacking in the service industry. I highly recommend requesting him as your server when you try out Flame. This is a place and experience you don't want to miss. read more

We were visiting our daughter at SIU and decided to go out for a nicer dinner. We sat in the back dining room which was very nice, well decorated. Our waitress was somewhat of a goof, not sure she was new or just having an off night. She had a very hard time letting us know what was on special and taking our orders which were really quite simple, large ribeye, medium rare with salad, fries and ranch, side of lobster mac and cheese and a small ribeye medium with baked potato and salad. Anyways, the food came out rather quickly and seemingly looked correct. Although the two steaks did not resemble each other whatsoever, the larger portion looked more like a sirloin, but honestly I'm not that big of a meat eater. Regardless, the salads were great, the steaks were very tasty if not more on the rare end of the spectrum. The lobster mac was very good. The fries were not such a hit due to the overwhelming use of seasoning, I would definitely go back and perhaps choose to sit outside weather permitting. read more

Been 4 or 5 times now since we moved back and our experiences have been uneven. Generally good service, though, again, erratic. Food is generally good for the price, though the steaks err toward the fatty side, which is to bad. Last time we were there, about a month ago, the steaks weren't cooked properly, which is kind of a cardinal sin for a steak house and very poor cuts. The more important failing was that we'd ordered appetizers. While we were still eating those, the salads came...and then not 5 minutes later, the steaks showed up. That always infuriates me at a place like this, because it's just so unprofessional. And when I complained, I was just told the kitchen was backed up. What? Not my prob. We'll probably wait a while before going back. But there aren't many really nice places in the area, so it's be great if we don't have another bad experience when we go back. read more

The food was excellent, with very good service. The staff was friendly and checked on our table frequently will be back.