I had no clue there was more than one Flames. I knew of the one in Providence because its close to me but I squealed when I saw there was one next to where I would be in the Boston area. My friend and I were looking for a place to get a good and filling meal before skating at Chez Vous and between the three options we narrowed it down to, this won. They have a parking lot for about 7 cars which was very convenient - street parking is also available but just more of a hassle. It smelled so good when we walked in. We tried to figure out the menu, but had some questions. After clarification, it made sense. They offer small, medium or large plates and vary in price depending on the type of meat selected. You can also add double meat or combine meats for an additional charge. We couldn't really see the food because of the condensation on the glass, but from the crevices, everything looked incredible which made it hard to decide. I would say there were about 20 different options of meats. I had never had ox tail before but I felt comfortable letting Flames do the honors of changing that so I chose that. I picked the rice with brown beans, steamed veggies, and oxtail. The really piled everything on. The prices are a bit high, with oxtail being the most expensive, but seeing that you can get two servings from a large plate, it doesn't seem so bad in the end. My friend had the yellow rice with curry chicken and cabbage salad. He also bought an Irish Moss drink which tasted a lot like egg nog. We had the food there. They have about 5-6 tables, each with two chairs, but or some reason the tables are all slanted down so just be careful of food or drinks sliding. The rice with brown beans was really good; midway through I tasted coconut and loved the sweet and savory combo. The ox tail was very tender and the sauce it was in was rich and tasty. The veggies were slightly over steamed but still good. My friend's curry was good. While eating we realized they sell patties as well as desserts; they have a case with these treats. I would recommend coming here for a freshly cooked and big meal. The customer service is also good. They had a sign on the bathroom that it was only for employees so just keep that in mind. read more

Flames Restaurant - Oxtail and Rice & Kidney Peas - Caribbean Near Me - Mattapan, Massachusetts

See all

My only complaint is that they still use Styrofoam containers. Styrofoam is extremely bad for the environment. There is an alternative cardboard like container that can be substituted. As a vendor in the neighborhood, I feel you have a responsibility. Customers not to use Styrofoam, which has been known to cause cancer in humans. read more

The oxtails on Morton St I nothing like the ones in Grove Hall. They are so tough with little favor. May I suggest the cook(s) at Morton St take some lessons an training from the Grove Hall Restaurant. Also, you give less portions on the meat than in the pass, BUT your prices are up. Last, you service experience is not the greatest. No hellos, no smiles, etc. Bottoming, you should sample your oxtails and other foods before serving.​ I could say more, but I will leave to you to make improvements. By the way, there are a lots of other negative reviews I read. Check them out. read more

They are rudest people (Mattapan) I will never go there again. I went there twice all ways the same. Tonight was the worst they charge me 19.75 for scraps. read more

Solid Jamaican food. Always there when you need it. I typically stop by for a beef patty or jerk chicken plate!

Found some leftover rice and peas in my families refrigerator while visiting and was sooo good! So made my own way over! Food: cafeteria style prepared hot bar, however the food all looked and tasted hot and fresh! Obviously got the rice and beans with sweet and spicy chicken with the extra sauce poured over! Love the sauce and rice combo! Would order just that. Cabbage was good as well. Large portion. Plate pictured with a drink and coco bread was $20! Fed 2! Restaurant: small seating area inside. Of note, no public bathrooms even with food purchase read more

See all

Best in the city! Generous with the servings, great drink selection. Rice and peas has the perfect amount of coconut milk, cabbage and carrots aren't over cooked (still has crunch) and oxtail full of flavor and tender. read more

Flames Restaurant - Stewed Oxtail, Rice & Kidney Peas, Steamed Cabbage & Carrots - Caribbean Near Me - Mattapan, Massachusetts

All I can say is what happened? Flames used to have the best oxtail in the city. This is my third time going and the oxtails were tough. They lacked the flavor that they usually have. It tasted like one seasoning was dominating yesterday, and it was not the right one. The cashier added a beef patty and charged me for it. I do not like their beef patties so I would not have ordered it. I called to inform them of the mistake, and they wanted me to drive 25 minutes to get a refund, when it could have been reversed. No way. There was not even an apology. She said I could drive. No thank you. I decided what the heck, I can taste the beef patty. No thank you again. I threw all of the beef patty away. I I will go back to the one on Blue Hill Ave to see if the food and service are any better. read more

Flames Restaurant - Oxtail, Cabbage, with Rice and Peas - Caribbean Near Me - Mattapan, Massachusetts

The rice and peas have taste like water no flavor at all the plantains was super hard pause and the curry goat has no flavor how dear you call this yankee food a Caribbean don't even bother better off cooking home read more

After the fire they must have gotten a new chef because the food is so bad here. I've gone here several times over the past month. But the pricing and servings are inconsistent . They won't sell individual sides, yet when you get a plate they charge you as if you ordered individual sides. The one at Ashmont Station is much better and there is rarely a line. read more

Most recent time I ate oxtail, rice and peas, and it was great. Not spicy which I personally appreciated. I do think the spicy level depends on what you order and who is cooking but this day I went it was really good. Great portion too! read more

Wow just had the Curried Goat here and it blew me away. So much depth of flavor and no gaminess to speak of and ooooh so tender. Plenty of reason to come here. They have a plethora of Jamaican favorites and they are all good believe. Thank me later. read more

Flames Restaurant - Curried Goat - Caribbean Near Me - Mattapan, Massachusetts

This is a restaurant that I have been using for several years, the food is ok, but the attitude is cold and unwelcoming. Two reasons why I continue to use this place: convenience, and I like my Caribbean food. Otherwise, I would say "sayonara". The staff needs customer service training. read more

I have to admit I came into this place to use the restroom but I left a changed man. The food is amazing. This is hands down the best Jamaican restaurants I have ever eaten at and I have been to many. I will be coming back. read more

An incredible hidden gem here in the JP, Mattapan area! This is some of the best Jamaican food I've had this side of Jamaica. I highly recommend the curried goat or stew chicken with beans and rice. read more

I been eating from this establishment for years. Today I decided I'm not going back. I ordered a Large curry goat, rice and peas, and mixed vegetables. The food goat was spoiled. It must have been left over because she piled the goat on my plate and they never piled it on like that and after tasting it I know for a fact the food was spoiled. They fail to understand that because I'm not speaking Jamaican my family is Jamaican and I know good food and today it was at its worst. Not everyone knows good or great food. Flames your going up in Flames!!! read more

Flames Restaurant - Spoiled curry goat, rice and peas w/ mixed vegetables. Worst ever! - Caribbean Near Me - Mattapan, Massachusetts

Went in for a beef patty with cheese and came out with a tasteless, government cheese filled flake crust.

I've been coming here for years, and they may not have good customer service on the line but the "back office" does. I always get the oxtails and curry goat or jerk chicken with rice & peas and extra gravy. I tried the Mac n cheese for the first time, and I was not a fan. Although a lot of people fancy it and it sells out pretty early. Just not for me. Also, their Pattie's and cheese don't quite taste the same, and are usually a little on the crispy (burnt) side. I went to get my usual plates and I ask for my food a particular way every time. The person making the food and the cashier weren't on the same page, so I was overcharged $70 3 times, because the cashier could not figure it out. Now when I walk in there was only one person inside, now behind me are about 10 people looking as if I'm causing chaos at the front of the line. The cashier takes a few more people, AFTER she's charged me 3 times. She then pokes her head out and tells me her manager is goin to need to do it and she will take my phone number. At this time I'm upset because tf ? $210 for some flames? I think not. So I politely tell her this is BS and she informs me she can't find the transaction and assured me it would be fixed. I get home and my food is still wrong lol. The manager was very nice when she reached out and she ultimately did have the charges fixed, but it did take almost a week which may not be any fault of theirs (I mean she did swipe it 3 times but ya know) read more

Please don't sell customers spoiled rice or oxtails. It was only 9 pm and the food was spoiled I could smell it when I opened it after I got home. read more

They raised the prices on the food without raising the quality of the food the patties I ordered were cold after they supposedly reheated them. The jerk chicken had many large an un-edible parts. The server was rude and unprofessional. they will never receive my patronage again. read more

I think the flames in Randolph is way better. I came to this location years ago, and thought the food was just Ok. It didn't really have any taste to me. Recently, tried Flames in Randolph and really enjoyed my plate. The jerk, in particular, was flavorful, juicy and well spiced. Decided to come back to this location and try again, thinking food quality improved, but it still tastes like what I remembered which was pretty tasteless. Jerk chicken is dry and my food is lukewarm. Guess I'll stick to flames in Randolph even though this one is 5 minutes away from my job. The extra star is for nice ladies in front. read more

If you like very salty, spicy, hot jerk chicken, go here. I ordered a jerk chicken dinner and it was so spicy that I could not taste any other flavor. They should offer different spice levels, because that was ridiculous and I love hot n spicy food! Very disappointed! Grrrr..... they wasted all that good chicken by putting that salty spicy isht all over it. The cabbage and rice & beans were good, except for the part that touched the jerk sauce, WHICH WAS ALL OF IT! Robbed me of my entire meal! It'll be another several months before I go back. In the past, I've had their steak, rice & beans, green beans, cabbage and curry goat. None of it was bad, but it was definitely not the greatest! They need to help out the community by limiting the salt in their dishes..please. read more

One of my favorite dishes is Jamaican food. Oxtails, rice and beans, and plantains. Now when I ordered my food, they were out of plantains so I got cabbage instead. Still good. This place did not disappoint. The woman who helped me at the cash register was really nice. I didn't get her name otherwise, I would've shouted her out. This is a place I would get my Jamaican food frequently. read more

Flames was cool, I ordered the medium oxtails with cabbage and I got a plate full of rice, hardly any cabbage but I will say that the oxtails were delicious. read more

The food at this place is so good. The hubby and I just slammed down some curry chicken with red rice and a couple of patties, and I'm ready to go back for more. Being from out of town it can be a little intimidating to try new places but the menu is so simple that you can't really go wrong. The line was a little slow but the food is buffet style service so it's hot and ready to eat. Wish we had a Flames in Oakland, Ca! read more

I'm conflicted about flames on one hand the food is really good and their machine is well oiled but on the other end quality ranges. This past trip back to Boston from my Los Angeles where I live now I knew Jamaican food was one thing I had to have. Literally, one of the hardest things about living on the west coast is the absence of amazing Carribean food. I was born and raised in Boston and I feel very fortunate that I grew up eating some of the best Mom and pop food. So every time I come back I already know what I must eat. I opted for the Large Oxtail plate with Rice and peas, cabbage, plantains and festival (dumpling some people call them). I got extra sauce on my rice because that's the only way to eat it. Now I know Oxtails are expensive but I don't think I got a large order it seemed a bit small like it was a medium order. Mac & Cheese: Skip it and go get some from a soul food place. It looked very good in the pan but didn't hold up in taste even though it was very cheesy. Quality: Oxtails were hit and miss the last 3 or 4 Oxtails I had were inedible and all fat/gristle. Some oxtail were tender and juicy and others were tough. So keep this in mind. Service: moves quick, and you have to remember that most people who work here and come in here are regulars and Carribean so if you're the type who needs to ask questions, explore what you might like I think that you should go to Garden of Eden which is my favorite West Indian spot in Boston. All in all 3/5. It's a solid spot but it's also a circus navigating Parking: BEWARE! People will block you in, some might even hit your car and it's madness. I remember now how awful and mad Boston drivers are read more

Flames Restaurant - Large Oxtail plate with rice and peas, cabbage and plantains with festival - Caribbean Near Me - Mattapan, Massachusetts

Never ate at this restaurant before but everytime im in the area the smell is undeniable. I finally find the courage to walk in and order a small meal the other day. Ok so heres the deal. Im actually mad at myself for not ever getting food here. Im new to the area and dont really know a lot of good places to eat. So to get a great meal from Flames was awesome. I got the curry chicken with green veggies and it was layered with flavor chicken was fall off the bone good with just the right amount of spicy. Since im not all too familiar with jamaican food i would say my order was a little conservative. However, i will deffinately be back and im excited to explore more of the menu. Thanks Flames! read more

Flames Restaurant - Curry Chicken - Caribbean Near Me - Mattapan, Massachusetts

Ive been going to this spot since I was a teenager! The oxtail plantains rice and peas plate never disappoints nor does the breakfast banana cornmeal and oat porridge. read more

Came to try King Fish but it was almost closing time and there was none left. I just got a side of rice and peas with cabbage and gravy. My bf had rice and peas with curry chicken. There was a long line but it went so fast due to great service. I will definitely be returning. read more

When I got there, it was packed and when I say packed there was a line that extended from one end to another of the place. You instantly know the food is good. The food was very very tasty and flavorful. However I can see why people here say things are a hit and miss sometimes. I got the rice with chicken curry and cabbage, the rice and cabbage was hot while the chicken curry was cold. Ordered the fish, it was very good but over fried. Overall I think it was a good meal and will be back soon. read more

Flames Restaurant - Caribbean Near Me - Mattapan, Massachusetts

This entire time, I thought Flames Restaurant was a burger joint. Boy was I wrong, as they have nothing on the menu that resembles a burger patty. Friend was craving ox tail and told me that he had a place in mind that we could go. First thing I noticed was being greeted by the workers with a heavy island accent. Very friendly staff and took the time to help me decide on what to get as there was an overwhelming amount of choices from ox tail stew to jerk chicken to curry chicken and many more. I decided to not be too adventurous as it was my first time and decided to try curry chicken with vegetable rice and a side of plantains. I got a medium size but they do offer a small and large as well. The amount of food can be split into two servings depending on your hunger level. Everything tasted really good, just make sure to ask them to put some sauce on top of the rice to make your experience that much better. After finishing the meal, the struggle of getting up to leave was real. All I wanted to do was jump into bed and take a nap, the food coma started to kick in real hard. Get out of your comfort zone and try new things because when you think of ox tail, it doesn't sound appetizing. Next step it trying to find another Caribbean that will top Flames. read more

See all

Good afternoon, I am a frequent and usually pleased customer. The food is usually satisfying. However, the customer service at the Randolph location today (1/9/2022) was quite poor. My server was distracted, cleaning and engaged in a conversation with others. Because she was distracted she asked my for my order multiple times. she seemed disinterested/unbothered. I felt disrespected. WhIle a bit better, the cashier's custer service was also poor. Dissatisfied customer! read more

If you'd like to experience decent Jamaican food this is the place, but please bring you wallet because they are grossly overpriced! At my visit yesterday, while in line, I watched as a customer argue over being charged for food she did not request. And to make matters worse she didn't even receive the food in her bag to go. good thing she looked at her receipt! I won't even talk about my order, but it will be the last time I am charge over $20 for a large oxtail plat only to given a plate of rice and literally 5 pieces of oxtail. And the messed up part is they just replenished the tray! This is my last time eating there. read more

I'm usually not a fan of chain restaurants when it comes to Caribbean food, but Flames wasn't too shabby. I ordered a medium oxtail plate with rice & peas and vegetables. My friend also ordered coco bread stuffed with cheese and a patty. This was my first time trying coco bread and it turned out to be delicious, my friend said it tasted even better than where he usually gets it. The oxtails were tender and full of flavor. The rice was a bit on the dry side but luckily they added extra oxtail sauce on the plate (they probably knew the rice was dry). They had a variety of other food which I am eager to try. The restaurant itself was clean with a few tables on the side to eat but I don't think that is a popular choice for customers. There was an influx of people when I arrived but the staff was quick so the line cleared up quickly. I will continue to search but I'm not sure if there are many restaurants that can top Flames in the area. read more

Flames Restaurant - Medium oxtail order - Caribbean Near Me - Mattapan, Massachusetts

Our favorite spot for delicious take-out Caribbean food. Love their jerk chicken and hot patties. Try cheese and coco bread for a snack

I love this restaurant. It's the only one I go to get my oxtails plate. I never have a problem with the portions they give, the staff is always friendly and clean, and the food never fails to disappoint. They definitely got a customer for life. read more

I prefer the food over Irie. The prices are much, but worth it. Especially the oxtail plate . I've seen people complain about the staff... I've never had problems with rudeness. Maybe ya naa undastan dem rude bwoy? read more

This spot is the truth! I normally mess with the goat curry with yellow rice and cabbage. I also ask for extra sauce because that enhances the meal but so many others harass them about it so if they don't look pleased, don't take it personally. Oxtails is my back-up if Goat isn't available. Avoid the fried chicken and mac n cheese. You won't be pleased if you don't. Most people prefer to get their food to go. There are tables but it isn't much of an experience so if you're trying to get that too, I strongly recommend doing the one in Brigham Circle. read more

Flames is the only place I trust to eat from in my neighborhood! I don't know why but it's true! I'm glad the lady that use to ring up the customers is gone because she was extremely rude. They have better staff now. They have their days though! The food is a hit and miss for me every time! One minute it's good and the next it's trash! One of my biggest issues is how they are so cheap with the salt fish! They dress it up with peppers and onions and barely any salt fish! One day I heard the cook tell the server to make the food stretch and don't give to much but then they want to charge way to much read more

I have been to every restaurant from the new Brockton location to around Boston every restaurant I have been in the food is super spicey lately. Please be easy with the spice. read more