Flameburger — Restaurant in Hilltop

Flameburger was a surprising experience! Full disclosure..I am a food snob! Although I've passed this place more times than I can possibly count (It's right on Central Avenue) the external tired appearance, and my own internal thoughts of what Flameburger could possibly be, dissuaded my desire to ever go. I'm issuing a PUBLIC APOLOGY and a direct apology to Jim (the love of my life) for the past 12 years of missed opportunities. He brought it up as an option early on. I'm guessing I was less than kind about our possible attendance. We stopped in once, and to my relief they were closed..He never pushed it. I'm admittedly difficult. Well..I WAS WRONG!! Note to self, follow your own advice and never judge a book by it's cover!! Flameburger was incredible! Everything was spot on! Perfect Burgers(grilled onions to die for), amazing fish,the best onion rings I've ever had. Crinkle cut fries (which I usually frown upon) were deep fried in some sort of magic! I'm not even a fried food big fan,but exceptions were made and everything was exceptional. Even the soda was pretty old school delicious! The atmosphere...at first, old, tired, I hate booths, but we made do..After a little bit, I felt all the vintagy kitschy goodness of days gone by. And it was clean!! This is huge, it was super clean. No lingering odors of oil and the smell of the flames and fresh burger meat were on point! I always thought it was a counter service fast food type place, so I was pleasantly surprised to sit and have an actual menu in hand and a real live Server. Wonderful Jessie came and took our order (with a pen and pad!). Not ordering from an app at the table is definitely something I'm coming to appreciate. Once again, old school for the win! I love to see who is involved! Watching John flip burgers in flames taller than me on the flame grill, work the fryers and land all of our food exactly timed perfectly was art!! The price point was still affordable and based on what was on our plates, definitely a better bet than most places. We'll definitely be going back as I was distracted and forgot to order a malt and a milkshake to go..I'm guessing they will match all of the rest of the goodness.. And who knew!!! Breakfast is a big thing here. Yes, we'll have to make it a destination spot for breakfast one day soon!! Soooo, if you already knew, you knew. I hope that I'm outing a possibly well kept secret. For all of my fellow foodies, put down your phones and ordering apps, get out of your food halls and pretentious hand crafted nonsense, skip your bougie happy hour over inflated $14 appetizers matched with your $14 cocktails and don't miss the opportunity to go to Flameburger! You won't regret it! I wanted to add a second review but I was unable so I'll add to this first review. We came back for a second time. Walked in at 9:15 (they close at 10). We were kindly welcomed and told to stay and order, no problem. Once again everything was fabulous and on point! Nick was magic on the grill and proved that only pros (two different people so far) are cooking here. Jessie was there again and she sparkles like sunshine. We took home leftovers and 3 shakes which were pretty old school amazing. Breakfast is next on our list and most likely malts. We will be...

I visited this place with a couple of coworkers last Thursday, the 16th, and had such an impressionable visit that I needed to come here and share my little experience. It felt very similar to any diner scene from Twin Peaks where all these quirky and mysterious locals congregate for a bite to eat and to murmur amongst each other over the town's happenings. Upon walking in, sitting at the table closest to the main window was a couple dressed in rugged, black attire leaning in closely to each other and gesturing generously as they spoke- clearly the mysterious ones. The cook was tall, skinny, quiet, and he kept his focus on the cooking. He very much reminded me of The Giant from TP. On our left was a man sitting alone, rather shaky, and it seemed like he was waiting for someone. We were greeted by the waitress in such a genuinely sweet fashion; she asked us all the basic questions and let us know what food was good, but it was the fluctuations and tone of her voice that made me feel like we were special guests there. She seemed like an oddball with her kiddish, blue sunglasses that she kept putting up and down despite it being dark outside, along with a gigantic book she went back to every couple of minutes. I sat back and observed all these people while waiting for my coworkers to get their food and felt like for some reason I was meant to be there in that moment. All of these unique individuals came together in this unremarkable, small diner to experience a piece of life before moving on to the next thing. Before we left, I told the waitress she has a beautiful energy and that I felt drawn to her. She responded with appreciation and mentioned how it can be hard (to be positive) at work sometimes. If she sees this, I hope she reaches out. I had such a brief but memorable visit that day, and I definitely will go back at some point. And as far as the food goes, I didn't order anything, but my coworkers absolutely loved what they got. It's a good place...

Went around 1:30 AM and witnessed a ridiculous scene which started as an irate customer being obnoxious- to which security did nothing to diffuse the situation. Following this customers outbursts, the CHEF engages with her using tons of profane language and continuing to egg on the situation. I understand it can be frustrating, but you’re working at a 24 hour diner on a Friday night... have some self control. Their nonsense spills over into the parking lot where someone is seen spraying pepper spray. Eventually police arrive, and yet employees are still inside loudly discussing everything that had transpired. And with no regard that other customers had asked that the door be locked to prevent these people from entering back inside, clearly we all felt a certain sense of danger, there was not even an apology from the staff... as a matter of fact, they just laughed it off. I do not place blame on them for having a rowdy customer, but the way that the situation was handled was totally inappropriate and all the other guests truly deserved AT LEAST an apology. Not to mention, my scrambled eggs with cheese cake with a lazily-tossed-on slice of American cheese that was hardly even melted. Just an overall disappointing experience. On a positive note, the pancakes & French toast were tasty, and the only reason for a...