Dragon Flame Chinese Grill 龙焱烧烤 — Restaurant in Tempe

TL;DR: How many people were paid for their review? Below is the average review from our party of 6. We are not food snobs and we've been to a variety of Chinese restaurants. Our expectations were based primarily on the reviews and the emplouee's high recommendations when I called and made the reservation as well as our server.

On-line reservation didn't work so I called and made a reservation for 6 on Saturday. Upon arrival I noticed only 4 or so designated parking spaces (the barbershop next door have many more!) which should have been a clue. (Restaurant responded with 15 designated spaces in the back and that is not true.) Then they had no record of our reservation and parties of our size are mandatory to sit outside. Fortunately the weather was warm and we were the only people there at that time. After being seated we asked what they had for drinks and any alcohol can be purchased at the liquor store a couple of doors down. A couple of us were offered sparkling water which was flavored and we were not told that in advance. Our meal started with dumplings and cumin chicken legs. They gave is bowls, not plates, for family style eating - which would have been fine but the bowls we were given held approximately one cup of food, really small. The dumplings are decent. The North China cumin chicken legs look like ribs because all of the meat was shaved off and the cartilage on the ends was bigger than the meat in the center. It basically tasted like fried seasoning on bone with very little meat. The flavor of the seasoning was good. The beef skewers were okay, one bite was all fat, one bite was gristled and three bites were decent. The lemon chicken, which was highly recommended by the server as well as reviews, was $27. It tasted like an unusual sweet and sour chicken and had very little lemon flavor. For the money, it was mostly batter and small chicken pieces with sweet and sour sauce. We also ordered Chong Quing Noodle and Lamb Rice Noodle which had very little meat (about 3 pieces) which wasn't adequate for a sharable. The flavor was a bit bland but okay. Keep in mind, all of this was going in a one cup portioned bowl. The Emperor Fried Rice, which was $26 was very bland but the rice was cooked well.

Overall we were very disappointed with our meal and for the price could have went to an average Chinese place for better value. Our server was nice and tried to do a good job. By the time we left there were only three tables occupied.

If you go there start with low expectations is...

There is nothing authentic about this food. If you told me everything was frozen and then reheated I wouldn’t be surprised. Please avoid at all costs. Don’t order take out, don’t dine in, find something else. Get a bucket of spaghetti from the place next door.

Went there on 4/14, Sunday afternoon. Place was completely dead except for 3 other patrons. Once we were sat, we were handed 3 different sheets and then a giant tablet to order. On one sheet it’s just an announcement to elicit sympathy and tell you that everything is some ancient recipe and all home cooked. By the way you have to order on your phone, it’s unnecessarily confusing.

Got the orange chicken that comes with rice, dumplings, chicken egg rolls. They had no ice for our drinks which I understand if the ice machine is down. Took about 20-30ish minutes to get our drinks. Just orders 2 diet cokes. Another 10ish minutes, we finally got our food and are then told there’s no white rice, but they can give us fried rice(how?). I happily oblige and ask for the fried rice instead. About 10-15 minutes later waitress comes out with a bowl of white rice with no explanation, and it makes me think they dug it out from the back of the fridge. I wanted the fried rice but didn’t bother asking to swap it out.

Dumplings were tasteless and there was a strange texture to them. Undercooked on the top and then mushy and falling apart on the bottom. I’ve had plenty of dumplings, these were terrible, did not finish them. Orange chicken was fine, literally could have been from a frozen meal box, nothing special. Chicken Eggrolls were crispy at least. White rice was barely warm, something was off and did not finish it. Was not offered any soy sauce or chili oil, had to ask for it. Soy sauce is served in a bowl that makes a mess when you try and pour it out. Just have a kikkoman bottle at the table it’s not that complicated. Waitress did take the dumplings off our bill because they were just not good.

Service was essentially nonexistent. I can’t fault the waitresses we don’t know what’s going on back there but there’s only 5 of us in the entire restaurant, it was not busy. I regret going there and I truly believe any and all reviews above 3 stars have to be bought or fake. As fake as the cuisine being...

Overview: Dragon Flame BBQ offers a delightful dive into the world of Chinese barbeque, with a menu rich in traditional flavors and a modern twist on classic dishes. The ambiance is casual and welcoming, making it perfect for both family dinners and casual meet-ups with friends.

Food: The menu at Dragon Flame BBQ is diverse, featuring a variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables, all cooked to perfection over an open flame. The standout dishes include:

Char Siu Pork: Tender and juicy with a perfect balance of sweet and savory glaze. Lamb Skewers: Marinated with cumin and chili, grilled to a delightful char. Peking Duck: Crispy skin and succulent meat, served with traditional pancakes and hoisin sauce. Grilled Eggplant: Smoky flavor with a hint of garlic, a great option for vegetarians.

The accompanying sides, such as the spicy cucumber salad and the steamed buns, are equally delicious and complement the main dishes well.

Service: The staff at Dragon Flame BBQ are friendly and attentive. They are knowledgeable about the menu and offer great recommendations based on customer preferences. The food is served promptly, and the staff frequently check in to ensure a pleasant dining experience.

Ambiance: The restaurant features a cozy interior with a blend of modern and traditional Chinese decor. The open kitchen concept allows diners to watch the grilling process, adding to the overall experience. The seating is comfortable, and the atmosphere is lively without being too noisy.

Price: The prices at Dragon Flame BBQ are reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. Expect to spend around $20-30 per person, which is well worth it for the flavorful and satisfying meal you’ll receive.

Conclusion: Dragon Flame BBQ is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Chinese BBQ with a contemporary flair. With its delicious food, excellent service, and inviting atmosphere, it’s a great spot for both casual outings and...