Flames Mediterranean Grill

Great Falafel!

I was sad to see this place replaced by a burger bar.
I remember when Flames first opened.
The manager was always around and eager to please.
The manager really cared about customer feedback and let me try new things.
The chicken skewer plate was delicious.
The shwarma was juicy and flavorful.
I miss their grape leaves and cucumber salad.
This was the best Mediterranean food in the area (with the exception of the Mediterranean/​Armenian alley).
I know that the manager or owner of this place has another location near Pasadena under a different name.
If you find it/​know of it, please let me know!

4.5 stars, really. 5 for falafel and 4 for the meat.
Food:
–Falafel: the falafel here is better than any I’ve had in LA so far (Zankou, Spitz, Mediterranean Grill, Arax.)
–Salatas: unique to Flames is the variety of «salads» that you can choose with your plate. Lots of veggies and dips that you can spread on pita or eat straight. I like the babaganoush, tomato-​eggplant salad and jalapeño hummus.
–Schawarma/​Kebab: has been dry in the past but more recently has been moist and well-​seasoned.
–Pita: they use my favorite kind. Only the best!
Service:
–Really enjoyed speaking with the owner. And he’ll let you try samples of the dips before you buy.

This place looks nicer than the other places downtown. It’s in a less «scary» portion.
The food was ok. Seemed like a fast food type of place. All of the dips and dressings looked sad in their little display case. As if they buy everything that way — in buckets. Even the pita looked store bought. When I ordered hummus to go, 2 small pieces of pita bread were taken out and warmed up over a stove. I guess to make it seem like it was just handmade. I grabbed a felafel wrap also. Again, in a small pita that held 3 little felafel balls, tahini sauce, and a scoop of store-​bought salad :/​. For the $ 10 check, I was disappointed and left wanting more.

When my friend suggested Flames and I found out it was on 7^th Street in Downtown, I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical. Good Mediterranean food in Downtown LA? Even when I walked into the restaurant, I still wondered why he picked this of all places to have dinner– it looked like a cleaner-​than-​average hole-​in-​the-​wall, with barely enough seating for 20 people.
As I should’ve known by now, looks can be deceiving. Flames serves GREAT food– honestly, some of the best Mediterranean food I’ve had in a while. For a little less than $ 25, my friend and I ordered two pitas (shawarma and chicken shish kabob) and a «small» combo salad plate– way more than enough food for two guys.
The pitas were BIG and full of meat and vegetables– relatively healthy for such a hefty meal. With the salads, I’d honestly come back to this place just for the falafel alone– tasted just as good as the falafel they have at the famous Sahara Falafel down in Anaheim! Coupled with the jalapeño hummus (just enough kick) and top notch babaganoush (creamy and just the right amount of chunky), Flames is definitely not your average mom-​and-​pop joint peddling the same Mediterranean food you can find all over Southern California.
A special aside on the hot potatoes and potato chips — man, does Flames know how to cook some good spud! The potato chips are delicious but deadly… Basically the same stuff as those «Australian double-​battered chips» they sell at the LA or Orange County Fairs, but sliced smaller. Imagine Shakey’s mojos that are fried once, then after the oil drips off, dumped back in the fryer and flash-​fried again.
Yep…
This place gets 5 stars for providing delicious, fresh, reasonably priced Mediterranean food in a part of Downtown LA where you definitely wouldn’t expect it. Sure you have to cover your nose and hold your breath to avoid the smell of dry pee wafting up from the concrete, but hey, what good things in life come without a cost?
Moral of the story: next time you walk by a small restaurant in a piss-​covered part of Downtown, pause for a moment… You don’t want to miss a hidden gem!

This place was okay. Came here after the artwalk. I got the Kosher steak and it was fairly decent. They really filled the sandwich with many ingredients. They have the condiments table which had the hot sauce that was alright.
Pretty good for the price. My honey got the hummus and he really enjoyed. This place is good to stop by for a quick grub.

First time here. REALLY friendly service +1 star. The meal is pretty good too and you get a Unilocal check in deal of a falafel pita (buy 1 get 1 free). I got the beef kabob which was really tasty and perfectly cooked in my opinion. They have these homemade potato chips that are great as well. If you choose the rice they give you a lot, it’s good too.
I’m really into tabouli, but the tabouli here was only okay. I aslo had the eggplant tomato. If you like eggplant, this is great. The plate with a drink was about $ 12. The food is good enough and plentiful, so I don’t feel robbed, but I would love to try one of their lunch specials in the future, which I only discovered after ordering.
I may even sit in their shop next time, it was small but has a tv to enjoy while you’re eating. A good way to get away from my desk. I’ll be back. YUM!
Oh yes, AND they deliver, or you can pre-​order.

WOW! I love deliciously seasoned food and during the last DTLA artwalk we stumbled upon this gem of a place. I ordered the chicken shish kabob and my mouth starts to water as I remember the flavors. The chicken was so tender and seasoned to perfection. I got it wrapped in a pita bread and it came with the usual works, lettuce, onions, tatziki sause… They also serve you a few pita chips.
The guy behind the counter was rather busy but helpful. The order did take a bit but this is a small establishment and they get a lot of takeout orders, or so it seemed.
*If you check-​in there is a deal that will give you a free order.

Came here on a sturday evening small place in downtown This place has no parking but you can park a feww blocks away and walk around to eat here.
I got a free plate with check in. :). Steak and rice with mash was really good. This place is next to a club and theres many wineries and galleries near by to walk around.
Also next to the jewlery district.

Quick fix before celebrating my brother’s b-​day next door at Silo…
* Falafel balls + Baba ganoush= DELICIOUS!
* SERVICE: 2 thumbs up! they were both very friendly and patient! thanks guys!

Food: The plates are good but the «dips» are better (beef kabob was just okay). Their hummus and baba ganoush are unforgettable. The hot potatoes aren’t bad either!
Price: Comparable for downtown – BUT they give you fairly big portions.
Service: So friendly and nice. Delivery is considerably fast.
Will continue to come here!

I don’t know how I missed this place but I did. I came here the other day to get my SO a shawarma wrap and I decided to get a falafel wrap. I am not a huge fan of falafels until now. That wrap was amazing! My SO loved his shawarma too.
It’s really reasonable too!

Oh so good.
Fast food Mediterranean grill. Affordable. Clean (white interior, bright) Healthy, minus the fried items. Good portion control.
I love Med. food, esp when it comes fast. Quick on service. I had the chicken wrap and the hummas. So delicious!
Warning: no restrooms! Other than that, I’m a fan.
Enjoy.

Flames has a reason for being especially along this stretch of DTLA. The perfect combination of fresh, fabulous food with amazing service and a fast, casual healthy eatery is always a sorely needed option anywhere.
After going for the first time, I am tempted to stop by anytime I’m back in DTLA looking for a quick bite to eat. I lucked out on parking, but I would imagine this is a dream for locals who are within walking distance of this little eatery.
The food is fantastic. While I was waiting for my schawarma pita, the owner provided me with some samples of babaganoush and jalapeño hummus among others. All very tasy. I liked it so much that I switched to the spicy hummus on my schawarma and ordered a separate side dish of the babaganoush. My falafel was fresh and plentiful. Unless you are looking to get stuffed, the pita size will be sufficient for average diets. The owner came back out onto the patio and even provided us with complimentary pieces of falafel and a panapoly of sauces and side dishes.
I couldn’t ask for a better fast casual Meditteranean experience. I will be definitely going back whenever I am back in the area.

I ordered the shawarma pita and enjoyed it with the peppercinis from the condiment bar. The owner was nice enough to give me a free sample of the falafel, it was BOMB! Why? Because he makes it fresh!
My favorite is the Falafel Laffa, just wish there could be more falafel in there. One of my perfect meals after a workout. As far as taste, the shawarma could use more seasoning.
4 Stars for being in dtla, pricing, and service. eh, parking could be a challenge.

Flames is a good take out joint. My lady and I had the shwarma plate and chicken fajita plate and both were pretty good. The shwarma at Flames is made with turkey and lamb, an interesting combo, but it isn’t half bad. The chicken fajita is tasty and is great with the pita. The sides that are offered are numerous. They have great rice and their home made «mojo» style potatoes are crispy and flavorful.
Everyone behind the counter was very friendly. They offer samples of any of the food they serve. The owner, David, offered a sample of his falafel, Anyone living in downtown Los Angeles can enjoy Flames’ delivery service.

«But Jen, you only had their falafel?»
Me in response: «Yeah so what?»
Falafel is bomb. Green inside (apparently this is normal and legit if you are from Lebanon.) Flavored and seasoned, then deep-​fried into a golden, toasty ball of yumminess.
Nazi like owner bragged about how his stuff is legit and not like other crappy chains. I had no idea what he was talking about but sure, okay! He was funny and entertaining.
My meal companions (no, not male companions, although they were male too) had their sandwiches to which they demolished.
This is newly opened. Don’t think they will need much help but I hope they garner more attention and business.

LAMB TACOS — that’s whatsup.
They have some craaazy ass french fry things too.

This place opened next door… so I was obligated to try it out!
The falafel (which they gave me a taste of for FREE) was unreal. Absolutely. Perfect. I was impressed. They were only 1 week into their open, so the full menu wasn’t avail, but the shwarma I has was excellent and the hummus was garlicky — just how I like it! And I am not sure what the deal is with the chip/​fry/​potato like things that come with the meal… but I need more STAT! Overall I was happy with my experience and will def be back!
I’m sorry City Grill, but I have a new love now!!!

The original Falafel King has opened Flames Mediterranean Grill in downtown. The falafel are super fresh and fluffy, not sinkers. They are bright green inside and even have a little kick to them, Paired with the tahini and cucumber salad they are perfect. I also tried the shawarma which is a mix of lamb and turkey, it is really flavorful and I like the crispy crust. In the heart of the jewelry/​historic districts it’s a great lunch option and they’re open until 2am on th-​sat. Also open on sunday so downtowners have a great new weekend option. Long live the King!
Added pictures, but they really don’t represent the good food. If you like falafel, try them here, they are really good! And they also have a bunch of salads like the tomato cucumber in the photo, they have an eggplant tomato salad that is really yummy. the menu is pretty simple, but that is the idea here. It’s worth a try, especially for those of us who live downtown. Thanks Flames!