Flaming Joe's Seafood - Aurora

This is a great seafood bar and grill in the neighborhood. It gets quite busy on weekends, but the waitstaff are efficient and ensure that your food arrives promptly. The seafood is well-prepared, and they offer additional spices if you want to enhance the flavor. I would definitely visit again!

I usually don't enjoy seafood, but they offer some solid non-seafood choices. The pickle chips were a bit overly salty, but the pork rinds were tasty. The chicken fried rice was somewhat greasy, yet packed with good flavors, especially when topped with spicy mayo. Their fishbowl-style drinks are quite enjoyable as well. The bartenders were fantastic!

Above average, but not big, another 5 in my book, explains why at the end of my review: The food I had was decent, sufficiently portioned and with generous garlic taste (I had a combo boil cajon butter) they were from various articles because of the hurricane and waited for an increase. The house spicy was not really spicy, what is good (maybe between taco bell mild and hot) so if you really spicy things like me, ask them if they can really turn the heat? My SO had fried with delicious sauces and we also got some lemon pepper wings that were good. Alcoholic drinks were a bit watery, but we didn't really go to drink. Regarding the service, it seemed that our server was new to her job and repeatedly forgets things, but at least attentive and fast, we never felt that we were waiting for everything, although it was busy. So now I will explain why I still give them 5 stars and not 3 or 4. The biggest reason is the pandemic and inflation have essentially corrupted or set back at least years. The pandemic has made it hard that places like these remain in business, especially places that serve seafood. The market price for most seafood has increased last year 8-10%, which may not seem so much until you apply it to already expensive foods. Because of the pandemic, many people have become used to order food online through delivery services, sometimes not by choosing the restaurant, and in any case at the expense of the restaurant and the staff who are dependent on the Gratity that makes it more difficult, right staff a place. I have observed a lot of my favorite restaurants nearby, or have some hard decisions to make to scratch. It is a pleasant surprise to be able to add another restaurant that I am ready to go regularly. I revisit my assessment when I drastically change my mind.

As for the service, our server seemed new and occasionally forgot things; however, she was attentive and prompt, ensuring we never felt neglected even during busy times. Now, here's why I'm still giving them a 5-star rating instead of 3 or 4: the pandemic and inflation have made dining out increasingly difficult, particularly for seafood places. In the past year, seafood market prices have risen by 8-10%, which might not seem significant, but it really impacts already pricey items. Additionally, many diners have grown accustomed to ordering online through delivery services, which can hurt the restaurant's business and make it harder for them to adequately staff their team, affecting staff wages that rely on tips. I've seen many of my favorite restaurants close or struggle to stay afloat. So it’s refreshing to discover a new restaurant that I’m eager to return to regularly. If my opinion changes dramatically, I’ll update my rating.

Stop searching and just go! You won't regret it. Everything here is delicious, from the margaritas to the fried gator to the pho. I highly recommend this restaurant!