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Restaurant Ratings

The ratings are based mostly on the degree to which the food excites us, and a little on environment, service, and other considerations. I rate restaurants relative to all other restaurants in the New Orleans area. Here's what the stars mean to me:

starstarstarstarstar
Among the best locally.

starstarstarstar
Excellent and ambitious.

starstarstar
Worth crossing town for.

starstar
Recommended.

*
Acceptable.

No star
Unacceptable.

Cost Ratings
Each dollar sign indicates a ten-dollar range, including a normal meal for the restaurant (dinner, if they serve other meals), not including drinks, or tips. So, for example. . .

1$--$5-15
2$--$15-25
3$--$25-35

. . . and so on, with no upper limit. While this scheme may suggest mathematical precision, know that perception of price varies from diner to diner as much as the star ratings do. So consider this an estimate.

All reviews are based entirely on meals I have personally taken at the restaurant and paid for from my own pocket. I don't take free review meals, nor am I reimbursed by anybody for my restaurant expenditures.

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Country Flame

Mexican. Cuban. Barbecue.
French Quarter: 620 Iberville . 504-522-1138 . Map.
Lunch and dinner continuously, seven days.
Very Casual.
AE MC V

WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
The name and the look of the place both suggest that this is a barbecue joint. It is, but the menu is primarily Cuban, with enough Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes that those looking for any variety of taco will be satisfied. So will those whose palate finds more to like when the price is low.

WHY IT'S GOOD
The cooking is reasonably decent, but well short of the genius that its most enthusiastic fans accord it. The best dishes are the long-cooked meats like ropa vieja, the sandwiches, and the grilled steaks and chops. But even these need a "for the price" qualifier.

BACKSTORY
The Country Flame opened in the late 1980s looking like a back-door operation of Mena's Palace, which was adjacent in those days. (It wasn't.) It got a lot of its trade from Mena's overflow, and those looking for a plate of barbecue ribs. As Cuban and interior Mexican food became more popular, the Country Flame found more adherents for that side of its menu, which dominates the action now.

DINING ROOM
Those who insist that Latin American food can't possibly be authentic or good unless it's served in a worn-out old place with mismatched silverware and marginal tidiness will love this cramped little spot.

ESSENTIAL DISHES
Quesadilla.
Cuban sandwiches.
Beef fajitas.
Shrimp fajitas.
Ropa vieja (shredded beef stew).
Pork chops.
Steaks, Cuban style and otherwise.
Barbecue ribs.
Daily specials.

FOR BEST RESULTS
Avoid arriving at noon, when the tables can fill up.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
A major cleanup and renovation would take this restaurant far.

FACTORS OTHER THAN FOOD
Up to three points, positive or negative, for these characteristics. Absence of points denotes average performance in the matter.

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES

This review was updated with new information on 11/30/2009.

 

A list of all 275 full, current reviews is here.