Welcome to The Flamingo
Nestled in Cedar Rapids, The Flamingo is a hidden gem renowned for its Friday night fish fry and inviting atmosphere. This cozy event center caters to both large parties and intimate dinners, offering a welcoming space for gatherings. Reviews highlight the Alaskan walleye, expertly cooked with a light cornmeal breading, and the flavorful homemade chips. While the waitstaff is attentive and efficient, early bird diners may find the venue bustling. With a menu that balances variety and simplicity, The Flamingo beckons those seeking a laid-back dining experience filled with Midwestern comfort food and warm hospitality.
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1211 Ellis Blvd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405, United States Hotline: +1 319-365-1534
Nestled in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, The Flamingo stands out as a hidden gem, charming locals with its vibrant atmosphere and delectable dishes. Located at 1211 Ellis Blvd NW, this restaurant carefully crafts an inviting experience, especially for those in search of the quintessential Midwest fish fry.
The Flamingo opens its doors to the public exclusively on Friday evenings, drawing in a diverse crowd eager to indulge in its specialties. The ambiance is perfect for gatherings, with large round tables accommodating parties of eight or more while still offering sections for intimate dining experiences. This format facilitates a lively yet comfortable environment, ideal for both families and friends.
One of the shining stars of the menu is the Alaskan walleye, lightly battered with a cornmeal breading that perfectly captures the essence of a classic fish fry—crispy and not greasy, maintaining a delicate balance that pleases the palate. Guests have been enthusiastic about this dish, often returning for its generous portions and significant flavor. The accompanying sides, like tangy party potatoes and crisp coleslaw, complement the fish beautifully, making every bite a celebration of taste.
Aside from its renowned fish fry, The Flamingo also delivers on other offerings. Diners have praised the homemade chips and garlic bread, both of which enhance the overall dining experience. One customer noted the distinct creaminess of their chicken Alfredo, suggesting a variation that stands out from your ordinary fare. This creativity indicates the kitchen's commitment to providing unique and memorable meals that leave an impression.
The attentive and friendly wait staff contribute to the restaurant's inviting atmosphere, swiftly clearing tables and ensuring that every diner feels valued. Despite the busy Friday scene, the team's efficiency does not go unnoticed; their camaraderie and team spirit enhance the overall dining experience.
In essence, The Flamingo is a promising destination that marries tradition with community spirit. It effectively draws in both those seeking a casual dinner and those organizing larger, celebratory gatherings. The menu, though focused, offers enough variety to invite culinary exploration, making each visit a new adventure.
If you’re in Cedar Rapids and in the mood for a memorable Friday evening, make sure to stop by The Flamingo. Whether it’s the fish fry you crave or a cozy spot to unwind with friends, you’ll leave satisfied and eager for your next visit.
After driving past for years we finally decided to pay a visit to The Flamingo. This restaurant is only open to the public for supper on Friday evenings. We went specifically for the fish fry dinners. If you are looking for the taste of a midwest fish fry, this is it. Being an event center, first and foremost, the tables are large and round. You can sit a large party of at least eight at one table, but groups of two and four are still given their own. There is some bar seating further back. This restaurant sees the early bird crowd, so keep that in mind when deciding how early or late you want to eat. My Alaskan walleye dinner was cooked with the light crispy breading I was looking for. These dinners are served with sides, mine gave coleslaw and a choice of potato. I really liked that the party potatoes were tangy with a vinegar taste. My husband got the full rack of ribs, which also tasted great. The wait staff was very friendly and they all worked together to clean up. I was so impressed when I saw them clear a large full table in less than a minute. Overall I will keep coming back. The menu has enough variety to try more, but is small enough to make the decision easy. If you want a low key dinner on a Friday night, give The Flamingo a go.
Fantastic venue for a party! Amy was easy to work with and the price was so much better than other venues!
You go to the Flamingo for pizza and the walleye. Neither disappointed! Plus the homemade chips are really good.
This location is only open to the public on Friday evenings. Their Friday fish fry seemed to be very popular. As someone who doesn’t eat fish, I was glad that the restaurant didn’t smell strongly of fish. We arrived at 415 (they open at 4) and they were already very busy. We did get a table but the space filled shortly after we arrived. The staff ran like crazy trying to serve everyone, but we still felt as though we could have had a bit more attention. Food portions were very generous. I enjoyed the chicken Alfredo. It’s was a different Alfredo sauce than I’ve had elsewhere; it was almost more ‘cheesy’, if that makes sense. The garlic bread was tasty. The French fries were very good. My husband was less than impressed with the all-you-can-eat Walleye. He thought most of the pieces were chewy, or very tough.
The fried fish was great, not a heavy breading. It's a cornmeal breading and wasn't greasy at all. It was all you can eat and it came out hot. We didn't care for the coleslaw but that's not the restaurant's fault, we just don't like celery seed. I had fries and didn't care for them but that's just my preference as they aren't crispy or seasoned. My mom got the party potatoes and she didn't love them but that again was just our preference on flavors. The next Friday I'm in town I'd definitely go back for the fish.