a long platter of vegetables
This the specialty of the house. The stuffed pineapple.
Whole fried snapper platter
Free ceviche and tostadas, Michelada
a tall glass filled with ice
a plate of shrimp and rice salad
a plate of salad with cucumbers and tomatoes
a plate of shrimp tacos and a tortilla
Nom Nom
Evelyn J.
Aug 18, 2023
To start, there is parking which is very important in the city. We dine in on a Thursday night, and it was not busy at all. We were greeted with a smile and got seated right away. The service was great! We got Ceviche and tostadas to start. I got platillo de langostinos. The food was excellent and exceeded our expectations. These have to be the biggest and most delicious langostinos I have ever had in Chicago. Food was served hot and very delicious. Prices are fair. This restaurant is definitely a family place or you can come with friends or by yourself to enjoy good seafood. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a place to eat delicious seafood.
Read MoreJanely H.
Dec 21, 2017
Such a "wOrm" experience: Yelp I love you, but there has to be a way to give restaurants such as this one NO stars for such unfortunate experiences.After today's horrendous experience, of finding a WORM in my food (yes a WORM- photo attached), I will no longer be returning. I have been coming to this Islas Maria's for approximately 6 years. I have been loyal to this particular location literally on a weekly basis, not minding the 45-1 hour commute, all because of the quality.On today's date 12/21/17 at approx 6pm, my friends and I each ordered drinks, an order of mejillones to share and fajitas mixtas. Less than halfway of eating through the order of fajitas, I noticed something out of the ordinary within the fajitas. I used a fork to separate it and examine it on a separate plate. The "thing" was about two inches in length, curved, brownish in color, with little rings throughout, all of which indicated to being a WORM! I was completely disgusted! The waitress was polite about it and said she would show the chef. She takes the plate with her to the kitchen and shortly comes back out and was told by the chef that it was an over cooked piece of bell pepper (Chile morron). I literally laughed and told her there was no way in hell. Neither the chef nor the owner or whoever was in charge for that matter, came to even "explain" or even apologize. No I was not looking for a free meal, but the fact that only the fajitas were removed from the bill didn't make the experience any better. Uh hello I just found a WORM in my food!!!!! The waitress who initially took our order did not even come back for the bill after she took the plate containing the WORM. Guess she was just as embarrassed for trying to say the WORM was a piece of Chile morron lol. Instead, another waitress came by to pick up the bill and we then left. Yes I was PISSED, but I figured rather than making a scene at the restaurant, writing this review of my awful experience will hurt them more. I hope this yelp review helps others in choosing a better restaurant. I will for sure not return here again. Absolutely disgusted with my experience and how poorly it was handled.
Read MoreCharlie M.
Oct 22, 2018
Great find as we were leaving the Windy City. Fresh seafood prepared perfectly. Huge portions and attentive service. Do stop and enjoy.
Read MoreSarah H.
Aug 2, 2010
2 words: QUE RICO!! Visited this place on a total whim; was hungry while on the southwest side, craving something fried but not Harold's-y. Drove past it and was drawn in by the completely en espanol sign and the packed parking lot. Was further encouraged when I walk in and its all hispanic families enjoying a sunday meal. I sat myself and so began the mexican seafood BONANZA. Order me a Michelada (mexican bloody mary w/ beer not vodka), u get your choice of beer (corona, modelo, tecate) and am presented w/ their version of "chips and salsa", house made fish ceviche, tostadas, chopped jalepenos and lime. Oh, yea, thats free btw, and you can get more if you ask. After tasting it, I can tell the fish they get is fresh so I order the whole fried snapper. After downing about 4 tostadas (seriously I coulda just eaten that), a 2lb+ snapper, head, tail and all comes out to me (see pic). It came w/ rice, fries, an undressed salad and a piece of garlic toast. Fish was expertly cleaned and scored for easy eating, well seasoned and fried perfectly. I wanted to eat the whole thing, but I was getting uncomfortably full. Left w/ a jamaica (hibiscus drink) to go because I needed something sweet. Breakdown of my tab: -Michelada: $6-Snapper: $14.95-Jamaica: $1.95-Total w/ tip: $30 (I tip well, so should you)But yes, this place is the beeznees. Must go back to try their 7 seafood soup and well, pretty much everything including the GINORMOUS mexican shrimp cocktails I saw walking past me. Not quite sure if there is a language barrier, I ordered and conversed w/ my server totalmente en espanol, but the menu is in both english and spanish and im sure if you do have communication issues, the good 'ol point and smile will surely do the trick.Not quite sure if this is part of chain, I think its kinda how Los Burritos Tapatios is a chain, but is slightly different at each venue. Buen provecho!
Read MoreDestiny R.
Mar 12, 2019
Waitress was ok food was ok just didn't like that I was charged for stuff I didn't order and then the tip was included. Like ok whatever but if I had to I'd give my waitress $5 Bc she wasn't special lol then to reiterate the percentages of top after tip is included?? Nope. Goodbye.
Read MoreET D.
Mar 5, 2018
My dad, brother, husband and I ordered a ton of food from here (on accident). Placed an order for pick up over the phone. They only spoke Spanish. My Spanish is good, but not excellent. So I ordered large portions of the paella, levantamuertos, and red snapper, as well as the salmon for my brother (which doesn't come in large). I didn't know how to ask how large the large was (assumed it would be slightly larger). Turns out that a large feeds about 4-5 people!! We had wayyy too much food. That being said, it was all delicious. Good flavor. Not too spicy. They give you a LOT of seafood in the rice dishes. Very fresh. Excellent and lots of leftovers for the week.
Read MoreGnvrley R.
May 11, 2018
This is my go-to spot for the large charola "levanta muertos" lol. It's amazing. Delectable, vibrant, fresh, hot, deliciousness. It's always on point. A full tray fed myself and three other chicks.
Read MoreVeronica A.
Jan 18, 2017
I really wanted to try this place because I love seafood and I was disappointed I did not like it the ceviche was too dry and the shrimp cocktail was not good it had a weird taste and the shrimp tasted like it was frozen , my mom didn't like her food I don't think I will be returning to this place
Read MoreJose G.
Feb 16, 2014
The food was pretty decent. I took my girlfriend here for a Valentine's day dinner. The place was packed and service was slow. After the wait we finally had our food and I must say the food had its high and low points. The fish was very tender and expertly cooked. Everything else pretty much felt lacking. The vegetables weren't too fresh, and the rice felt frozen. But everything else was quite delectable. Although a bit pricey, we both left happy. I'd recommend this to a seafood lover for sure. Be warned. It's gonna be packed.
Read MoreWhite A.
Jan 29, 2021
So good for the kids and the hood of my truck is coming out and I'm heading to the restaurant for the langostinos
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