Marinas Bistro & Rum Bar

Hung out at a new Puerto Rican spot in Chicago. It came up in my IG and it was !!!! I went in with my entire family (5 kids, my hubby and my mami). The food was excellent. I'm a cook myself and am very picky with Puerto Rican spots in Chicago because they normally do not taste fresh, they may have a cheap style of rice with hardly no ingredients (its like playing a game of finding the gandules) or the food can be super greasy. BUT NOT HERE!!!! Marinas Bistro has fresh Puerto Rican food. The Jibaritos were juicy and NOT GREASY! Seasoning was so good and the tostones were perfect. My highlight were the beans. Guys!!!! These habichuelas were soooo good. They can be eaten alone Great bar as well with some yummy drinks (and mocktails that were just as good )You should definitly take the time to pass by and check it out. Eric the owner was so sweet with my entire crew and even made sure my hubs felt special on his birthday. It felt as if I went to the primos house down the barrio in PR. Wepa!

The drinks were AMAZING here is where it went done hill. The sever was great she had my drinks on point. But when our food arrived it lacked luster no flavor a really let down. The flavor was nothing to make me even believe this was Puerto Rican food. I am Jamaican and I would never recommend this place to anyone. Who was Puerto Rican Sorry, guys Please don't think this place is authentic Puerto Rican. It lacks all the flavor s that Puerto Rican culture has to provide.

Been wanting to try this place since they first opened. Visited this week and everything was fantastic. Great food and friendly staff. I will definitely be coming back. Excited to have them as a part of Uptown!One note: Their online reservation system isn't easy to use, so try calling to make a reservation instead.

First time at Marinas and I will be back. They got some great tasty drinks and Medallas!!! Food was on point. I tried the mofongo and yes it is a winner!! My companion had the vegan jibarito and she loved it. Service was phenomenal. The owner stopped by our table to see how we were doing. Thank you!

The food was delicious. So much flavor! The staff was so nice. The place was beautiful and clean. I will be back and plan to tell everyone to check this place out.

This is such a cute spot and I'm so glad I made my way out here on a snowy evening. I'd been reading other Yelp reviews about the complimentary plantain chips with guava butter and they did not disappoint at all. I'd been having a meh day (seasonal depression is so real) and the moment I ate these plantain chips, my day and mood was transformed. Eating here really reset my spirit.They do seem busy (at least on a Saturday night), so I definitely recommend making a reservation if you can. I was lucky to get a seat at the bar. I very much enjoyed the side of majado (mashed malanga roots) that came with my steak jibarito. I wouldn't say this is the best jibarito I've had (tough competition here in Chicago), but still good and I'd definitely come back here.I didn't get a drink this time but the drinks looked delicious. I also appreciated the service - they were so busy but I definitely felt checked upon and they're definitely doing a great job. This is a business I'm definitely rooting for and recommend y'all check out. It's also a cute place, so definitely lovely for a date or a nice dinner with friends.

What a delightful new addition to the neighborhood! Discovering this new Puerto Rican spot closer to home was a pleasant surprise. It's a cozy restaurant nestled in a small strip mall, although parking can be a hassle; personally, I prefer street parking, which is abundant nearby. The ambiance is incredibly welcoming, evoking memories of my last trip to San Juan.Our visit on a weekday afternoon was wonderful; we practically had the restaurant to ourselves, which made the service incredibly personalized. The bartender was attentive, and it was heartening to interact with what appeared to be the owner, who was exceptionally kind. He not only took our order but also checked on us regularly throughout the meal. Before our main course, we were delighted with a starter of plantain chips paired with guava-flavored butter, which was a definite hit. I also had the "El Chillin" mocktail which offered a refreshing experience, providing a burst of tropical flavors. However, its price felt a bit steep, especially considering it's a non-alcoholic beverage. Moving on to the main course, I opted for the jibarito with bistec, accompanied by arroz con gandules. Curious about how it would compare to similar offerings in the city, I was pleasantly surprised by the outstanding quality of the sandwich. The meat was tender and juicy, while the toppings inside were incredibly fresh. Despite the garlic topping, the plantains remained wonderfully crisp without being overly greasy. As for the arroz con gandules, it was flavorful and satisfying without feeling overly heavy.In conclusion, I am thoroughly satisfied with this new dining spot! It's a fantastic choice for a satisfying lunch.

AMAZING food, drinks and ambianceI have been waiting months to try this place!! My partner noticed it while walking. Can't wait to be back!! The food is fantastic!! I had the bistec encebollado with rice. Could not get enough!! The Calle Loíza was the perfect end of summer drink!! Our server was so sweet and nice!! Gave us great recommendations.

I went to Marinas Bistro & Rum Bar this week. It is located in the Uptown area. The restaurant is located in a strip mall with a tiny parking lot. The restaurant/ bar and restaurant are extremely small. It was crowded and I felt like a sardine in a can! The ambiance is good and the decorations are very modern and cute. I ordered a cocktail that cost around 14 dollars. It was average, and lacking liquor. I also had their complimentary Plantain Chips and Guava sauce, which was tasty. It took a while to get my drink. People that were seated after me received their cocktails 10 minutes before me, so that was puzzling. The waitress was friendly, but there was only 1 waitress serving in this busy restaurant at dinner time. Unfortunately, my experience was very uncomfortable, I wanted to leave quickly. This restaurant is too small to have a girl's night out!

Amazing food, great service, and awesome vibes. Owner is super nice and friendly. The drinks are amazing. A very cute spot. I love the names of all the cocktails and the variety. I love that I found this spot with such amazing meals that taste like home with great flavor!!