Marlin's Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Decatur

This was our first visit and it was outstanding! We went on Tuesday evening around 700 pm. There were not many people there and we were greeted by a friendly woman and seated immediately. Our server was Samuel and he was absolutely wonderful. He came and took our drink order, gave us a basket of yummy hush puppies with a creamy dip, and we looked over the menu while he got our drinks. When he came back we asked him what he recommended and what HE would order. He asked if we had any particular likes or dislikes and when we said no he dove right in. He pointed out the catfish filets and steaks and said the whole fried tilapia was an authentic fish and was great as well as the fajitas being popular. Very friendly and helpful and willing to answer questions. Now on to the food..... We decided to start with and share a shrimp cocktail. I was not prepared for this dish y'all. Samuel brought it and it was beautiful. 10 shrimp around the edge of a giant glass. Inside the glass was a gazpacho type cold soup with avocados, cucumbers, cilantro, and a nicely spiced tomato base that tasted like a delicious bloody mary. Samuel even brought a small sleeve of saltines to go with it. The shrimp was tender and not rubbery. Just perfectly done. This reminded me so much of the fresh ceviche I grew up eating in Tampa where I grew up. So fresh and great. Our meals came and the portions were very generous. My husband got steak, chicken and shrimp fajitas and he brought over half of it home. All of the meat was perfectly cooked. The steak was not overdone and he enjoyed it all so much. I chose the fried catfish filets and got fries and coleslaw. The sides were good but I didn't eat them because I was simply too full. The catfish filets were HUGE. There were two and I could barely eat one of them. They put any other catfish I have had in this area to shame. Giant filets, boneless, seasoned with a slightly spicy breading and fried until just perfectly done. Not overcooked, not crispy and curled up. So delicious. We had a wonderful experience. We don't eat out often and the last few times we have been out at various places we have been so disappointed. Marlins definitely set the bar high for a wonderful meal,.great service and a relaxing environment. We will be going back.

Oh one more thing..... Samuel told me that they will make ceviche if you ask for it. So next time we go, I will definitely be asking them to make...

Have been here twice already after work for dinner and drinks with coworkers and it is an absolutely awesome place!

The staff are very professional they have the down south hospitality atmosphere and are very friendly. They have suggested nothing but amazing food choices and take care of you!

The atmosphere of the restaurant is different more of a sports bar/restaurant now but still the same layout as O'Charley's was before but with new paint, pictures and lighting!

They have TVs around the bar with all the latest games and more on!

The food is absolutely delicious and not crazy expensive.

I definitely recommend the nachos, the quesadilla, and the burgers and steaks.

Their calamari and street corn dip with pickled onions is very good (ask for extra pickled onions they are so tasty!😋)

Their nacho chips are the best chips ever they are crunchy but fluffy at the same time with a little pinch of salt oh man, I do not know how they do it but they are amazing.

They are more of an all around restaurant they have surf and turf, steaks , hamburgers nachos, quesadillas and more!

They have the robot from the kitchen that delivers plates to the bar and tables around the restaurant it is very entertaining especially for kids!

Their steaks are no BS! They get top of the line beef only and their burgers look like monster Krabby patties!!

I plan on having the t-bone next time I go!

They also have great drinks and are one of the only few places that carries Cabo tequila!

Me and my buddies will definitely return and bring my wife and kids next time!!

Marlins sports bar and grill is awesome! 5/5...

Second chance? After considerations, I have decided to explain my experience there. It was a Friday early evening and not busy. I ordered the T-bone steak cooked, medium rare to rare even making a point to the waitress that I’d rather send it back for more heat than have it overcooked . I had asparagus and the elote corn on the cob. Also included with caramelized onions. Now my quarter inch thick T-bone was medium well too well done. The asparagus were so long they hung over the edge of the plate. The tough ends had not even been cut off, but more depressing even the tips of these asparagus were hard and crunchy, and my caramelized onions were the best part of the meal except for the slab of mozzarella cheese melted all into it. I’ve never had caramelized onions served with mozzarella cheese. It might’ve been good on a pizza. And my corn in the cob was very dry. Now it seems like everyone else has good meals there but after showing this to the waitress and telling her I wanted the chef to know all I got was I’m sorry from the Waitress. Including two cocktails my bill was almost $60 plus a $10 tip unfortunately I will never go there again and should’ve sent...