Marina's Bistro and Rum Bar — Restaurant in Lake View Township

Oh my goddddd. All this restaurant needs is a conga so we can play it in the way out while yelling “weeeeepppppaaaaa”!!! Lord, I don’t think people know what they’re getting - the food is so darn amazing I could cry. This is real Puerto Rican food y’all and I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed. I am literally writing this review as I stuff my face with the most authentic Puerto Rican food you will find outside of the island! Everything was amazing and we tried so much at once - tostones, the majado, lechon, arroz con gandules, and while I am not a fan of hummus, I was so impressed with the gandules hummus and its flavor! Even the El Viejo San Juan alcoholic drink, the pork chop, the water (jaja) was amazing. I was so impressed with my food not being greasy like the other Puerto Rican food we are subjected to eating here in Chicago. They were kind enough to gift me a flan for my after dinner birthday dessert and I am not a fan of flan unless I am home in Puerto Rico, but this, this is the best flan outside of the island you will ever get. Great atmosphere and wonderful wonderful food. More of an adult night out and not so kid friendly but you should bring them back some food!! I could not be more proud of my people and our food, and yes, my spouse and I are now planning our trip to the Island. The 1.5 hour drive to this place was well worth it!!

—— Updating with 1 new picture: Of course, everything was exquisite. From the drinks to the mashed malanga to the tender and well seasoned bistec/steak, to the “mhmmm” that came after every bite of my beans. I mean, at this point, I’ll be a free walking ad - I cannot stop raving about the food and the Chef/Owner himself. Truly the most authentic and delicious Puerto Rican food you will find in Chicago (maybe even Illinois). Also love the sheer curtains with the Taíno imagery and the drinks that pay homage to the Island. Staff is always really nice and there is a fantastic new staff member who was really attentive and was so charismatic- kind of just goes with the vibes of the place. Just do yourself a favor and reserve your table, you will absolutely not regret it (especially if you’re...

I walked into Marina’s Bistro and Rum Bar expecting a little slice of "la isla del encanto"... instead, I got confused, concerned, and a tiny cocktail.

First red flag? Not a single Puerto Rican in sight. I was ready for abuelita energy, and maybe a guy named Papo in the kitchen. Instead, I was greeted by a sweet lady who was super friendly—but couldn’t pronounce mofongo con bistec encebollado if her life depended on it. She gave it her best shot, though. Respect.

Now, onto the food. My mofongo came out... floating. Floating! Like it was rescued from the Titanic. It was sitting in some mystery broth, and instead of that garlicky, crispy-yet-fluffy "pilón mashed" ball of joy I grew up with, I got something that crumbled like it had trust issues. No garlic flavor, no "aceite" de olive oil. No "tocino." No bendición de la abuela. Just... grainy sadness. We left the "mofongo." The bistec encebollado was nice but something was off using those purple onions usually seen on salads.

The arroz con gandules? It showed up to the party, but forgot to bring the gandules and sofrito. Like, come on—where’s the sazón? The sofrito? The flavor that makes your tío weep with joy? Seriously, the gandules were counted like they were shot with a pea-shooter (See pic)

And don’t even get me started on the cocktails. $14 for a drink served in what I can only describe as a thimble. I’ve had communion cups bigger than that. Other Latin spots hand you a margarita in what looks like a goldfish bowl. Marina’s?

Now, I will say—the place was spotless, music jamming, and the service was lovely. Shoutout to the staff for being sweet and super attentive with beautiful smiles. But if you’re going to name your place a Puerto Rican bistro, you better be cooking like your Titi Maria is watching from heaven with a "chancleta" in hand.

Marina’s, I’m rooting for you. But next time, hit up the Goya aisle, call a cousin from Bayamón, and let that boricua flavor and "sazón" shine. I’ll give you another shot "mi gente"—just make the shot glass bigger, por...

Something we kept saying is "this place has no reason being this good!". Everything that we had burst with so much flavor. From the plantains chips served with guava butter (they even had a vegan version I could have) that they kept coming until our orders came out. To the hummus that was out of this world! And my main course, a marinated pork and Puerto Rican rice that had so much flavor I couldn't stop mentioning it. Of course I put in another order of all those things to take home with me and I have no regrets or shame about it. They will see me again! Also the other orders at the table were the empanada and the marinated chicken and mashed veggies which they absolutely loved.

Update: I went back and brought my Puerto Rican bestie with me, who was really skeptical. It was still delicious, and she was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. I highly recommend this place to anyone who loves good food and service. I actually met the owner/chef and he was very humble and welcoming and gave us a little background about the place. They have a forever customer in us!

Update: Still amazing! That is all!

Update: I finally had a drink here and the drinks are just as good as the food. Ended up introducing 2 more people to this addictive place and they fell in love with the food as well. I am officially a...