Ambiance is awesome (IMO). Food was really good. Good service. We arrived at 1:30 on a Saturday. Only 5-6 other people in the restaurant/bar while we were there. Not sure why there weren't more. read more

I used to really enjoy going to Marinitas, but unfortunately it hasn't felt the same since the change in ownership. The food that once felt fresh and flavorful now seems a bit inconsistent, and the overall experience just doesn't match what it used to be. The atmosphere is still nice and the location in San Anselmo is great, but the quality and attention to detail seem to have slipped compared to before. I'm hoping things improve because this used to be one of my go-to spots in town. The service was great otherwise. read more

As a vegan, I'm used to side eye. At Marinitas, the manager said, "we can work with the entire menu to get you something you like." They have excellent sweet potato tacos and the chips are delicious and fresh. Guacamole was a big hit too. I enjoy the dark wood and brick, it lends to a nice ambiance. The Christmas decorations were fun and plentiful. read more

Marinitas - By the fire on NYE at Marinitas - Latin American Near Me - San Anselmo, California

Went to Marinitias on Cinco de Mayo. Possibly this was why they had themusic up so high I also had a nose bleed. I will try it once again, but if the music is as loud as a rave for 17 year olds, I won't go back. The service was a late. I cancelled an order for a second drink because it nave came anyway. I was almost seated at the worst table in the house even with having a reservation, and if I hadn't of spoken up then I wouldn't have gotten a booth. The music was so loud that I think it made the 2 children with us kind of crazy. The food was good, but a somewhat limited menu for Mexican. I will try it again but if the music is that loud that's it. read more

This review is purely for the margaritas and service. I was out on a Friday night with a friend and we decided to head out for margaritas and came across this restaurant as one of our stops. The service was prompt and friendly. Marinitas has a house-made sour mix, and after having drinks here, I believe I have been drinking crappy Margaritas my entire life. Marinitas uses high quality liquor, and their house-made sour mix is incredible. How have I never come across a restaurant or bar that uses house-made sour mix? I'm not sure I can ever enjoy store-bought margarita mix again. As for the restaurant itself, the walls are brick and the exposed wooden beams creates a lodge feeling. The tables, seats, and stools seem to be high quality solid wood. Even the margarita glasses were hefty. Then there is some religious decor, and I might have accidentally touched a Ouija board when I was trying to straighten out a piece of art on the wall. Yikes! Luckily I did not have any ghost visitors that I noticed when I was home alone. We walked to this location and passed it right up since the sign that was visible to us said Cantina. There are big heavy doors with the symbol M on the doors. Lastly, this is a bit of a nicer restaurant. My friend and I were in jeans and a t shirt, but other guests were dressed more nicely -- men in button downs and jackets, women in blouses. read more

Marinitas - Hefty margarita glasses! And that might be a Ouija board behind me ... - Latin American Near Me - San Anselmo, California

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Unfortunately this is just not somewhere I'd come back. Just across the board - the atmosphere, service, food - all of it was meh. Empty dining room early Sunday night took 2 hours for a party of 6. We didn't order much and it just was super slow. The food was fine and server seemed to be doing his best (might have been understaffed). The atmosphere just feels a bit worn down - like it could be nice with some upgrades but everything just felt a little tired and dirty. Wish this wasn't the case because I absolutely love Mexican cuisine and have known this place to be a staple spot in Marin for years but I just can't recommend. read more

The old tres leches cake vs the new one. The old one is the one lacking cinnamon and looking like a safeway cake slice. The ones with cinnamon, mango and moisture are the pics of the old, authentic, delicious recipe. I came here for my birthday last year to get the tres leches for the 10th year and we waited 30 mins for a pre ordered cake that was ordered in advance. There was no one to even greet us for the first 10 mins, we had to go find someone. It started going downhill from there. It pains me to write this because this restaurant used to be a town favorite! Everything is different now. The service the food, the dessert etc. this is a huge disappointment. Your tres leches cake used to be my favorite dessert. I would get it for the last 10 years for my birthday every year. Not only is it nothing like it used to be but it is not even good. Please change it back!!! P.s. the new one doesn't even have cinnamon.... Which is extremely inauthentic. read more

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Another delicious & cozy experience with great service from Victor and classy holiday ambiance on a cold December night. Victor recommended the crispy beef tacos to my friend, which she initially was unsure about but she loved them! I had the weekend special of cochinita pibil, which had tender and flavorful meat. Victor recommended the grilled octopus with chimichurri sauce, which we will definitely try next time! read more

I've been here a few times and like this place. It's spacious inside and has a good vibe to it. Great to go with friends or a date. The service was great. When we stepped in the guy at the counter was on the phone. Another worker came quickly and sat us. Our waiter was super nice. I ordered the Enchilada vegetarianas this time. Unfortunately, the taste wasn't to my liking. I wouldn't order it again. I've ordered other items before and they were good. I'd still come back, but I probably won't order this again. The chips and guac are always good. I love the thin tortilla chips. Even though my dish wasn't to my liking, I'd still come back as my previous food experiences were a good one. read more

Marinitas - Enchiladas vegetarianas **Vegan Option - Latin American Near Me - San Anselmo, California

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It pains me to write this review because for a while marinitas was a fun and dependable "go to" neighborhood restaurant. No more. Tonight I attempted take out. I saw my order sitting there without an employee in sight and few customers at 6 pm. Eventually I asked the bartender who told me I could take the food if it was prepaid. It was. I ordered the Mexicana salad. The three best ingredients are almonds, cotija cheese and tortilla strips. ALL were missing. I literally don't understand how this can happen. I will eat my lettuce with onions and radishes and move on. Sad! read more

The service was excellent. The ambiance feels clean and decor matches menu. The food was disappointing, not authentic and flavors off

We had a very nice experience at Marinitas last night. We had not been since the change in ownership. We were pleasantly surprised and will definitely go back. The service was friendly and attentive. The tacos and flautas were delicious and so were the margaritas. The decor has been updated and there is a nice ambiance. Great overall experience. read more

My wife and I had an excellent dinner at Marinitas in San Anselmo. From the moment we walked in, the service was friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming -- the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit. We both ordered tacos -- I had the steak, she had the chicken -- and they were fantastic. Perfectly seasoned, tender, and full of flavor without being heavy. You can tell they care about ingredients and presentation here. The atmosphere strikes a nice balance between upscale and relaxed -- great for a date night without feeling stuffy. We left happy, full, and already talking about what we'll try next time. Definitely one of the best upscale Mexican spots in Marin. Highly recommend! read more

Marinitas restaurant is absolutely gorgeous. High ceilings and so many decorations to look at! The service was excellent--we happened to get Mike the bartender and he helped select the perfect shot of tequila for my companion. The restaurant makes the tortillas chips--they were fresh, thin, and crispy. I ordered the intriguing-sounding "enfrijoladas," which were fun. My companion had shredded beef enchiladas. The margaritas come in small cocktail glasses vs. the usual margarita glass, FYI. The menu is extensive and we look forward to visiting again. They also have a brunch that looks interesting. read more

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Food: taco dorado con pollo was cold inside. Service: server very friendly and attentive. Ambience: It's relaxed and quiet, there was a big party in the back a couple of dirty tables. The two stars are for the service. read more

Love the fast service along with best margaritas and food! Just starting with a basket of chips and salsa is a great start along with my favorite margarita the Delux read more

Marinitas - Latin American Near Me - San Anselmo, California

We always love Marinitas for its creative Mexican food - camarones con chipolte, fish tacos, enchiladas de carne (mole), and the plata margaritas. They have continued well under new ownership this year! read more

Marinitas - Latin American Near Me - San Anselmo, California

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Absolutely love this restaurant. I always get the chicken enchiladas! Great service from Sera. Very pleased with my experience. Def recommend! read more

Marinitas - Chicken Enchiladas de Pollo - Latin American Near Me - San Anselmo, California

Great food great time been going there for years. I heard they had new owners and they seem just as good as the old ones.!!!

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine was in the hospital with her sick son. I needed to bring her dinner and walked in to Marinitas a few minutes after closing to see if they could help out. Without hesitation they quickly made veggie enchiladas to go and sent me on my way. The food was great and made all the difference on a stressful night. Beyond thankful to have a business like this in our community. read more

The service there is great, very clean best customer service the food is delicious. The owner is very nice and also his employees. I have to go visit sometime soon now that I don't live near there anymore. Their flights for tequila is great as well I would recommend. read more

Great service and wonderful place with awesome menu items. Will come back and bring the kids. Great lil family get together

Great attentive service and vibes, solid food - don't miss out on this special place!

I enjoyed great food and exceptional service. The crispy tacos were fabulous and the chips and guac are delicious. Their margaritas are also amazing. read more

My family decided that we will celebrate Thanksgiving day with an early dinner at Marinates. I made a reservation for 5PM through Open Table. On Thursday morning, I received a text (presumably from the restaurant) asking me to confirm that we still planned to dine at Marinates. When I replied "Yes," I received a follow-up text to let me know that my reservation was confirmed that that we would be joyfully greeted at Marinitas later in the day. Unfortunately, when my family of 5 people arrived at your restaurant at 5PM, we discovered that it was closed. We dine at Marinitas frequently and were looking forward to a comfortable experience . We had to scramble to find a small restaurant in San Rafael that was still open. Our family made the best of it, but we were all very disapointed. What really upsets me is that after the holiday, I sent two emails to Marinitas owner/manager (directly through the restaurant's website hoping at least for an explanatin/apolgy, but received no response. read more

The restaurant is under new management now and not the service or quality of preparation from previous visits. Surprisingly quiet for a Sunday but the service was still slow - we waited about 20 minutes for our food and there were only about 7 tables with patrons plus the bar. Margarita was really tasty as always, but our tacos were not the crispy flavorful pollo tacos from prior years. We probably won't be back. read more

I had the chicken enchiladas. The food is amazing. Made fresh every day. The service was really great. The owner is very nice. It's a very calm restaurant. Easy to have conversations definitely will return. Their margaritas are great. The ambience was so soothing and calm. The food hit my soul. read more

We had lunch at Marintas today and we all loved it! The menu is different and delicious! The prices are very reasonable! Also, the resturant is big, clean & comfortable. The server was great! Best Mexican cuisine we've had in a long time!! Look for flags of the Giants and of the Warriors out in front of the restaurant. We will come back soon! read more

For some background: I went before they closed to support them since they were closing. I will say at that time the service was barely there. We were not attended well and the drinks we got were not good. We weren't even able to eat due to no one coming around to take our order. The rating I am giving this place is based off todays visit and not from this past visit. From my experience today I will say my rating is more so from the food overall and not the staff. For my staff rating I would say they did pretty well. Our server was attentive. The only thing I personally do not enjoy is having used up dishes left around for so long. We did stack them in hopes of them coming around to pick them up (there were only about 3 tables of people here) but they didn't until much later which is fine. The food portion was more of a miss sadly. The queso was very fried and basically tuned into a cheese skirt and the crispy fried chips that came with them were burnt and almost stale? The empanadas were fine, but the sauce that came on the side def needed more salt. The dessert was the saddest part of it all. The tres leches cake was not indeed wet like a proper tres leches, it was actually dry. Did not enjoy the flavor overall. And the churros! From the moment I laid my eyes on them I knew they were not going to be good. I'm not sure if they make them or buy them but I have never seen churros look like this. They had the shape that they were piped out of a pastry bag but they were smooth. The cinnasugar did not hold on to them well and the sauces were a bit oily. Hard to explain but if you moved the small ramekin holding the sauce, it was not coating the walls of it. The food that was enjoyable were the Camarones con Chipotle and the Guac. Chips were a bit greasy. The other people at the table ordered the cripsy tacos which they said were pretty good but oily shell as well. I do hope that there could be some changes made with the food recipes as the previous owners did not have the best flavorful menu. Some of it just needs better seasoning and care which would make it overall more solid! read more

Las carnitas y las margaritas estaban deliciosas. Este es uno de los restaurantes favoritos de mi familia :)

When Marinitas first opened it quickly became my favorite go-to. With Heidi Insalata's recipes and Patrick Coll's management, the food was always delicious and consistent, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Unfortunately, Covid took a toll. The restaurant is now under new ownership, supposedly using the original recipes...but they aren't the same. I should have left tonight as soon as I tasted the salsa, which mostly tasted liked watery tomato juice. I told the waitress it wasn't as good as the original: her response was that "it depends on who makes it". I stayed. The cascabel sauce, which makes the chicken tacos outstanding, wasn't there-instead, something that reminded me of terrible, cheap bottled taco sauce. I'm mourning the Marinitas of old-the current iteration doesn't have food worth eating or paying for. read more

It pains me to write this. Marinitas used to be one of our favorite spots and we were sad to see they were closing but happy to hear they found new owners. We wanted to give them some time but went this weekend and while everything inside feels the same, and it was nice to see some familiar faces, the food just didn't hit. The salsas were bland and margaritas mediocre - the queso was odd, and not at all like what they used to make. I will say the chicken tacos were excellent and the only food item that felt familiar. read more

The service tonight was outstanding! Our server was the only server in the entire restaurant as far as we could see yet she was so on it! There were two large parties-one ahead of us and one after we were seated, yet she handled all of the patrons efficiently and with thoughtfulness. My tacos and my family's food was all tummy, which we've come to expect. The portions are quite filling and have depth in flavor. Highly recommend! read more

The food, service, and drinks were great. It's hard to find a good happy hour in Marin, but this one satisfies. The drinks definitely pack a punch and apps are filling for reasonable prices. read more

I'm old enough to remember when 218 San Anselmo Ave. was called Mc Arthurs (a biker bar), then Ned's, then Ted's (all bars), but now as Marinitas, in its latest incarnation, we've finally got a combination family restart/bar that gets it right. Aside from a generous and delicious combination of Margarita mixes and traditional cocktails, the daily Happy Hour menu also offers some of the most delicious, exquisite and unique variations on traditional Mexican cuisine anywhere. The chef is a genius. I even admit to taking his camarones de chipotle appetizer home, adding a little extra pasta and shrimp with heavy cream sauce, and--Voila! served it to guests--but did I claim the credit? I'll never tell. Then again, it would certainly be remis of me not to mention the friendly and accommodating wait staff. Marinitas rates my highest recommendation. read more

I'm a first-time customer, and it's been so long since I had such a great experience! The cocktail I had was amazing, and the margarita was fresh and absolutely perfect. I ordered the tacos dorados de pollo, and my plate was clean within minutes. The churros were, without a doubt, the best I've ever had--freshly made, which is rare these days since many places just freeze them. The ambiance was fantastic, and the staff was so friendly! read more

The Vegan plate was phenomenal! I didn't know vegetables could taste so good! The textures were on point as well. I'm always looking for a restaurant to take my Vegan sister to. This one took us by storm! Thanks read more

This longstanding restaurant, now under new ownership, fails with their wait staff. A floor manager is badly needed as our server was woefully unprepared. Long waits, inconsistent deliveries and little communication. When we received our meals, we had to get up to find table settings, share plates, etc. There did not appear to be any semblance of order. read more

Food mediocre, good waiter but so disappointing for the price.. Fish tavv CB is were bland no seasoning. Chicken enchiladas uninspired. Average pricy margaritas . read more

Food was delicious and the restaurant looks great. But the waitress was over caffeinated or something and rushed us at every step of the way. Barely let me finish my meal before she removed the not empty plate. Our party of four had a lot to discuss but we were rushed along. The restaurant had mostly empty tables so no idea what her vibe was about. And the passageway to the bathroom had a very musty odor. read more