I have been going to Marinitas since they opened. It has steadily been going downhill but I still kept giving it another try. The food is very inconsistent. Today I had an issue w/ a manager. He was extremely rude to me in front of other customers. Totally inappropriate! I will not be returning. read more

My friends and I had a birthday dinner scheduled at marinitas. Marinitas called me 30 minutes before the dinner to say the restaurant was closed for a private party & they wouldn't be able to accommodate us. They were very matter of fact, never apologized. I explained to them I had co formed the reservation the day before, they passed the blame the lady I spoke to one the phone. Luckily Flores, in Corte Madera, was able to take us. We had a great dinner. My friends and I will not be eating at Marinitas or Insalatas anymore. read more

Waited over 20 minutes at 6.45. Fairly busy but not packed by any means . No one came to take our order for anything or acknowledge our presence except for friendly hostess who brought us to our table. Waited and finally got floor manager attention and asked for water. He brought water but never saw a server. Left without eating and will never return. Understand staffing challenges today, however, this was unacceptable. read more

Mexican food with a stylish twist. I was amazed when I walked into this spacious venue. The tables and chairs are substantial. The food is very clean. The food doesn't feel like your regular Americanized Mexican food. It's Americanized with a stylish twist. I enjoyed my meal and my time at Marinitas. There are always plenty of people there but the spacious inside gives privacy to diners. When I first walked in I thought it looked like a lodge at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. There are animal antlers hanging from the walls and a very nice fireplace. I think you'll enjoy your dinner at Marinas. read more

Always a great vibe. Excellent food and fresh, well made margaritas. We have been coming for years. It's my go to when I want high quality Mexican food. read more

This is our tenth time dining at Marinitas. The continual draw is Erick. Attentive, personable, and professional. He knows when to assist and when to let people enjoy their meal. Recommendations were spot on. read more

I went back and tried this place again and was very much hopeful when I walked in around 6:30 Saturday night. I only got 2 steps before I noticed the entrance was blocked by a waitress talking with some people she knew that had come in. This is fine, except it was blocking several people from the hostess stand and me from making my way to the bar. As soon as I sat down the bartender, Miguel, asked me "What do you want?". I asked for a menu. He came back a few minutes later and took my order. That was the last time I had contact with him until I laid my credit card out in front of me to pay. No water was ever brought and I wasn't able to flag him down to ask. Also the chips are still $7.95 so I passed and had a chip-less meal. I had the house margarita for $8.50 and it was pretty good, although I was surprised to hear the bartender tell another patron that they don't do blended drinks. I also had the steak taco for $5.99. When the bar-back brought it out I was surprised at how small it was and I wish I could tell you how it tasted but I'm afraid that four small bites is not enough to accurately taste anything. I can say that the guacamole that made up most of my taco was delicious. Maybe my experience would have been more enjoyable if I had the other bartender in my section. I don't know his name but he has a goatee and is always friendly. He asks his patrons how their food is and even busts their plates. I can tell he is a professional by the way he just smiles and nods when the other servers come up to talk smack about their tables. Please hire more people like him. read more

Marinitas - Steak Taco - Latin American Near Me - San Anselmo, California

Nice setting- ok food- my Chile Releno was very different than most and served warm- not hot. The Guacamole was tasty and plenty of thin warm chips. Nice service and strong cocktails. Entrees were average . Ended with a special dessert: warm apple and banana empanada with cinnamon ice cream- the best part of our dinner. Might return. read more

Quick take: The food was OK, but not remarkable. The service was wonderful. The decor was the best part. The decor of this place is what pushed my rating from 3 to 4 stars. My supremo margarita cost $12 and was served in a short glass that was 95% ice. Major ripoff. They claimed to use housemade sour mix in their margaritas and this tasted like it was probably true. Still. I cannot believe how much that minuscule cocktail cost. The guac was off -- too much salt and lime, I think? The chips were good. The salsas were also kind of meh. The red one was good, but the green one tasted vinegary, which was odd. My vegetarian enchiladas weren't very hot and were topped with an alleged green mole sauce. I say alleged because there was nothing mole about it. (I'm not a mole expert, but I know more than the average joe. How do you even make a green mole?) The waitress even said it the mole sauce had cocoa in it, as moles do, but she said you hardly taste the cocoa. Hardly? I would say you couldn't taste it because it is not there! It was more of a green enchilada sauce or salsa verde. Do they just use the word "mole" on their menu because they thought it made the dish sound fancier? What a letdown. My husband got the bistec argentina. It wasn't overcooked, which was nice. It was also plated beautifully and portioned appropriately (i.e., not gigantic). The kids split a cheese quesadilla. I took a bite and found the quality of the cheese to be pretty decent. This place has a Michelin Bib Gourmand award and I have to say, the award appears to have factored in decor more than necessary because I don't think the food is quite there. I would give this place another shot though. The vegetarian plate certainly looked fabulous in other people's Yelp photos, so maybe that's the route to take. Oh, and skip the guac and margaritas. read more

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One word: YUM. We have been to Marinitas twice this week, i had the same thing both times, the Enchiladas de Pollo. They are smokey, cheesy, and absolutely delicious. I'm trying to figure out how to get back there for another visit before we leave town again. read more

Terrible service and the food has really gone down hill . Servers just sat eating in the back and didn't acknowledge us at all. I finally went up to the bar to order drinks and then a server ran up saying the kitchen wasn't open and was upset the hostess had not told us this. I understood this and was only ordering drinks . He then hurriedly ordered our drinks looking annoyed and then ignored us again for half an hour . This has happened the last two visits . Used to be a favorite spot but it smells moldy and looks dirty as well. We Won't be coming anymore . read more

I love Marinitas. The queso fundido is my favorite appetizer and the carne asada tacos are a must. It all goes well with their Margaritas

Delicious food and great service. I can't stop thinking about the tasty chips and salsa and delicious margarita.

Our first time there tonight and it was pretty darn tasty. I ordered the cod tacos and the fish was cooked perfectly-crispy pan flashed fried and moist and delicious with a kick of heat from their Tabasco cream sauce. We also nibbled at their ceviche trio, I think the best of the three was the tuna. Their guacamole could be more than it is, I felt like it was a bit like store bought-nothing amazing about it. Good chips though. One of my favorite things about my personal experience was the hibiscus tea-really good here, not too sweet. I am taking away 1 star for the inevitable Marinite crowd, while smacking on a cocktail at the bar some other patrons were very greedy and rude with the chair that my hubby was sitting in but they quickly tried to take it when he got up to stretch. Not quite the restaurant's fault, but the crowd is part of the experience. read more

A friend and I met for lunch around 1pm on a Saturday, and the place was empty. We were seated next to the fireplace so it was nice and toasty. The service was friendly, and efficient. A basket of warm tortilla chips, and two small bowls of salsa were delivered to our table immediately along with glasses of water (we asked for water.). My friend ordered a couple shots of tequila since they have a pretty nice list. They were both tasty, and smooth going down. She ordered the Plato Vegetariano which was a good portion of food. There were a lot of different grilled vegetables, and fungi atop a bed of mixed grains. It was very tasty. I especially liked the grilled hen of the woods mushrooms. I ordered the Peruvian ceviche. It was a small portion served in a cocktail glass with lettuce at the bottom. The salmon was well seasoned, and tasty. I asked for more chips since this was my meal, not an appetizer. I also ordered the churros. They were not really crispy on the outside, and the inside was soggy, and doughy. They were served with a tasty warm chocolate/caramel( cajeta ). I only ate a couple churros. I sent my coffee back because it was lukewarm (about 100 degrees F). The second cup I received was only slightly warmer but I figured I would be finished with my churros before they brought another cup. I don't like my coffee scalding hot but I do want it steaming (160 degrees F is nice). There is street parking, and small public parking lots around the area - all metered. I overstayed my 2 hour limit. I'm waiting to see if I get a parking ticket in the mail. read more

Haven't been here in several years and not much has changed except that they do not have any happy hour offerings and their Yelp page needs to reflect that. It's good and the drinks are good ( though small and very expensive) read more

Best chips and salsa. Amazing salads. Friendly service. Super comfortable interiors. This business is owner operated and you can tell. The food is super consistent and the cocktails are always on point. Make sure you ask for the house hot sauce. Also the steak tacos are perfect. Keep up the good work guys!!!! read more

My wife and I ordered 5 dishes and sent 4 back uneaten. The chili relleno had no cheese, no batter; it tasted like an under cooked green chili with some nuts. The duck tacos were made of duck that had been sliced into tiny strings; dry and tasteless. The mole steak enchiladas had no taste of mole; and the meat, whatever it was had been sliced into tiny strips....tasteless except for an obnoxious spice which was also on my wife's chicken enchiladas; these were horrible. Other than these issues the water was fine and the guacamole was ok. If you want a great Mexican meal without the ambience try Taqueria San Jose in San Rafael. It is the real deal in a dive. read more

Caipirinha = Brazilian liquid heaven. It's hard to make and easy to mess up. Flavor-wise it's a cousin to the mojito. Anyway, the night we went they made them to perfection. I recommend them with a couple of appetizers, the main dishes we had were only ok and expensive. The atmosphere is a bit dark lodge-y with interesting kitsch things all around, the service was pleasant, and it's in a very walkable part of San Anselmo. Maybe drinks here and a restaurant nearby? It's up to you but we had a blast. read more

Best Mexican in Marin, period. Ambience, location, service and top notch food - that Chile Relleno keeps me coming back!!!

Just left Marinitas after having the best margarita ever. I had forgotten how flavorful this drink can be. They make their drink with fresh squeezed lime juice and it really makes a difference. I will definitely return soon read more

My Points Index {100}: Authenticity 40% Food 30% Service 10% Price 10% Ambient 5% Cleanliness 5% Authenticity 2.5/5 Food 3.5/5 Service 3.5/5 Price 2/5 Ambient 3.5/5 Cleanliness 3/5 59 points read more

This was my second time at Marinitas. We went to celebrate my daughter's new job. Beautiful and interesting dining room. Helpful waitstaff. The queso fundido never disappoints. The tequila selection is the biggest I've ever seen. Everyone loved their entrees and cocktails. read more

I was introduced to this place so I Only been here twice, once before COVID and everything was amazing. The food, drinks, service. It was a very good experience and I could wait to return, then COVID happened. We finally made it back out this way to do a hike and had to stop here for dinner. I got the shrimp tacos and will be craving them until I return. I also got their mango margarita and let me tell you it was the BEST one I have ever had! And the staff that was there were so nice and really great customer service. Hands down my favorite restaurant. read more

Marinitas - Shrimp Tacos - Latin American Near Me - San Anselmo, California

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Came here because my reservation at Madcap! They recommend us to come here! Service was flawless even though they knew we weren't dining with them! We were asked 3 times if we wanted a refill on chips! Unfortunately we were having dinner somewhere else so I didn't want to get full! Will come here again just to eat dinner! read more

**Food is a strong 4. Delicious and authentic. (Review below)The three stars is for the hostesses. All members of our party who arrived all within 10 minutes of each ALL mentioned how rude they both were without any conversation prior. This is for Sat 8/21 at 5:30. We had a reservation but for some reason the thought of having a high chair added set the two girls off their game. Both girls wouldn't look at you, answer any questions when asked ("we might have a child who might need a high chair")being one of them. They were actually upset they had to find the chair and figure out how to add it to our table. Not rocket science here. It was like they were on some kind of trance - I even said thank you and they wouldn't acknowledge me-I don't know, but the front door speaks volumes about the atmosphere you want portrayed for your establishment , you might want to administer additional training here. I realize with today's young adults help is hard to find , but this was just rude. The food was delicious. The fresh corn was out of this world and the chicken enchiladas were fresh and flavorful. We will definitely come back because of the food. Our waitress was fantastic. (Forget her name - I am so sorry) and the drinks were delish - margaritas were off the hook!! Spicy read more

Marinitas - Latin American Near Me - San Anselmo, California

Three strikes and you're out! For the third time, my wife and I, went to Marinitas well before their posted closing time, only to be told they were closing early. What's the point of listing your business hours if they don't mean anything. We are tired of being turned away and won't be going back. read more

This is a great restaurant! Don't assume it's simply Mexican, because it isn't. It is unique. And even though sometimes at a table it can feel understaffed, the people who work behind the bar are fabulous. I could name names... Jason, Asia (sp?), And not always behind the bar, Sawyer... not to mention Victor, who often brings the food here and a number of other restaurants in the county! Only complaint is why are the specials of each day gone? Specifically, PLEASE bring back Cochinita Pibil ! PLEASE. Sure, the carnitas are a close second but really? Why get rid it why get rid of that?!? I sure hope they read this, the Marinitas "powers that be." Would love to see that former menu item restored. read more

Some of the best crispy tacos I've ever had. Has potato's and shredded chicken. There's also a veggie option. I work nearby and always order to go. They're always really fast. I usually call in and pick up about 15 mins later. Very friendly staff! The restaurant looks really nice on the inside if you have the time to dine in. read more

Ok I really wanted to like this place but, after reading the menu I was completely bummed to find out all the dishes I wanted wouldn't be available till after 5?!! It was 3! We drove a long way! my husband really wanted to try the place, he orders a beer that was good I took the waitress suggestion and tried the mango margarita house special... no bueno!! It was small for 10.95!! we ordered appetizers he had fried quesadillas delish, I ordered a chili relleno, now I'm a connisuer and this was the best one I have ever had... So you gotta wonder why 3 stars? Seriously a Mexican restaurant you have to pay extra for rice and beans?!!! ding ding ding No bueno... your open but I can't order what I want till after 5?!! ding!!! But the food was good and the beautiful historical decor was lovely and our service was fine!! read more

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All I can say is wow was I disappointed. I saw a picture of the chicken enchiladas and thought they'd be good. Man was I wrong. They are covered in enchilada sauce they sell at Safeway for a couple bucks. Nothing authentic about this place or at least this meal. Chips were over salted. Terrible meal, especially for the price! read more

Pre Covid Marinitas was one of our favorite restaurants. We returned last night and am sad to say it was regrettable. I ordered a quesadilla and ended up paying $11 for a flour tortilla. Not even a spring of parsley. There was literally no cheese. Perhaps the cook brushed some cheese flavoring on the tortilla but nothing you could taste. I should have sent it back but I guess I was hoping something more would emerge. To me the essence of a good quesadilla is the gooey cheese. Sad return to a favorite old haunt. read more

A go to for tasty Mexican food. Somewhat nondescript from the exterior, once inside it has quite the vibey atmosphere for a wonderful dining experience. Great chips great guacamole , great margaritas , amazing crispy tacos that seem like they've been delivered from heaven. read more

Our favorite take out place - fish tacos and Mexicana salad are consistently good. Pre-covid - absolutely loved their margaritas, but haven't dined in just yet, so can't comment. read more

Great margaritas food and best salsa. I celebrate birthdays, have a date or two or have business dinners here.

From the moment we arrived, it was no, no and no. It all began with hopeful anticipation and went downhill from there. 1. We requested a booth in the online reservation, got there and were told there were none available (we counted 6 around us which remained unused for the duration of our stay) 2. Were offered a margarita. Asked flavors (see pomegranate etc in photos online) told only available plain 3. Ordered 2 Bloody Marys. That's pretty straight forward and widely available. They took our order, came back with one. Said they only had one available. Charged at the end for two. 4. Asked for Coke, mexican coke. Were told they didn't have any. 5. Ordered a quesadilla. Were told they had run out. And it went on and on. So much so, it became near-comical, (like were we on Candid Camera or something, just to check our reaction to outrageousness?) Mind you, this was all occurring at 7:45 pm, the place closes at 10 pm. The part that struck us the most was not so much the running out of, or not having, but the complete lack of attempts at decent customer service. Wholly and complete, from beginning to end. When we finally found something on the menu that they did have, did not run out of, or was not available to us, it was not remarkable. In fact we both said "meh" at the same time. Notorious for being happy-go-lucky and genuine food lovers with adventuresome spirits, gregarious to a fault, we were stunned when we mentioned a glint of dissatisfaction to the front man and were met with stone-faced complete and utter lack of customer satisfaction efforts and/or skills, in fact they acted as though they wished to rush us out of there as soon as possible. And we did. read more

Marinitas - "unavailable" booths around our table (despite our specifically requesting a booth when making our reservation) - Latin American Near Me - San Anselmo, California

We often enjoy the bar at Marinitas for cocktails as a waiting room for dinner reservations, and for that they are stellar. The cocktails are varied, not "shy", and well made. However, as a rule, I am often disappointed by most Mexican restaurants. It seems their fare is usually interchangeable, Americanized, and run-of-the-mill. That is NOT so here at Marinitas! Now we've made Marinitas our go-to Mexican restaurant. We always start out with Margaritas (go ahead! get a pitcher and share)... and Guacamole. Guacamole is made fresh, to order. Yum! Right after that we automatically get an order of the Camerones con Chipotle, with Grilled Bread. The Shrimp (camarones) are cooked quickly to the point of perfection. Nobody likes overcooked shrimp. Some of their other choices are from a broader Latin palette. I love the Bistec Argentino, and the Yucatan Pork Stew they have on the weekly special rotation. OK, ... I'm getting hungry just writing this! The menu goes on and on, so you'll never get bored. They mix it up with cocktail choices, making every visit just a little bit different experience. We love that they open for lunch (11:30) and STAY open all through the day. That way we don't have to squeeze lunch in, or rush, like we need to do at so many other lunch spots. The ONLY consideration is that, especially if you're not attentive (e.g. you're having another cocktail), your Marinitas' tab can add up very fast. I said it was very good.... just not cheap. You, do, however, get what you pay for.... quality. Their wine "list" is efficiently curated (sparse), but very reasonably priced. Plus they have half-priced bottles on Wednesday! read more

Steak is as tough as leather. Two of us ordered and both were too tough to eat. It is disgraceful to serve this to the public. The rest was fair, but please get some traditional flank steak. Last time we'll be coming back. read more

Great food, drinks and ambiance, very mediocre service. We got what we needed...eventually. Last week, there with a party of 6. Enjoying the last of our drinks after enjoying a delicious meal, at 8:45, they turned off the music, turned the lights up to full power and started vacuuming the floors, even right next to our tabel! Crazy! I have to think that the faults here lie with the management. Poor management. Scarred our otherwise pleasant meal. Will have to think twice about returning. read more

Maranitas is our go to spot for great Mexican food. The chicken tacos are a perfect combo of crispy and spicy. The carnitas are great but ask for extra tortillas and share it with someone unless you're really hungry. You can make about six tacos with one order. read more