I work in Decatur somewhat seasonally and so whenever I'm up here I enjoy opportunities to try their local restaurants. On my most recent visit about three weeks ago, Marlin's wound up being my choice for a quick lunch. This is a rather oddball restaurant. Located in a standalone building on the edge of a large parking lot, the vibe inside I'd say is closest to an American-Mexican restaurant (a la Rosie's, Buena Vista, etc - think vibrant murals, comfy booth seating, large, open spaces). It was a little dimly lit but clean. A friendly hostess got me a seat quickly. The menu continues the oddball vibe. There's literally something for everyone here, with American-Mexican favorites like fajitas and arroz con pollo, along with standard American fare like chicken tenders and pasta dishes, as well as slightly more upscale items like fish and steak. I saw on their website they claim, "We're not just one thing - and that's the point." Well, they've certainly nailed that mantra. My waiter was a pleasant fellow who worked diligently to ensure my meal and check arrived in a timely way. He got me a refill without me having to ask but didn't hover or make me feel like I was unwelcome or a chore. My meal came out quickly and I was in and out in ~30 minutes, which is a pretty good turn-around for a sitdown restaurant. Every table seems to get a complimentary basket of hush puppies as a welcome/starter item. Again, I'd say the vibe overall is closer on the Mexican side of restaurants, so one might expect chips and salsa...but despite this seeming oddity, I'll admit I enjoyed them. They were golden brown, slightly sweet and slightly savory, and came with a tasty dipping sauce. I ate several. They have a lunch menu with reasonable pricing following a typical pattern of entree + one side (dinner portions come with two sides). I was feeling unadventurous and wound up getting chicken tenders and fries, as I thought the tenders looked pretty good in a picture I'd seen on Yelp. I asked for some ranch to dip in. My food was fresh at least in terms of temperature - almost scaldingly so. I got a strong frozen-fried vibe from both fries and tenders, though. Less a crime with the fries, and these were salted nicely and not too greasy. The chicken was rather dry and stringy and the breading didn't really "crunch." They were ultimately unobjectionable, but reminiscent of maybe a McDonalds crispy chicken strip, which seems a little underwhelming from a full restaurant. The ranch was also not very good - not buttermilk, so not super creamy, kind of bottled salad dressing vibes. Ketchup or the residual sauce from the hush puppies was a better choice. Overall, not super wowed but not super let down either. Service was solid and the environment was comfortable. Since the menu is so large, I'd imagine there's something for everyone - and maybe a sleeper hit dish on there, too. read more

Food was good and people were friendly. Not very busy during peak Saturday evening hours. They did forget the queso and the salad with my wife's Pollo Loco plate. Had to remind server on each one. Small nuisance but no issue. My dinner fajita rice was kind of weak compared to previous lunch plate. No biggie, just no leftovers. We'll come back! read more

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This was incredibly, astonishingly, unbelievably horrible. I very very rarely give a one star. There needs to be a zero. Where to start... we decided to give this place a try when they had 4.2 star average, it was .6 miles from our hotel, and the fajitas looked good on the menu. We were greeted promptly and the place looked like a decently clean bar/restaurant. For some reason, even though we were the only customers in there, they sat us at the absolutely closest table to the door. Odd, but ok. The waiter came pretty quickly with water and with some round fried balls and a dip. We asked the server what it was and he looked down at the basket for a few seconds and then said, "I don't remember." What?!?!?!?! After he left we figured out they were some kind of hush puppies and an assaulting garlic and onion cream spread. We ordered the mixed fajitas which came out pretty quickly and looked good. No plates and no tortillas. 5 minutes later we began to eat. OMG SALT!!! Like choke, burn your tongue, and mummify a cat salty. We tried each component. Everything except the shredded cheese, sour cream, and pico were edible without choking. We called the manager over and she quickly offered to replace the meal. We accepted it and took it to go. Upon returning to our hotel we tried it out and while still salty, it was a completely different dish. Unfortunately, the experience ruined the meal. I would not recommend this place, especially if you have heart issues, high blood pressure, or you want to taste anything for the next few hours. Oh, regarding the robot server, it was only seen once heading towards the back door. I can only assume it was making a run for it. read more

Marlin's Grill & Bar - Mixed fajitas - Barbeque Near Me - Decatur, Alabama

Formerly O'Charleys. It's a good place just a little confusing on what it supposed to be. I was hoping for more seafood with a name like that but it's more towards Mexican which there's no shortage of around here. Still good food and fair prices I do like the vibe inside though. Clean and friendly too. read more

The experience was well-organized from the moment we walked in -- we were warmly welcomed and seated at a cozy table. Our server, Angel, approached us right away and made us feel truly cared for. I asked about low-sodium options and whether they had any whole fish. Tilapia wasn't available, but they offered red snapper instead, and prepared it exactly as I requested -- no salt, no spices. It was excellent. We also ordered an Angus burger -- and it really was Angus, perfectly cooked. The pasta with chicken was delicious. Both salads were very fresh, with dressings served on the side. Angel was not only a great server but also a thoughtful guide with a broad cultural perspective. Wishing this restaurant continued success. read more

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We were traveling to Gulf Shores and stayed over night near by. We were looking at places to eat and for some reason Marlin's stood out to me. The wife and I went and the place is really nice. We were greeted at the door and immediately seated. Our server was great and he even helped me decide on what to get because I was having a hard time choosing between the street tacos and the Grouper tacos. I ended up deciding on the Grouper tacos and they were great. My wife had the taco salad and it was good as well. Would definitely recommend this place to locals or anyone just passing through the area. read more

Marlin's Grill & Bar - Blackened Grouper Tacos - Barbeque Near Me - Decatur, Alabama

Honestly I thought this was a seafood restaurant judging by the name. Very surprised it was kind of Mexican. The food came out fast and tasty enough. Instead of free chips and salsa like typical Mexican restaurants, they served hush puppies so that is different. read more

Marlin's Grill & Bar - Barbeque Near Me - Decatur, Alabama

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Brand new!! Well folks Marlins of Decatur is finally open! It took a while but after our first visit I know why, they completely remodeled it from its run down O'Charlie days and it is clean and all new. So as for the service it was excellent the team there checked on you but not too much. The food was very good not great but they will get there I believe that because the overall preparation was very good. I had the Red Snapper it was bone it full fish, drop that it's way too boney, filet that fish it much better that way and you have much happier customers. It was cooked to perfect temperature and seasoned well. My wife had the lobster tails they too were good but too salty but not that they were not eatable just back on the seasoning just a touch. Now would we suggest Marlin's absolutely we're going back they music ambience was great, interior decor was excellent live the Elvis pictures big fan. So go get a drink if you drink and enjoy a different type of dining experience it really is a great place!!! read more

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The food was amazing. I will say they got the best Ribeyes in the city Service was excellent. Great atmosphere. read more

Marlin's Grill & Bar - Boneless Ribeye with Chipotle Herb Butter and Fried Brussels sprouts - Barbeque Near Me - Decatur, Alabama

Our service was good and the experience of having a robot server was unique. Yes, a robot server..... no spoilers here, you have to see for yourself. Our food was served quickly and was pretty good. We had chicken and rice, chicken tacos, shrimp cocktail and everything was tasty. The restaurant was well maintained, servers were attentive and welcoming, and prices were reasonable. I guess I was expecting more seafood, but it's generally Mexican food. read more

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02-20-2025 Went there for lunch. PROS: There is plenty of parking. The interior is clean and good spacing around the tables and booths. Looks ADA compliant. The staff greeted us as we entered and seated us promptly. The prices were reasonable. Food came out in a timely manner. We ordered: street tacos (Beef) $16.00 and (Shrimp) $16.00. just comes diced onions, cilantro. The meat was cooked good and had good seasoning. fried flour tortillas. The shrimp was cooked perfect. Shrimp Fajitas came with rice and beans and flour tortillas. $18.00 everything was well seasoned peppers and onions. Fried Mississippi Catfish Fillets $18.00 Refried Beans Rice The catfish was good as where the rice and beans I would come back and try some more items. CONS: I didn't see any. read more

The food was AMAZING!!! The decor and customer service was above and beyond. This place was definitely worth the wait! read more

Marlin's Grill & Bar - Mister Burrito (Chicken and Shrimp) - Barbeque Near Me - Decatur, Alabama

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This was the strangest place. A refurbed O'Charley's, a fish motif, Hispanic music and dishes with a Mexican flair but also steak, pasta, and brisket on the menu. Hushpuppies served while we waited for our entrees. Hmmm??? I ordered grouper tacos and husband got brisket tacos. I have to say, everything was fresh, hot, and well seasoned. We were impressed and would definitely eat here again. Took off a star because whatever they clean with was very strong and interfered a bit. But all in all a surprisingly great meal. read more

Very fresh and tasty You get a lot of food for your money. I had the French Dip The meat was tender read more

Not impressed with menu or service. They're open for lunch & dinner. Thought it would be seafood but it was more Mexican

Great service and great food. The menu is brosd and includes a variety of Mexican dishes along with seafood and beef. It was fun having our food delivered by robot. I had the salmon and avocado BLT. It was huge and very tasty. The large margarita was enjoyable,but I was glad not to be the driver. It was huge. read more

I definitely would recommend Marlin's. I ordered the loco pollo. Everything tasted so good! The staff were all very friendly and checked on you often. read more

Marlin's Grill & Bar - Barbeque Near Me - Decatur, Alabama

Wonderful food and service. Everyone in my party raved about the food. We all had Mexican, but there were lot's of choices.​

one of the worst meals i have had. ever. the fish was not cooked properly. the ribs were extremely dry. our waitress also told us during our meal "i am going on break. Feel free to stay as long as you want but i wont be here. You will have to ask someone else that works here if you need anything." Would not recommend. read more

Marlin's Grill & Bar - The bbq swordfish - Barbeque Near Me - Decatur, Alabama

Portion size is hugh. Tried the fried mississippi catfish and the nachos entree. The food is excellent, even down to the refried beans. I would say they got opening jitters but things seemed to be working well. The robot servers are a neat item. Seems like a nice place and does look like O'Charlys on the inside, but they're doing better food here! read more