Cathy2 wrote:So far Steve, I have not detected an off bit of seafood there.

The operative phrase in your message is "so far". Personally, I don't want to be the guy who detects the first bad batch of seafood. That is not a pleasant experience.

Just want to weigh in on my recent experience at Las Islas Marias. Two of us were there rather early Sunday evening and the place was about half full with families. Clued in by previous LTH posts, we selected the very fresh, flavorful grilled snapper and a medium order of langostinos. Needless to say the food certainly met my high expectations. My Spanish is mostly a fantasy creation of my own pretty good french rendered with pan-hispanic endings and intonations. Having been well-trained in these matters during my teens by indignant, uncomprehending native French-speakers, I generally refrain from attempting communication in languages I speak only a little. The waitress was very open and patient with us and clearly understood our inept descriptions of Michelada and the snapper, though I couldn't remember the name of the dish.

OVERALL....FABULOUS!

I took my BF here to celebrate his bday Wednesday night. Figured seafood was a great choice since 1) it's his fave and 2) it wouldn't spoil the Thanksgiving feast we had in store.

AMBIANCE - well it was empty aside from a few pals having a couple drinks together at a table. There were 2 sources of music blaring....the jukebox and a band downstairs practicing - both extremely LOUD. Kinda got a headache from all the noise, but the jukebox was finally turned off. The band downstairs was okay but it was evident they were rehearsing and playing the same bars of music over and over and over and over....LOL.

FOOD - we ordered the shrimp cocktail that was in a cold tomato like soup, topped with onions and avocado. It was a little bland. We also ordered the shrimp with garlic sauce. YUMMY! Next time, I would order it without the side salad and extra rice instead. BF ordered the whole fried tilapia with garlic sauce. Wow, it's been a long time since i had some well prepapred tilapia. We had no room for dessert, but we sure did have 3 bowls of their ceviche gratis and a few glasses of horchata!

PRICE - It was very reasonable for what we ordered...$42. They even let us take home some of the free ceviche and tostadas. However, as some folks previously mentioned, the bill came and our order was not itemized. It was simply written and the only numbers noted was the amount due. Recollecting on what I figured the prices were, it seems about right and tip was NOT included.

After our experience, we plan on going to check out the restaurant on Grand. It certainly was a great meal at an awesome price, but we're curious what the ambiance is like at the other location.

Thank you all again for your suggestions for this place - I feel like I've been given a lil seafood secret of the city!

Stopped by last night, and was the only guy there. I ordered my usual, the botana playa y mar. It was great, though a bit smaller and much more "prepared." By that I mean that the cook treated the seafood with a very interesting sauce composed, I guess, of lime, chile, light soy sauce and lots of black pepper. A Japanese/Peruvian influence from down the street, maybe? Also got an order of shrimp a la Diabla. The sauce, which would not remind you of Mexico in any way if you ate it in a Szechuan place, was very good. Unfortunately, the shrimp were quite obviously the boiled camarones used for the cocktails and platters --ie, not cooked-to-order. With this little traffic, I'm not surprised. Boiled shrimp keep longer. I'll enjoy LIM while it lasts. No guessing how long the other places can subsidize this outpost.

The main problem I see is that the Rogers Park LIM never caught on as a big night out spot for Chicago's hard-drinking charros and the ladies who love them. You've got to spend some jack to eat anything at LIM, and the neighborhood folks are not doing it. LIM will either have to start offering antojitos, like La Cazuela down the street, for steady income or it's a goner.

The Diabla at LIM tastes exactly like this:
http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/recipes/ ... abeng.html

yeah I fear for the place too, and think that probably its just a little too expensive for the neighborhood to support on a regular basis. I think that can be an issue with some of the mexican seafood places. I really miss the crab sarandeado at la perla del pacifico out in melrose park, which I think suffered a similar fate (As did my favortie nayarit place -mi lindo nayarit in des moines)

Hi,

Just yesterday I got a request for Mexican restaurant able to seat 28 people. I gave them two options: Las Islas Marias on Clark and Rudy's Taste (I know it is Guetemalan) as both could really use the business.

When you were at Las Islas Marias, did you look into Salamera to see how they are doing?

It's painful to see worthy places not getting attention.

Regards,

Tonight I took some friends from Italy to Las Islas Marias. The place was pretty full -- only a couple of empty tables. My friends really enjoyed everything we ordered (dishes recommended here) and especially appreciated the freshness and seasoning of the grilled camarones. The atmosphere felt very comfortable to them as it is the type of casual seafood-focused place they often seek out while travelling, but miss now that they live here. The owner proved very welcoming and gregarious-- he stayed and chatted for awhile. So here's my little scoop of the evening: they now have flan made by the owner's wife. It was a very nice end to the meal, especially so because it is a version of flan that is not too sweet. This is a place I continue to enjoy.

Last night I tried to go to the Islas Marias location that someone listed earlier in this thread - 2142 N Milwaukee. Nothing there, no sign that it may have been there before. Now on yellowpages.com there are listings for the other 4 locations but nothing near this spot. Anyone know what the story is there? Is it a myth?

We ended up at the Grand Ave location and, as always, Islas Marias delivered an amazing mountain of shrimp, which my boyfriend and I made short work of. The "Islas Marias style," shell-on, was heaven on a plate, and I could eat that fish ceviche every day for the rest of my life.

East Coast Girl wrote:Last night I tried to go to the Islas Marias location that someone listed earlier in this thread - 2142 N Milwaukee. Nothing there, no sign that it may have been there before. Now on yellowpages.com there are listings for the other 4 locations but nothing near this spot. Anyone know what the story is there? Is it a myth?

We ended up at the Grand Ave location and, as always, Islas Marias delivered an amazing mountain of shrimp, which my boyfriend and I made short work of. The "Islas Marias style," shell-on, was heaven on a plate, and I could eat that fish ceviche every day for the rest of my life.

There's a Islas Marias at (I think) 2523 N Milwaukee. I've never been sure whether it's connected to the other three though - I've always assumed that it's not but would interested to know...

here I go... bringing the thread down... but I had a sorry experience at Las Islas Marias on Clark.

I actually got the reco to go to the one on Grand from a guy in the cafeteria at work. That usually goes a mile for me. So I was excited. Then I noticed they opened up on Clark just north of me... even more excited! THEN I read parts of this thread... I made arrangements and the next thing you know I was walking in to what turned out to be a BIG disappointment.

The restaurant smelled funny. I don't usually say things like that but honestly... maybe it had something to do with something but it was immediately off-putting. We did get used to it but for about 5 minutes we were looking around with raised eyebrows. There was a band practicing in the basement, a loud t.v. on and periodic blasting of jukebox music... a cacophany of noise in what was a pretty empty establishment. We did find it very funny so it wasn't a big deal at the moment but I know plenty of people who would completely balk at the sheer noise level of the assorted machines/basement band.

I ordered orchata and it was a mix that promptly separated into a powdery silt at the bottom of the glass... ?!

The ceviche was pretty tasty. It didn't jump out at me as being fresh or made recently... more like some bizzaro fish-cole slaw. I do like cole slaw.

The shrimp empanada was nothing. A loose bit of unseasoned shrimp rolling around in an average shell...

The fillet my wife got was not tasty at all, very fishy and soaked in oil/butter (which is to be expected...) which usually does the trick. Not in this case.

But I enjoyed my langostino very much.

Long and the short... I will go back for the lango and to try a few other things. I almost would rather drive down to Grand instead.

My wife said she would never go back.

Sorry to hear that the place continues to lack business. But I am happy to hear that the two things you ordered that have been applauded here were good -- the ceviche and the langostinos. They specialize in cocktails/ceviche, the langostinos, and a grilled fish dish, saraneado.

BTW, the "biazarro fish cole slaw" is typical for ceratin Mexican ceviches; pretty commonplace preparation.

what I meant with the cole slaw was that it had congealed a bit. It didn't taste very fresh.

Oh, sorry. I thought you meant the really flaked/shredded/deviled texture which makes it into more of a paste or spread than the chopped-up chunks that are ceviche in other places.

Anyway, I'm kind of put off by the big, loud emptiness of the Clark location too. I drop in for take-out versions of strictly cold stuff; the small to-go botana playa y mar is an incredible value. I have not yet run into a freshness issue, though I did notice last time that they had started to use some pre-cokked stuff that had previously been raw (and very good).

The Grand location is a whole different scene. It's like a place that is several blocks away from the tourist area in Acapulco, for better and worse. Mostly better. It ain't fancy, but it is expensive, and it's filled with dudes getting their drink and their "vitaminas" on.

For fried fish, and sit-down pleasantness, La Cazuela down the street from the Clark branch might be better for you.

let's get a group to hit that place! Mid-week even. 8pm Next Tuesday. I'll post it in the event spot. Would like to meet y'all faces to names.

Add me in as another one who had a sub-optimal meal at the N. Clark Las Islas Marias last week. Thursday was my birthday and despite the virus I've been hosting ever since Mardi Gras [hmmmm, maybe waiting for dinner made me sicker...... ], I wanted to go out and celebrate the evening. Giovanni had expressed a desire to have "Mexican food like I had in Mexico" and so I figured Mexican sea food would be a good attempt at that.

We had the grilled lagostines which were pretty decent, but not as good as I have had them previously. We ordered a shrimp and octopus cocktail; what we had delivered to the table was a shrimp cocktail that contained shrimp that were good-enough tasting - but the remaining cockail part was lackluster. Not much flavor to the sauce, not enough avocado for my taste, just not enough taste. [I was tempted to doctor it up with ketchup & hot sauce, but I was afraid of pushing a mediocre dish into the bad zone.] And to round out the meal we had a red snapper al Mojo de Ajo that wasn't really very good, period. It was kind of scrawny [that small portion thing again, bubbeleh], notably over-cooked and I think a bit past its prime.

And then there was the, ahem, atmosphere. There was a band practicing in the basement that night, as well, with a bass player turned up to 11.5 [swear I could not only feel it in my feet, but it made my breastbone rattle]. We were the only customers in the restaurant, and the other people present [not apparently staff, not apparently diners] were watching Univision turned up loud enough to drown out the band.

So, maybe next time I try the location on Grand Ave. myself.

Or, maybe somebody can give me a quick reminder about other good Mexican seafood places....

Giovanna

I wish I didn’t have to bring down LIM on Clark any further than it already is, but…..
After our previous outing about 2 months earlier, Trix & I had mentally put this place on “double secret probation” since our usually great experience was uninspiring at best.
We retried it almost in homage to the numerous other times we’ve had meals there which were either stellar or just plain good. I’m not quite sure if I just haven’t read the above posts as closely as I should have, but there is a prominent sign out front stating “under new management”. When I saw it, my initial reaction was glee.
Unfortunately, this initial optimism evaporated precipitously. What worried me from the start of our meal was the debate about whether the gratis seafood salad was off or just plain bad. The final vote was 2-1 in favor of off but it was unamimous that it was bad. The kind but overwhelmed waitress-with- 3-tables didn’t help out matters since the coordination of the meal was a complete and utter mess.
I probably wouldn’t be writing this if their langostinos were anywhere near as good as we found them the first several times going there. But what was served last time was an overcooked and dried out crustacean that lacked any semblance to its past glory (served sans tortillas). The shrimp empanadas along with the shrimp & octopus cocktail were palatable but certainly a far cry from delectable.
I hate to be the bearer of further bad news about Las Islas Marias but this new management has run this restaurant into the ground.

glad it's not just me...

East Coast Girl wrote:Last night I tried to go to the Islas Marias location that someone listed earlier in this thread - 2142 N Milwaukee.

That would be me, sorry! I don’t know where I got the wrong address to begin with but I should have noticed the mistake (businesses on the east side of the street don’t have even numbers). I have now corrected the address and phone number in my original post (incidentally I have never eaten at the LIM on Milwaukee). When searching for the address I noticed a recent review of Las Islas Marias on Chicagoist that gives the same incorrect address and phone number. Anyway, I’m happy to hear you had a good meal at the original on Grand, pretty much a sure thing for almost five years now.

Las Islas Marias
2523 N Milwaukee Av
Chicago
773-252-7303

OMFG! That looks good! I love shrimps!!!!!! And special here in Mexico some call it "A la diabla" and it goes with Salsa Huichol! I ordered a 12 pack over the internet.. get some shrimps and a salsa!... here the official site of them: Salsa Huichol

Yes, it is spreading like La Quebrada, and it is a fine thing. While I had passed a couple of the outposts I had never been until last night. Wandering through downtown Aurora, idly searching for a suitable snack what should I spy but Las Islas Marias.

Somehow I ended up with all raw fish - Ceviche Mixto, and Camarones Aguaschiles. Hot, and great with a Pacifico - looked just like the pictures posted above. Cavernous room with a pool table on one side, and Mexican soaps/variety shows on the TV. Pretty empty at 7pm on a Monday, like everything else in downtown Aurora I suspect, perhaps excepting the casino.

Ordered too much so I will see how it holds up a day later.

Las Islas Marias 15-17 S. Broadway (630) 897-3950

I saw today, there are putting up an Islas Marias sign in the mostly the strip mall that got mostly abandoned when the new Brickyard opened, i.e., at Grand just west of Naragansatt. The big shrimp is already there. I do not know if this will replace the one at Grand and Cicero as it is not that far from that location.

Been driving by the Grand (Brickyard) location the last few days, today there is a "Now Hiring" banner in front.

Tommy2dogs wrote:Been driving by the Grand (Brickyard) location the last few days, today there is a "Now Hiring" banner in front.

Yeah, I was just by there on Saturday and noticed the banner.

I drove by the Las Islas Marias at the Brickyard yesterday and it is now open for business.

Does anyone have any input to the Brickyard location?

There is discussion of the new Islas Marias here.

Just a brief reminder of the forgotten LIM:

Las Islas Marias
15-17 S Broadway
Aurora

I think it opened last spring. Quality has been similar to the Grand and Clark locations, which are the only ones I have tried.

dicksond wrote: Quality has been similar to the Grand and Clark locations, which are the only ones I have tried.

That's like saying the quality is a good as Beefie's or Johnnies. It means nothing, since the Clark Street location has had some (perceived) issues with low turnover of their fish due to lack of business. Grand/Cicero is my benchmark for LIM quality. I'm going to check out the new Brickyard location tomorrow night to see how that one stacks up.