Mario's Catalina Restaurant

Mario's Catalina Restaurant reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. A

   Adam

   Montreal2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 25, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Outstanding service, food was amazing best dining experience in the Lauderdale area
   

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2. K

   Ken VIP

   Raleigh10 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on March 10, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The reviews are very accurate. Mario provides the feeling of an amazing home cooked meal by a family member. If you are up for a unique dining experience and you are a foodie who likes some adventure in your meal, this is the place for you. His warm greeting to each customer initially is surprising and disarming. You're not sure what to make of it. He asked us if he could, "cook for you?" We answered yes - which means he will bring you food without you selecting from a menu. Risky, yes, but the reward is great. He brought us multiple appetizers, a range of entrees on each plate. Incredibly he sensed each of our protein preferences (wife prefers fish, I prefer red meat) without asking us. Finishing with a lovely dessert. If you answer no, then you select from his menu as our neighboring table did. It felt like Mario was our long lost Cuban uncle (my friend, wife and I have no Cuban ancestry) who invited us into his home for a lovely refined Cuban meal. Mario's English is good enough, but if you want to select form the menu just be sure to say so instead of letting him just bring food out to you. Letting him cook was a fantastic way to have food we wouldn't have had otherwise.
   

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3. T

   Tamalam VIP

   New York City2 reviews

   1.0

   Dined on March 1, 2025

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 3

   Beware! Mario draws you in with his friendly greeting. Then, the scam begins. He ‘suggests” drinks and food and without ordering them, they show up to your table. You will be charged for them. Send them back! Also, there’s an “online” menu he’ll show you and a menu for his “best customers” with prices $10 different per item. You’ll get charged the higher price. The bill comes out a scribbled mess that you cannot read and it’s not until you get your credit card receipt that you realize what you’re paying. Also, the rice was so overcooked it was mush. The rest of the food was good. These are the same tricks as his other location. Just beware.
   

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4. E

   Erin

   Detroit1 review

   5.0

   Dined on February 19, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wonderful experience at new location. We were treated like royalty from the moment we walked in the door. The food was phenomenal, like nothing we’ve ever had before. Truly an unforgettable experience and one I would recommend to all locals and visitors. Mario is the most passionate and welcoming host. We are already looking forward to our next visit!
   

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5. n

   nilda VIP

   Fort Lauderdale40 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 15, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   You always feel like home when you eat at Mario’s! Excellent as always
   

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6. J

   Janet VIP

   San Antonio63 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 14, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had dinner at Mario’s to celebrate my wife’s Birthday what a fabulous experience the ambiance is amazing the service was amazing Mario was our waiter and treated us like family the food was fabulous and the mojitos were amazing. We will definitely return.
   

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7. J

   Jason

   Cleveland14 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 5, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Had a group of clients there for dinner and the Mario's level of service was exceptional. Food and drink were amazing and our group thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Give this spot a try, you will not be disappointed!
   

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8. S

   Scott

   Greater Boston10 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on February 2, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was the most amazing Cuban dining experience I’ve had outside of Havana! Mario cooked our courses and served us and the food was simply amazing! Highly recommend!!!!
   

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9. B

   Beverly VIP

   Atlanta62 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on January 29, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Fourth time here in a nicer new location. Mario is a gracious host you feel like you just stepped into his home. Extremely attentive service even brought a rose to me at my table. Nice fried plantain for complimentary appetizer with the best chimmichuri I’ve ever tasted. The empanadas are the best I’ve ever had and I’ve tried them in other restaurants. I had Mario’s special a little pricey but a plentiful dish of pork, shrimp and fish with black beans and rice. Dessert was a delicious rice pudding. We will be back again this is a must try restaurant.
   

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10. j

    jend

    Toronto12 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on January 26, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5

    Mario is a passionate host who takes a great interest in his guests. He is hands-on. The ambience is lovely- warm and
    

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