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Name: Mario’s Table
Address: 21 W Goethe St, Chicago, IL, 60610
Telephone: (312) 944-0199
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.75

Mario’s Table

21 W Goethe St, Chicago, IL, 60610

(312) 944-0199
Store is closed

Mario’s Table Menu

10" Stone Fired Pizza

Margherita Pizza

Grilled Chicken Pesto

Quattro Formaggio

Dante's Choice

Pizza Florentina

Primavera Pizza

Pizza Mio Mode (my way)
Salads

Side Salad

The Meatball Salad

Classic Caesar

The Palm-Cuke Salad

Caprese Salad

Mario's Salad
Fish

Grilled Salmon

Shrimp and Lobster Ravioli

Linguini and Clams

Shrimp Scampi

Seafood Diavola
Veal

Veal Saltimbocca

Veal Piccatta

Veal Marsala

Veal Parmesan
Chargrille

Mario's 6oz Pub Burger

Giambotta (Italian sausage)

Lamb Chops Oregenato

Rocco's Steak Vesuvio (tenderloin)

12oz prime New York Strip
Appetizers

Sausage and Roasted Peppers

Bruschetta

Mussels Diavola

Calamari

Parmesan Garlic Bread

Toasted Ravioli
Vegetarian

Roasted Vegetable Minestrone

Grilled Portabella Mushroom

Mario's Eggplant Parmesan

Grilled Vegetable Platter

Whole Wheat Pasta Primavera Aglio Olio

Broccoli & Shells Aglio Olio
Pasta

Five Cheese Lasagna

Bow Tie Pasta

Cheese Ravioli á la Vodka Sauce

Baked Cavatelli with Sausage

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Angel Hair Marinara or Aglio Olio

Tortellini Jambalaya
Chicken

Boneless Chicken Vesuvio

Traditional Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Marsala

Chicken Limóne

Mario's Chicken Milanese
Sides

Meatballs (2) or Italian Sausage

Roasted Potatoes or Home Fries

Sauteéd Spinach or String Beans

Steamed Broccoli or Grilled Asparagus

Penne Marinara or Angel Hair
Desserts

Homemade Tiramisu

Chocolate Thunder

Fresh Made Cannoli

Ricotta Style Cheese Cake

Sue's Hot Apple Pie

Chocolate Sundae

Spumoni Peppermint or Vanilla Ice Cream

Assorted Gelatos or Lemon Sorbet

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mario’s Table

10" Stone Fired Pizza

Margherita Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Chicken Pesto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quattro Formaggio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dante's Choice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pizza Florentina [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Primavera Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pizza Mio Mode (my way) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Side Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Meatball Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Palm-Cuke Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caprese Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mario's Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fish

Grilled Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp and Lobster Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Linguini and Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Scampi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Diavola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Veal

Veal Saltimbocca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Piccatta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Veal Parmesan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chargrille

Mario's 6oz Pub Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Giambotta (Italian sausage) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lamb Chops Oregenato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rocco's Steak Vesuvio (tenderloin) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

12oz prime New York Strip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Appetizers

Sausage and Roasted Peppers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels Diavola [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Parmesan Garlic Bread [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Toasted Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Vegetarian

Roasted Vegetable Minestrone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Portabella Mushroom [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mario's Eggplant Parmesan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Vegetable Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Whole Wheat Pasta Primavera Aglio Olio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Broccoli & Shells Aglio Olio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pasta

Five Cheese Lasagna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bow Tie Pasta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese Ravioli á la Vodka Sauce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Cavatelli with Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti and Meatballs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Angel Hair Marinara or Aglio Olio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tortellini Jambalaya [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chicken

Boneless Chicken Vesuvio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Traditional Chicken Parmesan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Marsala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Limóne [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mario's Chicken Milanese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Meatballs (2) or Italian Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Potatoes or Home Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteéd Spinach or String Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Steamed Broccoli or Grilled Asparagus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Penne Marinara or Angel Hair [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Homemade Tiramisu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Thunder [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Made Cannoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ricotta Style Cheese Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sue's Hot Apple Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chocolate Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spumoni Peppermint or Vanilla Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Assorted Gelatos or Lemon Sorbet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Patrick D.

Great find for date night! Very neighborhood feel - casual but not flip-flops and shorts. You'd be comfortable in anything from nice jeans/shirt to a suit. Relatively quiet, a couple of tvs if you like watching the game. I had the Cavatelli with sausage and it was great. Caesar salad with anchovies before that was tasty, and bruschetta appetizer was very nice. Decent but not over-the-top wine selection. Our server was great! Meal was staged and sequenced properly and we never went wanting for water in our glasses. Sat at a table next to the window which they leave open when the weather is nice. Very pleasant! We went on a Saturday night with an 8pm Opentable reservation. it was busy but still had a few open tables. It's a good place to keep in mind if you have a pop-up business dinner and you haven't made reservations. As others have mentioned it's a little off the beaten path and not in the core Rush Street zoo - which is a good thing! But it's not in the boonies - it's only two or three blocks from the Clark/Division Red line station - so park where it's convenient and hop the red line.
(5)
Lydia R.

This place is amazing! It is well of the beaten path though, so unless you live in one of the apartment complexes by it you'd never just walk past it. A causal atmosphere with a touch of elegance. The service was fantastic, I ordered a Manhattan but obviously had a glass of water too and I don't think my water glass was ever more than half empty. OK, so their food. I ordered linguine with clam sauce and holy cow was it the best thing I've eaten this past month. My date ordered the lasagna which he claimed "reminded him of home" We ordered dessert which I thought I wouldn't be able to eat because I was so full and I had already wrapped up half my meal, but I decided to try a bite if the apple pie. Omg order the apple pie when you go here. It's definitely worth it. Not too pricey, but a place that you would only go to when you wanted a nice night out. I could see it being a good girls night out place too.
(5)
Fritz S.

Great neighborhood place with good Italian food. Friendly and consistently good.
(4)
Charlie P.

Excellent! I live right around the corner and this was my first time here. The service was great and the food was excellent. Portions are pretty big and prices very reasonable. Definitely seems like a locals secret because it's a little off the beaten path. Mario came to our table and introduced himself, which was really cool! We'll definitely be returning!
(5)
Ian P.

Excellent dinner at Marios. We had a slight problem with my wife's chicken Parmesan being burned on one side. Manager was on top of it right away and promptly returned with a fresh plate. Food was tasty, wine was good. Very casual Italian atmosphere all in all very happy to have a good Italian dinner on our trip to Chicago.
(4)
Jennifer P.

Great, affordable dishes in a cozy location. Staff is very friendly, treating each customer like a "regular." Quick service considering a busy Friday night environment. For lighter faire, the Palm-Cuke salad is fantastic! It's so good that this meat-eater now craves salad!
(5)
Eric Y.

First of all, I want to put a disclaimer on my comments for dinner because I was recognized immediately by the owner, Mario. No doubt my group received special treatment - "wink, wink." But it was special treatment indeed. Mario is a gracious and gregarious host. We had a very nice meal, from cocktails, to wine, appetizers, salad, entrees, and dessert. This is not artisanal foodie food, it's standard Italian-American food that is prepared well and served in a very convivial atmosphere. If you lived in the neighborhood, you would eat and drink here all the time. Think "Cheers" with great food!
(5)
Ciera H.

My boyfriend and I are staying at Public Chicago and since it Valentine's Day we wanted a light lunch. Came here and sat at the bar and let me just say it was delish! We had cup of mini strobe which was filling and tasteful. We shared the fried calamari not as crispy as we like but it's definitely a second choice! Lastly we shared the toasted ravioli fabulous!! If your in the area and want quality italian within a reasonable budget it's well worth it!!
(4)
Danny W.

You'll find that most of the folks inside Mario's pronounce the street Gur-ta rather than Goethe. That's how hyper local they are. They've been around for 18 years and if you've ever been in it's pretty obvious why. The staff possesses that quintessential Chicago friendliness, the customers again are mostly regulars from around the block, and the food is very affordable considering how quality it is. The flatbreads are really good, but my top rec is any pasta with their vodka sauce. It's by far my favorite thing here, and I'd put it up there with the likes of a La Scarola or Volare. Totally try it with mixed seafood and if you like some kick they'll do it spicy upon request. They fly a bit under the radar not being nearly as busy as some of the other big names in town so if you don't want to deal with the rigamoroo of reservations or a 2 hour wait Mario's might just be super spot for you.
(5)
Naja H.

I've been wanting to try this place for the year that I've lived in the neighborhood. I was in the mood for Italian, and after speaking with a friend about this place, they recommended and provided me the take out menu, I decided to give it a try. The restaurant itself is tucked away in the corner of an apartment building. Upon first entering the restaurant, you'll see a bar and private booths to accompany a majority of the guests. I like that the restaurant is dimly lit. Perfect environment for date night. I believe I met the owner this visit, who was outside smoking a cigarette. He directed me to where the restaurant was and held the door open for me. The hostesses were extremely friendly and further directed me to where I could pick up my order. The checkout process was extremely easy and quick AND my food was ready! I ordered the calamari combo, which was a small order of the fried and grilled calamari, the meatballs and the toasted ravioli. The grilled calamari was UH-mazing! I ordered it on a whim, but I highly recommend it! It came with bruschetta mixed in. Man...YUM! The fried calamari was just okay though. It was a bit short on flavor and taste. The meatballs were okay as well. Nothing stood out about their seasoning. The toasted ravioli's were also very good. I'd recommend Mario's for a spontaneous dinner date, or if you live in the neighborhood. I'd also recommend giving the not-so typical items on the menu a try. I believe they may exceed your expectations. I'll be back Mario's!
(5)
Jordan M.

I live in the neighborhood and have passed by this place so many times. I finally decided to check it out last Friday night. The Blackhawks were playing that night but I'm not a hockey fan and just wanted a laid back night with my girlfriend. I figured a cozy Italian restaurant would be a safe bet. Unfortunately, they have TV's in every corner of the room and all of them had the hockey game on full blast. That's fine in the bar area but do you really need to have TV's around the room? Other than that, the food was pretty good and Mario does walk around and shake everyone's hand which is a nice touch. The calamari app was one of the better one's I've had. The veal saltimbocca was pretty par for the course. The servers were a bit abrupt with us but I think that was on account of the fact that they were about to close up. As soon as I took my last bite, they swiped my plate and handed us the check. If you want a casual Italian place with a great atmosphere, you're better off going to Orso's just a few blocks away. Sorry Mario!
(2)
Lian C.

The decor is casual but comfortable, and so is the food. I'm traveling on my own and it was a perfect, cozy place for a satisfying solo meal.
(4)
Sid P.

Ordered the cheese cake for take out! It was a horrible implementation with the cake floating in whipped cream. The taste was nothing great!
(2)
Chad L.

The best. Showed up without reservations on busy holiday and they were very accommodating. Everything is good, can't go wrong here.
(5)
J H.

We try to stop here when we're in Chicago - this time I had veal piccatta, which was very flavorful and tender - nicely prepared. My wife had the salmon, which comes in two serving sizes so that folks like us that are on the road don't end up with leftovers. The smaller serving was still very nice sized. Wine list with ample choices and reasonably priced. It was a busy Saturday night and Mario was working the crowd to greet everyone and make sure things were taken care of. We'll be back next time we're in town.
(4)
Michael J.

I wanted to like this place so much. Service was great. Very attentive and pleasant. We ordered: Side Cesar which was good. Baked Cavatelli with Sausage, it was terrible. The sauce had no flavor and the pasta was mush. Really disappointing. The Cheese Ravioli Ã¡ la Vodka Sauce had much more flavor than the Cavatelli but it was nothing special. With the price point and so many better options close by we will not be coming back.
(2)
Manny B.

We moved downtown recently and were initially excited about having a local Italian place around the corner. We have gone there 5 times in the last 5 months. The staff and owner are very nice. However, after going there many times, and once with a party of 8, I would expect at least some recognition of being a returning client. I am not looking for anything special, just a 'hi, glad to see you again'. The food can be very good to very bad. Our first meal was great, our second was not that good, the third was good, the fourth was both good and bad, and our last with a large party was fair at best. We will go back, but only if we are looking to get a quick easy meal and don't want to go too far and are willing to just get an average meal.
(2)
Henry J.

We had a dinner on a Saturday night and we really love this place! Romantic setting, warm greeting, friendly serving and delicious food! Will come back for sure!
(5)
Joey F.

My wife and I are a big fan of this place. It is one of our favorite neighborhood spots. This place is never that busy and good for all ages. They have the nicest staff. Mario walks around every night and just chats with all the tables. The dishes are pretty basic, but taste good. You can't go wrong by going here!
(4)
Gorkem U.

Great neighborhood Italian restaurant. I love their pizzas and calamari. It can get loud on Tuesday nights due to the ongoing wine promotion.
(4)
Lee P.

This is a cozy spot [it was 16-degrees when we stopped in]. Very cheery neighborhood crowd of all ages. We didn't expect such a NORMAL restaurant in the heart of the Gold Coast. But what we found was a well-priced Italian spot that had both northern and southern-style entres and pastas. Short, but good wine list. Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti for $45 as an example. Side salads were large for $6. Really good Caesar. Good veal dishes. Not crazy about the Pasta Jambalya I had, but it was worth a try. Mario is a real person and made the rounds thanking all the patrons. We felt like regulars even though this was our first visit.
(4)
Kristal R.

I made a reservation for this restaurant last night for a large party. We ended up having more people than what I reserved for, and Mario was incredibly accommodating, especially since it was super busy! He moved us to a more comfortable table, got us set up with some delicious appetizers, and made sure we were all set with the essentials (booze). The restaurant had a very homey feel, and we all had a great time!
(5)
Mark J.

Awesome service... They keeped my drinks full at all the time... The food was great and what you would expect from a neighborhood favorite loved by the locals
(4)
Sara R.

Good food for a good price. I had the grilled and fried calamari combination appetizer and it was delicious! The fried ones were lightly fried, not too greasy and not over cooked...the grilled calamari was AMAZING. My entrÃ©e was the lobster and shrimp ravioli. The ravioli themselves and the sauce were really good, but the shrimp that were included in the sauce were a little over cooked. The tiramisu was pretty good, but I've had better at other places. They do have a very good wine selection. Variety of flavors and prices. Would definitely go again on my next trip to Chicago.
(4)
Shin M.

To start, Marios catered on my bldg's rooftop and the dishes were pretty good! I remember there was some bow tie pasta, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. They handed us a $10 gift certificate which my fiance and I used tonight! To start, the hostess was really nice and opened the door for us. She seated us at a tiny 2 person table right next to a pillar which normally we wouldn't mind, but the bus boy made it very uncomfortable for my fiance. The bus boy came to bring the waters, the plates, the bread, the parmesan, the olive oil, the two main entrees, and to clean the table. So the pillar is on my fiance's left and the open space is on his right. Everytime the bus boy came by to do one of the aforementioned, he would stand on my fiance's left, where the pillar was, and reach in front of my fiancÃ© for everything. My fiance had to lean back every time the guy's arm went to the table. The bus boy could've easily went on my fiance's right side where there was plenty of walking space and everything. Anyway, my fiane got the almond crusted tilapia ($21) which was pretty average and nothing special. Definitely overpriced for its averageness. I got the gnocchi a la vodka special ($17) which was pretty good. I appreciate the gift certificate we got to use towards our food.
(3)
Maureen W.

I didn't know what to expect when a friend brought me here and said it was a neighborhood joint. Sure enough, it was kind of non-descript, in the lobby of a condo building. But the place was packed with locals, so I knew it would be decent. I started with the crab cakes and the house chianti. Keep the crab cakes, leave the wine! Meaning give me all your wine. It was a lovely gem of a chianti. However, I have had better crab cakes. They were just ok, but the topper was the lemony sauce...super yummy and made the dish. My friend had a salad topped with grilled chicken. She ate it all and said she gets the same thing every time, so I guess she likes it. :) I had the fish special and it was nice. Very flaky and tender fish, delicate caper sauce and sauteed veggies. they were nice enough to swap out the usual sauteed spinach for broccoli and carrots and it was great. Finished with another glass of vino and I was ready for bed! Prices were a-ok...decor a bit 80s-ish and could use some updating. Overall not bad.
(3)
Erika C.

meh. that pretty much described our experience at marios. checked out the website and thought this place may be just the italian joint we've been looking for. thought wrong. homemade pasta? nope. food was bland, cold, and didn't have that "wow factor" for 17.95 also not really a homey feel if your not a "regular" regulars were welcomed with open arms and new customers were shunned. note : we're not paying any less or tipping any less just because we've never been there before mr. mario the thing that gets me the most is the price, not acceptable to feel this way and the food to taste that way when your paying almost 20 dollars for a pasta dish. don't mean to sound harsh but...no thanks.
(2)
Ashley C.

We came here with some friends to check out a neighborhood favorite. It has a Cheers-type feel. The owner Mario was there and came to greet us. The restaurant is a little dark, but that gives it a intimate, homey feel. Overall, the service was pretty good. The drinks were excellent - strong but balanced. The food was solid, but nothing to write home about. It may be simple, but I loved the bread and olive oil. It was fresh and I kept soaking it up. For the entrees, I ordered the shrimp and lobster ravioli with a vodka sauce. They were out of the lobster but could do the shrimp. Normally italian portions are huge so I ordered a half order. However, when my half order of pasta came, I thought two things: (1) Other places must skew my portion size because I thought a half order was very small with four medium sized ravioli (my husband thought the same); and (2) where was the shrimp?! While they were out of lobster, it didn't seem like they added more shrimp. Instead of shrimp ravioli, it was ravioli with some small shrimp. That said, the shrimp were good. The pasta itself was okay. It's really 2.5 and maybe approaching 3. If suggested, it is a good neighborhood joint and I would go back.
(2)
Adam C.

We had a really delicious meal here last night. We were staying across the street at Public and wandered in here to see if we could find some tasty Italian food. At first, this place has the appearance of a chain diner, other than being very romantically lit with low lighting. Once you get into your booth and sit down to look at the menu, the place transforms into an old school Italian restaurant, just the sort you were looking for. We ordered baked ravioli for an appetizer and cleaned the plate. The bread looked very ordinary until we tried it and then ate the entire basket. My wife ordered the quattro formaggi pizza and it was outstanding. I ordered a half order of the Veal Parmesan and was stunned by the gigantic size of what came to my table. It was absolutely delicious with bake-melted cheese all over the top. I wanted to try a meatball in their meat sauce, so I asked the server if they could bring me one. She came back with a little bowl of meat sauce and a meat ball in the middle as if it was a perfectly normal request. It too, was fabulous. The only thing I was disappointed with was the fairly limited wine list. There just wasn't much to choose from. At best, maybe 1-2 selections from each varietal. We settled on a Mark West pinot noir at $32, where just a few blocks away, it is sold at Jewel for $10.99. I've frequently seen bottles sold in restaurants for 2x retail but this was much steeper than that. Overall, we really enjoyed our dinner here and definitely satisfied our craving for yummy Italian. As others have noted, Mario actually walks the room and engages in conversation with each of his guests to make sure they are satisfied with their experience. This is a nice personal touch that you just don't get anymore these days.
(4)
Dodo H.

Skip the chains and go to Mario's but you'll need reservations, or you can sit at the bar. We returned to Mario's not to be disappointed. EVERYTHING was wonderful and sooo delicious. We felt like we were back in Italy. Amy, our server, gave outstanding and friendly service. She even brought us serving utensils (without us asking) so that we could share each other entrees! Wine was excellent. It's like going to a neighborhood restaurant. Most people walk here. We walked because we weren't too sure about parking, but looks like Hotel Indigo nearby has a parking lot. Also there are a lots a few blocks south of Division and you can walk over. On the street parking, if you're really lucky. The best, best, BEST is the calamari combo appetizer. We also liked the bow tie pasta w/ pancetta & peas. The only downside is that we were too full for dessert. Ciao!
(5)
LaurenSerena K.

Love this place the eggplant...to die for. We eat here at least once a week. It's also lovely to have it delivered too!!! I can't say enough what a gem this place is!!!
(5)
Andree D.

Went Mario's last night for the first time - how is that??!! Have walked past hundreds of times. This Gold Coast neighborhood gem is perfect - warm, friends/family feel, delicious food! Exactly why I love Chicago neighborhood treasures. And Mario (the owner) and staff are outstanding. Going on my top 10 favorite spots.
(5)
Cat O.

Very family friendly Italian restaurant! We went for the first time last night and brought our one year old. They were so welcoming and had such a great menu. We had the New York strip and it was fabulous. I would definitely come back again.
(5)
Jeff C.

Like others, I've been to this restaurant several times because of its location, and it is clearly beloved by its neighborhood regulars. The food is utterly average, unimaginative and tastes unfinished. On a recent visit, the antipasto salad was a bowl of lettuce and peppers with a few slices of salami and provolone draped around the sides. The soft shell crabs were simply deep-fried with no real seasoning. The sausage and potatoes in the giambotta were dry and bland. There are dozens of far-better Italian restaurants in Chicago that are a better value. Unless you live in the highrise it sits beneath or live across the street, as my friends do, I can't imagine why anyone would make a special trip here.
(2)
Josselyn W.

I've been here one time before they changed over to the "Mario's Table" name, and both times the food was excellent. Portions are good, and the price is right. They have a big menu - various options under the Vegetarian, Pasta, Chicken, Veal, etc sections. Good place for a weeknight dinner - usually not too busy. Mario, the owner, greeted our table as soon as we sat down. He's very friendly and wants to make sure you enjoy your dinner experience.
(4)
Jo W.

Awesome time, family owned Italian + menu. Friendly, happenin', drinks at the bar and a great relaxing awesome meal! Perfect!
(5)
Alexa L.

Considering the number of solid Italian places in this city, Mario's is a bit of a let down. The food is not exciting or well executed and the price is not lower than most casual places in the area. The decor is very boring. The service was effective but not great. Very 2-star, "meh"...
(2)
Holly W.

I came here for dinner on Saturday and really enjoyed the experience! Waitstaff was friendly and attentive. I had the side Caesar salad which had a really delicious and tangy dressing and crispy croutons. For my main course I tried the chicken marsala. I really appreciated that they had two price options in terms of portion sizes when it came to meat dishes (one 6oz piece or two) - great for me who eats a bit less and my boyfriend who has a bigger appetite. It came in a wonderful wine sauce and with roasted potatoes which were nicely seasoned. Didn't stay for dessert but saw a few walking out and they looked delicious. I also tried a bite of the marinara sauce and thought it was really tasty/had a great flavor. I would love to come back and try a pasta dish! I subtracted one star just from the standpoint that the ambiance/decor of the restaurant inside was just standard.
(4)
Madan R.

We live on Clark and Schiller, about a block from where this restaurant is. And this is a restaurant we wanted to go for a long time. We decided to visit it today. And I was not disappointed. I had lamb chops with risotto. The chops were cooked almost perfectly and had a nice flavor to them. But the risotto was DELICIOUS! Our waiter was attentive and bothered us at the right times. During dinner, Mario walked out and had a chat for couple of minutes. All in all a nice dinner. I would definitely do it again.
(5)
Jennifer T.

A good neighborhood Italian place. I dig their marinara sauce, personally. The dish I usually order is not on the official menu anymore, but we haven't had any problems ordering it since the name & menu change. If you're in the neighborhood, it's a good place to go but not a place that is wonderful to go out of your way for.
(3)
Julie P.

I live in the area and I'm a Mario's regular but for good reason. I have dinner here about once a week and I'm always happy with whatever I order and the service is always good too. I love the neighborhood vibe and Mario is always there! And I mean really there - walking around from table to table and working the room non-stop. He's a great guy and he has an amazing ablility to remember names! Last night, I brought a friend visiting from Orlando and we had an amazing dinner. We started with the coconut shrimp appetizer and loved it. The wine list is complete and the wine glasses are the real deal. When we left after dinner, my friend insisted on getting a photo of us an the entrance of the restaurant, by the "mario's" sign. And guess who stepped up to take the shot? Mario, of course!
(5)
Mark L.

This cute little neighborhood italian restaurant is a great spot for gold coasters who want some good food in a cozy environment for a fair price. I enjoy my experience whenever I go here, which has been about 6-7 times all without any problems. While I have never had any complaints, I have never been blown away either. Although it was nice to have the real Mario come by the table and ask us how we were enjoying dinner. It's that little touch gives this place that friendly chicago feel and makes me keep going back. Plenty of places can provide simiar food (standard italian dishes) but Mario's does it with that extra friendly attitude that customers appreciate. It's a bit pricey depending on what you like, but that is true of most places in the area. This place is a solid 3.5 overall, so I will give it a 4 since Mario was nice enough to introduce himself and inquire about our meal. Customer care goes a long way with me
(4)
Eric M.

I like Mario's. It's basically a neighborhood restaurant that happens to serve the Gold Coast neighborhood. As such it's a little nicer than your average neighborhood Italian joint might be, but the spirit is pretty much the same. Consistent food, friendly, personable service, reasonable (for the area) prices. I like the Chicken Limon best, although when soft shell crab is in season (which I love), they do that very well. I used to live on Dearborn, and I still make it over to Mario's now and then. I think anyone who lives near it in the Gold Coast probably has some memory there. I ate there with my friends the day the U.S. launched attacks on Afghanistan. It was such a communal experience, with the not-yet-hated President Bush announcing the invasion on the televisions to total silence in otherwise packed room. The Gold Coast is one of the more Republican neighborhoods in Chicago, but politics didn't matter for that night - just community, and Mario's was (and is) a great place for community.
(4)
Zelda P.

The service here was top notch. Timely and just the right amount of attentiveness. The food though, was just OK and not worth the size of the bill. The items sounded really good on the menu, but the visual appeal and the taste were letdowns. The salads had a nice variety of items, but were cut in small pieces and piled high on a plate that barely fit the contents, so hard to eat without food spilling out onto the table. And the quality was OK, but nothing great about the taste. The entrees also were OK, but tasted the same as things we could prepare at home with little effort. Overwhelming garlic, too. Atmosphere also was fine, but nothing to return for.
(2)
Rob S.

Mario's was a pleasant suprise. We made a reservation through opentable and found it to be a great place. We had the calamari appetizer, grilled and fried. The grilled calamari was excellent. For our main course, we had the lamb chops and the mussels appetizer. Lamb chops were well seasoned and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The risotto with it was very good as well. The mussels were perfectly steamed in a red spicy sauce. Mario came over to our table a couple times through the night to see how things were going. Very polite and professional. Made us feel very welcome. Overall great experience. This place has the food and ambience to be a great place to grab dinner on a regular basis.
(5)
Stephanie B.

This restaurant was delicious. My boyfriend and I just moved into the area and were randomly searching for a reservation on open table on a Saturday night and decided on Marios because it was walking distance. It had a cute authentic Italian atmosphere. The food was delicious ( had the special which was spaghetti with scallops). The grilled calamari was outstanding and the prices were pretty reasonable. We will definitely return. Great date restaurant as well!
(4)
Patti B.

I'm with Deepa J. on the great location since this place is super close to where my boyfriend lives. Even though it always seems busy, we were able to get a seat during prime time without any wait. The boyfriend wanted a hearty meal so he ordered the chicken parmesan, which came out well-cooked and flavorful. My baked cavatelli tasted homemade (literally! we make this all the time, so I was a little let down that it tasted so similar) but the sausages on top were delicious and something I definitely don't have at home. We dug into the bread at the beginning (hot, toasty on the outside and fluffy on the inside) so we did have quite a lot of leftovers for lunch the next day. They do make a good tiramisu and it comes as a generous square-shaped portion. However, I wouldn't recommend the coffee. We probably should have gone across the street to 3rd Coast for that instead. Anyway, I thought it was nice that Mario made the rounds and stopped by each table to ask how everyone's meal was going. He even waited patiently as one lady (a regular?) pulled out her wallet and started walking him through a whole bunch of family photos. Now that's something I don't see everyday.
(4)
Jane L.

My fave neighborhood place ever. Staff very friendly and see Mario all the time. is very good with the pizza and tortellini jambalaya ordered more often than not! I am very comfortable going in by myself just to see who's around!
(5)
Rhonda F.

Love this little neighborhood gem. If you want a comfortable and relaxing place to enjoy traditional Italian food this is the place for you! Mario is always there and can be seen stopping by tables to chat it up with customers. The service cannot be better. Emily and Kathleen are the best!
(5)
Rachel B.

Decided to order out from Marios tonight and had a pizza, speghetti and meatballs, and antpasto salad. Somehow every item was completely tasteless including the pepperoni (how is that possible!). Won't be going back, bummed because it is so close to my house.
(1)
Amy S.

We had a very good experience at Mario's. The service was quick, the food was very good. My husband really liked the lamb chops. Worth a visit and a definite value for the money.
(4)
Rachel A.

It a neighborhood place that is over priced. We split a 1/2 portion of the grilled veggie's, each had 2 glasses of wine, the bill was over $60.00, without the tip...that is a bit crazy in this economy.... but good place to see folks in the neighborhood.
(2)
Carson H.

I lived above Mario's for about 4 years and was just never really that impressed by the food. It is a great spot to grab a drink at the bar (a bar in your building- no matter how crappy- with Chicago's winters is probably one of the biggest luxuries of all time). The servers are friendly and Mario is in there all the time watching over things. They heart of palm salad and roasted mushrooms aren't bad.
(3)
Geoff K.

It's the best Italian I have come across. The Seafood Diavlo will knock your socks off and even my wife agrees.
(5)
D J.

Marios in my mind treads the boundary between average and good. The biggest selling point is obviously the location, it's a stone's throw from where I live, so a great option to saunter in unplanned. I wasn't hugely impressed with the fare especially for the price tag that came with it. Did like their tiramasu for dessert though, definitely better than the rather ordinary entrees. The artificial fireplace and rather dated ambiance apart, have no complaints about the neighborhood feel that it touts itself for. So while I'd be hard pressed to recommend this restaurant, if you live in the Gold coast area and need a change from the typical scene, Marios does provide a reasonable alternative.
(3)
heather h.

Vegetarian for the day? I love their grilled vegetables and palms salad. Went out for a big steak day before. Love grilled veggies. Nice atmosphere for the gold coast. Located in an apartment building, weird. My friend enjoyed the fried calamari. Fun for after work appetizers,drinks and conversation.
(4)
Jacqueline S.

This place is great. I'm not sure I've ever had a bad meal here. They definitely take care of their own here though. It's a small place, and if they know you you'll get better service. Great ambiance; dimly lit, dark bar and booths. The food is really great, I've tried numerous things on the menu and have loved every single one so far. They also have different specials (once a week?). Not sure. Anyways, definitely worth checking out. Oh! Another plus, the owner Mario comes around and says "Hi, I'm Mario, how is your meal tonight? Can I get you anything?" I saw him go up to everyone in the restaurant! So many owners are lazy and just sit around and rake in the cash. This guy is seriously very nice. I saw him go up to a table of 7 or 8 people and one of the guys went to the bathroom and he took his food (which had just been brought out) and put it in the back to keep it warm for him while he was in the bathroom. Seriously, best attitude of any owner I've met. You can get half orders or full orders of anything on the menu, too which is a great option, considering I'm the type of person that likes to do the three-course meals. One of the servers that works there recognizes me because I've been going back and will say hi even if I'm not in her section. Really sweet people here it seems.
(5)
Robert B.

My girlfriend and I have been going to Mario's for several years now (Live in the neighborhood) and have always had a great time. Mario does a great job at making his guests feel welcome, coming by every table to see how the meal was. After going there a coupe of times, Mario always remembers us and makes us feel most welcome. The Spaghetti and Meatballs is a favorite of ours, as well as the Giambota (Sp?) and the Baked Cavatelli. They just added a canolli to their dessert menu and it was fantastic! Bravo Mario, keep it up!
(5)
Dan H.

Mario himself is a great guy. I just always like going in there...being recognized and always a happy hello. I guess I just like the neighborhood feel. Parking down the block is always a plus for me. The food is good. The drinks are good. Great Service- I have never had any complaint and would recommend this place highly.
(5)
Abbey A.

I went to Mario's for dinner - it was really just ok. It was right by my hotel, which was very convenient, but there wasn't anything that really stuck out for me. The bread was ok, the bowtie pasta was good, but not outstanding, and the service was fine. We were sitting next to a tv fire - yes you read that right, there was a tv that was showing a fireplace - it was a little odd, but I appreciate the attempt to feel homey. Overall, not a bad dining experience, but there are so many great restaurants in the city, I don't know that I would deliberately choose to go back to Mario's.
(3)
Nazia H.

I like this place and would def recommend it to anyone who is looking for a solidly good, but not spectacular Italian meal. I have tried their ravioli and chicken marsala, which were both very tasty and seasoned well. The bread is warm and crispy and they'll bring more if you are not listening to those diet tips and want to stuff yourself w carbs. Waitstaff and busboys are attentive, friendly and helpful. Sometimes you get a coupon (termed a gift certificate) in the mail if you live in the 'hood.
(4)
Bridget L.

The atmosphere at Mario's is wonderful. A perfect, neighborhood joint. Go any night of the week, and you'll see Mario working the room, making sure his guests are satisfied. I like the staff as well. They are loyal to Mario and their customers, so you always feel welcome. The food is good, but the pizza's are delicious. I lived in Rome and fell in love with the paper-thin style pizza. For years I searched for a place in Chicago that had such a pizza, and I finally found it at Mario's. Recommended.
(4)
Donnie C.

Reliably good food, drinks, portions, and service. Thank you.
(4)
Greg S.

We had a dinner reservation for 3 adults and a 10- month old. We were seated next to another baby-15 months old, which again would indicate that children are welcome. It was not until my child started talking-not crying, but talking, that the owner felt he needed to come over with the bartender as backup and essentially tell me to shut my child up. As he put it he had a lot of "nice diners" coming in on a Saturday evening. I could not believe what I was hearing! My son was not crying he was not throwing food or playing with silverware-he was speaking; how I am supposed to reprimand him for that? Truthfully I thought it was a joke. My husband and I work closely with the CVB as well as local concierges and I can assure you I will be sharing my experience. If they don't want families in there on a Saturday night, that is their prerogative. They shouldn't accept the reservation. Please do not ask me to discipline my child for doing nothing wrong.
(1)
Kary S.

I have really enjoyed this restaurant on the few occassions I've been to Chicago. Authentic Italian food, good atmosphere, great location!
(5)
Bridget J.

Good service! Good location! Good atmosphere! Food is pretty good too!
(3)
atima k.

i have never eaten there but have taken out few times (relatively fast delivery-food still hot and only $2). food is great-pasta, thin crust pizzas are the best best best.... can't comment on quality of ambience or service, hence one star missing, but will try it soon enough and if not-no worries, ordering is a great place for this neighbordhood
(4)
Mary W.

Not a huge fan! Extremely expensive and not very good food!
(3)
Joseph K.

Sorry to say I was very disappointed with Marios. Not only did I find the food average at best I feel it is far over priced for what you get. I'm amazed to see the high review this place received. With so many good Italian places in this area, I don't see why anyone would choose to go here. Also, it looks and feels like an Olive Garden so maybe that's why I waited so long to try it. I should have trusted my gut with this place. Never again. What a let down.
(1)
Douglas S.

I've eaten hear 3 times and the food is great! atmosphere too. My personal favorite is the veal parmagian (did I spell that right?). well, you know what I mean....good priced and great taste
(5)
Heidi J.

Absolutely delicious! A real hidden gem. A must try for authentic and amazing Italian food. Try the meatball salad and the lasagna!
(5)
Danielle K.

This a frequent destination since my boyfriend lives nearby. We have been here over 10 times and always get the Mario's antipasti salad and sometimes the sausage and peppers appetizer. The salad (whole) is big enough for two and has Parmesan cheese, sweet peppers, olives, jalipenio peppers and a whole lot of ingredients I can't remember. There are salami and cheese slices hanging over the sides of the bowl. Nice touch. Service is usually good and we've sat all over. Dimly lit, older crowd but whatevs. Good fresh baked bread with ground cheese/olive oil. They also don't give you attitude if you ask for a second or...third (we like bread!) helping of bread. Sets us back about $12 each (with tax and tip)
(4)
Emily B.

Eh, not going to work for me. The place sort of looks like a cross between a sports bar and the dining area of a Holiday Inn. I live in the area and had a coupon to try the food. I didn't get much for my money and found the server's recommendation to be "off" (baked cavatelli with sausage). There's not a lot of Italian in the area, true, but Mario's doesn't quite cut it.
(2)
Nicole C.

I was back to Mario's again last week.... I do have to say that our service was NOTHING compared to the first time around. This woman seemed frantic, forgot things that we ordered, and never explained the specials. Boo :( However, we all enjoyed our food. We started with the chicken fingers (they're homemade and delicious!) and caprese salad. I had the bowtie pasta with a white cream sauce, prosciutto, peas, and tomatoes. My cousin had the veal picatta, which arrived in a bath of butter! The food was very good, but I wouldn't advise eating here if you're watching your waistline. :) Mario stopped by twice this time, which was again really nice... I'm sure to be back, but have my fingers crossed for better service.
(4)
Marcy B.

New to neighborhood. Have eaten here five or six times due to convenience. Food is average at best. Having gone numerous times in a couple of weeks, no one recognized me and weren't particularly friendly. Very busy when they have 2 for 1 wine by glass special. Isn't worth a free glass of wine. Am finding many other great options.
(2)
Cat G.

Great place. I've been several times now and the food is always great. There's a lot of great pasta dishes and the specials are usually good as well. The owner makes an appearance regularly and I believe he's stopped at our table everytime we've been in just to ask about the food and service. I don't have any complaints about this place and plan to go back regularly. Definitely recommended.
(5)
Esther Y.

Is it weird that the best part of the meal was the bread that I was eating dipped in my cheese and olive oil? I had the burger, it was meh. I think it actually made me a little sick. The "fries" weren't really fries. They were in between wedges and and fries. However, they were SOOO oily and really really soggy. To be fair, i could've ordered wrong...my friend liked her lobster and shrimp pasta, but I didn't try it b/c I wasn't in the pasta mood. I don't think I'd go here to eat again, but wouldn't be opposed to stepping in for a drink.
(2)
Steve M.

I grew up a couple blocks away, and love Mario's. I've been here countless times with my family, and each time the whole gang rolls in, Mario strolls right up to us, asks how we're doing, and if he (personally) can get us anything. When Mario isn't there, the service is just as amazing. The food is also so so so good. You gotta try the soft shell crabs. Or, my personal fave, Tortellini Jambalaya. SPICY, huge, and delish.
(5)
Pamela P.

So, I kind of expected Tony Soprano to walk in at any moment. Darkly lit, dim place with some peeps that really look like they're in character for a mob show. Sinatra-esque music and the bar that's churning out martinis and scotches and heavy on the rocks knock your socks off drinks. The food was great. The garlic bread really hit the spot, especially for this carb-starved vegetarian. The veggie pasta dish, in a large size, no less, was actually really good and chockful of good veggies. The olio sauce wasn't overpowering and neatly complemented the veggies and perfectly cooked pasta. My other half had some artery clogging past mess that was smothered in cheese and sauce and leid with a wreath of sausage. Our friend had the healthiest of the bunch--an antipasto salad--and he said it was "surprisingly good." All around a quiet and somewhat upperscale place (pricetag wise) but it wasn't pretentious and no one batted an eye at the shorts and tshirt gang accompanying me. We'll be back for sure!
(4)
Beth J.

I have still not been back from the last time we went. The more I think about it the more I really hated our experience. Over crowded Over priced Overrated The service was terrible. I am all about neighborhood gems but this is not one of them.
(1)
Mike H.

Mario just updated his decor and menu, and tweaked the name of the restaurant to Mario's Table. Same great food, same great service. Mario himself is there almost every night, and I guarantee he will come by your table to make sure you are being properly taken care of. The food quality has always been good but I think things have gotten even better with the new menu - Last night I had one of the specials, a baked gnocchi dish with vodka sauce and asiago that was pretty much to die for. Also the appetizer grilled calamari was outstanding, and I'm not normally a big calamari fan. Great neighborhood restaurant.
(5)
Jordan S.

The lemon chicken is absolutely fantastic! We also ordered the calamari combo which was very good! The grilled calamari was especially yummy. Its great to have such a good italian restaurant in the neighborhood!
(5)
Pine F.

The food is way overpriced for what you get. Televisions in every corner make it hard to converse. Still, since we live less than a block away, we used to stop in now and then, until we discovered that... MARIO'S IS NOT QUEER-FRIENDLY. My youngest daughter, who is MTF trans, was dining there having a quiet conversation with her elderly godmother when Mario approached their table and demanded of my daughter, "Put a coat on, or leave." My daughter was stunned -- she was wearing an unremarkable fem top, nothing outlandish. Mario claimed that "someone" had complained about the way my daughter looked. In order to not cause a scene, she quietly complied. The two of them finished their meal and left. Rest assured, NO one in our family will EVER darken Mario's door again.
(1)
Sachin B.

Just can't seem to find really amazing italian food in the city. Went here friday night and it was bustling. There was a real cozy and intimate ambience to the place. We started with the grilled calamari which was coated in balsamic and EVOO. Very tasty and high quality as it was not chewy. We then split a margerita pizza and chicken parm. The pizza was decent- it came out a bit colder than it should have (wood oven). The chicken parm was unique in that it was a) Grilled and b) It was sliced. It was decent- nothing to get worked up over. The dirty martinis were very well prepared and the wine I had was tasty as well. We shared the chocolate cake dessert which was also delicious though a lot sweeter than I'm comfortable with (and i have a huge sweet tooth) My quest for an A+ Italian restaurant in Chi continues.
(3)
Tiffany L.

Carried out a quick late lunch back to our hotel room and we were quite impressed. We just shared a little margherita pizza and the toasted ravioli and both items were quite tasty. The marinara sauce for the ravioli was delicious. I knew nothing of this place when I lived in Chicago, glad to have found it as a visitor.
(4)
Bethany B.

Not my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago, but a good reliable place that is on my regular hit list. Mario's is in my neighborhood, and when I'm craving lasagna (that I don't have to make myself) this is where I head. I haven't really branched out from this dish because it's so good and consistent...I can't bring myself to order anything else! They have many wines that are reasonably priced, and the service has always been friendly. Not an upscale place - they have TVs on playing the games at the bar - so it's an easy choice for a mid-week dinner when I don't feel like getting fancy. If you live in the area I'd recommend giving it a try!
(4)
Mark K.

Best Service, Best Food on the Coast!
(5)
Ben B.

At most restaurants, you get a salad before your meal. Not so at Mario's. The atmosphere is fairly cozy with lots of dark browns. A plasma TV rotates pictures of fine art. But the food was weak. I got some beef-stuffed ravioli (the "special") and it just tasted bland. Seriously, I've had better Chef Boyardee. The sauce had no flavor. Mushrooms were just dumped on top, not mixed with the sauce at all. And the portion was small, compared to what you'd get at most other Italian joints. The only reason they can charge those prices is the location, but you'll get more flavor and a better value courtesy of your can opener. Skip it.
(2)
Lauren M.

Always great food & specials. Mario has a presence on a daily basis which is nice. They have specialty items, like gluten free pasta. Delivery/take out is always quality, too. legit meatballs. there's always a table.
(4)
William H.

Food is good but the ambiance and friendly staff are what make this place work. It's a " Cheers " kind of place. The owner Mario comes around and visits every table. You will feel loved here.
(4)
Jeff K.

Chicago has a bunch of really great Italian restaurants, this needs to be added to the list. Tucked away from the hustle of the Gold Coast and catering to the locals, Mario is dedicated to high quality food that tastes like a proud grandmother would be stirring up in the kitchen. I came here on a Friday night with friends and was pleasantly surprised and pleased to see how busy the restaurant was. Luckily we had reservations so we had no problems being seated. Despite the crowds and amount of food being put out, the service was spectacular and the food was amazing! Highlights of the night: Veal piccata, calamari appetizer two way (grilled and fried), toasted ravioli, and tortellini jambalaya. I cannot wait to come back! Plus, I love that I feel like I can come back any night of the week for a solid dinner because the prices are so good or I can come back with a group. Really completes what the Gold Coast is missing: neighborhood restaurants with high quality food!
(5)
B G.

Was staying at Public Chicago Hotel and walked the couple of blocks to Mario's. Even though it was a Saturday night we were promptly seated by a very friendly hostess. We have pizza and salads. Would love to return when we visit Chicago again. Seemed like a great, unassuming neighborhood place with authentic Italian food. Mario checked on us during the evening.
(5)
Riz A.

I've literally lived down the street from this place since summer, but haven't had a chance to try it out, I popped in last night for a quick bite and was pleasantly surprised. Given that it's kind of in the lobby of an old school condo building and has a very 1980's lounge feel to it, I wasn't expecting much, but i was definitely impressed. It was Tuesday so they had the 2 for 1 wine special going on, which was pretty awesome. They have a small but well chosen selection of red and white wines, and both the wines recommended by our waiter were fantastic. We tried the garlic bread, chicken parm, and pesto pizza. I'd say the garlic bread and chicken parm were excellent, the pesto pizza was a bit greasy and really not my bag. The warm apple pie with ice cream was pretty great too. a bit on the pricey side for what it is, but pretty solid food, good service, and good wine. Not worth going totally out of your way, but if you live around here , definitely worth the visit.
(4)
Kara W.

So glad we stopped in last night. Great wine and food reccomendation from our server. I had half chicken vesivio which was perfect for me since I'm known to not eat a huge dinner. My boyfriend had the jumbalia pasta which he instantly fell in love with ...and even ate his leftovers. Only complaint was that the server totally forgot our coconut shrimp appetizer. Although we had enough food already, I did really want to try it. Maybe next time!! Even with the server's error I will still return as the food and the bread are amazing !!! PS Mario takes great care and stops by every table. Nice touch !!
(4)
Xiao W.

fairly good italian food This was originally 4 stars but after going to quite a few italian restaurants in Chicago I think Mario is the best in both taste and taste/price
(5)
Eddie S.

The service is mediocre, the food is okay, but there's no "wow" factor here. The restaurant itself is pretty intimate and you feel comfortable, but it definitely needs to be revamped. It looks like a cheap diner from the early 90's. Overall, the food leaves much to be desired for - I've tried the linguini clams, chicken vesuvio, and margarita pizza. If you get the full sized portion, the meals are extremely overpriced. If you get the half sized portions, you may still be hungry. I'd suggest if you're in the Gold Coast area and looking for Italian, stick to Carmine's - you won't miss anything here.
(2)
Dave L.

Solid food and nice people. Good for a quick midweek meal.
(4)
Marie M.

Mario is my new favorite Italian in the neighborhood. I walk pass it every day but never stopped by. Untill I received a special deal in the mail and visited with family from out of town. Nothing out of the ordinary on the menu but everything is very good. The service is super friendly, from the smily welcoming hostess to the different servers and runners. The price is competitive for the area. The place itself is nice. If you avoid week ends it's nice and quiet. Will definitely be back!
(4)
Norbert W.

Maybe if this gives a glimpse for entry-level travelers. but the food was sub standard. Service was "meh", definitely not up to Chicago standards (or neighborhood standards!). Seems to be a place that rests on its laurels along with a group of regulars. If you're not a regular, do not expect good service, a friendly atmosphere, or anything other than a cliched menu. No baked ziti, thank zod, but enough of other foods that would make you think you're backstage at a cliche convention If you're a fan of Euro-style or "Italian-style" pizzas, this is definitely NOT the place for you. Somehow they messed that up. I'm Danish and can get "more authentic" cooking on our equivalent of Wicker Park. If you're a fan of soft shelled crabs, their special is definitely NOT for you, either. They fail frying 101!! In short - if you're an entry level traveler, or have some sort of strange Hollywoodized Italy fettish, you might not totally hate it. If you're not in that category, please, walk a few more steps down to Division or over to Goethe/Wells and on North and get stuff that's much, much better. Value = low. Service = fair, not Chicago standards, however Food = joke Atmosphere = Sesame Street of Italy.
(1)
marco o.

Nice atmosphere and Mario seems like a nice guy. The food isn't too expensive, but it's still not worth it. I'm fairly certain it isn't homemade pasta, it's just too bland. The salads look really big, but are mostly just filler. The choice of dishes with good veggies was pretty solid.
(2)
Michael G.

Not the best atmosphere but it was a week night to their defense. Grilled calamari appetizer is worth the price. Had the seafood diavola for my entree. It was average but I do like that they have half and pull portion options but the price doesn't align to the portion size. Overall I would dine here again but might keep to the appetizer menu.
(3)
Whitney J.

This is my first review ever! That being said...this place was worth it! A perfect, authetic Italian joint. I am so excited to bring my boyfriend (who comes from a very large Italian family) here for his birthday! Our waitress was very attentive and the owner was awesome. Cool guy, down to earth and just wanted to make sure we had a great experience. He came over introduced himself and insisted on putting in a Margarita Pizza (amazing and a perfect app..small, very thin, and delicate) for us on the house. He came back and checked in on us later and chatted for a little. Later on the bartender gave us complimentary limonchello drinks to wrap the meal up. I had the eggplant parm which was mmmmmMMMMMGOOD! the bread and olive oil, chz was fantastic. I could keep raving, but i will stop here. If you get the chance GO totally worth it!
(5)
Jones G.

Casual, no hype, homemade food with no pretentiousness. It can be loud, but most quaint places usually are. Dishes we have ordered have been great! We have sauntered in with worn jeans and have also dined dressed up a bit--but we are always treated the same and the food is reliable!
(5)
K R.

Less than average tasting, over priced, Italian food. I wish it were better. I really do. Very nice neighborhood feel. Friendly and accommodating. Good service. Attentive owner. The place is often busy. (? It must be me ?) This time I ordered pasta with seafood. Pasta was wet ( not drained ) and over cooked and tasteless. Seafood quality (mussels,clams,shrimp)was average. Red sauce flavor was less than average, likey due to the abundance of water from the noodles. An Italian restaurant should have much better pasta. Previous visits resulted in a meal with too much garlic and meat meal that was dry and over cooked. I'm sorry to say that after this 3rd and final visit, due to the prices/value/quality, I won't be back.
(2)
Clark G.

Clark Griswold says: Food is good but every time I order Mario's dine in or carry out there is a burn factor. Take out for 2 people costs not $30 not $40 not $50 not $60 but in the $70s or $80s! They jack up prices on ancillary items and beware if you ask for the house wine they will slam you with a couple of $20-$30 glasses while you wait for your food even on a carry out. By the time you notice, pow it's to late! Dag nabbit those sneaky bastards got me again!
(3)
Cody E.

I usually love these kind of places but, I wasn't impressed at all. I got the OVERPRICED spaghetti and meatballs. It was okay but, I've had much better. My sister had the pub burger and it was very..... Wimpy.... It didn't look very good. Overall I given this a two out of five.
(2)
hapa l.

We don't want you out of town people here anyways! There are too many touristy restaurants in the Gold Coast neighborhood with bowls of noodles you could swim in. This place give you an option of half size or full. The atmosphere is definitely chill and attacks an older and more sophisticated crowd. I love it :)
(4)
Kathy K.

In a word, it's almost like: home. Not fancy, but a place to nestle in for what tastes like a home-cooked meal. I've been to several other, better-known Italian restaurants in Chicago lately, and, truly, Mario's flavors are the best. The Gold Coast location is very convenient for guests of the Public Hotel and Indigo Hotel. Both are just a block away. I'm hoping Mario's can add outdoor seating this summer!
(4)
Eric Y.

First of all, I want to put a disclaimer on my comments for dinner because I was recognized immediately by the owner, Mario. No doubt my group received special treatment - "wink, wink." But it was special treatment indeed. Mario is a gracious and gregarious host. We had a very nice meal, from cocktails, to wine, appetizers, salad, entrees, and dessert. This is not artisanal foodie food, it's standard Italian-American food that is prepared well and served in a very convivial atmosphere. If you lived in the neighborhood, you would eat and drink here all the time. Think "Cheers" with great food!
(5)
Patrick D.

Great find for date night! Very neighborhood feel - casual but not flip-flops and shorts. You'd be comfortable in anything from nice jeans/shirt to a suit. Relatively quiet, a couple of tvs if you like watching the game. I had the Cavatelli with sausage and it was great. Caesar salad with anchovies before that was tasty, and bruschetta appetizer was very nice. Decent but not over-the-top wine selection. Our server was great! Meal was staged and sequenced properly and we never went wanting for water in our glasses. Sat at a table next to the window which they leave open when the weather is nice. Very pleasant! We went on a Saturday night with an 8pm Opentable reservation. it was busy but still had a few open tables. It's a good place to keep in mind if you have a pop-up business dinner and you haven't made reservations. As others have mentioned it's a little off the beaten path and not in the core Rush Street zoo - which is a good thing! But it's not in the boonies - it's only two or three blocks from the Clark/Division Red line station - so park where it's convenient and hop the red line.
(5)
Lydia R.

This place is amazing! It is well of the beaten path though, so unless you live in one of the apartment complexes by it you'd never just walk past it. A causal atmosphere with a touch of elegance. The service was fantastic, I ordered a Manhattan but obviously had a glass of water too and I don't think my water glass was ever more than half empty. OK, so their food. I ordered linguine with clam sauce and holy cow was it the best thing I've eaten this past month. My date ordered the lasagna which he claimed "reminded him of home" We ordered dessert which I thought I wouldn't be able to eat because I was so full and I had already wrapped up half my meal, but I decided to try a bite if the apple pie. Omg order the apple pie when you go here. It's definitely worth it. Not too pricey, but a place that you would only go to when you wanted a nice night out. I could see it being a good girls night out place too.
(5)
Fritz S.

Great neighborhood place with good Italian food. Friendly and consistently good.
(4)
Charlie P.

Excellent! I live right around the corner and this was my first time here. The service was great and the food was excellent. Portions are pretty big and prices very reasonable. Definitely seems like a locals secret because it's a little off the beaten path. Mario came to our table and introduced himself, which was really cool! We'll definitely be returning!
(5)
Ian P.

Excellent dinner at Marios. We had a slight problem with my wife's chicken Parmesan being burned on one side. Manager was on top of it right away and promptly returned with a fresh plate. Food was tasty, wine was good. Very casual Italian atmosphere all in all very happy to have a good Italian dinner on our trip to Chicago.
(4)
Jennifer P.

Great, affordable dishes in a cozy location. Staff is very friendly, treating each customer like a "regular." Quick service considering a busy Friday night environment. For lighter faire, the Palm-Cuke salad is fantastic! It's so good that this meat-eater now craves salad!
(5)
Ciera H.

My boyfriend and I are staying at Public Chicago and since it Valentine's Day we wanted a light lunch. Came here and sat at the bar and let me just say it was delish! We had cup of mini strobe which was filling and tasteful. We shared the fried calamari not as crispy as we like but it's definitely a second choice! Lastly we shared the toasted ravioli fabulous!! If your in the area and want quality italian within a reasonable budget it's well worth it!!
(4)
Danny W.

You'll find that most of the folks inside Mario's pronounce the street Gur-ta rather than Goethe. That's how hyper local they are. They've been around for 18 years and if you've ever been in it's pretty obvious why. The staff possesses that quintessential Chicago friendliness, the customers again are mostly regulars from around the block, and the food is very affordable considering how quality it is. The flatbreads are really good, but my top rec is any pasta with their vodka sauce. It's by far my favorite thing here, and I'd put it up there with the likes of a La Scarola or Volare. Totally try it with mixed seafood and if you like some kick they'll do it spicy upon request. They fly a bit under the radar not being nearly as busy as some of the other big names in town so if you don't want to deal with the rigamoroo of reservations or a 2 hour wait Mario's might just be super spot for you.
(5)
Naja H.

I've been wanting to try this place for the year that I've lived in the neighborhood. I was in the mood for Italian, and after speaking with a friend about this place, they recommended and provided me the take out menu, I decided to give it a try. The restaurant itself is tucked away in the corner of an apartment building. Upon first entering the restaurant, you'll see a bar and private booths to accompany a majority of the guests. I like that the restaurant is dimly lit. Perfect environment for date night. I believe I met the owner this visit, who was outside smoking a cigarette. He directed me to where the restaurant was and held the door open for me. The hostesses were extremely friendly and further directed me to where I could pick up my order. The checkout process was extremely easy and quick AND my food was ready! I ordered the calamari combo, which was a small order of the fried and grilled calamari, the meatballs and the toasted ravioli. The grilled calamari was UH-mazing! I ordered it on a whim, but I highly recommend it! It came with bruschetta mixed in. Man...YUM! The fried calamari was just okay though. It was a bit short on flavor and taste. The meatballs were okay as well. Nothing stood out about their seasoning. The toasted ravioli's were also very good. I'd recommend Mario's for a spontaneous dinner date, or if you live in the neighborhood. I'd also recommend giving the not-so typical items on the menu a try. I believe they may exceed your expectations. I'll be back Mario's!
(5)
Jordan M.

I live in the neighborhood and have passed by this place so many times. I finally decided to check it out last Friday night. The Blackhawks were playing that night but I'm not a hockey fan and just wanted a laid back night with my girlfriend. I figured a cozy Italian restaurant would be a safe bet. Unfortunately, they have TV's in every corner of the room and all of them had the hockey game on full blast. That's fine in the bar area but do you really need to have TV's around the room? Other than that, the food was pretty good and Mario does walk around and shake everyone's hand which is a nice touch. The calamari app was one of the better one's I've had. The veal saltimbocca was pretty par for the course. The servers were a bit abrupt with us but I think that was on account of the fact that they were about to close up. As soon as I took my last bite, they swiped my plate and handed us the check. If you want a casual Italian place with a great atmosphere, you're better off going to Orso's just a few blocks away. Sorry Mario!
(2)
Lian C.

The decor is casual but comfortable, and so is the food. I'm traveling on my own and it was a perfect, cozy place for a satisfying solo meal.
(4)
Sid P.

Ordered the cheese cake for take out! It was a horrible implementation with the cake floating in whipped cream. The taste was nothing great!
(2)
Chad L.

The best. Showed up without reservations on busy holiday and they were very accommodating. Everything is good, can't go wrong here.
(5)
J H.

We try to stop here when we're in Chicago - this time I had veal piccatta, which was very flavorful and tender - nicely prepared. My wife had the salmon, which comes in two serving sizes so that folks like us that are on the road don't end up with leftovers. The smaller serving was still very nice sized. Wine list with ample choices and reasonably priced. It was a busy Saturday night and Mario was working the crowd to greet everyone and make sure things were taken care of. We'll be back next time we're in town.
(4)
Michael J.

I wanted to like this place so much. Service was great. Very attentive and pleasant. We ordered: Side Cesar which was good. Baked Cavatelli with Sausage, it was terrible. The sauce had no flavor and the pasta was mush. Really disappointing. The Cheese Ravioli Ã¡ la Vodka Sauce had much more flavor than the Cavatelli but it was nothing special. With the price point and so many better options close by we will not be coming back.
(2)
Sara R.

Good food for a good price. I had the grilled and fried calamari combination appetizer and it was delicious! The fried ones were lightly fried, not too greasy and not over cooked...the grilled calamari was AMAZING. My entrÃ©e was the lobster and shrimp ravioli. The ravioli themselves and the sauce were really good, but the shrimp that were included in the sauce were a little over cooked. The tiramisu was pretty good, but I've had better at other places. They do have a very good wine selection. Variety of flavors and prices. Would definitely go again on my next trip to Chicago.
(4)
Manny B.

We moved downtown recently and were initially excited about having a local Italian place around the corner. We have gone there 5 times in the last 5 months. The staff and owner are very nice. However, after going there many times, and once with a party of 8, I would expect at least some recognition of being a returning client. I am not looking for anything special, just a 'hi, glad to see you again'. The food can be very good to very bad. Our first meal was great, our second was not that good, the third was good, the fourth was both good and bad, and our last with a large party was fair at best. We will go back, but only if we are looking to get a quick easy meal and don't want to go too far and are willing to just get an average meal.
(2)
Henry J.

We had a dinner on a Saturday night and we really love this place! Romantic setting, warm greeting, friendly serving and delicious food! Will come back for sure!
(5)
Joey F.

My wife and I are a big fan of this place. It is one of our favorite neighborhood spots. This place is never that busy and good for all ages. They have the nicest staff. Mario walks around every night and just chats with all the tables. The dishes are pretty basic, but taste good. You can't go wrong by going here!
(4)
Gorkem U.

Great neighborhood Italian restaurant. I love their pizzas and calamari. It can get loud on Tuesday nights due to the ongoing wine promotion.
(4)
Lee P.

This is a cozy spot [it was 16-degrees when we stopped in]. Very cheery neighborhood crowd of all ages. We didn't expect such a NORMAL restaurant in the heart of the Gold Coast. But what we found was a well-priced Italian spot that had both northern and southern-style entres and pastas. Short, but good wine list. Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti for $45 as an example. Side salads were large for $6. Really good Caesar. Good veal dishes. Not crazy about the Pasta Jambalya I had, but it was worth a try. Mario is a real person and made the rounds thanking all the patrons. We felt like regulars even though this was our first visit.
(4)
Kristal R.

I made a reservation for this restaurant last night for a large party. We ended up having more people than what I reserved for, and Mario was incredibly accommodating, especially since it was super busy! He moved us to a more comfortable table, got us set up with some delicious appetizers, and made sure we were all set with the essentials (booze). The restaurant had a very homey feel, and we all had a great time!
(5)
Mark J.

Awesome service... They keeped my drinks full at all the time... The food was great and what you would expect from a neighborhood favorite loved by the locals
(4)
Shin M.

To start, Marios catered on my bldg's rooftop and the dishes were pretty good! I remember there was some bow tie pasta, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. They handed us a $10 gift certificate which my fiance and I used tonight! To start, the hostess was really nice and opened the door for us. She seated us at a tiny 2 person table right next to a pillar which normally we wouldn't mind, but the bus boy made it very uncomfortable for my fiance. The bus boy came to bring the waters, the plates, the bread, the parmesan, the olive oil, the two main entrees, and to clean the table. So the pillar is on my fiance's left and the open space is on his right. Everytime the bus boy came by to do one of the aforementioned, he would stand on my fiance's left, where the pillar was, and reach in front of my fiancÃ© for everything. My fiance had to lean back every time the guy's arm went to the table. The bus boy could've easily went on my fiance's right side where there was plenty of walking space and everything. Anyway, my fiane got the almond crusted tilapia ($21) which was pretty average and nothing special. Definitely overpriced for its averageness. I got the gnocchi a la vodka special ($17) which was pretty good. I appreciate the gift certificate we got to use towards our food.
(3)
Maureen W.

I didn't know what to expect when a friend brought me here and said it was a neighborhood joint. Sure enough, it was kind of non-descript, in the lobby of a condo building. But the place was packed with locals, so I knew it would be decent. I started with the crab cakes and the house chianti. Keep the crab cakes, leave the wine! Meaning give me all your wine. It was a lovely gem of a chianti. However, I have had better crab cakes. They were just ok, but the topper was the lemony sauce...super yummy and made the dish. My friend had a salad topped with grilled chicken. She ate it all and said she gets the same thing every time, so I guess she likes it. :) I had the fish special and it was nice. Very flaky and tender fish, delicate caper sauce and sauteed veggies. they were nice enough to swap out the usual sauteed spinach for broccoli and carrots and it was great. Finished with another glass of vino and I was ready for bed! Prices were a-ok...decor a bit 80s-ish and could use some updating. Overall not bad.
(3)
Erika C.

meh. that pretty much described our experience at marios. checked out the website and thought this place may be just the italian joint we've been looking for. thought wrong. homemade pasta? nope. food was bland, cold, and didn't have that "wow factor" for 17.95 also not really a homey feel if your not a "regular" regulars were welcomed with open arms and new customers were shunned. note : we're not paying any less or tipping any less just because we've never been there before mr. mario the thing that gets me the most is the price, not acceptable to feel this way and the food to taste that way when your paying almost 20 dollars for a pasta dish. don't mean to sound harsh but...no thanks.
(2)
Ashley C.

We came here with some friends to check out a neighborhood favorite. It has a Cheers-type feel. The owner Mario was there and came to greet us. The restaurant is a little dark, but that gives it a intimate, homey feel. Overall, the service was pretty good. The drinks were excellent - strong but balanced. The food was solid, but nothing to write home about. It may be simple, but I loved the bread and olive oil. It was fresh and I kept soaking it up. For the entrees, I ordered the shrimp and lobster ravioli with a vodka sauce. They were out of the lobster but could do the shrimp. Normally italian portions are huge so I ordered a half order. However, when my half order of pasta came, I thought two things: (1) Other places must skew my portion size because I thought a half order was very small with four medium sized ravioli (my husband thought the same); and (2) where was the shrimp?! While they were out of lobster, it didn't seem like they added more shrimp. Instead of shrimp ravioli, it was ravioli with some small shrimp. That said, the shrimp were good. The pasta itself was okay. It's really 2.5 and maybe approaching 3. If suggested, it is a good neighborhood joint and I would go back.
(2)
Adam C.

We had a really delicious meal here last night. We were staying across the street at Public and wandered in here to see if we could find some tasty Italian food. At first, this place has the appearance of a chain diner, other than being very romantically lit with low lighting. Once you get into your booth and sit down to look at the menu, the place transforms into an old school Italian restaurant, just the sort you were looking for. We ordered baked ravioli for an appetizer and cleaned the plate. The bread looked very ordinary until we tried it and then ate the entire basket. My wife ordered the quattro formaggi pizza and it was outstanding. I ordered a half order of the Veal Parmesan and was stunned by the gigantic size of what came to my table. It was absolutely delicious with bake-melted cheese all over the top. I wanted to try a meatball in their meat sauce, so I asked the server if they could bring me one. She came back with a little bowl of meat sauce and a meat ball in the middle as if it was a perfectly normal request. It too, was fabulous. The only thing I was disappointed with was the fairly limited wine list. There just wasn't much to choose from. At best, maybe 1-2 selections from each varietal. We settled on a Mark West pinot noir at $32, where just a few blocks away, it is sold at Jewel for $10.99. I've frequently seen bottles sold in restaurants for 2x retail but this was much steeper than that. Overall, we really enjoyed our dinner here and definitely satisfied our craving for yummy Italian. As others have noted, Mario actually walks the room and engages in conversation with each of his guests to make sure they are satisfied with their experience. This is a nice personal touch that you just don't get anymore these days.
(4)
Alexa L.

Considering the number of solid Italian places in this city, Mario's is a bit of a let down. The food is not exciting or well executed and the price is not lower than most casual places in the area. The decor is very boring. The service was effective but not great. Very 2-star, "meh"...
(2)
Dodo H.

Skip the chains and go to Mario's but you'll need reservations, or you can sit at the bar. We returned to Mario's not to be disappointed. EVERYTHING was wonderful and sooo delicious. We felt like we were back in Italy. Amy, our server, gave outstanding and friendly service. She even brought us serving utensils (without us asking) so that we could share each other entrees! Wine was excellent. It's like going to a neighborhood restaurant. Most people walk here. We walked because we weren't too sure about parking, but looks like Hotel Indigo nearby has a parking lot. Also there are a lots a few blocks south of Division and you can walk over. On the street parking, if you're really lucky. The best, best, BEST is the calamari combo appetizer. We also liked the bow tie pasta w/ pancetta & peas. The only downside is that we were too full for dessert. Ciao!
(5)
LaurenSerena K.

Love this place the eggplant...to die for. We eat here at least once a week. It's also lovely to have it delivered too!!! I can't say enough what a gem this place is!!!
(5)
Andree D.

Went Mario's last night for the first time - how is that??!! Have walked past hundreds of times. This Gold Coast neighborhood gem is perfect - warm, friends/family feel, delicious food! Exactly why I love Chicago neighborhood treasures. And Mario (the owner) and staff are outstanding. Going on my top 10 favorite spots.
(5)
Cat O.

Very family friendly Italian restaurant! We went for the first time last night and brought our one year old. They were so welcoming and had such a great menu. We had the New York strip and it was fabulous. I would definitely come back again.
(5)
Jeff C.

Like others, I've been to this restaurant several times because of its location, and it is clearly beloved by its neighborhood regulars. The food is utterly average, unimaginative and tastes unfinished. On a recent visit, the antipasto salad was a bowl of lettuce and peppers with a few slices of salami and provolone draped around the sides. The soft shell crabs were simply deep-fried with no real seasoning. The sausage and potatoes in the giambotta were dry and bland. There are dozens of far-better Italian restaurants in Chicago that are a better value. Unless you live in the highrise it sits beneath or live across the street, as my friends do, I can't imagine why anyone would make a special trip here.
(2)
Josselyn W.

I've been here one time before they changed over to the "Mario's Table" name, and both times the food was excellent. Portions are good, and the price is right. They have a big menu - various options under the Vegetarian, Pasta, Chicken, Veal, etc sections. Good place for a weeknight dinner - usually not too busy. Mario, the owner, greeted our table as soon as we sat down. He's very friendly and wants to make sure you enjoy your dinner experience.
(4)
Jo W.

Awesome time, family owned Italian + menu. Friendly, happenin', drinks at the bar and a great relaxing awesome meal! Perfect!
(5)
Holly W.

I came here for dinner on Saturday and really enjoyed the experience! Waitstaff was friendly and attentive. I had the side Caesar salad which had a really delicious and tangy dressing and crispy croutons. For my main course I tried the chicken marsala. I really appreciated that they had two price options in terms of portion sizes when it came to meat dishes (one 6oz piece or two) - great for me who eats a bit less and my boyfriend who has a bigger appetite. It came in a wonderful wine sauce and with roasted potatoes which were nicely seasoned. Didn't stay for dessert but saw a few walking out and they looked delicious. I also tried a bite of the marinara sauce and thought it was really tasty/had a great flavor. I would love to come back and try a pasta dish! I subtracted one star just from the standpoint that the ambiance/decor of the restaurant inside was just standard.
(4)
Madan R.

We live on Clark and Schiller, about a block from where this restaurant is. And this is a restaurant we wanted to go for a long time. We decided to visit it today. And I was not disappointed. I had lamb chops with risotto. The chops were cooked almost perfectly and had a nice flavor to them. But the risotto was DELICIOUS! Our waiter was attentive and bothered us at the right times. During dinner, Mario walked out and had a chat for couple of minutes. All in all a nice dinner. I would definitely do it again.
(5)
Jennifer T.

A good neighborhood Italian place. I dig their marinara sauce, personally. The dish I usually order is not on the official menu anymore, but we haven't had any problems ordering it since the name & menu change. If you're in the neighborhood, it's a good place to go but not a place that is wonderful to go out of your way for.
(3)
Heidi J.

Absolutely delicious! A real hidden gem. A must try for authentic and amazing Italian food. Try the meatball salad and the lasagna!
(5)
Danielle K.

This a frequent destination since my boyfriend lives nearby. We have been here over 10 times and always get the Mario's antipasti salad and sometimes the sausage and peppers appetizer. The salad (whole) is big enough for two and has Parmesan cheese, sweet peppers, olives, jalipenio peppers and a whole lot of ingredients I can't remember. There are salami and cheese slices hanging over the sides of the bowl. Nice touch. Service is usually good and we've sat all over. Dimly lit, older crowd but whatevs. Good fresh baked bread with ground cheese/olive oil. They also don't give you attitude if you ask for a second or...third (we like bread!) helping of bread. Sets us back about $12 each (with tax and tip)
(4)
Joseph K.

Sorry to say I was very disappointed with Marios. Not only did I find the food average at best I feel it is far over priced for what you get. I'm amazed to see the high review this place received. With so many good Italian places in this area, I don't see why anyone would choose to go here. Also, it looks and feels like an Olive Garden so maybe that's why I waited so long to try it. I should have trusted my gut with this place. Never again. What a let down.
(1)
Douglas S.

I've eaten hear 3 times and the food is great! atmosphere too. My personal favorite is the veal parmagian (did I spell that right?). well, you know what I mean....good priced and great taste
(5)
Emily B.

Eh, not going to work for me. The place sort of looks like a cross between a sports bar and the dining area of a Holiday Inn. I live in the area and had a coupon to try the food. I didn't get much for my money and found the server's recommendation to be "off" (baked cavatelli with sausage). There's not a lot of Italian in the area, true, but Mario's doesn't quite cut it.
(2)
Nicole C.

I was back to Mario's again last week.... I do have to say that our service was NOTHING compared to the first time around. This woman seemed frantic, forgot things that we ordered, and never explained the specials. Boo :( However, we all enjoyed our food. We started with the chicken fingers (they're homemade and delicious!) and caprese salad. I had the bowtie pasta with a white cream sauce, prosciutto, peas, and tomatoes. My cousin had the veal picatta, which arrived in a bath of butter! The food was very good, but I wouldn't advise eating here if you're watching your waistline. :) Mario stopped by twice this time, which was again really nice... I'm sure to be back, but have my fingers crossed for better service.
(4)
Cat G.

Great place. I've been several times now and the food is always great. There's a lot of great pasta dishes and the specials are usually good as well. The owner makes an appearance regularly and I believe he's stopped at our table everytime we've been in just to ask about the food and service. I don't have any complaints about this place and plan to go back regularly. Definitely recommended.
(5)
Marcy B.

New to neighborhood. Have eaten here five or six times due to convenience. Food is average at best. Having gone numerous times in a couple of weeks, no one recognized me and weren't particularly friendly. Very busy when they have 2 for 1 wine by glass special. Isn't worth a free glass of wine. Am finding many other great options.
(2)
Esther Y.

Is it weird that the best part of the meal was the bread that I was eating dipped in my cheese and olive oil? I had the burger, it was meh. I think it actually made me a little sick. The "fries" weren't really fries. They were in between wedges and and fries. However, they were SOOO oily and really really soggy. To be fair, i could've ordered wrong...my friend liked her lobster and shrimp pasta, but I didn't try it b/c I wasn't in the pasta mood. I don't think I'd go here to eat again, but wouldn't be opposed to stepping in for a drink.
(2)
Pamela P.

So, I kind of expected Tony Soprano to walk in at any moment. Darkly lit, dim place with some peeps that really look like they're in character for a mob show. Sinatra-esque music and the bar that's churning out martinis and scotches and heavy on the rocks knock your socks off drinks. The food was great. The garlic bread really hit the spot, especially for this carb-starved vegetarian. The veggie pasta dish, in a large size, no less, was actually really good and chockful of good veggies. The olio sauce wasn't overpowering and neatly complemented the veggies and perfectly cooked pasta. My other half had some artery clogging past mess that was smothered in cheese and sauce and leid with a wreath of sausage. Our friend had the healthiest of the bunch--an antipasto salad--and he said it was "surprisingly good." All around a quiet and somewhat upperscale place (pricetag wise) but it wasn't pretentious and no one batted an eye at the shorts and tshirt gang accompanying me. We'll be back for sure!
(4)
Beth J.

I have still not been back from the last time we went. The more I think about it the more I really hated our experience. Over crowded Over priced Overrated The service was terrible. I am all about neighborhood gems but this is not one of them.
(1)
Mike H.

Mario just updated his decor and menu, and tweaked the name of the restaurant to Mario's Table. Same great food, same great service. Mario himself is there almost every night, and I guarantee he will come by your table to make sure you are being properly taken care of. The food quality has always been good but I think things have gotten even better with the new menu - Last night I had one of the specials, a baked gnocchi dish with vodka sauce and asiago that was pretty much to die for. Also the appetizer grilled calamari was outstanding, and I'm not normally a big calamari fan. Great neighborhood restaurant.
(5)
Jordan S.

The lemon chicken is absolutely fantastic! We also ordered the calamari combo which was very good! The grilled calamari was especially yummy. Its great to have such a good italian restaurant in the neighborhood!
(5)
Pine F.

The food is way overpriced for what you get. Televisions in every corner make it hard to converse. Still, since we live less than a block away, we used to stop in now and then, until we discovered that... MARIO'S IS NOT QUEER-FRIENDLY. My youngest daughter, who is MTF trans, was dining there having a quiet conversation with her elderly godmother when Mario approached their table and demanded of my daughter, "Put a coat on, or leave." My daughter was stunned -- she was wearing an unremarkable fem top, nothing outlandish. Mario claimed that "someone" had complained about the way my daughter looked. In order to not cause a scene, she quietly complied. The two of them finished their meal and left. Rest assured, NO one in our family will EVER darken Mario's door again.
(1)
Sachin B.

Just can't seem to find really amazing italian food in the city. Went here friday night and it was bustling. There was a real cozy and intimate ambience to the place. We started with the grilled calamari which was coated in balsamic and EVOO. Very tasty and high quality as it was not chewy. We then split a margerita pizza and chicken parm. The pizza was decent- it came out a bit colder than it should have (wood oven). The chicken parm was unique in that it was a) Grilled and b) It was sliced. It was decent- nothing to get worked up over. The dirty martinis were very well prepared and the wine I had was tasty as well. We shared the chocolate cake dessert which was also delicious though a lot sweeter than I'm comfortable with (and i have a huge sweet tooth) My quest for an A+ Italian restaurant in Chi continues.
(3)
Tiffany L.

Carried out a quick late lunch back to our hotel room and we were quite impressed. We just shared a little margherita pizza and the toasted ravioli and both items were quite tasty. The marinara sauce for the ravioli was delicious. I knew nothing of this place when I lived in Chicago, glad to have found it as a visitor.
(4)
Bethany B.

Not my favorite Italian restaurant in Chicago, but a good reliable place that is on my regular hit list. Mario's is in my neighborhood, and when I'm craving lasagna (that I don't have to make myself) this is where I head. I haven't really branched out from this dish because it's so good and consistent...I can't bring myself to order anything else! They have many wines that are reasonably priced, and the service has always been friendly. Not an upscale place - they have TVs on playing the games at the bar - so it's an easy choice for a mid-week dinner when I don't feel like getting fancy. If you live in the area I'd recommend giving it a try!
(4)
Mark K.

Best Service, Best Food on the Coast!
(5)
Ben B.

At most restaurants, you get a salad before your meal. Not so at Mario's. The atmosphere is fairly cozy with lots of dark browns. A plasma TV rotates pictures of fine art. But the food was weak. I got some beef-stuffed ravioli (the "special") and it just tasted bland. Seriously, I've had better Chef Boyardee. The sauce had no flavor. Mushrooms were just dumped on top, not mixed with the sauce at all. And the portion was small, compared to what you'd get at most other Italian joints. The only reason they can charge those prices is the location, but you'll get more flavor and a better value courtesy of your can opener. Skip it.
(2)
Lauren M.

Always great food & specials. Mario has a presence on a daily basis which is nice. They have specialty items, like gluten free pasta. Delivery/take out is always quality, too. legit meatballs. there's always a table.
(4)
William H.

Food is good but the ambiance and friendly staff are what make this place work. It's a " Cheers " kind of place. The owner Mario comes around and visits every table. You will feel loved here.
(4)
Steve M.

I grew up a couple blocks away, and love Mario's. I've been here countless times with my family, and each time the whole gang rolls in, Mario strolls right up to us, asks how we're doing, and if he (personally) can get us anything. When Mario isn't there, the service is just as amazing. The food is also so so so good. You gotta try the soft shell crabs. Or, my personal fave, Tortellini Jambalaya. SPICY, huge, and delish.
(5)
Jeff K.

Chicago has a bunch of really great Italian restaurants, this needs to be added to the list. Tucked away from the hustle of the Gold Coast and catering to the locals, Mario is dedicated to high quality food that tastes like a proud grandmother would be stirring up in the kitchen. I came here on a Friday night with friends and was pleasantly surprised and pleased to see how busy the restaurant was. Luckily we had reservations so we had no problems being seated. Despite the crowds and amount of food being put out, the service was spectacular and the food was amazing! Highlights of the night: Veal piccata, calamari appetizer two way (grilled and fried), toasted ravioli, and tortellini jambalaya. I cannot wait to come back! Plus, I love that I feel like I can come back any night of the week for a solid dinner because the prices are so good or I can come back with a group. Really completes what the Gold Coast is missing: neighborhood restaurants with high quality food!
(5)
B G.

Was staying at Public Chicago Hotel and walked the couple of blocks to Mario's. Even though it was a Saturday night we were promptly seated by a very friendly hostess. We have pizza and salads. Would love to return when we visit Chicago again. Seemed like a great, unassuming neighborhood place with authentic Italian food. Mario checked on us during the evening.
(5)
Riz A.

I've literally lived down the street from this place since summer, but haven't had a chance to try it out, I popped in last night for a quick bite and was pleasantly surprised. Given that it's kind of in the lobby of an old school condo building and has a very 1980's lounge feel to it, I wasn't expecting much, but i was definitely impressed. It was Tuesday so they had the 2 for 1 wine special going on, which was pretty awesome. They have a small but well chosen selection of red and white wines, and both the wines recommended by our waiter were fantastic. We tried the garlic bread, chicken parm, and pesto pizza. I'd say the garlic bread and chicken parm were excellent, the pesto pizza was a bit greasy and really not my bag. The warm apple pie with ice cream was pretty great too. a bit on the pricey side for what it is, but pretty solid food, good service, and good wine. Not worth going totally out of your way, but if you live around here , definitely worth the visit.
(4)
Kara W.

So glad we stopped in last night. Great wine and food reccomendation from our server. I had half chicken vesivio which was perfect for me since I'm known to not eat a huge dinner. My boyfriend had the jumbalia pasta which he instantly fell in love with ...and even ate his leftovers. Only complaint was that the server totally forgot our coconut shrimp appetizer. Although we had enough food already, I did really want to try it. Maybe next time!! Even with the server's error I will still return as the food and the bread are amazing !!! PS Mario takes great care and stops by every table. Nice touch !!
(4)
Xiao W.

fairly good italian food This was originally 4 stars but after going to quite a few italian restaurants in Chicago I think Mario is the best in both taste and taste/price
(5)
Eddie S.

The service is mediocre, the food is okay, but there's no "wow" factor here. The restaurant itself is pretty intimate and you feel comfortable, but it definitely needs to be revamped. It looks like a cheap diner from the early 90's. Overall, the food leaves much to be desired for - I've tried the linguini clams, chicken vesuvio, and margarita pizza. If you get the full sized portion, the meals are extremely overpriced. If you get the half sized portions, you may still be hungry. I'd suggest if you're in the Gold Coast area and looking for Italian, stick to Carmine's - you won't miss anything here.
(2)
Dave L.

Solid food and nice people. Good for a quick midweek meal.
(4)
Marie M.

Mario is my new favorite Italian in the neighborhood. I walk pass it every day but never stopped by. Untill I received a special deal in the mail and visited with family from out of town. Nothing out of the ordinary on the menu but everything is very good. The service is super friendly, from the smily welcoming hostess to the different servers and runners. The price is competitive for the area. The place itself is nice. If you avoid week ends it's nice and quiet. Will definitely be back!
(4)
Norbert W.

Maybe if this gives a glimpse for entry-level travelers. but the food was sub standard. Service was "meh", definitely not up to Chicago standards (or neighborhood standards!). Seems to be a place that rests on its laurels along with a group of regulars. If you're not a regular, do not expect good service, a friendly atmosphere, or anything other than a cliched menu. No baked ziti, thank zod, but enough of other foods that would make you think you're backstage at a cliche convention If you're a fan of Euro-style or "Italian-style" pizzas, this is definitely NOT the place for you. Somehow they messed that up. I'm Danish and can get "more authentic" cooking on our equivalent of Wicker Park. If you're a fan of soft shelled crabs, their special is definitely NOT for you, either. They fail frying 101!! In short - if you're an entry level traveler, or have some sort of strange Hollywoodized Italy fettish, you might not totally hate it. If you're not in that category, please, walk a few more steps down to Division or over to Goethe/Wells and on North and get stuff that's much, much better. Value = low. Service = fair, not Chicago standards, however Food = joke Atmosphere = Sesame Street of Italy.
(1)
marco o.

Nice atmosphere and Mario seems like a nice guy. The food isn't too expensive, but it's still not worth it. I'm fairly certain it isn't homemade pasta, it's just too bland. The salads look really big, but are mostly just filler. The choice of dishes with good veggies was pretty solid.
(2)
Michael G.

Not the best atmosphere but it was a week night to their defense. Grilled calamari appetizer is worth the price. Had the seafood diavola for my entree. It was average but I do like that they have half and pull portion options but the price doesn't align to the portion size. Overall I would dine here again but might keep to the appetizer menu.
(3)
Whitney J.

This is my first review ever! That being said...this place was worth it! A perfect, authetic Italian joint. I am so excited to bring my boyfriend (who comes from a very large Italian family) here for his birthday! Our waitress was very attentive and the owner was awesome. Cool guy, down to earth and just wanted to make sure we had a great experience. He came over introduced himself and insisted on putting in a Margarita Pizza (amazing and a perfect app..small, very thin, and delicate) for us on the house. He came back and checked in on us later and chatted for a little. Later on the bartender gave us complimentary limonchello drinks to wrap the meal up. I had the eggplant parm which was mmmmmMMMMMGOOD! the bread and olive oil, chz was fantastic. I could keep raving, but i will stop here. If you get the chance GO totally worth it!
(5)
Jones G.

Casual, no hype, homemade food with no pretentiousness. It can be loud, but most quaint places usually are. Dishes we have ordered have been great! We have sauntered in with worn jeans and have also dined dressed up a bit--but we are always treated the same and the food is reliable!
(5)
K R.

Less than average tasting, over priced, Italian food. I wish it were better. I really do. Very nice neighborhood feel. Friendly and accommodating. Good service. Attentive owner. The place is often busy. (? It must be me ?) This time I ordered pasta with seafood. Pasta was wet ( not drained ) and over cooked and tasteless. Seafood quality (mussels,clams,shrimp)was average. Red sauce flavor was less than average, likey due to the abundance of water from the noodles. An Italian restaurant should have much better pasta. Previous visits resulted in a meal with too much garlic and meat meal that was dry and over cooked. I'm sorry to say that after this 3rd and final visit, due to the prices/value/quality, I won't be back.
(2)
Clark G.

Clark Griswold says: Food is good but every time I order Mario's dine in or carry out there is a burn factor. Take out for 2 people costs not $30 not $40 not $50 not $60 but in the $70s or $80s! They jack up prices on ancillary items and beware if you ask for the house wine they will slam you with a couple of $20-$30 glasses while you wait for your food even on a carry out. By the time you notice, pow it's to late! Dag nabbit those sneaky bastards got me again!
(3)
hapa l.

We don't want you out of town people here anyways! There are too many touristy restaurants in the Gold Coast neighborhood with bowls of noodles you could swim in. This place give you an option of half size or full. The atmosphere is definitely chill and attacks an older and more sophisticated crowd. I love it :)
(4)
Julie P.

I live in the area and I'm a Mario's regular but for good reason. I have dinner here about once a week and I'm always happy with whatever I order and the service is always good too. I love the neighborhood vibe and Mario is always there! And I mean really there - walking around from table to table and working the room non-stop. He's a great guy and he has an amazing ablility to remember names! Last night, I brought a friend visiting from Orlando and we had an amazing dinner. We started with the coconut shrimp appetizer and loved it. The wine list is complete and the wine glasses are the real deal. When we left after dinner, my friend insisted on getting a photo of us an the entrance of the restaurant, by the "mario's" sign. And guess who stepped up to take the shot? Mario, of course!
(5)
Kathy K.

In a word, it's almost like: home. Not fancy, but a place to nestle in for what tastes like a home-cooked meal. I've been to several other, better-known Italian restaurants in Chicago lately, and, truly, Mario's flavors are the best. The Gold Coast location is very convenient for guests of the Public Hotel and Indigo Hotel. Both are just a block away. I'm hoping Mario's can add outdoor seating this summer!
(4)
Mark L.

This cute little neighborhood italian restaurant is a great spot for gold coasters who want some good food in a cozy environment for a fair price. I enjoy my experience whenever I go here, which has been about 6-7 times all without any problems. While I have never had any complaints, I have never been blown away either. Although it was nice to have the real Mario come by the table and ask us how we were enjoying dinner. It's that little touch gives this place that friendly chicago feel and makes me keep going back. Plenty of places can provide simiar food (standard italian dishes) but Mario's does it with that extra friendly attitude that customers appreciate. It's a bit pricey depending on what you like, but that is true of most places in the area. This place is a solid 3.5 overall, so I will give it a 4 since Mario was nice enough to introduce himself and inquire about our meal. Customer care goes a long way with me
(4)
Eric M.

I like Mario's. It's basically a neighborhood restaurant that happens to serve the Gold Coast neighborhood. As such it's a little nicer than your average neighborhood Italian joint might be, but the spirit is pretty much the same. Consistent food, friendly, personable service, reasonable (for the area) prices. I like the Chicken Limon best, although when soft shell crab is in season (which I love), they do that very well. I used to live on Dearborn, and I still make it over to Mario's now and then. I think anyone who lives near it in the Gold Coast probably has some memory there. I ate there with my friends the day the U.S. launched attacks on Afghanistan. It was such a communal experience, with the not-yet-hated President Bush announcing the invasion on the televisions to total silence in otherwise packed room. The Gold Coast is one of the more Republican neighborhoods in Chicago, but politics didn't matter for that night - just community, and Mario's was (and is) a great place for community.
(4)
Zelda P.

The service here was top notch. Timely and just the right amount of attentiveness. The food though, was just OK and not worth the size of the bill. The items sounded really good on the menu, but the visual appeal and the taste were letdowns. The salads had a nice variety of items, but were cut in small pieces and piled high on a plate that barely fit the contents, so hard to eat without food spilling out onto the table. And the quality was OK, but nothing great about the taste. The entrees also were OK, but tasted the same as things we could prepare at home with little effort. Overwhelming garlic, too. Atmosphere also was fine, but nothing to return for.
(2)
Rob S.

Mario's was a pleasant suprise. We made a reservation through opentable and found it to be a great place. We had the calamari appetizer, grilled and fried. The grilled calamari was excellent. For our main course, we had the lamb chops and the mussels appetizer. Lamb chops were well seasoned and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The risotto with it was very good as well. The mussels were perfectly steamed in a red spicy sauce. Mario came over to our table a couple times through the night to see how things were going. Very polite and professional. Made us feel very welcome. Overall great experience. This place has the food and ambience to be a great place to grab dinner on a regular basis.
(5)
Stephanie B.

This restaurant was delicious. My boyfriend and I just moved into the area and were randomly searching for a reservation on open table on a Saturday night and decided on Marios because it was walking distance. It had a cute authentic Italian atmosphere. The food was delicious ( had the special which was spaghetti with scallops). The grilled calamari was outstanding and the prices were pretty reasonable. We will definitely return. Great date restaurant as well!
(4)
Patti B.

I'm with Deepa J. on the great location since this place is super close to where my boyfriend lives. Even though it always seems busy, we were able to get a seat during prime time without any wait. The boyfriend wanted a hearty meal so he ordered the chicken parmesan, which came out well-cooked and flavorful. My baked cavatelli tasted homemade (literally! we make this all the time, so I was a little let down that it tasted so similar) but the sausages on top were delicious and something I definitely don't have at home. We dug into the bread at the beginning (hot, toasty on the outside and fluffy on the inside) so we did have quite a lot of leftovers for lunch the next day. They do make a good tiramisu and it comes as a generous square-shaped portion. However, I wouldn't recommend the coffee. We probably should have gone across the street to 3rd Coast for that instead. Anyway, I thought it was nice that Mario made the rounds and stopped by each table to ask how everyone's meal was going. He even waited patiently as one lady (a regular?) pulled out her wallet and started walking him through a whole bunch of family photos. Now that's something I don't see everyday.
(4)
Jane L.

My fave neighborhood place ever. Staff very friendly and see Mario all the time. is very good with the pizza and tortellini jambalaya ordered more often than not! I am very comfortable going in by myself just to see who's around!
(5)
Rhonda F.

Love this little neighborhood gem. If you want a comfortable and relaxing place to enjoy traditional Italian food this is the place for you! Mario is always there and can be seen stopping by tables to chat it up with customers. The service cannot be better. Emily and Kathleen are the best!
(5)
Rachel B.

Decided to order out from Marios tonight and had a pizza, speghetti and meatballs, and antpasto salad. Somehow every item was completely tasteless including the pepperoni (how is that possible!). Won't be going back, bummed because it is so close to my house.
(1)
Amy S.

We had a very good experience at Mario's. The service was quick, the food was very good. My husband really liked the lamb chops. Worth a visit and a definite value for the money.
(4)
Rachel A.

It a neighborhood place that is over priced. We split a 1/2 portion of the grilled veggie's, each had 2 glasses of wine, the bill was over $60.00, without the tip...that is a bit crazy in this economy.... but good place to see folks in the neighborhood.
(2)
Carson H.

I lived above Mario's for about 4 years and was just never really that impressed by the food. It is a great spot to grab a drink at the bar (a bar in your building- no matter how crappy- with Chicago's winters is probably one of the biggest luxuries of all time). The servers are friendly and Mario is in there all the time watching over things. They heart of palm salad and roasted mushrooms aren't bad.
(3)
Geoff K.

It's the best Italian I have come across. The Seafood Diavlo will knock your socks off and even my wife agrees.
(5)
D J.

Marios in my mind treads the boundary between average and good. The biggest selling point is obviously the location, it's a stone's throw from where I live, so a great option to saunter in unplanned. I wasn't hugely impressed with the fare especially for the price tag that came with it. Did like their tiramasu for dessert though, definitely better than the rather ordinary entrees. The artificial fireplace and rather dated ambiance apart, have no complaints about the neighborhood feel that it touts itself for. So while I'd be hard pressed to recommend this restaurant, if you live in the Gold coast area and need a change from the typical scene, Marios does provide a reasonable alternative.
(3)
heather h.

Vegetarian for the day? I love their grilled vegetables and palms salad. Went out for a big steak day before. Love grilled veggies. Nice atmosphere for the gold coast. Located in an apartment building, weird. My friend enjoyed the fried calamari. Fun for after work appetizers,drinks and conversation.
(4)
Jacqueline S.

This place is great. I'm not sure I've ever had a bad meal here. They definitely take care of their own here though. It's a small place, and if they know you you'll get better service. Great ambiance; dimly lit, dark bar and booths. The food is really great, I've tried numerous things on the menu and have loved every single one so far. They also have different specials (once a week?). Not sure. Anyways, definitely worth checking out. Oh! Another plus, the owner Mario comes around and says "Hi, I'm Mario, how is your meal tonight? Can I get you anything?" I saw him go up to everyone in the restaurant! So many owners are lazy and just sit around and rake in the cash. This guy is seriously very nice. I saw him go up to a table of 7 or 8 people and one of the guys went to the bathroom and he took his food (which had just been brought out) and put it in the back to keep it warm for him while he was in the bathroom. Seriously, best attitude of any owner I've met. You can get half orders or full orders of anything on the menu, too which is a great option, considering I'm the type of person that likes to do the three-course meals. One of the servers that works there recognizes me because I've been going back and will say hi even if I'm not in her section. Really sweet people here it seems.
(5)
Robert B.

My girlfriend and I have been going to Mario's for several years now (Live in the neighborhood) and have always had a great time. Mario does a great job at making his guests feel welcome, coming by every table to see how the meal was. After going there a coupe of times, Mario always remembers us and makes us feel most welcome. The Spaghetti and Meatballs is a favorite of ours, as well as the Giambota (Sp?) and the Baked Cavatelli. They just added a canolli to their dessert menu and it was fantastic! Bravo Mario, keep it up!
(5)
Dan H.

Mario himself is a great guy. I just always like going in there...being recognized and always a happy hello. I guess I just like the neighborhood feel. Parking down the block is always a plus for me. The food is good. The drinks are good. Great Service- I have never had any complaint and would recommend this place highly.
(5)
Abbey A.

I went to Mario's for dinner - it was really just ok. It was right by my hotel, which was very convenient, but there wasn't anything that really stuck out for me. The bread was ok, the bowtie pasta was good, but not outstanding, and the service was fine. We were sitting next to a tv fire - yes you read that right, there was a tv that was showing a fireplace - it was a little odd, but I appreciate the attempt to feel homey. Overall, not a bad dining experience, but there are so many great restaurants in the city, I don't know that I would deliberately choose to go back to Mario's.
(3)
Nazia H.

I like this place and would def recommend it to anyone who is looking for a solidly good, but not spectacular Italian meal. I have tried their ravioli and chicken marsala, which were both very tasty and seasoned well. The bread is warm and crispy and they'll bring more if you are not listening to those diet tips and want to stuff yourself w carbs. Waitstaff and busboys are attentive, friendly and helpful. Sometimes you get a coupon (termed a gift certificate) in the mail if you live in the 'hood.
(4)
Bridget L.

The atmosphere at Mario's is wonderful. A perfect, neighborhood joint. Go any night of the week, and you'll see Mario working the room, making sure his guests are satisfied. I like the staff as well. They are loyal to Mario and their customers, so you always feel welcome. The food is good, but the pizza's are delicious. I lived in Rome and fell in love with the paper-thin style pizza. For years I searched for a place in Chicago that had such a pizza, and I finally found it at Mario's. Recommended.
(4)
Donnie C.

Reliably good food, drinks, portions, and service. Thank you.
(4)
Greg S.

We had a dinner reservation for 3 adults and a 10- month old. We were seated next to another baby-15 months old, which again would indicate that children are welcome. It was not until my child started talking-not crying, but talking, that the owner felt he needed to come over with the bartender as backup and essentially tell me to shut my child up. As he put it he had a lot of "nice diners" coming in on a Saturday evening. I could not believe what I was hearing! My son was not crying he was not throwing food or playing with silverware-he was speaking; how I am supposed to reprimand him for that? Truthfully I thought it was a joke. My husband and I work closely with the CVB as well as local concierges and I can assure you I will be sharing my experience. If they don't want families in there on a Saturday night, that is their prerogative. They shouldn't accept the reservation. Please do not ask me to discipline my child for doing nothing wrong.
(1)
Kary S.

I have really enjoyed this restaurant on the few occassions I've been to Chicago. Authentic Italian food, good atmosphere, great location!
(5)
Bridget J.

Good service! Good location! Good atmosphere! Food is pretty good too!
(3)
atima k.

i have never eaten there but have taken out few times (relatively fast delivery-food still hot and only $2). food is great-pasta, thin crust pizzas are the best best best.... can't comment on quality of ambience or service, hence one star missing, but will try it soon enough and if not-no worries, ordering is a great place for this neighbordhood
(4)
Mary W.

Not a huge fan! Extremely expensive and not very good food!
(3)

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Address : 21 W Goethe St
Chicago, IL, 60610
Phone (312) 944-0199
Website https://mariostable.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :4:30 pm - 10:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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Mario’s Table

21 W Goethe St, Chicago, IL, 60610

Mario’s Table Menu

10" Stone Fired Pizza

Salads

Fish

Veal

Chargrille

Appetizers

Vegetarian

Pasta

Chicken

Sides

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mario’s Table

10" Stone Fired Pizza

Salads

Fish

Veal

Chargrille

Appetizers

Vegetarian

Pasta

Chicken

Sides

Desserts

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