(312) 467-9797

412 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60610 41.8896 -87.6312

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Neighborhoods: Near North Side, Central

Hours:

Friday From 11:00 AM To 11:00 PM Saturday From 05:00 PM To 11:00 PM Monday To Thursday From 11:00 PM To 10:00 PM

Price:

$$$

Last updated 6.23.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Clubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Private Rooms

Cuisine:

Spanish, Latin American, Eclectic & International, Mexican

Bar & Club Special Features:

Specialty Cocktails

Smoking Permitted:

Section

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Mambo Grill

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Pale yellow stucco walls with earth-tone and wood accents make for a mellow Latin vibe in this relaxed space, where cozy booths line both sides of the small dining area. Starters include fresh guacamole and hearty black bean soup. For entrees, there are shredded chicken enchiladas with tomato jalapeno sauce, glazed pork with sweet potatoes, and chicken with habanero peppers wrapped in banana leaf. For dessert, chipotle pepper chocolate cake boasts a sweet afterburn.

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
Get half-price pitchers of sangria and margaritas Wednesdays when you purchase two entrees; Thursdays offer half-price bottles of wine with two entrees; and on Fridays, mojitos are half-price.
What to Drink:
The wine list features a good variety of Spanish and Chilean wines at reasonable prices, with many bottles under $30.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “They were so helpful with everything from menu selection to parking tips, and the food was fantastic.”
  2. “Just because they play salsa music, serve mojitos, & have spanish style ambience does not make it the best latin food in the city.”
  3. “We didn't feel rushed and enjoyed the atmosphere which was energetic, but still comfortable.”
  4. “saturday. The atmosphere is enjoyable with the latin music playing, but the place is pretty small so it can get crowded.”
dessert
0.0% positive
  1. “I'm not a huge dessert fan but they nailed the flan perfectly.”
drinks
71.4300012588501% positive
  1. “We had appetizers, drinks and GREAT food!”
  2. “The service was great the drinks were fantastic and the food was out of this world.”
  3. “We hoped that drinks would make up for the food and service but the drinks were equally bad.”
  4. “The pan-seared chicken dish is amazing and there are ocasionally good drink deals on days other than”
  5. “Our drinks (Mojito and sangria) were great.”
  6. “You would think they could at least make their specialty drinks taste good.”
  7. “Food was miserable to the point of being disgusting, drinks sucked and the service was even worse.”
food quality
89.25000190734863% positive
  1. “The appetizers were delicious -- Pollo Taquitos and some steak kabobs.”
  2. “I've never had a bad experience -- servers are there when you need them, but not hovering; food is tasty and usually too much to finish; and the dining room is full but not outrageously loud or rushed.”
  3. “Love the mojitos (and we've had them in many places) and the food is great.”
  4. “If you like spicy food, then you will definitely enjoy this restaurant.”
  5. “Best latin food: Get a clue Chicago!”
  6. “This what Chicago calls the best latin food in the city?”
  7. “It's a nice place for a date or to bring a group of people for fresh, delici.”
  8. “Great food and the right prices, people are polite and ready to take care of the little details, prices are not bad based on the quality of food served, I have taken friends and so far they're happy.”
  9. “Not one of us liked our food and there were 8 of us in our group that all ordered something different!”
  10. “The plantain crusted fish dish was so dry and bland!”
  11. “Black bean soup was good.”
  12. “Great food.”
  13. “The service was great the drinks were fantastic and the food was out of this world.”
  14. “Please do yourself a favor if you want to experince great Latino food try Las Tablas or Lalo's you won't be disappointed!”
  15. “We hoped that drinks would make up for the food and service but the drinks were equally bad.”
  16. “The food is here great.”
  17. “The food was DELICIOUS.”
  18. “For an entree, we split the roast pork loin which was excellent and a perfect amount.”
  19. “have never written a review for any of the restaurants that we find online, but the Mambo Grill was an exceptional meal at a reasonable price.”
  20. “Although the menu and water were slow to come, I felt extremely rushed through my entire meal.”
  21. “They were so helpful with everything from menu selection to parking tips, and the food was fantastic.”
  22. “Latino food is suppose to have great rich flavor and this place was such a joke!”
  23. “also tried a shrimp dish and the bbq salmon - both of which were also very tasty.”
  24. “The pan-seared chicken dish is amazing and there are ocasionally good drink deals on days other than”
  25. “Everything I've had here is delicious.”
  26. “Just because they play salsa music, serve mojitos, & have spanish style ambience does not make it the best latin food in the city.”
  27. “This can make all the difference because the food is great in general and we haven't found anything bad on the menu at all, although one piece of fish was not enjoyed by someone in our party of 10 but he is super-picky and was from the west coast and used”
  28. “Waitress told me that the vegetarian paella was her favorite dish.”
  29. “will say that their prices recently went up a little bit and it didn't go unnoticed, but since the quality is there in the food, it is still a good value.”
  30. “We loved the Dominican Bombas (shrimp and potato dumplings) and the steak and pineapple kabobs.”
  31. “We had appetizers, drinks and GREAT food!”
menu variety
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “They were so helpful with everything from menu selection to parking tips, and the food was fantastic.”
  2. “Although the menu and water were slow to come, I felt extremely rushed through my entire meal.”
  3. “This can make all the difference because the food is great in general and we haven't found anything bad on the menu at all, although one piece of fish was not enjoyed by someone in our party of 10 but he is super-picky and was from the west coast and used”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “It's a nice place for a date or to bring a group of people for fresh, delici.”
  2. “Latino food is suppose to have great rich flavor and this place was such a joke!”
service
69.6999979019165% positive
  1. “The service was great the drinks were fantastic and the food was out of this world.”
  2. “Great food and the right prices, people are polite and ready to take care of the little details, prices are not bad based on the quality of food served, I have taken friends and so far they're happy.”
  3. “We hoped that drinks would make up for the food and service but the drinks were equally bad.”
  4. “I've never had a bad experience -- servers are there when you need them, but not hovering; food is tasty and usually too much to finish; and the dining room is full but not outrageously loud or rushed.”
  5. “Food was miserable to the point of being disgusting, drinks sucked and the service was even worse.”
  6. “The service was a bit slow but we attributed that to trying to serve 16 at once.”
  7. “Go on an "off night" to enjoy best service.”
  8. “If Chris (the general manager) is there, the service is great.”
  9. “The service was so great.”
  10. “It's a nice place for a date or to bring a group of people for fresh, delici.”
  11. “Our server was very friendly and attentive.”
value
83.33000183105469% positive
  1. “I'm not a huge dessert fan but they nailed the flan perfectly.”
  2. “The pan-seared chicken dish is amazing and there are ocasionally good drink deals on days other than”
  3. “The price is awesome, too.”
  4. “Great food and the right prices, people are polite and ready to take care of the little details, prices are not bad based on the quality of food served, I have taken friends and so far they're happy.”
  5. “have never written a review for any of the restaurants that we find online, but the Mambo Grill was an exceptional meal at a reasonable price.”
  6. “will say that their prices recently went up a little bit and it didn't go unnoticed, but since the quality is there in the food, it is still a good value.”
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. “Although the menu and water were slow to come, I felt extremely rushed through my entire meal.”
  2. “The service was a bit slow but we attributed that to trying to serve 16 at once.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/06/09

Do not waste your money.

by gidget37

Worst! I have never had worse food. Waitress told me that the vegetarian paella was her favorite dish. The menu said it was authentic and flavored with saffron. More like rice-a-roni with red and green peppers (and maybe grilled pear???) for $16. Not worth it. I didn't even send it back because I couldn't think of any alternative to order.

  • Pros: None.
  • Cons: Over priced and not good food.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/18/09

Great private event!

by klandes

We held an event in Mambo's downstairs private room, and it was wonderful. They were so helpful with everything from menu selection to parking tips, and the food was fantastic. They really worked with us and were flexible and helpful. It was a great experience from start to finish.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/03/08

Great Food

by jack121

Great food and the right prices, people are polite and ready to take care of the little details, prices are not bad based on the quality of food served, I have taken friends and so far they're happy.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

07/14/08

This place Rocks!!!!!!!

by sideshow48226

My wife and I visited Chicago this past weekend. I lived there years ago and she used to visit me. Anyhow in my travels around chicago when I lived there I stumbled upon this little restaurant that specialized in central american cuisine. Mambo Grill was a fantastic establishment 12 years ago and All I have to say Now is WOW!!! My wife and I were blown away. we showed up around 7pm or so with no reservation and were seated immediately. The service was great the drinks were fantastic and the food was out of this world. I am a Chef in Michigan so I'd like to think I know my food. Try the Mojitos( they're perfect) , The Portaballo mushroom appetizer was phenomanal. As was the entrees. I'm not a huge dessert fan but they nailed the flan perfectly. Not to sweet and not to eggy. I suggest trying this place out.... and tip the cooks... They do an awesome job.

  • Pros: awesome food great drinks, positive attitude from the staff great prices, relaxed ambiance
  • Cons: none
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/23/08

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by sorywrong

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The Details on Mambo Grill

Place Categories:

  • great latino food
  • great service
  • polite right prices
  • equally bad drinks
  • bad restaurant
  • polite people
  • awesome price
  • terrible place
  • nice place
  • great experience
  • best latin food
  • favorite panseared chicken dish
  • enjoyable atmosphere
  • bland fish dish
  • nice mambo grill
  • very friendly server
  • delicious everything
  • wonderful panlatin foods
  • very tasty shrimp dish
  • not huge dessert fan
  • great plantains
  • always good lunch entrees
  • slow water
  • polite great food
  • great rich flavor

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