Sol Food La Bodega

There are some places that are intimidating just because they are so popular and always crazy busy and you really aren’t familiar with the cuisine… Sol Food is one of those places. I drive by Sol Food on a regular basis and always wanted to stop but the lines were always out the door… not to mention parking on the streets of downtown San Rafael is a hassle. But today was the day, I happened to be in the neighborhood early this morning and low and behold… NO LINES!!! I immediately popped in the main restaurant, the lady at the register was so helpful and extremely knowledgeable about the menu, patiently answering all of my questions and making menu recommendations. She then sent me next door to the bodega because I was ordering to-​go. Same great customer service at the bodega! I ordered the tostones (with queso, avocado, and tomatoes), Pollo al horno, and a bistec sandwich. The prices ranged from about $ 8 to $ 16 and the portions were just right. The food was delicious!!! The tostones are excellent, they were perfectly fried… delicately crispy with just enough chewiness to feel like a meal and not just an appetizer… the taste of garlic combined with the cheese and the creaminess of avocado with the freshness of the tomato made for the perfect combination. The Pollo al horno was so good… I thought it would taste similar to mexican food but it was distinctly different… the chicken had a roasted, herby, taste to it and the pink beans (with a few green olives mixed in) and simple steamed rice that accompanied the chicken were perfect. The beans were so tasty and saucy, perfect to pour over the rice. Exceptional service, exceptional food… now I see what all the fuss is about! I will now be one of those people lining up outside Sol Food’s door!

I just got a side of rice and beans and it costs me $ 6. Wasn’t even a generous portion nor tasted very good. Not sure what the hype is about this place.

A bodega for take out, the idea is genius! I am not impressed with the Mill Valley location with the long lines and cramped tables. So one day I was jonesing for ribs and broke down and tried Sol Food again. I am so glad I did because this take out location is so much quicker than eating in the restaurant. I’ve come here twice and both times my order was exactly accurate and the food was delicious. I recommend the ribs plate, I also recommend the plaintain chips which are very addictive.
My only issue with this place is that sometimes people will get food to go and spread out on the benches which I think were placed so people waiting for their to-​go orders would have a place to sit. Since people are using the benches as a table, it can’t be good AND people waiting for their orders have to end up standing.
There is plenty of staff and they are friendly and timely. So if you love Sol Food, get take out rather than wait in line. It’s a much, much better experience. As good as it gets as far as Puerto Rican food is concerned!

Personally I enjoy coming here to get my food to go when I have a craving for Sol Food. You’re in and out pretty quickly. The staff is always friendly, no matter what time of day it is.
Its you’re standard fare from the food next door.
I usually get the pollo sandwich with a side of sweet plantains and fries. Its always hot and tasty. I’ve actually gotten coffee from here as well, and I love that they have coconut milk for my long drives home.

Food quality suffered for being take out. Still very good, but fried shrimp in po-​boy didn’t do well with take out. If you’re able to wait and eat in, probably worth it. Good portion sizes… Not too huge. Tostones (fried plantains) a bit heavy on the garlic for me. Kids loved pollo horno w fries.

This place is amazing. The line was out the door at the restaurant but we where able to enjoy an amazing Chuleta Sandwich (the sauce was incredible) and Plantain Tostones with cheese and Avocado from La Bodega next door. Didn’t have to wait tot long for an delicious Torta.

I came here on a Saturday night with the intent to dine in. The line was ridiculously long so we just went right next door to the take out station.
I had the Bistec sandwich and this has been the best sandwich I have had so far in the Bay Area. The steak, avocado, onions, sauce… it was all just so perfectly combined. I wish they would open a location in SF!

Wow, can’t say enough about the FOOD. There was a line down the block when we arrived. Wasn’t sure I wanted to wait. My friend had tried them before and was insistent. Thank goodness it was a lazy Sunday. This place makes your mouth happy and gives nutrition to the body!!!

Why is it I only seem to crave for Chick-​fil-​A on Sundays when they’re closed?! The heart wants what it can’t have I guess. Lucky for me, Unilocal swooped in to sweep up the pieces of my broken heart and pointed me in the direction of Sol Food.
I was far too hungry to wait in line to dine in at the original Sol Foods location on the corner of 3^rd and Lincoln so I walked next door to Sol Food La Bodega to put in my take-​out order at the counter. Little did I know, they also have a handy online ordering system available between 9 AM and 8 PM.
I ordered the Polla Al Horno, a Cubano, and a Ponche to go. When my order arrived 20 minutes later, I inhaled half the cubano sandwich before even making it on to the freeway back home. Delicioso! However, like the refined lady I am… I waited until I was seated at the dining room table before diving into the pollo. Worth the wait. You could taste the heart & «sol» in the marinated, boneless, skinless chicken thigh. Plus let’s be real, chicken breast might be the more popular, healthy option but tender dark meat is always the way to go.
I washed down the whole meal with my iced Ponche. I’m not usually one for flavored drinks but mango iced tea and limeade?! I’d be a fool to pass that one up. 2 thumbs up. Would order again.

Waaaaaaa!!! What did I do to deserve such a ridiculously huge amount of deliciousness? I dunno.
I went there hungry af after a day spent at the beach, and let me just say god answered my prayers.
Food: I got the Bisteck sandwich (OUT OF THIS WORLD GOOD) and a side of fried plantains (SAME, YUM YUM YUM) and it was all so good I left happy and fuller than I thought I could ever be.
Drinks: Please try their mango tea, it’s so delicious and refreshing I did not even feel sorry that they did not have any beers. Could drink this everyday.
Price: decent for the amount of good and fresh food you get.
Attention! There are three different places and this review is for the take out location. The sitting restaurant is just as good (it’s the same food so makes sense) but the line is longer. It’s up to you! But do try it!

I’m a Puerto Rican born and raised in New York City. I lived on the Island for part of my life and I have to say this is the most authentic Puerto Rican experience you will have in Northern California from a food perspective. The taste «sabor» is spot on. From their Pollo Al Horno to their Bistec Encebollado to their Cubano (So delicious) you will not be disappointed. Also, their desserts are fantastic. I had the Tembleque and Flan De Coco and immediately felt like I was eating my abeula Mita’s. Simply put this place rocks. I can not wait to have an excuse to drive up again and visit Sol Food or La Bodega.

Okay, this is my second visit to Sol Food’s take-​out side of the business. I got hooked on their coconut milk lattes a year or so ago, and that’s been my go-​to. Well, until my good friend Jean started going on and on about the Pan Frances (the coconut milk soaked french toast). And I mean on and on. like I was about to have an intervention with her. So I decided to go have some.
OMG … she was right! The stuff is A-​MAZE-​ING!!! It comes in a Styrofoam box, and has butter on it, and comes with a thin plastic ramekin of maple syrup. I gotta tell you, it’s one of the best things I have ever eaten … and I mean EVER! Add the coconut latte with it and you seriously just want to stay there all day and eat it over and over and over again. After re-​reading this, I’m kinda thinking I’m the one that needs an intervention.
I honestly can’t wait until I’m up in the area again. I SO want to try the ribs and chicken that they were cooking. Anyway, bottom line is go there and wait until breakfast so you can have the Pan Frances. it will change your life.

The only thing I ordered was pork ribs, they were bone dry and over whelmingly salty. The hot sauce was thin and lacks flavor. My dinner was not edible.

Went there for my birthday meal. I ordered chulatas but they were overcooked dry and hard to cut. This was not my past experience a few years ago. When i addressed it the manager and cooks they were not understanding my unhappiness. It was very loud in the restaurant. I ordered the $ 11 plate. Anyway I ordered the bistec plate. It was good but it came with stares from the cook and the woman making the limades Too bad they dont put customer service with a smile on the menu. The food and service use to be five stars. Since the manager didn’t ask me how my meal was or didn’t really care i give them 3 for the second meal They also wanted to have me seated at a bar staring at a wall For my birthday ??? I dont think so !!!

It’s not a visit to my in-​laws without hitting up Sol Food on our way there, or on our way home.
I was at first surprised to hear that that Sol Food has 3 places open in the area now, but their food is amazingly simple, and amazingly good. The salad dressing is so garlicky and delicious, the beans are crazy flavorful, and the rice is somehow oily, salty, sticky and perfect. The vegetarians get Tostones, the fried and savory plantains, and the meat-​eaters get chicken. And, unless you’re ready to develop a habit, don’t try the limeade. You will have to get one every time you go. and then you’ll have to get them for everyone :)

Anything that they serve inside the restaurant is amazing anything that they sell in the bodega has the same quality as everything else. I love the selection and choices they have their. You’re never disappointed any time that you eat at any of their operations. I would recommend also purchasing their salad dressings the vinegar with pepper and it is amazing there sofrito is awesome. Take advantage of everything that they sell do not be afraid to try anything. They are always fast and courteous and they try to turn over the tables as fast as possible because sometimes in the restaurants the lines are really long that’s why it’s nice to go to the bodega.

I’ve come here a few times and I look forward to always being in the area to go back and try something else on the menu.
This visit we had the half roast chicken and the ribs, both were super delicious especially with the sauces and homemade hot sauce at the tables.
Just my preference, I enjoy the sweet plantains way more than the garlic ones.
I always look forward to drinking another Orange mango with limade.

Whoa you can’t go wrong ! Way better than waiting for a seat. Order to go !!!
same food same speed. Awesome service
Open till 3am! No way. Hungry after binging at the bar or late night in the city head to sol food.

I mean…
everything is good.

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG
BOOOOOOOMMMMBBBB!
I’ve never had Puerto Rican food before & I’ve been missing out. No joke.
Went here to pick up lunch since a couple of my cousins recommended it.
I ordered the Sandwich De Ensalada de Pollo FFrio which is roasted ‘free range’ chicken mixed with carrots, celery, mayo & fresh lime served on french bread with organic greens, tomato & pickled pink onions. I would eat this sanwich for lunch EVERY single day if I didn’t live in WA. I’m just sayin’ … it IS that good. For $ 8.95, it’s a steal!
To drink I got the Ponche which is half mango iced tea and half limeade. On the menu they have the «AKA» as «Arnoldo Palmero,» lol. So refreshing & good!
They have a sit down restaurant & also around the corner for the restaurant they have a place where you can place an order to-​go. We went with the «to-​go» route since for a Sunday the restaurant was PACKED! It took a little while to get our food but for how good it taste I would wait FOREVER, again… I’m just sayin’
When I go back to Cali (which is a given) I will for sure visit this place again & again & again.