I love coming here after eating at Sol. If I didn't come to eat at Sol on a Sunday to have their special with pernil and a pastel, then I come over to their bodega to buy half a dozen frozen Pasteles. I love getting these, they remind me of my childhood family reunions, and these are so delicious with rice and beans. read more

Efficient, delicious, friendly and full of fun stuff is how I would describe Sol Food's La Bodega. Instead of heading into a long wait and line at the main location, try getting a to go order here. You can even take it to the old back patio up the street and down the alley where they have seating and some basic facilitation like trash and sometimes water. There are menus up front in a basket right by the doors if you don't know what you want. Specials are posted up on cars in several areas. I really appreciate the speed they get well cooked food out once you place an order (remember that other people have placed orders over the phone and may seem like they are getting food faster than you). I get chicken in about 10 minutes since they have a lot of people on hand to handle each step of the process of cooking and boxing the meal. The staff up front have always been friendly (or not there long). Sodas and other drinks available cold, along with t-shirts, magnets, drums and a ton of other cool stuff on the racks to the side and everywhere else. Check out my Sol Food review for what the food is like (exact same as the restaurant). Head over to La Bodega if you don't want to wait for that delicious Puerto Rican fare, and donate to recovery efforts while you are at it. read more

This Saturday, I drove down from camping in Ione with my family to watch my boyfriend race the San Rafael Sunset Crit. He had finished the race and I didn't get much of a chance to eat dinner before leaving to spectate. So we didn't get to eat with his friend back in his town. He ended finding 'Sol Food' on Yelp, and we came here. He noticed they were opened late. But, we didn't know was that there was a sit-down right next door and we ended at the store/take-out storefront. A lot of racers were outside just eating. - I ordered the CAMARONES CRIOLLOS: Prawns sauteed with fresh garlic and onions in a tomatoey sauce. Served over rice, with avocado, organic salad, and fried plantain or French fries. Wheat Free. ^EVERYTHING WAS GREAT. I prefered the plantains that weren't the fried green ones, but it was all good. My boyfriend also really liked my dish. While my boyfriend got the BISTEC ENCEBOLLADO: Thinly sliced steak sauteed with onions. Served with rice, beans, organic salad and fried plantain or French fries. Wheat Free. ^This was great too. read more

In San Rafael, it's well known that Sol Food is the place to go for fantastic Puerto Rican fare. It's obviously well known because there's always a line out the door. So, what do you do if you want that Sol Food fabulousness but don't want to wait in that long line? Take your Sol Food to go from La Bodega right next door. That's right. La Bodega is the take-out extension of Sol Food located right next door to the lime green monolith. In probably less time than it takes to be seated in the restaurant, you can order, pay & leave with Sol Food in hand. For faster Sol Food to go, try La Bodega. read more

La Bodega is right next to Sol Food, operated by Sol Food and has food to go only. there's a rotisserie grilling free range chicken and pork on the left side. space is very small. a counter is there for ordering. you can see the kitchen in the back. two benches in front for waiting for orders. didn't see menu. saw pasties of "specials" on glass pane. choose one. sampling: caldo de pollo con fides: 4.95/6.95 -chicken broth with carrots, potatoes and pollo within. also came with steamed rice, avocado section and one tostones. *soup very tasty and sweet with carrot and roasted chicken flavoring. 2 pieces of tender chicken in broth. tostones=fried paintain(banana), came with vinegrary, spicy dipping sauce. foodnotes: -outsanding soup, like it more than new american "soups". -order at order, get "number", "number" called when order is ready. -"number" is random number pasted on a random picture impaled on a stainless steel stand. -sol food next door has waiting line out the door. -sol food impressive, healthy, affordable. a definite return. read more

All hail to the big lime green building!! Sol Food is quickly taking over Lincoln Avenue, turning it into San Rafael's "Puerto Rican" district. With three establishments in a two block stretch, they're quite a force. Marin is all about Sol Food love, and they've shown it with lines out the door, since opening of the biggest of the three establishments (recently remodeled). Now they've added the Bodega to their repertoire, and it serves the purpose of being your go-to spot for take-out fare. Place an order on-line and pick it up in fifteen minutes, all hot and organic-ish. Last night, I shared Weffy's "Pollo al Horno" ($10.25) which featured a) 2 pieces of wheat-free, free-range boneless, skinless chicken thighs marinated with oregano and garlic, then baked b) choice of pink or black beans (we chose pink) c) choice of sweet or garlic plantains (we chose garlic) and d) salad of baby greens bathed in their specialty lemon garlic dressing. What can I say except "mmmmmmmm........"! Chicken came with a special homemade hot sauce for dipping and Weffy twisted my arm and got me to pony up $7.95 for a take-home bottle of their delicious salad dressing. The pink beans are soupy and creatively studded with whole green olives (and yes, that tastes very good)! The Bodega is a perfect addition to the neighborhood: hip, ethnic, organic, with delicious food, a memorable web site (turn up the volume, peeps!), and quick turn-around time. If you have trouble parking on the street, there's a metered lot around the corner, behind the building. Now, who do I speak to about bringing some Korean BBQ to the neighborhood? read more

Pretty much everything here is delicious. I am favorable to the delivery because I would rather not scour for a parking space, then wait in line to order and wait again for my food. It's well worth the wait but I would still rather not. I will recommend that you give everything a try at least once, even the breakfast, the specials of the day and the desserts. read more

See all

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. read more

If you order from the Bodega, check your order thoroughly before you walk away. Check your receipt too. They frequently screw up orders, giving you the wrong things in the bag or even ringing the order up incorrectly. I just got an order from them last night which was missing a salad and had completely the wrong sandwiches. Basically I just paid $23 for a salad and two sandwiches I couldn't eat. I won't got to the Bodega again. read more

I wonder if they will open a branch near my house if I gave them a kidney! This place rocks. I went to the main restaurant at 3 thinking it would not be crowded. I was wrong! Again, lines out the door. The second spot around the corner was busy too. Sol Food La Bodega to the rescue. We were in and out with our food in around 15 mts. We got a bunch of dishes and went to Gerstle Park for an unplanned picnic and it worked out well. Amazing food as always. So tasty, fresh and flavorful. read more

Called in an order for pick up. The package was ready when I needed. Great service and the price was actually lower than the website by a few bucks. But yea this is my third and final time eating at sol food. All the food was overdone, chuleta deep fried but no sign of any crispness and super hard. Boneless chicken bland and overdone as well. Choripan, I could of used my molinari salami and costco ham to make at home. One of the cups of beans was half missing?!? That was weird and there were no spills in the bag. Plantains too, need a serrated global knife to cut. My jaws are sore from all the chewing. Expensive too. Just because I'm a chef doesn't mean that a regular person can't roast a chicken to medium well and keep the juicyness. 165 is the standard but no way that will be good. Two little pieces of boneless chicken rice, beans and salad, $13. You can get a whole rocky chicken at Safeway for $9 on sale. This was $40. For two people. Sorry ok, two things good, their hot sauce and surprisingly their rice, a bit oily but very soft. read more

La Bodega - Choripan. Nothing special chorizo, ham and Swiss. - Specialty Food Near Me - San Rafael, California

See all

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.. read more

See all

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! read more

La Bodega - The take away station - Specialty Food Near Me - San Rafael, California

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. read more

La Bodega - Poncho. Pollo Frio Sandwich. - Specialty Food Near Me - San Rafael, California

Sol, the OG lime green restaurant usually has a long line, that's nothing new. But, I had this vision. I saw alllllll the people lining up for the OG spot and said to myself, let's dodge the line, get our food at the Bodega and who cares if there isn't a table to sit at or a chair to sit on, I'd eat standing right here on the street corner I'm so hungry!!! I am here to report that the logic used on this day was faulty and the end result was no bueno kids. The Bodega, while the line is shorter and the menu is the same, is not the same. I don't know why, I can't explain it, I can just share with you that the experience is not good at all. Don't get me wrong, I love a great shortcut, I love to gamble ( I drove over the Bay Bridge the weekend it was closed so they could go Kosmo Kramer and paint new lines on the damn road) but I need to reconsider the gambles I take and stop betting on long shots. Yes, I bet on the Red Sox winning the world series from 1987-2003 and gave up a year before they won it all. Stick with the winners and as difficult as it is and as much as you want to dodge the long line, I'm telling ya, just wait it out because it's worth it in the end. read more

I have been here several times and I cannot believe I haven't even written a review!! Shame on me!!! So here goes.. Definitely order the camarones empanizado , ribs, chicken , mango/limeade tea, tostones with garlic ( i love savory over sweet), the salad with their garlic dressing, ice sweet coffee .. uh what else.. Just ordering everything that you can eat!! This place is the BOMB!!! Your stomach will definitely explode after eating all this food but most of their dishes are paleo friendly which is PERFECT for me. The shrimp is breaded but using plantains so its really good. Salty and a little bit sweet combined .. so good. Definitely use their red sauce that is found in each and every table and put it on everything and I mean everything. If you are passing by San Rafael- drive by and eat here. It is conveniently located close to the freeway on 3rd street so its easy to find. Look for the NEON GREEN bldg. Its TOTALLY worth the wait.. I have been here several times and I only had to wait about 15-20 mins even if the line was out the door . The wait is SOOOOO worth it you won't regret it!! I still have to try their sandwhiches soon. SOL FOOD - see you in 2 weeks again?? TIP: This is the TOGO place. So if the restaurant has a long line, (when did it ever not have a line???) just order from here. They have everything and serve the same dishes here as well. read more

This is the SOL FOOD for TO GO! Ask for Family Style and it's all packed separately. LOVE LOVE LOVE! read more

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. read more

This is my girls favorite restaurant. We went here after hiking Mount Tam so we had an appetite worked up. The first thing I noticed was the lime green paint on the building and the letter framed at the door of a neighbors complaint about that color. Hilarious. You order and pay and wait at a table. She had bistec sandwich and I had the San Juan. Both were great. I'm glad I ordered the smaller size because I had to help finish hers. We also had mariquitas, these fried plantain salted chips with chipotle salsa for dipping. Very tasty. They don't serve alcohol but I saw the orange juice squeezing machine so I had to order fresh OJ. She had the limeade which was actually more refreshing than the OJ. For my first foray in to Puerto Rican food I enjoyed it. If I gave this place any less than 5 stars I might get socked in the arm. Haha. read more

La Bodega - Plantain chips. Salted. Bomb garlic dipping sauce - Specialty Food Near Me - San Rafael, California

See all

After a day of cheese tasting and having nothing but cheese, pastries and coffee in my belly, I was starving for some comfort food. I've heard so much about Sol Food and decided to head back through San Rafael to have an early dinner. It was before 4 pm on a Saturday and the line was out the door, so my friend and I opted for take-out and a car picnic instead. We ordered the Pollo al Horno and Camarones Criollos combination plates, which are served with rice, salad, choice of plantains and beans. Our food was ready faster than the line to be seated next door could have ever moved. Both dishes were delicious and the spicy vinegar sauce that we drizzled on everything just made all the flavors even more delectable. I've only had Puerto Rican food one other time - 15 years ago at some greasy hole-in-the-wall place in San Leandro. Thank goodness Sol Food was nothing like that unmemorable experience. And thank goodness Sol Food isn't in my neighborhood or I'd be spending a lot of time waiting in line and consuming large quantities of that spicy vinegar sauce. At least a weekend trip exploring the North Bay gives me something to look forward to. read more

Ahh, my lovely Sol Food. This spot is fantastico!! I go here about once a week to get my Salad con Camarones.. The hot sauce is the best everrrr!! I'm glad they opened this location next door to the original -- it's easy to get to, easy to order, employees are super nice, food is amazing... It's bright, clean, and what can I say -- I just love this place. It's definitely my top restaurant in Marin County!! :) read more

I was just there and paid with tip $8.56 for a very small container of beans and a even smaller container of rice. Give me a break guys! I won't be back and I will tell who ever asks that you all are sooooo over prices, get a grip! Jenette read more

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! read more

Good food, no seating, pretty expensive. I had the plantain-crusted shrimp po boy, and a water, and it was 14.21. With NO TABLE for dining. (Didn't have time to wait to eat at the sister restaurant.) So yeah, kinda pricey for that kind of experience. The sandwich was a B+. I'm really not able to grasp the idea of no tables. Whyyyyy would you design a place like that? read more

I've never had Puerto Rican or any South/Central American food at all and I hear people at work talk about it, well the ones from our Florida and New York offices do. A friend of mine wanted to go ride out to Marin and she this would be our lunch stop before I ride back to SF and she rides over to China Camp. There was a sizeable line for the main restaurant, so our group decided to get it to go and we sat outside. I ordered Pollo al Horno as did a few other people in our group did, and my friend got the vegetariano. While the chicken was good, I was expecting more out of it - more of a roasted, rich flavor. It came with rice and beans, which are staples in Central American and most Caribbean cuisines. It also came with the requisite plantains and I really enjoyed the sweet fried ones, it was nicely sweet and caramelized. And a salad with a really unique dressing came along with it. And for some strange reason, I'm craving this place again. Maybe I'll go ride out there sometime soon? read more

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 :) read more

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! read more

This was an unexpected surprise. I've never had Puerto Rican food before, but now I'm hooked. Everything ordered tasted awesome. This place is no secret: there's a wait to get inside, even outside normal lunch hours. A girl takes your order as you wait, and the food comes out promptly after sitting. They've got the process down. I drank -- mango iced tea in a huge jar. Refreshing. I bet the Arnaldo Palmerol is even better. I ate -- Rice with ground beef... picadillo I think. I love mince, especially when they throw olives in it. How do you want your plantains? Savory or sweet? I personally enjoyed the sweet plantains better, but both are good. read more

This is their take-out only spot which is located right next door to their main sit-down restaurant. I ordered their pollo al horno combination and opted to have mine without beans. The pieces are big with a lot of meat and I probably could've gone with just one piece of chicken instead of two and have been satisfied. Also included are rice, salad, and plantain. My order was correct and ready by the time I got there. I would've given this place five stars but for some reason while good the food at Sol Food seems to taste a little different and not AS good as other times I've had it. Still, it hits the spot and I would definitely come back if I'm ever in the mood for some Puerto Rican food again. read more

La Bodega - Pollo al Horno with plantain - Specialty Food Near Me - San Rafael, California

So I really really wanted to give 5 stars but the food was just good nothing spectacular. I didn't mind the 25 minute wait in line and the ambience was cool. I wish you could order alcohol. The fried plantains with garlic were pretty good, I wish I would have gotten the one with cheese on it. The french fries are REALLY, REALLY good. Probably my favorite part of the meal. The Bistek steak sandwich was also pretty darn good and the large size was really filling. I wish you could give half stars and I'd give 4.5 but just not quite good enough for a 5. read more

This is an interesting restaurant. They will stop taking orders till they find a spot for you. Lots of table sharing happens as a result. The place does get crowded. They have 3 locations. This one is inside seating, nextdoor is take out and down the road is outside seating. The food comes out very quickly and the flavors are great. The chicken was soft and delicious, the fish was moist and cooked just right. The bread pudding is definitely a try. read more

Sol Food La Bodega is it!!! When it comes to fast, reliable and friendly delivery service of Puerto Rican food in Marin, this place is it. It's really incredible. They are always on time, if not ahead of it and their drivers are polite and very helpful. And their new Iphone App is awesome. No hassle, always pleasant. Not to mention the food... Yum!!! read more

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. read more

Came here for some take out. A few friends had recommend this place since we are vegan. We were on our way back from a mini road trip, passing through San Rafael, and decided to give this place a try. We wanted to order take out since we were tired and the line for sit down was wayyyy out the door. The people in there were not the friendliest. I had never been there before, told the cashier that I was vegan, and asked what he recommended. His response "everything that is vegan is listed on the menu". Anyway, the menu was a bit overwhelming if you're new and direction and guidance would have been nice! Came back after further review of the menu and completed my order with another cashier. He wasn't rude, but wasn't friendly either. We ordered the vegetarian combinations. It was about $11.00 a person, which is reasonable. It was a lot of food! The garlic plantains are amazing. Yes, they are better than the sweet, but also very different (one is more dessert like and one is more salty). Bottom line, the garlic plantains were bomb. We ordered it with black beans, and it came with a salad, avocado, and white rice (and the 2 plantains). The avocado was fresh and delish. I know that brown rice is probably not authentic, but I wish they had brown rice as an option! One of my friends ordered the chicken combination and he felt like his chicken portion wasn't large enough, and they did give him a somewhat pathetic scoop of rice, at least compared to ours (maybe we got larger portions since we ordered vegetarian thus it didn't come with an additional item like chicken?) I'd come back and try some other things but wouldn't go out of my way for it. read more

I am tired of the incompetence of the management in this place. I have been getting food to go every week for years now and every week the portions are different, not to mention when the entire order is something else. Tonight I ordered the beef stew, only to get one little tiny piece of meat and lots of sauce and other stuff. The guys that work there ordering the food are very nice but I can't believe the incompetence of the management. How many times they have to hear they need to be consistent with the product they sell? I called them and ask for a refund and they said no. Go to the restaurant and eat there, so you can see what you get. Forget about getting food out. read more

I'm Addicted. It's true. I had the Pollo frio Ensalada tonight... HUGE, and oh so satisfying. I got the Garlic plantains again, no doubt. I could never pass those babies up. CAN'T.GET.ENOUGH.SOL. I also tried their version of the Arnold Palmer this eve with their own freh made Limeade... Mmm.... Gracias!!!! read more

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. read more

My likes round up my dislikes from a 3.5... Limeades = 5 stars Plantain chips = 5 stars Service = 3.5 stars Sandwiches = 3.5 stars Prices = 2.5 stars I love Puerto Rican food, introduced to it in Chicago by some friends. Sol Food is definitely up there, but my visit had a few misses that I hope were just representative of a bad day. First, as first-timers, I hoped the server could explain the menu better. Maybe someone could design a better menu - there's 4 of them, each with a novella on it. We picked one sandwich she recommended and one I was familiar with, plus the chips and drinks. The sandwiches had great flavor, but were an absolute mess to eat. Much of the chicken was dry and overcooked (for dark meat, especially) and some of the beef was simply inedible - way too chewy! And there was sauce just oozing and dripping everywhere... these are fork and knife sandwiches (or at least don't try eating in the car sandwiches). I think the flavors and ingredients were there, but the assembly was haphazard and the ingredients not all top quality. On the other hand, the plantain chips were among the best I've had in a long time, and they come with this wonderful dipping sauce. The fresh drinks surprised me, too. I was concerned about their nearly $4 price tag, but the limeades and teas were packed with fresh fruit and a burst of deliciousness. Yes, the prices are a little high. I don't mind paying $10-12 for a sandwich, but not for what I got. A carryout only lunch for $20 per person needs a little more finishing, a bit improved service, and a bit of extra attention. I think you're almost there and will probably try Sol Food again. But deja vu will earn you only an average rank of 3 stars. read more

Call your order in for speedy pick up. Food is made super fast and perfectly scrumptious. This is right next to Sol Food. The one on the corner is the restaurant; this one, right next door, is the take out spot. Sups convenient. Yeah, I abbreviated super. And? read more

Decent food but seems overrated. Was driving from SF to Bodega and was hangry so decided to stop in San Rafael. Yelp led me here and I went with the Bistec sandwich and a side of fries. The sandwich had decent flavor, but was severely overpriced. The fries were mediocre and just too greasy. The service was okay, but not great. I did enjoy sitting in the little patio area on a nice day. read more

See all