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

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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

So incredibly delicious. Have gone to the lime green building on the corner for years and the line was a couple dozen people spilling out the door. Didn't want to wait and feel rush so we tried the Bodega despite the lower reviews. Note to the haters - sorry you didn't like it - more for me and the folks who know good food. I had the six rib combo and have 3 ribs left for tomorrow. Ribs were the best I've ever had, period. And I've had a lot. The flavor was insanely good - marinated with garlic and likely some citrus. Tostones as good as ever, delicious white rice. The beans I gifted to my wife who was too full for them today. Nice fresh leafy green salad with a tasty lemon salad dressing with lots of garlic. DW had the pernil special. Rice with gandules and ham, big salad, side of tostones. And one of the best tamales we have ever had. I had the delicious iced tea and a mineral water and DW had a grape soda. Tons of food with leftovers for today and three drinks. Yeah, it was $40. And it was amazing and they use good meat and compostable plastic and paper boxes for food. And it was packed well, all there including the delicious hot sauce - survived well back to Oakland. So glad to finish and not feel awful about a pile of plastic to-go containers. Only criticism was the food was a bit on the salty side. Adore their food. read more

Just visited yesterday with a group of 6. They didn't quite have the seating system worked out. We had to wait in a long line to order, and then were held at the top of the line while others were seated ahead of us. It just felt awkward. Decor and music was vibrant & colorful very Puerto Rican feel to the space, with some fun pictures cycling through on the electronic picture screen over our table. Place was busy, crowded with people munching away. Ordered maduro- fried sweet plantain, just like back home tostones- fried cakes of mashed green plantain, marquitas- crispy fried green plantain chips reminded me of our childhood snacks! camarones criollos- prawns in garlic tomato red sauce served w/ rice & salad cubano bocaldillo- roast pork, ham, mustard pickles, swiss cheese on french bread, served hot panini style Spicy hot pepper sauce was tangy enough to add a teeth tingling zing but not so super hot to drown out the flavors of the meal. coconut pudding with mango sauce (pud was dense, mango sauce was amazing!) coconut flan- densely creamy with a wonderful smokey burnt caramel accent! passion fruit juice limade Food was great, experience ordering less so. We had a pleasant meal, but felt rushed at the end since they started cleaning up our table around us. We were seated for ~45mins for our meal, and they asked us to leave so they could flip the table. This is not a leisurely dinner space. Went next door to the to-go counter to try ordering a shirt, but the one I liked was popular enough to be all sold out. read more

Holy mother of God! Oops, sorry, ¡La madre santa de Dios! Un-freaking-real, amaze-o-fuckingly good and 12 step addicting. Had to do a lunch & learn for a clients entire team out of their corporate offices in San Rafael and they brought in Sol Food La Bodega to cater the event and needless to say, I will be this accounts best rep they've ever had because I will be traveling here on a weekly basis until I've had everything on the menu. ONLY had a chance to try the Bistec sandwich, the polo frito salad and the ensalada criolla but EVERYTHING else simply looked, smelled and judging by how quickly everything was devoured, tasted simply fantastic. A simple 5 star rating just does not do my lunch justice. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! read more

I had a thin-cut steak with onions. Fantastic. Plantains are the beginning and end of this experience. Meat breaded with plantains? Yes, please. Sandwich of meats and avocado between flattened plantains? Let's do that, too. It was fast and amazing. Staff helped my friends and I sort through the menu. Water on the tables is constantly refilled. I plan on returning. read more

This place is delicious! I had the bistec sandwich, yummy thinly sliced steak w/onions and avocado and sauce (and probably some other stuff too but I ate it too fast to look) and I paired it with their in-house limeade- a perfect combo. The limeade was sweet and acidic and cleansed the palate and quenched the thirst. This was from their take-out area, next time we will be trying the sit down part which had a line out the door. Great food! read more

Went for the first time and enjoyed everything we ordered. Cuban sandwich was awesome, French Toast was delish and the Pollo al Horno was very tasty. I highly recommend coconut Late, linonada and café con leche. Definitely will be coming back read more

La Bodega - Specialty Food Near Me - San Rafael, California

We were visiting the San Rafael area and were looking for dinner. We found Sol Food on Yelp and decided to give it a try. We liked the idea of tasting how Puerto Rican food would be different from Mexican and Salvadoran which we have on a regular basis. We ordered our food for takeout from the "The Pick Up Place" next their main dine-in restaurant "The Big Place". We were there around 6pm and line to the dining room was long and the dining room was full. This is a good sign. (Their other location on 4th street "The Small Place" was also full). When ordering our food at the Pick Up Place, we waited for a just few customers before we reached the cashier. We had the bistech encobollado and chuletas fritas. For the plantains, we tried both the tostones and madura versions. You also get a choice between black or pink beans. Both dishes had very good flavor and the portions were a decent size. The only thing negative was how they packaged the salad dressing with the plastic container inside the lettuce. Our order seemed to take a long time to prepare. But maybe it was just because many people who showed up after us had already phoned in their order. If passing by the area again, we would consider stopping by to try another few dishes. read more

When we first drove around the area, it was a little confusing because there are 3 different locations. But once we figured it out we were ok. The seating was different. I could see how it would be problem if you're not social, but it would be a great place to go with a big group of people. Other than that, the food was great! I ordered the 2 piece chicken with a garlic and a sweet plantain, and my boyfriend ordered the battered shrimp which was delish!! The other must order is the limonada.. read more

Since we were heading to the beach and did not have time to sit down; we ordered sandwiches to go. The order came out quick. I loved the food and just the chicken salad sandwich itself had great flavor and amazing taste. I also got the cafe Rico and even though it was sweetened; it was not sweet enough. I guess the two expresso shots was too strong. :) I would love to go back to sit down and eat leisurely out there. read more

My first time trying Puerto Rican food! I LOVED IT! I ordered Sandwich De Ensalada de Pollo Frio and it was delicious! They have a restaurant with sitting area, and right next to it they have "to go orders" place. It was such a nice day in SF, so we decided to take our food "to go" and we went to Golden Gate bridge and had our lunch there! It was wonderful! I would definitely go there again, no doubt! read more

Needed salt. Hype is in the unusual menu and the cute atmosphere. I wouldn't go out of my way again.

It really pains me to write this review. Sol Food has been our favorite restaurant, hands down, for the last two years. We have turned tons of our friends and family on to it as well, and quiet any naysayers who don't think their food is absolutely amazing, so this is a hard hoagie to swallow. My husband works as a paramedic in Marin and San Francisco. After a particularly long and difficult day last Friday, he decided to stop in and grab some late night food on the way home at Sol Food in San Rafael. He ordered their version of the po'boy sandwich, the "niño pobre" and some other stuff for me. It was late (after 1am) so he ordered and picked up from the restaurant side, as the regular pick-up side was closed. Sadly, on his way home he came across a horrific accident on Northbound 101 in Marin where someone died due to a stupid drunk driver. The traffic was backed up quite a ways and he sat idle in traffic for about 30 minutes while he waited for the road to clear. He did not get home (Santa Rosa) until about 3am. This is when he realized that his niño pobre was missing from the bags. Feeling bummed, (but thankful to be alive!) he ate some of my food and went to bed. I told him he should call and let them know, but Sol Food closes at 2am, (it was now well after 3am) so we agreed that he would stop by in the next couple of days and explain the situation thinking that they would obviously want to make good. Well, tonight (another long day) my husband calls me and says he's on his way home from SF and thought about stopping at Sol Food to get some food and to see about them comp-ing his sandwich that was missing from a couple days ago. This is where I get bummed out because Sol Food REALLY dropped the ball. My husband places the order from the pick-up side and explains how his sandwich was missing, etc. The guy ringing him up said that he needed to speak to someone else (a manager perhaps? Not entirely sure). My husband explains to the other man that the sandwich was missing the other day and would like to be compensated with a free one this evening. The man told my husband that they have a "policy" against that. And that if his order was wrong he needed to call right away. My husband explained to him about the accident that night, and how we live in Santa Rosa and he was home very late. The man replied that he knew nothing of the accident, (really? You don't keep up on current events in your area? Whatever.) and that we should have called anyway because they often answer the phone after 2am. I don't know about you, but I am not a night person, we generally don't order food at 1:30am, and certainly don't make phone calls about incorrect orders at 3am. How were we supposed to know that they would indeed answer their phone after 3am when they close at 2am?? He then asked where my husband ordered from, as if he was going to compensate him after all, and so my husband told him from the restaurant side. He said "oh" and left it at that. My husband was floored! Had I been there, I would have cancelled my order and left right then and there. I realize that they do not want just any old person walking up trying to get free food, BUT this man used no discernment whatsoever. My husband was still dressed in his paramedic uniform. I am not at all saying that he should get "free" food for working in the Emergency Medical field, but he does usually get a little more respect than what he received from Sol Food tonight. Why would he go order and explain the situation in uniform and lie? It's not like he was a hoodlum kid off the street who was trying to rip them off. It's a $12 dollar sandwich (+ tax!). Would it really kill them to comp us for what we paid for and did not get? So now I am boycotting my chicken al horno. I feel so annoyed that I do not want to eat it. I guess the moral of the story is: Do not expect your take-out order from Sol Food to be correct. You must stand there and unpack everything they put in bags and check to see that your order is correct before leaving to drive home if you live any distance away. And IF you do get home and it's after they're closed, go ahead and call them anyway because they SAY that they'll still answer their phone. Don't expect to be compensated if it's the next day, because their "policy" will basically accuse you of lying and stealing. I am so sad to say that Sol Food has lost my business (and I will make sure to tell all my friends and family) over a $12 po'boy sandwich and an employee with a bad attitude. Sigh. read more

Let me start by saying that my wife and I really like Sol Food (the original, sit-down restaurant). In my opinion, Sol Food is one of the best finds in Marin, so I would expect similar quality and service for the To Go/Take Out version, La Bodega. Food quality was the same, but so far we've been pretty disappointed in the service. Both times we've ordered take out, they failed to include items that either come with the dish or just plain missed an ordered item. The first time we ordered the chicken plate which comes with one large piece of chicken, rice and beans, plantains, and salad. They forgot to include the side salad. Ok, not a big deal. We went back a second time, maybe a couple months later, and ordered the chicken plate and veggie deluxe sandwich--both are our favorite Sol Food dishes. This time the chicken plate was all there with included sides--rice, beans, plantains, salad. But no sandwich! Shame on us for not opening the bag and checking our order in detail before we left, but I would expect they include everything we ordered. It was only two items, not like a huge or complicated order. Maybe we got unlucky on both of these occasions, but it sure did leave a pretty poor impression. IF we go back, we will absolutely check every item in the bag to make sure we get everything we ordered before we drive off. read more

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, Yelp 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 3rd 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. read more

Fast, easy and delicious...Sol Food's New Bodega is perfect for those nights when you want I delicious meal but do not have the time to cook for myself. Last-minute dinners are easy with their online ordering; you can choose to either pick-up or have food delivered. Friendly quick service that's always delivered with a smile. read more

I love that Sol Food has created a to go place La Bodega next door! The food is soo good. We bounce between the pollo al horno, chuletas, or the veggie plate. A great full plate of a nice green salad, choice of pink or black beans, choice of sweet or fried green plantains, served with rice and your entree. Their lime-ade is mouth watering, fresh squeezed lime juice, simple syrup to cut the acidity and sparkling water. The ponche is also delicious and refreshing. Love the lentil soup, love the mango custard. It's hard to make a bad choice here!!! read more

I have to say, I'm disappointed. My husband and I always stop at the regular Sol restaurant next door after a nice hike at Muir or Stinson. And it has always been delicious, although at times the wait is a little too long. So, the last two times we stopped by we picked up food at the bodega next door. The first time we tried the bodega, we were starving. The line at the regular restaurant was out the door and all the tables were full. The hostess informed us that they had a new take-a-way only bodega next door with the same complete menu. So, we gave it a shot. There were several people waiting for food, but we were the only ones ordering. The waitress was nice, but distracted. We ordered our usual order and my husband asked for the fried plantains. She seemed confused. I described what we wanted, the crispy chip plantains, and found the actual name on the menu and told her we wanted the marquitas. Somehow she missed all this. When I paid, it was a little on the expensive side, but I thought I just forgot how much things were here. We didn't check our order until we got home. Instead of the crispy chip plantains, we received some sort of pan fried sweet plantains that was totally not what we asked for. My meal, the vegetariano, was really bland and just not worth the money, white rice, black beans and a leafy salad. Honestly, we just really love the plantain chips, so it was a big bummer. But, we really like this food! We thought, maybe she didn't hear us, everyone makes mistakes, we should give it one more shot. So, we did. Next time, we decided to just order two orders of the plantain chips and nothing else. We got two orders (which was a little excessive) and a couple limeade/tea drinks because they are delicious. And, we got the correct order this time, but the food was totally cold. Usually, they arrive hot, but I guess there's a little less care when you order to go. We wondered what the hell took 15 minutes if they weren't even heating up the order? And it was not cheap. It was $23 for just two drinks and the equivalent of two orders of french fries. We're done. It's been nice. But, I think this restaurant is just expanding too fast and losing a little of the soul that made it so worthwhile. read more

Absolutely loved the chicken I got here! But that's not surprising, I love everything from all arms of the Sol Food family. Also, this has to be said, there was a girl cashier working last tuesday night, who is very likely the most beautiful person I've ever seen on the planet. I didn't catch her name. Definitely try to go on a tuesday night, but don't be a creeper! read more

I have long been a fan of Sol Food and their delicious food. I think its great that they opened a spot just for take out. However, they don't make it easy for people to quickly stop and "take out". We ordered our food ahead so I thought I could just make a quick stop for a pick up. However, there is no stopping at all in front of the building. One has to drive around and find parking. I also was surprised by the $22 roast chicken--really? read more

over priced rice plates. - my sister wanted to try this place so her puerto-rican husband could have an authentic meal. I had the oven roasted chicken plate for around $20. you get a ton of rice and salad, a small cup of beans, a quarter of a plantain split down the middle(didn't want fries) and half pigeon sized chicken. it was a little salty but moist. The biggest turn off was the cafeteria style seating - pay first then wait for a table. at $20 a plate it should be full service. oh and my brother in law by the way, wasn't impressed either. Their take on hot sauce was good though in the soda bottle at the table. goes well with salty chicken. The food isn't bad I've overpaid for smaller rice plates but it should be full service for those prices. read more

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. read more

La Bodega - Specialty Food Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Food is good and service is solid. The food is authentic and very good. They have a lot of die hard fans, but for me it is just too busy for my comfort. read more

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. read more

Bad service, so so food. Order got messed up 3 times. 1st time, they split the order and the first order came out only. Well turns out 2nd order got lost...strike two. After finally getting our full order 30 minutes after waiting, and seeing multiple people who ordered after us get out the door, we walk outside. Ok, better check to see if they got it right?? Well, they didn't, and another 15 minutes of fire time ensues... you get the pitcure. read more

My friend brought me here, she is Puerto Rican and promised this was was as close to home-cooking as it gets for her. Anywho, we planned to go next door, to the sit-down restaurant, but as usual, line was out the door, so we came here, ordered and took it to my place. I had the pollo horneado with the black beans, and tostones. One bite of those crunchy salty tostones and I was hooked. I ate those things up before anything else. The black beans were so tasty! The chicken was a bit dry but seasoned very well. I'll definitely be back, not sure of next door, since there always seems to be a long wait, but glad La Bodega is available. We only waited 5 mins for our food! read more

If you don't have time wait in line and sit at the main restaurant or pressed for time during your lunch break, this is the place to go and order/pick up lunch. I usually order online or phone in my order. So far, I've ordered to go the ensalada con camarones empanizados (plantain fries prawn salad), pollo al horno (chicken combo plate) and bistec sandwich, all are super delicious. Fyi, the bistec sandwich comes in 2 sizes small or large meaning the amount of bistec they put in the sandwich. Lastly, I'm in and out in less than 2 minutes and service is always friendly with a smile! read more

I love Sol Food La Bodega, you can call them 15 minutes before you want to pick up and it's always ready by the time I pick up. You can buy their amazing pique (Puerto Rican hot sauce) and their lemon garlic dressing here too. Can't get enough of this place, my favorite is still their pollo al horno whether it's the combo plate or the salad version. Sooo good!! read more

Food is delicious. Smacking to the last taste bud. On point. you haven't been eating actual food until you eat at La Bodega. Happy camper. Happy stomach. read more

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!!! read more

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 !!! read more

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. read more

La Bodega - The ribs are not edible, they were bone dry and extremely salty. - Specialty Food Near Me - San Rafael, California

So...this portion is a to-go version of Sol Food. All the same food, less of a wait, packaged up nicely in a bag to go. Love Sol Food for their limonada (most unique version of the drink I've had anywhere) and their plantains. Everything else is kind of hit or miss for me. Decided for the to-go experience as I was seriously craving some plantains so I got the cubano sandwich on plantains. It filled the craving but the savory plantains were quite a bit dry and so was the meat. Also, $10 for a so-so sandwich with no sides was a bit of a bummer. Loved not having to wait in line though...will come back if I'm ever craving some limonada and plantains, but I may be done with full meals from here. I've been three or four times and always end up with super dry meat. read more

EVerything is to die for - platanos, bistek, cubano...and great looking staff ;)

Every time I'm in the area, I stop by this place. The pork chops are great. I'm docking a star because you can't have alcohol with your food. A mojito or even just a beer would go great with some of their plates. Nonetheless, the garlic plantains... forget about it! read more

This place was highly recommended to me by co-workers, but it wasn't as great as I'd hoped. I ordered chicken, which also came with rice, beans, and a salad. Everything was just okay. It didn't taste any better than what I could make myself at home. Also, the seating situation is very weird here. It was very cramped and they made my friend and I sit at a table with 2 other girls. it made for a very awkward situation.... read more

This place is awesome!! I have been eating paleo and it is the best place to get fresh food that isn't over priced. BUT even before my paleolithic time - this place is always a favorite. They serve consisten food. Needless, to say don't ever leave there without trying their salad dressing and the super spicy vinegar sauce with any meat dish. It bites you back! read more

I go here every time I'm in the San Francisco area. I love this place! The food is like no other! Mmm!

Have I mentioned how good their totally vegan vegetarian combo plate is?! Delicious!