My partner had eaten here before and was craving it post trail run. We ordered the pork ribs combination plate and the roast pork sandwich. The service was impeccable with helpful workers constantly monitoring and making sure everyone was taken care of. One of the workers was friendly and gave us the run down on recommendations and what was popular. The interior is so colorful too! This place is amazing !! The sandwich hit the spot with the perfect amount of meat and veggies along with the sauce. The pink beans were nice to try and were a nice side to the perfectly salted ribs. The ribs were made so well and had the perfect amount of salt to meat ratio and went well with the rice. The lemon zesty salad was refreshing and the garlic platains really hit the spot. We both enjoyed the meal so much and need to try other items. read more

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Everyone raves about the food here so of course I had to stop by and try it. The menu is overwhelming but there was a person at the door who explained that the combinaciones are their most popular items, so I ordered pollo al horno which is baked boneless skinless chicken thighs served with organic salad, white rice, black or pinto beans, and plantain or P.R. fries. The food is good but I don't think I would order this meal again. What I will rave about is their house made hot pepper sauce. It's delicious, mild, sweet and tangy. The seating is family style or community seating where sitting with others at their table is encouraged. Service is fast and the restaurant is usually busy. It's a unique experience and I'm sure I'll go back to try another menu item. read more

Sol Food - pollo al horno - baked boneless skinless chicken thighs served with organic salad, white rice, pinto beans, and P.R. fries. - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

This place started out strong and then crashed and burned. The service was amazing while we waited in line - attentive, answered questions, and gave us generous samples of their housemade limeade which was the perfect blend of tart and sweet. We got two types of plantains as our apps: sweet fried and savory fried, with the latter pounded flat and improved with some of the tableside housemade chilli water. But my crispy chicken tacos I ordered were actually taquitos - unclear from the menu and not what I was hoping for. The chicken inside was dry and bland and the avocado sauce obviously made from unripe avocados and foul. The only saving grace was the bed of greens which was actually perfectly dressed in a light lemon dressing. My poor friend ordered the vegetarian taco plate and it arrived deconstructed. Tortillas, a bowl of watery beans, a heap of pickled onions, an uncut whole pickled jalapeño, and two long blocks of white cheese - I thought it was tofu! Bland and shoulda been cheaper if he had to assemble it himself. Logistics: - indoor seating only - limited street parking nearby - You may be sat at shared tables to maximize how many can sit inside at once read more

We entered and ordered our food and had a seat. Everyone was super nice and friendly. The music was louder than expected but ok. The brought our delicious meal out immediately and cleared our plates when finished. It was very good. We got pollo de horno and it was good. read more

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If you are craving delicious Puerto Rican food, this is the place to go! They have a few locations but the one in San Rafael seems to be the largest of the bunch. You order at the counter and they bring the food to you. Food comes out fast and hot. I really like the bistec encebollado combo, as well as the spicy creole prawns. The sandwiches are all pretty good as well. I love that they have Pique (the vinegary sauce) at every table. It's soooo good! This place does get pretty packed and there is usually a line but it's worth it! read more

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Very large portions and great food! Had a bit of a wait on a Sunday dinner. Bistec sandwich was my favorite, side pork ribs were also super tender but on the saltier side, and the bread pudding was great. Portions are huge! read more

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Over 16 years later and the boyfriend didn't last but my love for Sol Food never died. So much so that my now-husband and I had them cater our wedding! Their communication was amazing, drop-off was smooth, and everyone raved about the food. If I ever throw a party that size again, Sol Food will 1000% be who I go to first for catering. They are just the absolute best. read more

Sol Food is apparently a very popular spot. It's casual seating and sometimes you might need to share a table. You order and pay at the counter, then you get a number to be placed at your table where they will later come to bring you your food. There's a cute little gift shop as well. Service was friendly. Half rotisserie chicken $32.95 comes with rice, black beans, salad and Puerto Rican fried potatoes. It was a good amount but the chicken was a little dry. read more

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Sol food was popular even before Bad Bunny's visit. I tried the Cubano and the veggie deluxe. The veggie sando surprisingly was so much better than the Cubano. The veggies were full of flavor and it was a hearty sandwich. Honesty, the ham in the Cubano looked very grey and tasted kind of off (I think it was past its prime). I was hungry though and doused it with that damn good vinegar sauce. Shortly after my tummy was churning. read more

Sol Food - Cubano - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

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While in San Rafael, my husband noticed this business was busy in the morning, so we decided to stop at Sol Food for lunch on our way back home. You order at the counter then find a table. If you're ordering for to go, you'll have to go next door; they have a separate space for to go orders. We got lucky and I saw there was one table available after ordering. It was pretty loud/lively inside when I was there with people chattering. The food was pretty good. I tried one of their specials, Arroz con Pollo (chicken and rice). I also ordered Caldo de Pollo con Fideos (a chicken soup), Pudin de Pina (bread pudding), and a Coco-Parcha Smoothie. The chicken in the soup was pretty dry. The drink was so tart! I was expecting a bit of tartness from the Passionfruit, but it was too sour for me to handle and I couldn't drink more than a quarter of it. The people bringing out the food forgot one of my items, but the person working the cashier was very friendly and helpful. Definitely a good option for food and glad I tried it! read more

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This is a really popular spot among the locals so getting here anytime past 6PM and expecting to be seated immediately is an anomaly. I came around 5:50PM on a Sunday night and had to wait about 10 minutes, but by the time I left around 6:30PM, the line was out the door and then some. Definitely get here early, and parking shouldn't be too hard with a lot nearby and free street parking. This spot is pretty casual, as in you order at the counter before grabbing a number and sitting at a table. As opposed to a food hall, you get directed where you sit before ordering, and sometimes end up sharing a table with another party, especially in my case when you have a party of 2. Service was attentive and food came out at a decent pace, though they did not come all together. I ordered a large Bistec Sandwich and a Pasteles Special. The Bistec sandwich is a must order, and I recommend ordering the sandwich over the plate due to how fragrant the bread was. Pictures might not look like much, but the bread was sooo good and crispy, and they give a good balance of meat, avocado and veggies. It can be a little heavy, but a large sandwich was perfect for my wife and I to share along with another plate. The Pastales was alright - the rice is pretty unique if you're looking for new flavors, but the pork was a little stinky and dry. The hot sauce on the table is really good and managed to mitigate that, and it's not as spicy as you'd think given the color and smell. The banana leaf in the tamale made it really fragrant with a unique taste, and the lemon sauce on the salad balanced the entire plate out. For a party of 2, I recommend ordering the Bistec Sandwich in large size (since I believe the regular price only gives you half) and another plate. I also recommend using the toast tab (online order) to look at the menu over their actual menu; the UI of it makes it hard to choose what to order and the toast menu has pictures next to the menu item. Given that Marin food options can be quite expensive or fancy, this place is the perfect place to go for a unique food spot, especially if you're coming from SF. read more

Sol Food - Large Bistec Sandwich - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

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We finally made it here (thank you Bad Bunny) and it did not disappoint. It was surprisingly empty on a Tuesday afternoon for lunch and we ordered the bistec sandwich and pollo al horno plate. We also tried the ponche, which was very refreshing on a sunny day out. The bistec sandwich was so flavorful! The thinly sliced steak was seasoned well and super tasty with their pink mayo. We got the side of plantains with our chicken, one garlic and one sweet. The chicken itself was juicy but the key is to add on the house Pique hot pepper sauce that they have at every table. 10/10 would absolutely come back to try other things on the menu! Their coconut flan sounded good too. Where Bad Bunny goes, I will follow. read more

Sol Food - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

Right on the edge of downtown San Rafael, a lively Puerto Rican eatery beckons with its communal tables, colorful interior, and racks of rotisserie chickens rotating in the oven. The aroma of meat and spices wafts through the air the moment you step in, and the flavors do not disappoint, reminding me of more expensive steakhouses. Everything is a delight, with unexpected surprises; their punch is a sugary addiction, and I was tempted to steal the entire bottle of sauce off the table! read more

Sol Food - Pollo al Horno combination meal - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

One of the best dining experiences we've had in the area. There's almost always a line when we visit, but it moves surprisingly fast and never feels frustrating. The restaurant uses community-style seating with shared tables, which adds to the lively and welcoming atmosphere. The staff is consistently friendly and helpful. The ordering process is simple--you place your order at the counter when you enter, find a seat, and the food is brought out shortly after. Despite how busy the restaurant can get, the food arrived quickly. On this visit, we ordered the Mariquitas, Tostones con Mojo, Camarones a la Diabla, and the Sándwich de Pollo. Every dish was excellent. The portions were generous, the ingredients tasted fresh, and everything was packed with flavor. The Camarones a la Diabla had just the right amount of spice, while the sides and appetizers were equally enjoyable. What stands out most about Sol Food is the consistency. Great food, friendly service, reasonable wait times, and excellent value for the quality and portion sizes. This has become one of our favorite spots, and it's a place we make sure to visit whenever we're in town. Highly recommended. read more

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Finally made it and I'm glad we did! A friend told me about this place. Very busy on a Sunday night with a short wait as guests did keep rolling in. They ran out of the Rotisserie chicken (which must have been very popular) but we tried other dishes. Next time I wanna the Cuban sandwich Bustling inside, Puerto Rican music filled the room and loud chatter was in the air. Loved the bright green colored building and colorful decor inside! If you go to the Bodega next door, you can see how many people are busting their tails in the kitchen, wow! read more

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Airy ambiance, clean restaurant, delicious food, friendly fast-casual service with no shenanigans. Highly recommend! I wish we lived closer because we would come more often. read more

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I ordered the pork chops and they were scrumptious! They were pan fried, seasoned well, and included rice, salad, pickled onions, choice of black or pink beans, and choice of fried plantains or Puerto Rican fries. I chose the pink beans and Puerto Rican fries. The Puerto Rican fries were very similar to regular fries, but made with different potatoes. At the table there was a homemade hot sauce that had a strong vinegar and chili taste. It accompanied the pork chops perfectly as it provided acidity and spice to the dish. Service was good as the workers were friendly and helpful. Ordering is at the counter and the food is brought to the table by servers. It was extremely crowded during lunchtime and it was difficult to find an open table. read more

Sol Food - Pork chop - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

Sol Food is a must to visit when you're in Marin! Serving authentic Puerto Rican food with a variety of combination plates, sandwiches, salads, etc. It's so good even Bad Bunny had to visit! My personal favorites are the Bistec Encebollado and Pollo Al Horno from the combination meals. It comes with salad, rice, beans, and plantains or P.R. fries. The combination plates are a great portion size, well-rounded, and feel like you're eating homemade, comfort food. I've also eaten the specials of the day, which were great. You really can't go wrong with ordering a combination meal or sandwich from the menu. Everything is fantastic! The service is always friendly and quick. The restaurant is popular, so you'll likely need to wait in line, and the seating is family style/communal. It's one of my favorite restaurants in San Rafael. We dine here frequently and every time it's consistent and delicious. Thank you as always, Sol Food! read more

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I heard about this place from friends & coworkers. Not to mention, all the hype that it's one of Bad Bunny's favorite Puerto Rican restaurants in the Bay Area. There's always a line. If you're ordering for take out, they have a storefront next door taking orders. The inside was spacious but packed. Service was good. Apparently, they're known for their chicken & smashed plantain. The chicken & shrimp were delicious. Unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of the smashed plantain. It was a lot of food. I was really full. I seldom rave about drinks but the limeade was SO good! I would go back just to order the limeade! It was THAT good! The glass it came in was huge too. I highly recommend the chicken dish & limeade! read more

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Our group ordered takeout and tired a handful of different items between all of us. A few of us shared some Cubano and bistec sandwiches, with the Cubano being the easy favorite for all of us that tried it. The steak was a little chewy on the bistec, and we felt like it could've used some more flavor. The servings are pretty large, I had half of each of the two sandwiches and was very full after. We also got an order of the fried plantains, which held up very nicely since we waited a little bit to eat them. The sauces were good and added nice flavor to the plantains and sandwiches. read more

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Got the plantain crusted shrimp plate, and my partner got the bistec plate - I think next time I'll try the shrimp with sauce instead! For drinks we tried the regular mango tea, and the mango tea with lime. Personally liked the lime one more. Also got a coconut flan as dessert and it was so custardy! Loved it. Would come back again! read more

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People sure do like this place! Get there early like we did and walk right in but when we left there was a long line -- on a Tuesday. Communal tables so be prepared to share. Loud music and loud talking. I thought the food was ok but not really great. Rice, beans, plantains ....too many carbs for me. I liked the chicken and green salad. The plantains were supposed to be sweet but they were anything but. They have a very large menu and you have to order at the counter so you might want to look at the menu in advance. If you're waiting in long hours have time to decide what you want. Definitely popular but not for me.... read more

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Loud and noisy and colorful and I love it this way. If for any reason we're north of the bridge, stopping for lunch is a must. My favorite thing is their pique, a pineappley mildly spicy concoction. Anything I order is just an excuse to eat about a quarter bottle with the food. Today I had the three pork ribs with half sweet and half savory plantains, black beans. The garlic lemon dressing on their greens? Just like my family makes it- garlic forward with lemon spike. Everything must be accompanied by a mango tea. You really can't go wrong. Today I had the ribs because I could smell them a block away, but my usual is the chicken thighs. Their sandwiches are amazing, and you can substitute the r bread out for plantains. Their food is consistently delicious. They never disappoint. read more

Sol Food - Pork ribs - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Always a great time stopping by here before/after a day in Marin. This place gets pretty busy, but service is quick. You'll likely share a communal table unless you're able to grab one of the window seats or smaller tables, but it's never awkward. The chicken rice plates are always a safe choice, and they have lots of drink options. The decor is really beautiful and they have another location next door that is coffee-focused with a small selection of gifts and souvenirs. Servers are always friendly. read more

Sol Food - Grilled chicken rice combo - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

This is a local favorites spot but to me it falls flat. This place has a cult like following with people obsessing over it but I my theory is the time and energy is all put into the meat. Since I'm not a meat eater and I look for vegetarian/vegan options I do appreciate that they have options but I could definitely use more flavor/seasoning. I know that this place is a favorite amount many so be the judge for yourself. read more

Great food! Love the vibe! Very laid back comfort food! Service is amazing with very nice staff. Don't want to sit and eat, no problem! They have a take out restaurant next door for easy take out orders. read more

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This is my favorite restaurant in Marin county! My only complaint is the San Rafael location is so small, if you go during their busy hours good luck finding a spot to sit at! They do have a to-go area where you can place order and pick it up, rather than going into the actual restaurant. My go to dish is the bistec sandwich, paired with their house special hot sauce, it is soooo good!!!! They also sell bottles of their hot sauce and salad dressing which is amazing. I recently tried their plantain burrito and it was also very delicious. My go to drink is their ponche which is super refreshing, especially during their summer months. I always forget to take photos of the food before I eat here because I am so excited to always dig in! I'll aim to come back soon to take photos and update my review. I love that they also have a mill valley location as well as Petaluma! read more

Sol Food is what I've been missing my entire life. Honestly, I'm ashamed it took me this long to finally try this place because wow, my life has officially been changed for the better! I'm OBSESSED. This Puerto Rican family-run restaurant is the perfect spot for all those cozy eats with the most delicious, homey ingredients. All of the dishes were top tier and a great value for the price. I really wish they had more locations in the Bay. We have to drive an hour just to get our Sol Food fix but it's so worth it. The staff are friendly, wait time for food is reasonable, and there is a good amount of seating. I did note that they have larger tables for larger parties. Since it was just me and my partner we chose to sit at the high tables. Parking can be a little tricky but don't let it deter you. You need this food in your life! If this spiel can't convince you, then remember that Bad Bunny himself has been here ;) read more

Sol Food - BISTEC - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

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The only way you'll ever come to Sol Food and not wait in line....is if you come when they are closed. That's how good the food is here, that great actually. You just have to be OK with crowded surroundings. The interior is not that large and tables plus chairs or benches are crammed into every nook and cranny. And there is a happy person in every one of the, cramming delicious food into their face. And you will be too once inside and seated. The staff are always pleasant or better, humorous even. And by the time you are done, that long wait in line...doesn't seem like such an issue anymore. In fact, I kinda want to go to Sol Food right now. read more

Been a loyal fan, supporter, and customer of Sol Food since 2010. I must say, after just now finishing the bistec sandwich from the San Rafael location, I'll never go back. I decided not to give it a 1 star review because the bread was decent, meat was decent, onions were decent. But for 2 "large" sandwiches, an order of small fries, and tax/tip, I walked out paying $70+. For a $25 sandwich, it was by no means large. To be honest, it was pretty insulting and shows that the restaurant is basing their pricing on the area rather than the food. It would be cheaper to by a ticket to Puerto Rico, drive to Ponce, visit Club los Amigos de Freddy, and get yourself the real deal. Sol Food, we're breaking up. read more

It's been years since I have been back at Sol Food and it was just as good as I remember. You need to make sure your whole party has arrived before you can get seated. You order at the counter and they will take you to your table. I like starting off with the te helado because it's very refreshing. A friend ordered the mariquitas as an appetizer and it was so good. I love a plantain chip. My go to order is the bistec encebollado. I used to get it with the sweet plantains but they only offered french fries or savory plantains. With whatever you get, you need to throw the hot pepper sauce on everythingggg. It's the best thing ever. read more

Sol Food - Bistec encebollado - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

The Caldo Gallego broth itself was flavorful and comforting, and I did enjoy the taste. However, the description says it includes collard greens, and my bowl had almost no greens in it -- honestly, this one small piece was the only green I could find. I asked the waiter if I could get more greens, but he told me it was "cooked to order" and didn't really offer a solution. He also wasn't very friendly, which made the experience feel disappointing. Good flavor, but the portion didn't match the description, and the service could have been better. For a soup that specifically lists collard greens, I expected more than one small piece. read more

Sol Food - The soup with the collard green - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Tried many authentic Puerto Rican restaurants in the East Coast, mainly in New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and ever since then, I've given extra attention to the ones out here in California. Not to mention, my significant other is Puerto Rican. I found one in Los Angeles that was the closest to authentic, and so I've decided to bring my partner to give it a try. First off, I like this area of San Rafael given that I hardly come here. I've found a new love for this part of town based on Pixels (classic arcade game and tap room) which is not too far from Sol Food, and other eateries. There is a Hawaiian food restaurant next door to Sol Food and street parking. Sol Food does get very busy. The line wasn't very long when we arrived and the first thing you do, order with the cashier, then they seat you. I ordered a half a chicken, with white rice, and combo of tostones (fried plantains) and maduras (sweet plantain) + 3 pieces of fried shrimp. My man ordered a chuletas plate (1 pork chop) that came with rice and a salad similar to my plate + more tostones topped with queso. Everything was delicious and I was surprised by the chicken portion. When they mean half a chicken, they really do mean a half a chicken lol. I do recommend you get the chuletas plate. Although my food was good, the chuletas were perfect! I also recommend you drown your meat with the pique sauce that they provide on the table. There isn't a lot of seating so if you have a party of 3 or less, there's a chance that they might seat you with other customers. We shared a table with a cute old couple and a mother and daughter. None of us knew each other yet we all shared stories like we did, while we ate dinner together. I love meeting new people from different walks of life. It's like a breath of fresh air. Very memorable experience and my boyfriend loved the food -- he's been craving the chuletas plate since we left. With that said, Sol Food is going to be our go-to for Puerto Rican food in the Bay! By the way, don't forget to buy a bottle of Pique next door! It's $14 and worth every penny! My new favorite sauce! read more

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This place is very popular. There was a line out the door. Once in, you order from the counter and since you and your party probably had a good amount of time to study the menu in line, it goes fairly quickly. You pay at that point. You take a seat at the counter or a table. We sat at a roomy community table. The food comes out quickly so tables turn over at a good clip. The food was very good and the folks who work here were welcoming and gracious. There is no bar, no beer, no wine. All in all, very pleasant. read more

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Great fresh food! We were able to get in without a wait but 5 min later the line was all the way to the next store. The share tables idea is a little weird to me only because I was there to meet a friend and they wanted to sit us with a family with small kids at a round table lol. Fortunately the window bar seat opened so we got that instead. Service was quick and food was great read more

A blast from my college days past. In the area for Super Bowl and had to stop by San Rafael to visit my alma mater Dominican University. When I attended DU, Sol Food was a vendor at the farmer's market and we were at the soft opening of their original location. Came through on a Saturday evening around 5:30pm, found street parking in front and got seating right away. What luck, because by the time we left the line was out the door. Walking into this place is the same vibe from over 20 years ago. My college self immediately felt nostalgic for a plate of Pollo al horno with plantains, rice, black beans, tender chicken and greens with a can of coconut water to wash it down. A little dash of the chili water and it hit the spot. 20 years later and its the same great food with excellent service. read more

Sol Food - Pollo al horno - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

Where do I begin? The service: wow! So kind! Literally 3 different people came and checked on me to reassure I get seated. Consistently came and checked on us throughout our dining. Ambiance: In my opinion, we ended up with the best seat in the house! Right next to the kitchen, so we can admire the cooking staff and in the far back where we can admire all the beautiful plants. The plants. Oh the plants. SO GORGEOUS! They truly make the place so pretty and freaking. Also, as an OCD clean freak, I am so impressed by how spotless this place is. Food: yum yum yum! We rushed here all the way from the South Bay. Literally took us 1 hour and 20 mins to drive here. We arrived hungry and cranky. But the food instantly made us so happy. That French toast is life changing. I feel like a whole new person. So sweet, thick and filling. If I wasn't overweight, I'd come every day to have some. Our sandwich, steak dish and French fries were also amazing. The only feedback I'd give is please add a diet soda to the menu. read more

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Sol Food of Puerto Rican flavors done right! You can dine in or order for pickup through the outside window. This place always seems to have a line, but don't let that scare you away. They move quickly, and the food is absolutely worth the wait. The decor inside really makes you feel like you've stepped into Puerto Rico. The atmosphere is lively and welcoming. You order at the counter and seating is open, so you may end up sharing a table with other guests. Honestly, that's part of the fun and adds to the community vibe of the restaurant. The service here is outstanding. Good food and fast service, what more can you ask for? My favorite dish is the Guiso de Coco con Camarones (spicy coconut stew with prawns, rice, plantains, and fresh cilantro). 6/5! Yes, it's that good. The flavors are bold, rich, and incredibly comforting. I order it every chance I get. We also had the Pollo Rostizado, and it was delicious. You can order a half or whole chicken, and it comes with rice, salad, and plantains. You get a choice between pink beans or black beans. I'm usually not a huge bean fan, but their black beans are so good that I found myself going back for more. For the plantains, you can choose between garlic plantains or sweet plantains. Trust me and go with the sweet plantains. It really makes a difference and pairs perfectly with the meal. And whatever you do, save room for dessert. The Pudín de Piña (pineapple bread pudding) is an absolute must. 5/5. It's sweet, comforting, and the perfect way to end the meal. I can never get enough of it. This is one of those places that keeps me coming back. Great food, great service, and great vibes every time. read more

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I have been coming here for years, even used to drive in from SF before moving to Marin! Since I live a couple of towns away (and there is a takeout only location in Mill Valley even closer to my home), I usually get takeout with my go to order being the mofongo relleno de camarones, and a ponche (iced orange mango tea with limeade). Today my friend and I decided to dine in for an early weekday lunch at 11:30am. I decided to try something a little bit different and got the camarones criollos with sweet plantains and the Jamaica. Both were excellent, and I liked that they used a lot of lime juice (or maybe limeade) in the Jamaica as it gave it a little bit of a flavor twist. Service was warm and welcoming as always. Once the lunch rush came in around noon, it started getting really loud and it was hard for my friend and I to continue our conversation. Highly recommend the food but would advise coming before or after the lunch/dinner rush if trying to catch up with a friend. read more

Sol Food - Quiet before the lunch rush - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

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I'm a little late with this review, about two weeks ago a friend treated me to a Costillas combo while I was recovering from surgery, and OH my gosh what a treat!!! The ribs were perfectly cooked, and seasoned. I had no idea how many sides came with this combo, it was so much that I had three meals! The ribs, rice, beans, fries, and a salad!! The pick up service was quick and the staff was friendly. read more