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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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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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

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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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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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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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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I FOUND A STICKER ON MY TOMATO. As a Boricua I was excited to try this place, but honestly left sad that this is one of the only "Puerto Rican" restaurants in the bay. The menu is all over the place and it's not comfortable to order before you sit down. The actual food VERY mediocre. Throwing a plantain and oregano around, does not make a dish Puerto Rican. How do you mess up a tostón? All of our plates were stale, bland, and overly oily. Additionally, looks like they are not properly washing their ingredients. What else isn't being cleaned? read more

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tldr popular puerto rican restaurant with solid food portions on regular items, fast casual set up, and cute interior that makes you feel like ur in PR i have been two times first time tried the bistec sandwich and second time getting the bistec plate to compare and contrast 3.75/5 bistec sandwich flavors are great with the buttery avocado and tasty pink sauce, steak was a bit tough but the bread was the perfect ratio of hard and soft. my issue is i ordered the bigger sandwich size with more meat but it looked exactly the same as my friend that got the normal size sandwich. it was $8 difference and felt like a rip off unfortunately. 4.5/5 got the bistec plate with more meat again + added some avocado. it came with a great small side salad, plenty of rice, solid beans, garlic tostone and sweet plantain, and nice pieces of meat that were cooked better than the sandwich. i finally felt full from this plate compared to the tiny sandwich and it was just $7 more than the big sandwich. the hot sauce is great and this dish would be even better if there were some pickled onions service was friendly and they came up to check up on us. fresh orange juice was also tasty overall i would be back if im in the area! just get the normal size items here and be prepared for lines on the weekends when its busy read more

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

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

good food, fast service. In peak hour might be hard to find a seat. Highly recommend. The place is plenty of seats though

The food is amazing! We ordered: Bistec encebollado with pinto beans and fries (5/5) Pollo al horno 3 pcs with black beans and plantain (5/5) Plantain burrito (5/5) with plantains on the side Sopa de lentejas (4/5) per my Mom it just needed a "tad bit of salt" Pan con ajo (5/5) The service was great. We had to wait outside about 10 minutes for a table. The outdoor waiting area has heaters! The ambiance inside is upbeat. The kitchen is open and you can see the cooks and servers at work. The decor is unique and welcoming! We'll be back! read more

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I absolutely LOVE this restaurant and location. When friends and family come from out of town, I like to bring them to this restaurant. The only downside is the wait time and seating situation. Most of the time, you have to find your own seating. Some of the time you have to share a table with another party. It's not that bad at all really to do that, especially because the restaurant has kind of a loud ambience, which I love. The food is so flavorful! It definitely has a homey feel to it. The plates are big and the portions are plentiful. I am so happy that it comes with both types of the plantains, the savory and the sweet. The Ponche was really delicious! It wasn't too sweet and you can definitely taste both flavors, something that I feel may be lacking at other places of the same cuisine. The Papi Chulo fries made my day! Be warned: the sauce is very spicy! I thought they were kidding about that or that I'd be able to handle it. I could not, but my husband and father-in-law definitely could and we're all in!! Lastly, I want to speak to the service. Every staff member from start to finish of our experience has been so sweet, personable and accommodating, even with my wacky kiddos. When there are places like that, it makes you want to always go back. When I find myself having another friend to show around or we are going to the bay area discovery museum again, this will definitely be our stop. read more

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Absolutely recommend this place, but be aware that it can get busy and seating is family style. Even if you do have to wait a bit, it won't be too bad because the space feels homely and comfortable and the food is worth it! The ribs were super flavorful, and I loved their refreshing drinks. Not to mention the portion sizes were great for the price! Service was prompt and courteous. I could see this being a great place to go with friends or family. read more

This place never disappoints!!! Every time I drive around San Rafael, I always have to stop at Sol food. For lunch, I usually get the coffee and the Bistec sandwich. And for dinner time, I usually get the Pollo Al Horno and it's always a solid option. But this time round I ordered the camarones criollos and the sauce was really flavorful and over rice is delicious! I like how for this Sol food location, there is a restaurant section and the takeout section so it doesn't get too crowded. Overall, this place is one of my favorite place in the Bay Area! read more

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I had a Camarones Criollos, it was delicious. Sauce was on point. Plantains chips was also tasty. Service was friendly. Ambiance family style. read more

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

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The food here is consistently good! I hadn't been in a while and decided to take the drive over the bridge and meet my sister for lunch. We enjoyed the food as expected, however, the lady taking orders at the counter is very rude! She was first rude to me and then when sister arrived her experience was the same. The lady made us feel as if she didn't want us ordering food there. We finished our lunch and made sure to let management know of the horrible service from the lady. He apologized and explained she was new and would be corrected. I would have given more stars but I don't like mistreatment, especially while I'm spending my money! read more

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Everything on the menu here is great. Fun and upbeat atmosphere, during the pandemic they had to-go set up. There are vegan vegetarian options as well. Really friendly staff. Yummy Puerto Rican food read more

Incredible service from the moment you line up outside! There was someone greeting us immediately, handing us a menu, and even opening the door for us as we left at the end! The vibes are fun and the restaurant is well decorated. You line up and order prior to being seated. Do not forget to dip anything and everything into their vinegar sauce. BEST. PLANTAIN. BURRITO EVER!!! I dream ab this burrito and I'm not the biggest fan of plantains generally... to this extent. Best burrito period. Bistec sandwich was solidd! Mofongo was good but didn't hit the spot like the one I had in PR (that's a given though-- tough competition) read more

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

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Great atmosphere and good. I orders the bistec sandwich and coco-mango shake. Bomb.com. read more

Sol Food - Bistec Sandwich w/ fries - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

I was on the way home and I wanted to grab some dinner. I ordered the Bistec Encebollado (2) pieces which comes with rice, black beans, greens, and I opted for both sweet and savory plantains. Like always this place did not disappoint. The food here is extremely consistent. The food also comes out at a reasonable place and the staff is very nice. There is a decent amount of seating inside and their bathrooms are clean. This spot is one of my favorite go to spots to eat and has been for a while. Try it out if you like. :) read more

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

I stopped by for lunch today after a hike, and overall, it was a pretty decent first experience with Puerto Rican cuisine. We arrived right before 12:30 pm, and there was already a line of about 8-10 people ahead of us. Despite that, the staff were extremely efficient. The hostess was very kind--checking in with everyone, handing out menus while we waited outside. We ended up waiting maybe five minutes before being seated, which was impressive given the growing line. The restaurant itself isn't very big but has a mix of tables and a small bar seating area. This is a counter-order setup, so reviewing the menu beforehand is helpful--they have a long list of items, and the goal is to get your order in quickly so they can turn over tables efficiently. I ordered a combination plate with one piece of chicken, one sweet and one savory plantain, white rice, black beans, and a peach-mango tea. I also tried what I thought were shrimp empanadas, but they turned out to be just fried shrimp. The food came out in less than 10 minutes--super fast. Food breakdown: * Fried shrimp: 3 pieces for $13. Not worth the price. They were overcooked and lacked flavor. At least they were gluten-free, but I wouldn't order again. * Chicken plate: Chicken was tender, black beans were flavorful, rice was just okay, and the salad was decent with a light vinaigrette. * Plantains: Sweet plantain was okay, but the savory plantain was dry and lacked flavor. The pepper vinegar sauce helped a lot in adding some taste to the plate. The staff were very friendly, accommodating, and seemed to handle the busy lunch crowd well. While some parts of the meal fell short, the quick service and overall welcoming atmosphere made for a positive first impression. I'll likely explore the menu more if I come back, especially since it was my first time trying Puerto Rican food. A solid spot for a casual, quick lunch after a hike or while exploring the area. read more

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The food here is pretty good, although I don't think it was worth the very long wait. There was a 45 minute wait outside of the restaurant because you can't just put your name down and then come back to it. I did however enjoy the shrimp and rice. It was definitely a very busy environment, but I do like how decorative it was inside. The staff was not that attentive probably because there's way too many people. read more

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I wanted to visit this spot after hearing that Bad Bunny recommended it for Puerto Rican food. He did not disappoint. Ambiance: The place feels very well-decorated in its cultural and communal style. Service: They're very friendly and help walk you through the menu. Ordering food was a different process; you had to order your food at the register first before they could seat you. They serve food very fast, even the the place is pretty packed. Parking: Parking is limited to the street and came in before dinner rush (around 5 pm). There was a line out the door, as soon we left an hour later, and lots of street traffic. Pollo Al Horno $13 (4/5): Baked chicken thigh, salad, rice, beans, and plantain or P.R. fries. This was solid and very filling for 1 piece of chicken. There's a bottled sauce on the side that tastes like a vinaigrette dressing. -The salad was alright, it's a lemony oil as its dressing. -Had options between black and pink beans; in my opinion, the black tasted much more seasoned than the pink. -Had half garlic and sweet plantains, the garlic is smashed down to be a thin, flat savory plantain. The sweet is roasted and tastes like a fried banana. -The chicken itself is good, but some parts of the thigh tasted a bit dry. Te Helado $6.25 (5/5): Orange mango iced tea was so refreshing and freshly made. Recommend drinking. They make most of their drinks in-house Would definitely come back again after a long day of hiking around the area. The food is very affordable with big portions. read more

Sol Food - Pollo Al Horno - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

Lively atmosphere, potential to be sat in shared table depending on availability. - plantain fried shrimp: yummy, a little dry with the batter but delicious when dipped with the sauce! - pork chops: a bit dry, but pairs well with the vinegar garlic sauce out on the table! - thin plantain chips: so crispy and good with the house sauce it comes with read more

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

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Price, taste and size are great also does the ambiance. The cashier not so much friendly and "rushed." I just think It can be a bit friendlier since not everyone are familiar with ethnic food. read more

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Sol Food has been in this iconic green building for years. Corner is for dine in. Next door is for orders to go & grocery shopping. This location very popular for Puerto Rican celebrities, sports people & entertainers (i.e. Bad Bunny) to dine at. Order at counter. Pay. Get #. Food brought to table in 10ish minutes. Interior has eclectic and homespun decor. Offerings (Puerto Rican): sandwiches, hot/cold salads, plantains & fried thangs, ala carte & sides, drinks, desserts, beverages, covfefe, breakfast, combo meals. Bites: bistek sandwich (14.95) small -most popular sandwich on website. Tastes way better than a Cubano. Has grilled thinly sliced steak, avocado, sautéed onions, Swiss cheese, pink mayo+ garlic, salt, lemon juice.. within toasted long French bread. So deliz! Camarones Empanizado combo (3 shrimps 18.95) -breaded shelled, Deveined shrimp mixed with flour, breadcrumbs, eggs, peppers, onion & garlic powder then fried in oil. Dipped into mango salsa, cilantro lime creme. Breading too thick for me. Prefer thin batter ala tempera. *lotsa fluffy white rice to accompany. Fresh mixed green salad with artisan lemon ish dressing. Yum! Plantain was melty, sweetish. Sad. Only one. Small bowl of black beans in savory liquid. So flagrant! 5 stars worthy. Quantity plentiful. Quality very fresh. read more

Sol Food - Grocery store next door. - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Rafael, California

I finally made the drive out to San Rafael to try this place. My coworkers have been telling me about Sol Food for yearsssss! I stopped by on a Friday late afternoon. I saw a few parking lots but I did do street parking and paid $3 for two hours (which is pretty cheap & affordable to me). I was definitely a little confused and walked into their pick up area instead, but if you walk to the corner, there is a brown door for you to enter. You do order first and they will bring your food to your table. I do love the communal aspect of the tables/seatings and can definitely imagine how packed this place can get. I loved the ambience of this place. From their aesthetic, with the natural lighting and plants to the music. I felt like I was in a different world. I ordered a small bistec (thinly sliced steak) plate with a ponche, im allergic to plantains so sadly had to get the fries my partner got the chuletas (pan fried pork chops) with garlic tostones. I was so glad that I ordered the small plate because the portion was HUGE and I was definitely put into a food coma after eating here. I thought the bistec and grilled onions were super flavorful but it was a little too much onions for me. Fries were great no complaints, salad was good. I loved their hot sauce. The ponche was delicious!! It consisted of a mix of orange mango iced tea and limeade. Staff were friendly and amazing. We were constantly checked on. I cannot wait to come back! read more

Came here with two friends and we all ordered different dishes. Everything we had was great. We also ordered ponche to wash it all down. One person ordered the pork chop plate. The restaurant was busy and the seating is family style, so you may be seated with another group of people based on the size of your party. I will definitely return to Sol Food! read more

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Pre ordered and picked up the sandwiches. The pickup area is actually located adjacent to the main restaurant. I made the mistake of going to the main restaurant and waiting in the line to speak to the hostess only to be told to go next door for pickup, where there was no line. Pickup was easy otherwise. Told them the first name, last name of the order and I was on my way. Cubano - roast pork, ham, mustard, mayo, pickles, swiss cheese - I love a Cubano and this one is really well done. While it won't replace my #1 fave cubano in the Bay, the ratio of the ingredients was good and none of the meat was dry. Bistec - thinly sliced steak, sautéed onion, swiss cheese, avocado, pink mayo - I did find the steak in this sandwich to be a bit dry. Fortunately there were other ingredients to moisten the sandwich like the pink mayo and avocado but it did make chewing through a bit more difficult. Pink mayo is fantastic though and a must try. read more

Usually order take-out. Their bistec sandwich is meh. Flavor wise it's nothing special, but it's the only sandwich that we've liked so far. I do stop by for their ponche drink, so I would def recommend this. Con: you have to pay for parking read more

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

11 out of 10. A staple in the North Bay! Top tier food. My boyfriend introduced me to Sol Food a few years ago and I've been a huge fan ever since. Service is friendly and it always feels so home-y no matter which location you go to. Their chicken is perfectly cooked every time and pairing it with the beans, rice, their special Pique sauce, and salad is a match made in heaven. OH & the sweet plantains are absolutely incredible. read more

This place is so cute and yummy! They have a really big menu and so far everything I've tried is good. I had the half roast chicken which was phenomenal & I also tried the pork ribs which were really good. They were both very flavorful and crispy but still moist. The plantains with garlic are also a fav. read more

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The Pollo al Horno is amazing. It comes with plantains, rice, and beans. I love the ambiance of this restaurant and the staff is very efficient and friendly. read more

Want to feel like you are in Puerto Rico... the Vibe here is on point! The Food Flavors were as bright and fresh as the color scheme!! I arrived early into town from 6 am flight, but this place had a pick up counter then they allowed me to take it into the dining area before the 10:30 am opening time!! Do you crave Cuban/ Puerto Rican FOOD???? This place is a must ... loved the fresh, seasoned chicken with my Sol Salad & finished it off the Pineapple Bread Pudding gently glazed with mango sauce... I'll be honest, I could of used more mango sauce, but just my preference !! Enjoy the experience.. it's worth the trip, to slide over the bridge into San Rafael!! read more

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Really great experience here! I'd highly recommend looking at the menu before you go because you have to order quickly once you're in. I tried the Cuban sandwich, the cheesy plantains, and this mango lime drink whose name I can't remember. Super high quality food here that came out quickly for great prices. Service was lovely and people were attentive even if they didn't have a traditional table waiting format. Restaurant is super loud though, so we wanted to get out quick. read more

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WHEN: Sun @6pm PARKING: Parked closer to the theater (free cuz Sunday) since that's where we came from and trust me, you're gonna want that walk back anyway. Came here and walked straight to the cash register ready to order when I was informed kindly by a staff member that there was actually a line queued outside. I was so embarrassed, and of course there would be a line! I must point out though at how well the staff handled this because he approached us with such patience and kindness asking how many was in our party, and escorted us gently out informing us it would only be 10 minutes of a wait. I absolutely appreciated this. He didn't make me feel embarrassed, that was all on me, and my fault! Anyway, waiting outside was no problems since there were heaters and benches. And he was right: the was only 10 minutes before we ordered and was assigned a table to sit! Here's what I ordered: POLLO AL HORNO (2pcs) - $19.99 Baked Chicken Thighs. Skinless, Boneless. Served with salad & rice. Select pink or black beans. Select plantain or P.R. fries. We chose pink beans and fries since I don't care for plantain (so happy). This plate has a generous serving so it completely fed my partner and I which is why we chose 2 pieces. Everything about this plate is so good, and well flavored! This plate is what Sol Food is known for and it's been consistently good! PUDIN DE PINA - $6.25 Pineapple Bread Pudding. Served warm with butter and mango sauce. I think I've made this mistake before. Because I see this item on thier hand written special chalk menu, I think it's a limited item, which prompts me to order it. But I end up wishing I had ordered the flan instead. This bread pudding was just okay, but I appreciate offered the option of having it come out after my main course was done so I get to enjoy it warm! All in all, I always enjoy the food here and the service is wonderful. I usually order the MANGO TEA but decided I wouldn't because of dessert. read more

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This place will always be so nostalgic! I remember going when I was younger and living in the Bay Area. I had a craving and had to go back with my family. You order at the counter, grab a number, and find your own seat. It is a bit small inside so it can get crowded and at times there can be a wait! The food is still very solid! - BISTEC ENCEBOLLADO - BISTEC SÁNDWICHES What truly makes this place great is the sauce. Make sure to get some! read more

Went way back in February and just posting now, so maybe things have changed since. But there was nowhere to sit inside for lunch, and people were either sitting and eating out in their cars (like we did) or even just sitting on the curb right outside. Food was pretty good, and there's definitely a cult following on the weekends. read more

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