La Bodega are for take out & pick up orders if you don't want to sit in their main restaurant. I usually order online first so that by the time I get to the bodega, my order is ready! They are pretty fast & efficient even when they are crowded, which is most of the time. My usual order is a bistek sandwich with fries & a limeade. A little pricey, but worth it. One of the best restaurants in Marin County! read more

Yummy! Got a hot tip from a fellow co-worker and check it out. The line was long but move'n. Self seating, good staff, and Dammm! The food caught me by surprise. It was better than I thaught. If your in the area, try it. The price was a bit elevated for a spot like this, but, Dammm! Lets Eat! read more

Love it! This is my favorite restaurant in Marin. Pollo al horno is my current favorite dish.

I eat here a couple of times a month and love the Monday and Friday specials (picadillo and pescado respectively), the bodega is a great addition...try the ribs. read more

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

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

This place is CRAZY good. There was a line around the corner so we had ta check it out. Validated. Go there tomorrow and thank me later :-) Very tasty. We had the specials: pastelone with pintos and the whole tilapia with black beans. Both were great. Try the medium hot sauce in a bottle on the table. It was great with the fish (both dishes actually). Highly recommended. Read the letter from a customer in 2006 posted out front...So wrong (!) and so funny. Their popularity is like a "get a life!" to the person that wrote it. Some people, dude. Seriously. This place rules. Very friendly hostess and good vibes all around. read more

My only complaint is the servings were so big I felt overstuffed. Boo hoo. Metered parking is so crazy cheap you can afford to go for a walk afterwards. I think chicken is the way to go here although nothing wrong with the bistec. I normally don't drink sweetened beverages (save the calories for food and alcohol) but the mango iced tea here is terrific. read more

Sol: have the most consistently good food, dine-in and takeout. But you have grown popular. Too popular. I'm taking one star off for inconvenience. You don't deliver to Noveto, and picking up is a hassle most of the time due to your popularity. Please open a place in Novato!!! read more

We love to be able to get this wonderful food to go when we don't have time to wait to be seated. Mostly, we've had our orders filled exactly as we've asked for them. But, we have learned to double check the bag before we leave (regardless of how busy it is in there). We have had a few mishaps and it's a bummer to drive all the way back to Novato to find we're missing a sandwhich or a salad or whatever we've ordered. read more

There are something about the aroma and taste of great foods. Being on a road trip all day can be fun but exhausting and make you hungry. I discovered that La Sol was open until 2 am in San Rafael. I was very excited to try out this very high rated establishment. My...all these Yelpers are right. La Sol must be on your do not miss list. The line was out the door for dining in so I opted to go next door to order take- out and ate on the bench outside since it was a warm night. The plantains were crispy, the Cubano sandwich is like what a Cubano sandwich should be-right amount of meat and seasoning on two thin slices of bread. The chicken was moist, and the rice were perfect. I did request black beans instead of Pinto. I got Pinto in my take out bag instead and I discovered that they were delicious! read more

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

One of my favorites. I try to always call in an order for a Bistec sandwich, black beans and rice and a limeada, when driving through San Rafael. Consistently delicious :) read more

Amazing food of course but I was also treated with great customer service. Ordered a complicated lunch (many substitutions, lots of items) everything came out okay except an ingredient on my sandwich. Before I said a word (I had planned to just eat it anyways) they recognized their mistake and got my order right within 5 minutes. They also offered me a free dessert for their mix up which I happily declined. Great service read more

I love Sol Food...and so does everyone else which is why the line is usually long. The food is so good, generous portions and quick that I don't care where I eat it. So last time I took a look at the long line and decided to do their take out, which is right next door now. I usually get their single piece chicken salad (which is huge). I was happily eating long before I would have in the sit down restaurant. Never had a bad meal there. read more

Shout out to Sol Food La Bodega! I have never had a bad experience! Today I placed a phone order for quite a large order to be picked up by someone else! The staff was nice enough to number all of the meals so everything was easily sorted when it arrived. Nothing was missing and everything was perfect! We are in Petaluma so it would have been really disappointing had the order been wrong! Thanks Sol Food for great customer service and amazing food! read more

Do not eat here if you are a vegetarian/vegan and are hungry!! We have been eating here and at the restaurant for many years, and over the past year or so have noticed a disturbing trend. Last night was the last straw. I decided to place a take -out order on the way home from work. We eat a vegan diet. I first attempted to order the vegetarian guizados (stew) and was told that they usually have that dish only on Thursdays. It's completely ridiculous that this dish is not a regular item on the menu - all it consists of is a few vegetables, some sauce and rice (and it's way overpriced at $11). Clearly, this place does not value its veg customers. So, I ordered the only other vegan option on the menu - the vegetariano, which consists of tasteless white rice, beans, a side salad portion of lettuce (not a salad because lettuce and horrible tasting dressing are the only ingredients), a sliver of avocado, and 2 very greasy and salty plantains. Since we only eat brown rice, I asked for double beans instead of the rice. Two "small" orders of this totaled over $16 (a definite price increase from the recent past). When I got to the counter and looked in the bag, I thought there was a mistake, and I reminded them that I had opted for double beans instead of rice. I was told this was double beans. Well, the container of beans was so tiny and wasn't even filled to the top. There were probably 4-6 spoonfuls of beans inside. I told the counter guy that I thought this was a joke. He took his finger and pointed to an imaginary line in the middle of the container, telling me that this is where they measure for the regular portion, and I was given twice that. I told him that I'd been eating there for years and that this was not the case in the past. "Come on," I said, "this is the only real substance in this meal." But, this guy was like the bean police - he wasn't budging. He told me I could only have more beans if I paid more. I told him that dried beans, white rice and plantains were among the cheapest foods on the planet, and that this was just plain greed - at the expense of their hungry customers who just want a decent amount of bleeping beans. The guy had those beans locked up like Fort Knox and refused to help me out. So I told him to refund my $16.30 and to keep his joke of a meal. Sorry Sol Food, we're done. You just lost two good customers, and we won't be recommending you any longer. I'm going to take my $16 and make an investment in a 15 pound bag of beans. You can keep peddling your little, carefully measured bean cups to the next poor suckers. We'll take bets on how long you'll be around! Judging from the long line outside your restaurant, Marin is filled with people who like to pay big bucks for cheap, mediocre food. So, you may be able to keep up this charade for a bit longer. read more

I work in San Rafael and have gone here for lunch many times, however its been about a year since my last visit on 10/7/11. I went to the new location, La Bodega. Before their relocation I use to order the "Sm Vegetariano" and it had been a pretty decently-sized meal, and an OK price at $7.50 (the larger meal is 9.50, a bit pricey for lunch with tax and drink included). When I went on Friday and received my order I found perhaps 4 SPOONFULLS of beans in a to-go cup. I asked if this was a mistake, because in the past the to-go cup was filled to the top for the Sm. The woman at the counter said no, that 6 OZ of beans is the standard now. Give me a break!! Just because I'm vegetarian doesn't mean I don't like protein! She hesitantly filled my to-go cup to the top after she spoke with her manager and said "for this time only." My problem is when a Latin restaurant starts to act stingey on the bean fixings that's when I know there is a fundamental problem with the operation. Dried beans are cheap as hell. Don't skimp customers out of a portion of beans! Dislike! read more

So my girlfriend and I just moved from Baltimore, MD to Vallejo California. This place was recommended by long time lovers of this authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. So we took a chance and tried this wonderful little food place. The main restaurant next store had a line going around the corner but the carryout right next store we walked in and ordered as soon as we decided what to try this time. Everything sounded so good it was a very difficult decision. The smell alone was making my mouth water and was only made worse when we got our food and had to drive home with it in the car. Once I tore into my Paraiso sandwich my taste buds died and went to heaven. My girlfriend ordered the Ensalada con coctel de camarones. The prawns were cooked to perfection and the salad was so fresh I would have believed them if they had told me they went to the garden out back.. I would recommend this place to everyone looking to try delicious authentic Puerto Rican food. read more

The food here is delicious, however my friends and I had a horrible experience with the ordering process. There is a young woman at the counter with dark hair and eye glasses. When it was our time to order she repeatedly told us to hang on and then proceeded to basically yell at us in front of all the other customers. She told us in her words "I am going to teach you how to order correctly." With an extremely condescending tone and demeanor. This is my first time here and that alone makes me not want to come back. If you choose to order food from here watch out for her, and be careful to know your order right, so you don't have to be "told" like your a child. Terrible makes us all so upset. read more

I came here twice. The first time I came here I was no impressed but I am updating it now after my second visit. I was told when you come here to either get a steak sandwich or the baked chicken. Do not do that! I repeat, you will be dissapointed so don't. If you come get a plate dish, either something they usually have or a special. I came on a Saturday and their special was a thick cut pork chop with onions, side of beans and rice, plantains and salad. It was delicious, everything works together and compliments the flavors ever so wonderfully. Last time I got the steak sandwich and it was tough meat and the sauce flavor was borderline weird tasting to the point of almost gross. I didn't know mayo and steak went together? Oh right, it doesn't. Also the baked chicken is cooked without skin so it's super dry and flavorless, however it is healthy so if you want flavorless food but are watching your weight then get that. The plantains were delicious, you had a sweet one and a garlic one which was nice to have the choice of a combo and the porkchop was moist and the onions were cooked perfectly and the rice and beans went well, so I was just scooping mouthfuls of the whole package into my tastebud machine. The decor is really cool and unique for the area and they know it which is why they have showcased a disapproving letter of someone who hates the color and believes it's an eye sore to the community and has refused to come to the establishment until they change it. They just laughed, framed the letter the idiot wrote and people are still coming. I guess he didn't have such a big impact like he thought he could make. Drinks are bomb, get the mango iced tea and the limeade. You can even mix them together to get a sparkly mango treat which is awesome as well. So get a plate dish because you get a bunch of food for a decent price and it's tasty, the other stuff is a little lacking and if you come for just that like I did on my first visit you will leave unhappy but do as I say and you will be just fine. read more

Fast delivery! Food is just as good and tasty as it is while at their sit down establishment. :)

Well we went Sunday 06-05-2011 on advise from quote's on Yelp. Don't understand what the big deal is. Food less than average, good prices service is none. We have many places in San Francisco that put this place to shame. Had the steak dish and could not eat it. Tough as shoe leather and the rest of the dish below average. Will not be back to either of their places. read more

Stopped the La Bodega a few weeks ago for a Jamon queso y huevo sandwich. It tasted great, but being a Boricua I have a few gripes. What's up with the bread guys? I mean I know it's California and everybody's trying to be healthy but you've got to use Pan de Manteca for a sandwich! It's a Puerto Rican restaurant after all, we eat rice, pork, chicken, bread....and more pork so I'm pretty sure a little pan de manteca isn't going to hurt anybody. That aside it was a good sandwich nonetheless..... pricey but good. At $10 I'd like something bigger but again it's San Rafael, California and a corner spot so they have to pay their bills too. Having a Malta with my meal is something I just can't put a price on, even though you guys do and it's not cheap. Again, California. So even though they're overpriced compared to food back home on the island (same sandwich is about $3-4 at any panaderia in PR) and I didn't LOVE the bread, and parking is pretty scarce......It's still the food I grew up with and the ONLY Puerto Rican restaurant I know of in NorCal and I will return. read more

This is a take out place! Hence the no tables guys. Just wanted to clarify. If you want to sit down, eat at the place next door. Order online and your food will be ready in 10 minutes, otherwise you will order and sometimes have to wait 20 minutes which is a huge pain in the ass. I've ordered about 10-15 times from this place and have never received the wrong order so I guess I've lucked out. I will stick with my cubano sandwich. I'm no longer feeling the rest of the menu. Great place though! read more

Great food, friendly staff, nice decor, fantastic food and music. I didn't get a chance to eat in the restaurant. I ordered takeout next door. I was in and out fast during lunch time. I ordered arroz con pollo and bistec encebollado. The arroz con pollo was soooooo gooood!! It has great flavor as well as the pink beans. I would go back for the pink beans alone. Yes, it was that dam good. My husband and I fought over the extra beans. I lost :( anyhoo I wasn't a fan of the bistec. My husband on the hand loved it. I liked that the chicken is free range. The beef is without hormones and all that other yucky stuff. I most def will be back. It is a little pricey but worth it. read more

Its been on my list to try this sister to the first 'Sol Food' restaraunt for some time. Thumbs up, Just as tasty and managed pretty much the same way. This is the smaller, to go style of Sol Food when you're not up for the wait or Puerto Rican scene of the big green restaurant.. Give it a try. highly recommend read more

If you can't wait in line, which usually extends down the street for the sit down restaurant at Sol, the Bodega option is a sure bet for takeout. The full menu is available for ordering out, and the wait is only 10-15 minutes. Or, you can call it in and swoop up your order of tostones, rice and beans, and limonata!! read more

Amazing amazing sandwiches! THe vegetarian sandwich is by far the best I have ever had. Seriously, I could eat the bread alone with the special house Hot sauce. Definately a place to go if you want a satisfying hot sandwich! read more

We order delivery from this place 1-2 times per week for the last couple years. In the last year, about every 3rd order, they get it wrong. When we call to complain, it falls on deaf ears. Never once have we heard we're sorry. We wait 45- 1 hour for our food and it shows up either missing sandwiches or sauces or both. The constant response from their managers are we can't do anything about it. I'm in the customer service business and this place has the worst customer service. I guess since they have no competition they can do what ever they want. read more

Not worth it. The cost of food is to expensive and not very good. It doesn't matter what show this restraurant was on or how many people go there. It is expensive crap read more

Amazing food. Different style than us Midwestern folks are used. Highly recommend

The food is great,no question about that. Thatis why my husband and I keep coming back. But the server is horrible esp in the take out area. Doesnt look like they know what there doing. They only thing great about this is the food. You guys need to replace some of your server from the take out area. read more

beware of the bodega! this is the second time i have done take out and they have left a side out. walked the dog over there, so definitely not going to go back there to get my beloved side. the cashier should check the bags. we come here for all of the lovely sides, whether it is pink beans, salad... read more

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

I love this place. The food is amazing. I usually order delivery service and the delivery staff is always so polite. Really great crew of people and amazing food. read more

So I bought the GotDailyDeals offer of $5 for $10 worth of food at Sol Food. Sounded like a great deal. Loved their food. The offer/catch is that you have to use the offer before 10AM. So I call Sol Food at 8:30 AM, order my food and head over to pick it up at 10 AM from my house which about 3 miles away but I have to make a quick stop to get gas on my way, so I get there at 10:25 AM to pick up my food and the guy says "sorry, you're too late, come back another day"... what? I say... I just drove down here in the rain to pick up my food that I ordered 2 hours ago and you tell me, no-go... come back another day? Over a $5 for $10 deal? what kind of place of business does this to a customer? The certificate doesn't say you have to "PICK UP BY 10 AM" it just says "valid BEFORE 10 AM"... I show the guy this langauge and tell the guy that the language on the offer needs to be changed and he says, "no, it's fine... see you some other time". REALLY!!!? Do you really think I'm coming back to this place, regardless of the food, if you treat me this way? You MUST be kidding... anyway, I next door and bought some food and went home, contacted GotDailyDeals and canceled all my certificates. I'm not doing business with any company that treats people this way and I hope everyone who reads this feels the same way. Life's too short to deal with arrogence and its not like we dont have choices in terms of where we can eat/what we can do... that is, unless you're in Cuba... hmmm. Are we being invaded? I say, eat more mexican food, at least they'll appreciate your business and are hospitable about it! read more

I have never written a Yelp review, this is how upset I am with Sol Food. I have a love hate relationship with Sol food. I would never, ever wait in that line. I live in SR, so driving 5 mins home is more enjoyable. I get the same thing EVERY TIME I pick it up for me and my BF. Literally every time. For months, I would go sometimes 2x a week to pick up, either on my way home from work (getting off at 10pm and finding food in Marin is hard) or just for dinner! Always 40 bucks. Literally, 7/10 times something would be wrong. I finally got in the habit of checking my bag before I leave, to catch the mistake before I get home. For example, completely forgetting my sandwich in the bag! How do you forget a sandwich. But I'm done. These people make too much money, employ too many people, and charge too much for these kind of mistakes to occur. So after spending probably over $2,000 at this establishment for shit phone service (half the time people are laughing while taking my order) and me to check my food. SO BYE SOL FOOD! read more