Sol Food - Puerto Rican, San Rafael

Best: Flat-pressed sandwich - Veggie especially

732 4th St, San Rafael CA 94901

(415) 451-4765

901 Lincoln Ave, San Rafael CA 94901
(415) 256-8900
Parking: street parking

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-10pm

http://www.solfoodrestaurant.com/

Last Visited: March 12, 2011

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$$

So the story on Sol Food is that it started out as a stand at the San Rafael farmer’s market. Sol Hernandez then took over the little gas station on Fourth Street and once that became packed, they opened yet another location (that’s right, they didn’t close the first, but opened another one) in the now lime-green building that you can see from the freeway on Lincoln Avenue. During my last visit in March 2011, they had taken over the building kitty-corner from their Lincoln location so that they could have an eating area during the remodeling of the green building. The changes being made are quite enormous. Next to the green building is now a storefront that lets you order and has a small amount of seating. Known as the Bodega, it’s quite reminiscent of the gas station location, but larger. In any case, they’re expanding and Sol Food looks like it’s going to be here to stay in the area for some time.

From the green plantains that hold down the napkins to the brightly colored half sheet menus and walls to the old pictures of family in Puerto Rico which doubles as the order numbers for locating customers, there is nothing normal about Sol Food. Everything they do has their twist on it, including their amazing food. Now that they’ve been featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive Ins and Dives, they’re even busier than they were before. The menu has a lot of familiar items – pork chops, chicken, salads, and beans, but the flavor combinations have hints of Africa, Spain, and Puerto Rico of course, that bring these common ingredients to life. Something about it is addicting and wonderful.

Fred, a chef, suggested I try Sol Food for one of the best veggie sandwiches he has ever had.  With that kind of recommendation, of course, I had to go try it. That was back in 2006.  Since then, I have enjoyed a number of their dishes and keep going back for more.

- Bistec Encebollado Combination Plate– Two thin slices of steak are sautéed with onions and placed on top of a plate containing salad on the side and your choice of black or pink beans on top of rice. It also comes with two pieces of tostones (garlic fried plantains) or maduros (sweet fried plantains) – your choice. I selected the maduros because I find the tostones a bit too dry for my tastes. This is a huge platter of food. The salad of mixed greens is lightly dressed with their lemon garlic dressing giving very tangy flavor that brightens up the salad and prepares your appetite for more. The onions are sautéed until they are super sweet and the beef, though thin, is very juicy. The beans are cooked with Spanish olives giving them a nice saltiness and they are placed on top of the rice. It’s a hearty meal. On top of that, the maduros are a great sweet treat after or during the meal. Delicious and worth the price. Small $8.95/ Large $11.95

- Veggie Deluxe – This is the sandwich that Fred suggested, and I would agree that it’s quite a treat. The sandwich contains sweet roasted red peppers, sautéed onions, organic greens (dressed in that yummy lemon garlic dressing), tomato, avocado, and swiss cheese. All are placed in a French roll that is slathered with cilantro-lime mayonnaise. Since the sandwich is flat pressed, you get a warm sandwich with a crispy outside and tender insides. It will make your tastebuds twirl. Very good. $8.50

- Bistec Sandwich – Somewhat of a combination of the two items of above, this is a flat-pressed sandwich containing thin slices of steak with sautéed onions, avocado, swiss cheese, and garlic mayonnaise. This is super delicious and one of the most popular items on the menu. Another very good item. $8.95

- Chuletas Fritas Combination Plate – All natural pork (wheat free) are cut thin and pan fried until golden and a little crispy. Served with rice, pink or black beans, organic salad, fried plantains, and pickled pink onions. Like the bistec combination, you get a lot of food. A small is one pork chop on the bone or you can get the large which is two pork chops. The pickled onions balance the pork chops really well and in combination with the other items, you don’t find the meat to be dry. This is another favorite amongst the items I regularly order. Small $8.95/Large $11.95

A small organic salad is available with the sandwiches for $1.50 more and you can have a small rice and beans for $2.50 more. Prices have gone up about two dollars per item since they first opened, but you can still pick up lunch for under $10 without a drink.

So what could be improved? My dining companion asked for some hot water, and they must have made it especially for her. So what’s wrong with that? It came in a cup with many chips on the cup. Not just one, but this coral colored cup was littered with chips all along the rim. The cups definitely need to be changed out. Sometimes they are so incredibly busy, that you may feel rushed, but come prepared knowing that there is a lot of hustle and bustle and you'll be fine.

They have great eats with hearty portions and excellent flavor. Breakfast is also served all day and delivery is available in San Rafael. Communal tables can sometimes get a little cramped, and depending on how busy the place is, the noise level can abe a bit high, but I have enjoyed my food experiences here a lot and will definitely be back for their unique flavors.