Sol Food--San Rafael (Puerto Rican cuisine)

For Memorial Day, which also just happened to be my 2nd year anniversary with my boyfriend, we went to Sol Food for some Puerto Rican food. They actually have 3 locations within a block from each other, which is a testament to how good they actually are. They have a "small place", a "big place" and a "pick up place". The main "big place" is located at 901 Lincoln Avenue in San Rafael, with the pick-up place right next door. I tend to go to their "big place" location, although I have visited their "small place", located at 811 4th Street, and the food there is exactly the same but without as much hustle and bustle.

If you live in the area, orders can be placed online and they also deliver. Parking might be an issue as they are in downtown San Rafael, but if you don't mind walking a bit, there is a residential area a few blocks away with free street parking. Otherwise it's metered parking with a 2-hour max.

What I love about this place, besides the food, is how efficiently they run their business. There's usually a line out the door, but they have someone handing you a menu and also taking your order while you are still in line and give you a slip of paper with your order to give to the cashier. They also have another person helping you find a place to sit after you've paid for your order and received your number. Sometimes, if you don't mind, you sit with other people and get a chance to mingle and share your Sol Food experience with others. The food also comes out fairly quick.

For my beverage, I got their Limonada Fresca (homemade limeade). Most of the time I'm strictly a water drinker, but when I come to Sol Food, I have to have their limeade or their Ponche (a.k.a. Arnoldo Palmero: 1/2 mango ice tea & 1/2 limeade). These are some of the most refreshing non-alcoholic drinks I've had. Below is a picture of my limeade.

Next came our Cubano and Bistec sandwich appetizers (not really an appetizer but I love their sandwiches). All their sandwiches are made with fresh french bread that is toasted in a press so they are warm and crispy. For a gluten-free sandwich, you can substitute the bread with tostones (fried plantains).This the best Cubano sandwich I've tried anywhere. It has roasted pork, ham that isn't too salty and the usual mustard, mayo, pickles and swiss cheese that is normally in a Cubano sandwich. So scrumptious!

The Bistec sandwich, which is made with tender steak, sauteed onions, avocado, swiss cheese and mayo. Also delicious. 



For the entree, we shared their Chuletas Fritas (pork chops) with a super fresh side salad that's lightly coated with their mild and not too garlicky lemon-garlic dressing, rice and black beans, pickled pink onions and a piece of sweet plantain (tostones). You can choose black or pinto beans and sweet or savory plantain. This might be my favorite dish at Sol Food. I'm a pork lover, and they know their pork. The chops are thinly sliced and pan fried to perfection. Not too crispy and not dry or overcooked.

This place is the only reason I visit the city of San Rafael and drive the 45 minutes it takes to get there. It is definitely a destination!