Puerto Rican food in the Golden State?

Liz came across a Puerto Rican joint a couple of weeks ago while in San Rafael for some meetings. 

She is from the island herself and hasn't been back to the mother land in a few years so she gets pretty nostalgic anytime she hears the rhythmic music of her childhood or sees buildings painted in the vibrant colors she so vividly recalls from memories of days long past.

Needless to say there was aboslutely no way I was going to get out of taking a trip to this restaurant.  So saturday we made our way up 101 and over onto 280 over the GG bridge to San Rafael and finally found parking close by the restaurant....Sol Food.  http://www.solfoodrestaurant.com/

My first impression was that it was a bit small and had a somewhat limited menu. But the vibe more than made up for that.  The seating is a bit different...there is some bar/stool seating around the building and a few smaller tables...but there are some longer/larger tables where you kind of just sit where there is room along side other customers which can make for some interesting conversations so long as you end up by a group of social people.

There were a few things on the menu I wanted to try but I opted for the camarones and swapped the toston for the mofongo.  The shrimp, although a pretty typical dish, was really good and while I don't have any real point of reference from where to compare the mofongo I really liked it.  As we were eating the waiters brought over a plate of tostones to a couple across the table from us.  After seeing those, I somewhat regretted my having ordered the camarones.  Nothing like buyers remorse 

It's not a candle light dinner type of place, so don't take your next date there expecting to be able to tap it just because you dropped $15 on a few fried plantains. But if you're in the area and looking for some pretty good food in a place with a good vibe this is a place you should keep in mind.  Just know that they don't serve any cerveza.

On our way home Liz asked what I thought of it...I had to respond with a low blow so I told her "It was a little better than Taco Bell"   

Anyway, there was really no point to be made with the thread. Just thought I'd share...but if you happen to know of any other Puerto Rican restaurants (preferrably closer to the south bay) let me know.

I do have to admit though that the mofo(ngo) was a mofo.  Good stuff. 

I do have to admit though that the mofo(ngo) was a mofo.  Good stuff. 

too funny man. 
You should get Liz to write in to "check please, bay area" and do a review of sol food.  Check Please has a list of two other joints that may serve PR cuisine.

http://blogs.kqed.org/food/0?submit=Search&s=puerto+rican

Thanks for the link to 'Check Please'. It will get put to good use. 

Angel, here's are some Bay Area links...

El Nuevo Frutilandia
3077 24th St. (Treat St.) Map
San Francisco, CA 94110
415-648-2958

In a neighborhood with wall-to-wall taco places, Fruitlandia offers a nice surprise with tablecloth-covered tables and, on many weekends, live music with no cover. The delicious food is mildly spiced, with hefty portions of Cuban- and Puerto Rican-inspired fare. Main courses emphasize beef, pork or seafood; most come with black beans and rice. The house specialty is ropa vieja, shredded flank steak cooked in a mild Creole sauce. There are decent Spanish wines and many beers.


Sofrito Authentic Puertican Cuisine 
3451 International Boulevard, Oakland, CA
(510) 533-3840
Review: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/479279
Don't know if it's in the good or bad part of town


Mambo's Cafe
903 Lincoln Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 453-1155
www.mamboscafe.net
next door to Sol Food restaurant


Coqui, El
Puerto Rican food in the Bay Area.
509 W. 2nd Street
Antioch, CA 94509
925.778.8008


Nothing found in the South Bay

It's not a candle light dinner type of place, so don't take your next date there expecting to be able to tap it just because you dropped $15 on a few fried plantains.

Thats where so many men fail bro....you gotta go into it thinkin not only am I gonna tap it but she's footing the bill, its all about confidence 

I have relatives and friends in that area, and I know the exact place you are talking about - I always see it as I am getting back on 101

It has always looked interesting and I think I stop in the next time I'm around.

Thanks for the recommendation,

Jason

 

Sol Food rocks. Insider tip, bring a small flask of rum to spice the house-made drinks, but do it on the sly- no alcohol served there.

Was just there on my way to the MLPA meetings!  Took Juan-mako1 there, he loved it!  I get the Chicken al horno(baked boneless thigh) white rice(that's right!) beans and a light salad + tostones(fried plantain) drizzled with olive-oil&garlic.  Some ricans don't like it, the ones I know DO!   
However, all the ones that Howard listed are rescently CLOSED!
SolFood put thier nextdoor niebors out of buisness....it was a rican/cuban combo place that did sell beer, but could not compete with SolFood(they have another smaller place up the block on 4th street.) it's WAY smaller'but faster!
I'm not a real Borigueno, but I did marry one(she's mexi-puerto-rican) and I did grow up with some puerto ricans....yep! i can play the timbales, bongos and congas too! just like this!

or:

then I had to get a REAL JOB!   
Thanks Angel...now I'm hungry forSolFood and some SALSA music!

However, all the ones that Howard listed are rescently CLOSED!
SolFood put thier nextdoor niebors out of buisness....it was a rican/cuban combo place that did sell beer, but could not compete with SolFood(they have another smaller place up the block on 4th street.) it's WAY smaller'but faster!

Don't blame me...I'm just the messenger.  There's a reason for listing the phone numbers.

Also just drove past this place coming/going from the MLPA meeting!!  How awesome!!!  I like the Lime Green Signage

My buddy is from Puerto Rico, and he likes two cuban restaurants in San Jose. They have tostones, lechon, arroz con gondules, ropa vieja etc..

If that helps you carvings, try either Havana Cuba on Race St, or Los Cubanos on Almaden. The original owners/founders of Havana Cuba sold it a few years back, then decided they couldn't get the business out of their blood, so they opened Los Cubanos.

I've eaten at both many times, excellente...

Havana Cuba is pretty good.  I've had the lechon there which was pretty similar to carnitas.

I didn't notice the tostones on the menu there, I think I'm going to have to setup another recon trip.

Also gonna have to try Los Cubanos.

Totally unrelated, but just this morning I was wishing a taco truck would roll down my street and set up shop at the school parking lot across the street...picnic benches and all.  I'm not talking about a burrito truck or one of those trucks that tries to be every thing to everyone and sells everything from ham sam'iches to burritos to balut...I mean a real taco truck.

There is also cuban international restauran in San jose. I believe it was started by the dame guy that owns Havana Cuba. The food was very good.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/cuban-international-restaurant-san-jose

The food was very good.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cuban-international-restaurant-san-jose

Not according to "Angela C" who writes:

"Have you ever had poop in you mouth?  Well I am sure glad I haven't.  I wouldn't go so far as to say the food here was poop in my mouth..."

eeeehhhhhh

Not according to "Angela C" who writes:

"Have you ever had poop in you mouth?  Well I am sure glad I haven't.  I wouldn't go so far as to say the food here was poop in my mouth..."

eeeehhhhhh

Who is Angela C. Is she Puerto Rican? If she is not I would not trust what she had to say. You have to remember that most americans are not exactly into international foods.

I have eaten there many times and one of my favorites there is "Rabo Encendido" (Literal translation is "Tail on Fire"). It's ox tail in a stew like sauce. It was great!