Sol Food — Restaurant in Petaluma

Puerto Rican food in Petaluma - A Taste of the Caribbean!

Hey there, foodies! Ready for a culinary adventure? If you haven't experienced the wonders of Puerto Rican cuisine yet and happen to be in or around Petaluma, I've got some exciting news for you!

Sol Food, the beloved eatery with thriving locations in Mill Valley and San Rafael, has recently opened its doors in Petaluma. As a longtime fan of their San Rafael spot, I couldn't contain my excitement when I heard about the new addition. And let me tell you; it did not disappoint!

Before I even discovered Yelp, a friend raved about Sol Food in San Rafael, urging me to give it a try. From the moment I tasted their Sunday Special, I was hooked! Every visit to the North Bay meant a mandatory stop at Sol Food for a mouthwatering meal. I've brought countless friends along over the years, and without fail, each one has fallen head over heels for the place. The pandemic might have thrown us off our routine for a bit, but guess what? We're back, baby!

Just a few weeks ago, curiosity got the better of us as we strolled along the waterfront. We had seen signs of the new Sol Food location earlier, and it was time to investigate. Lo and behold, it was open for business! And guess what? It was lunchtime! Talk about perfect timing. Though I'm currently on a quest to shed a few pounds (aren't we all?), I couldn't resist the temptation and settled for half a Cubano. Let me tell you, that half was pure bliss! It brought back all the delicious memories in a single bite.

Sol Food's commitment to using fresh, top-notch ingredients shines through in every dish. No matter your palate preferences, you're practically guaranteed to find something that will make your taste buds dance with joy. And here's a pro tip: Don't leave without trying their plantains! Seriously, they're out of this world!

So, if you're ready to transport your taste buds to the sunny shores of Puerto Rico without leaving Petaluma, make sure to swing by Sol Food. Whether you're a seasoned fan like me or a first-time adventurer, I promise you won't be disappointed....

Cubano was weak. Yes I understand it’s a Puerto Rican place, but it’s on the menu and it’s what I ordered. The bread was not toasted which is not my experience with other cubanos I’ve had. I got one tiny pickle slice on only one side of the sandwich. One single, thin slice of ham. What really shook me was another patron from a competing restaurant in the same square, who decided to spend his lunch at sol food. When picking up his already paid for order, he asked for some sauce on the side and the young lady proceeded to tell him they were $1 each. Now I understand policy, but 1) that’s steep, 2) his order was already paid for, 3) he took his earned money to their restaurant and he’s a fellow restaurant employee. There are times where you just let policy go and dazzle your customers to keep your reputation sweet. This was a hugely missed opportunity and a big fail in my opinion. It reeked of “I don’t care”. I’ve worked in customer service my entire adult life- 19 years. I’ve worked behind the counter, at the table, and as a supervisor. Sol food has always had a great reputation, the managers are so friendly. I miss the tiny walk in restaurant in the parking lot of San Rafael. Good for you for expanding, but keep it real. You really need $1 for sauce over a happy returning customer? You should have seen his face drop- from happy to sad, almost insulted and embarrassed as he pulled some of his cash tip out of his apron. And the girl didn’t even smile, barely made eye contact with him, just grabbed his money and dropped the sauce in the bag. I’m not mentioning names, dates or times. Maybe the whole staff can have a quick training sesh on when it’s appropriate to make an exception for guest satisfaction and reputation. Like I said, managers and staff are usually very friendly there. And yeah, I think I’ll stick to Puerto Rican food next time and save the cubanos...

Best part of our experience was the food! We ordered the Pollo Rostizado (whole chicken), large sides of the rice and the beans, sweet plantains, and Mofongo Relleno De Camerones (shrimp with mashed plantains & salad). All the dishes were very good! Party of 5, and it was enough for all of us. Spent about $110 before tip. The chicken was tender, moist, and very flavorful! I guess we could've ordered the combo, but we wanted larger sides of beans and rice. My parents really enjoyed everything! They also appreciated that some of the food was soft, because it was gentle on their teeth. For example, the beans, plantains, and chicken were tender and it was easy to chew for them. I thought each dish complimented each other when all the items were on my plate. I really enjoyed the bottle of vinegar sauce on the table. I out it on my chicken, and it brought out the flavors even more.

The seating can be difficult for larger parties, because the place is really busy on the weekends. I commend the workers for their efforts, because it's such a busy environment, and they probably have so many requests from the patrons like we did, lol!

The food is very good, and I'd drive from San Francisco to the San Rafael location if I start to crave their food. The Petaluma location, however, is larger and newer. The decor is inviting and feels like we're in a...