For the last two weeks, I've been getting a little taste of Puerto Rico for lunch. Sol Food, a San Rafael based restaurant, has set up a lunchtime pop-up shop within FoodLab, the new Mid Market commissary kitchen, lunch counter, and pop-up venue within A Temporary Offering's (ATO) space within the Renoir Hotel on Market at 7th Street. For years, I've been hearing about Sol Food's awesome authentic Puerto Rican eats, and I've been jealous whenever friends return to SF with delicious tales of visits to their Marin County outpost. But now, I too can finally say I've got Sol.

For my first visit, I went to Sol Food with a Puerto Rican friend (and TBI contributor, Miguel Arias), who confirms the menu is legit. What you see above is what I ordered – Pollo Al Horno, which includes a succulent baked chicken thigh, served with rice and beans (your choice of black or pink, seen above), mixed greens, and a quarter of an avocado, all for $10. I also got to try some of Miguel's mariquitas, thinly sliced and fried green plantains with a tangy dipping sauce, and some chicken soup, that a Sol Food purveyor asked me if I wanted to try, gratis (Note to everyone: I will always say yes to free food!).

This Tuesday, I stopped in and tried the rib plate, which comes with two juicy pork ribs, alongside the same sides listed above (although this time, I tried the black beans, which are equally tasty). Yeah, the menu is a bit meat-centric, but if you're vegetarian, Sol Food has a veggie-friendly dish called the Pastelon de Vegetales, which is kinda like a casserole or lasagna, layered with eggplant, mushrooms, zucchini, roasted red peppers, jack cheese, and plantains.

Sol Food will be at FoodLab for the rest of June, which is just about half-way over, so make sure you make a lunch date to try it. Otherwise, you'll just have to drive out to the North Bay to get some Sol Food's real deal Puerto Rican sabor.