North Bay Woman

S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 | NORTH BAY WOMAN 35 the bistec sandwich with thinly sliced steak, sautéed onions, avocado, Swiss cheese and garlic mayo or the pollo al horno combination plate with marinated and baked chicken thighs, rice, beans and tostones (fried plantains) or French fries. Which dishes are Hernandez's personal favorites? "I really love the picadillo (spiced ground beef), and the French fries and tostones are really good too." On weekends, she's partial to eggs Benedict served on fried plantains instead of English muffins. What makes her food so wildly popular? "The food is different, but it's not so different. They can tell what they're eating." "It's habit-forming!" Corredor pipes in. Sol Food's clientele runs the gamut, according to Hernandez. "I've noticed we have a pretty wide variety of customers. There'll be a guy in a business suit sitting next to a guy in painter's clothes." She's especially delighted when customers who have a Puerto Rican heritage give her a thumb's up. "Most of the time it's very positive. They're very proud just to see anything that's familiar to them. They're so happy we're here. You get a few who are judgmental, but we also have people who say, 'This is better than my wife's or my mother's!'" Cooking Puerto Rican fare in Marin County is not without its challenges, as certain tradition- al ingredients can be hard – if not impossible – to come by. That would include recao, which is similar to cilantro, and aji dulce, a sweet pepper that resembles a habanero. "We want to keep it as authentic as possible, but we just improvise with other peppers," she says. Hence the "Marin spin" on Puerto Rican cuisine. > Sol and her husband Victor Cielo by their distinctive Sol Food truck in San Rafael. CAINS TIRE You all know my daughter, Rooney. She's been working at Cains since she was 17 years old. She is caring, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and a true professional. We'd like to introduce you to Debbie Wiemken. Debbie has been with Cains for 3 years and is equally as delightful to work with. Debbie has worked in the automotive business for 20 years. We are lucky to have her with us. Women Need Women When it comes to understanding tires & making a decision, with all the prices & brands, sometimes our women customers appreciate a softer yet educated approach in understanding their needs in the automotive world. CAINS TIRE Family Business Since 1957 1531 FOURTH STREET • SAN RAFAEL • (415) 453-2942 Debbie Wiemken & Rooney McAlonan Appearing at Cains Tires only, with all that style...where else would you want to go................Pat McAlonan

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