These hidden culinary gems serve up delicious food for cheap.
Don Julio’s: This Salvadorian pupusería is loved by locals who rave about the handmade pupusas (thick corn tortillas stuffed with savory filling and paired with spicy coleslaw). There are plenty of other options, too, including burritos, taco salads, tortas and enchiladas. 217 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Tropical Beef Burrito with tropical potato mix, pinto and white beans, Spanish rice, guacamole, roasted corn & red pepper salsa in a spinach tortilla from Don Julio's Latin Grill & Pupusas in Rohnert Park. (John Burgess / The Pres. Democrat)
Sonoma Sourdough Sandwiches: Unless you work on Industrial Avenue (in Petaluma) or State Farm Drive (in Rohnert Park), there’s really no reason to be in this part of town — other than stopping by Sonoma Sourdough. This sandwich shop serves up a solid Reuben, along with more than a dozen sandwiches, ranging from meaty combinations of cold cuts to vegetarian. 5440 State Farm Drive, Rohnert Park, 1320 Industrial Ave., Petaluma, sonomasourdoughsandwiches.com (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Sonoma Sourdough salami sandwich (and hungry dog in the background). (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Smokin' Bowls: This Rohnert Park spot serves beef-tallow fries topped with all manner of cheese, pulled pork, mashed potatoes and gravy — even ice cream. 295 Southwest Blvd., Rohnert Park, 707-665-5265, smokinbowls.net. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
The S'mores bowl at Smokin' Bowls in Rohnert Park. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
What a Chicken: Choose from mixed grill plates, as well as tacos and fall-off-the-bone ribs. Sides include potato salad, coleslaw and Spanish rice. We recommend going for the freshly made corn tortillas. 706 E. Washington, Petaluma, 510-776-7615. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Roy’s Chicago Dogs at the Yard: This tiny, sit-at-the-counter joint offers variations of Vienna Beef franks for meat aficionados. Consider the traditional all-beef wiener, a half-pound “Home Wrecker,” a spicy fire dog or a Polish dog. Then load up with the 50 topping options, such as homemade pineapple mustard, Hell Fire sauce, onion rings and blue cheese. Also worth howling about: homemade pies and deep-fried Oreos. 84 Corona Road, Petaluma, 707-774-1574. (Terry Hankins)
The Local: Finding this north Petaluma sandwich shop takes patience and a good GPS, but it’s worth seeking out. The crafty ultra-local fare hooked us immediately. In his tiny kitchen at the Active Wellness Center, chef Raul Lopez creates stunning sandos, wraps, salads, smoothies and fresh pressed juices for an appreciative gym and pool crowd. 1201 Redwood Way, Petaluma, thelocalpetaluma.com.
Austin's Southern Smoke Barbecue: Mississippi native Kris Austin blends his home state's grilling techniques with mouthwatering Central Texas flavors. Austin is all about the sides, with mac and cheese, baked beans, honey cornbread and, if you're lucky, outstanding collards. The menu changes frequently as does the location of the food truck, but you can often find it at 117 Morris St. near The Barlow in Sebastopol. (Erik/Castro/for Sonoma Magazine)
Hole in the Wall: You can’t ignore a restaurant literally named Hole in the Wall Restaurant. This Sebastopol mainstay is one of the best for breakfast (all day), with seven kinds of Benedicts, crepes and a rare favorite — the Dutch Baby, a German-style pancake with caramelized sugar, apples and nutmeg. 972 Gravenstein Highway S., Sebastopol, 707-827-6040, holeinthewallrestaurantsebastopol.com.
Marvin’s BBQ: Marvin Mckinzy has spent a lifetime loving and learning the art of barbecue, starting with his stepfather’s backyard grill in Kentucky. At this curious little storefront, you’ll find signature tri-tip, pork ribs, pulled pork, and barbecued chicken alongside jalapeño cornbread. 495 S. Main St., Sebastopol. 707-861-9623, marvinsbbqanddeli.com
Barley and Bine: Grab a table or a seat at the bar and peruse the 32 beers, ciders and kombucha on tap. Tot-tine—the lovechild of Ore-Idea Tater Tots and Canadian poutine (brown gravy, cheese curds and fries)—is a hot mess of deliciousness with bacon, melted mozzarella, green onions and gravy. 7765 Bell Road, Windsor, 707-657-7774, barleybinebeercafe.com. (Heather Irwin / Sonoma Magazine)
Tater tot poutine at Barley and Bine Tasting Room in Windsor. (Heather Irwin / The Press Democrat)
Lightwave Coffee and Kitchen: Lulled by the beauty of the Russian River and towering redwoods, you might miss the barely-marked Monte Rio "skatepark" turnoff that leads you to this whimsical little cafe. But it’s worth seeking out Gal and Ori Ginzberg's lovingly-made shakshuka — a Middle Eastern dish of poached egg, zesty tomato sauce, onions and a side of hummus and puffy pita bread — along with lox and bagels, homemade pickles, smoothies and chai lattes. Weekend cakes and pies are their specialty, and worth the pilgrimage. 9725 Main St., Monte Rio, 707-865-5169, lightwavecafe.square.site.
El Huerto Sonoma: ThisSonoma storefront with healthy food as its main mission is run by a local farming family, offering fresh-pressed juices and acai bowls, along with seasonal granola and fruit bowls. What we love is the combination of trendy avocado toast and “skin glow” pressed juices alongside Mexican classics like Tostiloco (Tostito chips, mango, jicama, cucumber, peanuts, tamarind candy and lime) and mangonada. 19213 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 934-8791. (Chris Hardy)
Brother’s Café: The same owners of Hole in the Wall in Sebastopol run a breakfast-all-day diner with many of the same proven dishes. 3135 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, brotherscafesr.com. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Dutch Baby, a German-style pancake with caramelized sugar, apples and a hint of nutmeg surrounded by, from left, the Sunshine with carrot, orange, ginger and turmeric; Prickly Pear Margarita; the Beet with carrot, celery, apple and ginger; and a Cafe Mocha on the menu at Brothers Cafe in Santa Rosa. Photo taken Thursday, April 27, 2023. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)
Canevari's Delicatessen & Catering: This no-frills Italian-American deli is the kind of spot Tony Soprano and his buddies would like if they lived in Santa Rosa, ordering sandwiches for lunch, like the Meatball Sub, BBQ Tri Tip and Spiced Pulled Pork, or homemade ravioli, and cannoli for dessert. You might leave with slightly less healthy arteries but it's totally worth it: this hidden gem is one of the best delis in Sonoma County. 695 Lewis Road, Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
The Spicy Pulled Pork Sandwich on a grilled soft roll with Calabrian chili aioli and orange fennel slaw from Canevari's Delicatessen & Catering in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Taqueria Molcajetes: Molcajete typically refers to a large volcanic stone bowl that is heated to approximately the temperature of the sun. Meats, fresh cheese, cactus paddles, green onions and seafood are mixed with a spicy chile stew and the whole sizzling, furious thing is brought to your table. It will remain steaming, molten and bubbling for nearly half an hour as you are enveloped by a refreshing meat and vegetable-scented steam. 1195 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-8280. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
You won't find advertising or sandwich boards at Taqueria Molcajetes and no one has emailed me about their farm-to-table cuisine. The door is set into a dark and somewhat unwelcoming corner of the former G&G shopping center (it’s a Safeway now). Inside the small doorway is a larger interior filled with throngs of people who come for their giant burritos. The molcajete is easily enough for two starving linebackers or a family of six. (Alvin Jornada/The Press Democrat)
Taqueria Molcajetes was featured on Guy Fieri’s show “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.” Fieri called it “without question, one of the best Mexican food experiences I have ever had.” Find more local restaurants featured on the show here. (La Prensa Sonoma)
Wooden Petal Bakeshop: Adorable knotted pretzels are the mainstay of baker Clare Hulme, but her newish bake shop offers tasty sandwiches (on pretzel buns, naturally) and soups to go. Though she often sells out, grab (or better yet, preorder) some sweet and savory pretzels for later. 4894 Sonoma Hwy., Santa Rosa, 707-695-1880, woodenpetal.com. (Wooden Petal Bakeshop)
Savor Vietnamese: A former doughnut shop transformed into charming Vietnamese eatery Corner Park Cafe, which then changed name to Savor Vietnamese. Go for the pho, barbecue pork banh mi, fresh rolls and noodle bowls. Save some room for mango shaved ice, a specialty, and boba tea. 4275 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, savorvietnamesecuisine.com (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Tambayan, Santa Rosa: If you’re jonesing for some lumpia, halo-halo or adobo chicken, this Larkfield restaurant offers authentic cuisine from the Philippines. Tambayan means “hang out” in Tagalog (the native language of the Philippines). 600 Larkfield Center, Larkfield-Wikiup, 707-843-3824. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Pupusería Salvadoreña, Santa Rosa: If you’re lucky, you’ll hear the swap, swap, swap of the kitchen ladies smacking out pupusas — corn cakes filled with cheese, vegetables or meat — and griddled to perfection. The pupusería also serves up tamales, yuca frita and empanadas, but hey, you’re here for the pupusas. 1403 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-544-3141. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
Banh Mi at Thuan Phat, Santa Rosa: Still one of the best Vietnamese banh mi and, at $6.75, still a steal of a deal. 3020 Santa Rosa Ave., Suite H, 707-889-3966. (Heather Irwin/Sonoma Magazine)
You know that one place that sells doughnuts and pho? Or that sandwich place with Tibetan dumplings on Monday your friend keeps talking about? Like most serious eaters, we love finding the weirdly wonderful strip mall joints and hidden culinary gems that offer up interesting and delish food for cheap(ish). Click through the gallery for a few of our favorite “secret” hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Sonoma County.
