Credit cards
Yes
Sol Island Bar and Grill in Athens
Categories
Location on the map
Athens, Athens County, Ohio, US
Payments
Phone: +1 740-592-1744
Site: http://www.solrestaurant.net/
Site: http://www.solrestaurant.net/
Opening hours
- Monday:11AM–9PM
- Tuesday:11AM–9PM
- Wednesday:11AM–9PM
- Thursday:11AM–9PM
- Friday:11AM–10PM
- Saturday:11AM–10PM
- Sunday:11AM–9PM
Comments (199)
My server, Anthony, was very polite and cordial. Was attentive but not over bearing, polite, and professional. The food was excellent. I had the chicken quesadilla and my girlfriend had a tofu bowl. We will definitely be coming back and recommend this restaurant to others.
The potato ham soup was delicious. The avocado toast was yummy. And the French toast was delicious as well. And for drinks the bloody Mary can put you in the right mindset and the Cuban coffee hits the right buttons. During a separate visit my grandson and I went for tacos and he had a sherley Temple. Yup this is the place for unique yummy eats.
$52 meal (way overpriced compared to other surrounding locations) and we left a $10 tip. Waiter (heavyset, bald, white male) asked if the food was good and as he was walking away mumbled, not sure why I got a 9% tip..... His math mustve been off. For the food, the price is REALLY high when you can get something better for cheaper down the street. It was 75 degrees in the room which made for an uncomfortable dining experience. Overpriced food, mediocre service, rude waiter = we wont be going back. I DONT Recommend.
The food here is delicious! Its a nice local place that provides quality food.If you come, ask for Olivia to serve you. She is willing to help you with whatever you need to ensure your enjoying your time. Plus, shes super nice!!
Unfriendly staff very expensive. Served cold food. Waiter overheard making fun of customers. Wont go back.
This place was AWESOME! We live about 2 hours away and visit the Hocking Hills area frequently, tho first time in Athens.SOL is a must stop when hungry and in the area! Food is delicious! Restaurant is family owned and staffed. Typically LIVE music on Friday nights. Lots of spacious outdoor seating with plenty space between tables. Great place to go eat and feel safe while doing so and feel a bit of normalcy goodness sakes. The tangerine craft beer on tap is phenomenal 🍻
Some of our food was very good and some was just ok and one item unacceptable. The mixed drinks were good. The outdoor seating was nice. A band was setting up just as we left.. The tamale was sort of a deconstructed tamale and was very good. Macaroni and cheese was bland (and the added shredded pork dry). The pork bowl was good although maybe a little sweeter than i would have liked (but not unexpected given the description). The tres leches cake was unacceptable - very dry.
Good was great our waitress was awesome. I highly recommend stopping in and trying out all the different items to choose from.
Amazing service from Zoe and a wonderful selection to choose from! I have the BYO bowl and the tofu was 10/10! Mmmm. Fantastic house margarita, great prices and I hope to come back again for some breakfast!
Absolutely had the best service, drinks and the most delicious food.... our friends and ourselves loved this place
We sat on the patio. The food was good. They have allot of vegetarian options.
Bad service, Bad burgers, Bad experience overall!Our burgers and frys were burnt, the food turned all 3 of our stomachs violent before we made it out the door. This place makes fast food look good. The service was incredibly slow, even though they were only serving 4 tables.
Food was good and reasonably priced. The kids meals were a lot of food for only $5. They loved the cookie.
Apps were really good. Main course not so much. The food would look much better if they wiped the plates of excess food
We sat on the porch with our dog. Great meal, friendly wait staff, good price, and a nice atmosphere. Well be back.
Great service and great food. Nice variety of unique dishes and extensive beer choices
Interesting and delicious food. Nice atmosphere. The only rum bar in Athens. A large array of fixings on the Bloody Mary bar for weekend brunch. Breakfast/brunch is fantastic, and their burgers are some of the best in Athens.
This was our first time here and it started out badly after being seated we werent asked for drinks or food order for over 10 minutes. We were just about ready to leave when we asked a waitress from another section for service and she graciously offered from there on everything went very well. The food has a Cuban feel which was great and the deep fried avocado was truly different and good. We highly recommend this place for the food and atmosphere the service needs to be looked at but dont let that stop you from checking this place out.
I stopped in while in town for a moment. The place caught my eye and we popped in without checking what else was around. I hope I can offer helpful feedback here. Firstly, the greeting we got was a delayed holler from 15 feet away. The bartender seemed like she was dealing with a lot which could mean poor management. The specials written in chalk weren’t specials at all, they were just items Sol wanted to sell more of at standard price.The best way I could describe the chicken fajitas I ordered would be white people fajitas. The rice was amazing (although almost cold) but everything else was bland. If you’re losing all the color of your peppers, you’re over cooking. I’ve also never been asked to choose between ‘soft or crunchy’ tortillas for fajitas. Isn’t soft or crunchy what Taco Bell asks?? Having cute waitresses is cool but it’s deeper than that. Get some real cooks in there, don’t put too much responsibility on the FOH staff, and make the customer feel like they’re getting value on the menu. Also the menu could be smaller. It’s 2021, we have no attention span to stare at a menu more than 45 seconds.
Gary was a wonderful server. Very astute and prompt. If you come to Sol, ask for Gary!
We just had drinks but service was excellent and drinks were great. Will go back.
Server was nice but the wait for the food was not worth it… flavorless mediocre everything.. burnt fries ( and then when they brought out not burnt fries they were still raw) ….the flan was curdled and grainy texture..not creamy at all. The cookie that comes with kids meal was cold and warm..like they took it from freezer and microwaved it or toasted it for a few seconds.. no good! I love the idea of the restaurant but I am never impressed by the food. The edamame potstickers were the best part, they were actually tasty. Probably not going back. Hopefully the food gets better!
The service here is always terrible, it does not matter if there is 1 table in the restaurant or if the entire place is full. Regardless the food will take 5-10 times longer than any other restaurant (being that I have worked in a restaurant with a similar menu) as well as the servers and other staff being rude if you feel the food has taken too long or they did not check up on you enough. Also it will take around 5-10 minutes for you to be sat if they are completely empty… expect around 30-45 to pick up your food/ be sat if they are full/ half full, as well as there bathrooms being disgusting and seemingly no management. I have waited almost 3 years to post this review as the food is pretty decent but after 30-40 trips expecting new results from the same amount of overstaffed, overpriced, and under-managed experiences I will not be returning or re-ordering from this disappointing and difficult establishment. I hope anyone who sees this does the same.
Super good food wowowo we had a great experience and our waitress was awesome ! She was on the ball with everything!! But the fooooodddddd was so so so good
Honestly the food takes some time to get to you but this is the hidden gem of Athens!
Unfriendly staff, very long wait after placing order, we did not receive our appetizer, asked for ketsup and server never brought it, once order was placed we were never checked on to see how we were doing nor did the server notice how long we had been waiting for our food. It was really a shame because we were looking forward to trying a new place and experiencing the outdoor dining atmosphere and live music on the patio.
Overhyped experience, The waiters were nice but there were signs of poor management. Food came out cold, didn’t get refills for 45 minutes and the place was not that busy. The cooks and waiters seemed overwhelmed and the bartender was no help at all because she served only one table and only had a couple of people at the bar. I was going to cancel my appetizer but the waiter said that the cooks just got it done. The Appetizer came out cold so that was a lie. Disappointed
I really want to like this place. Two out of the three times Ive ordered here i have been unable to eat the food. First time the food wasnt cooked all the way. The second time I ordered a vegetarian burger and they put meat on it. When I asked for a refund or for it to be remade the waitress told me they normally would but decided not to. She gave me a 10% discount and hung up. I called back and asked for the tip to be refunded since the food was wrong and the decided not to fix it.
I’m a dasher and they made me wait 1 hour on a small order and I called to check three times and each time they said 5 more minutes. They weren’t even packed. This was so time consuming and emotionally taxing.
A friend took me to this little gem and it was wonderful. It has kind of a Key West vibe. The food was delicious. I had a pina colada bowl with shrimp. Im already planning my next trip back and I live in Columbus so its a hours drive, but well worth it. So many items on the menu I want to try. There food is not the norm that you get at most restaurants. Thats what makes it so wonderful. Its also easy to get to because its right off US-33 on State Street. So its road trip time!
Nice place with a funky vibe. I had the tilapia fish tacos. They were excellent. Not too spicy.I also had unsweetened ice tea. The server brought me a second tea before I had finished half of the first tea. She is a pro!
The food is always great, and the staff is very nice.
Service is always bad, and servers will give you an excuse why everytime. I keep giving them a try but its slow 100% of the time.Also double check your bill is correct.If you have 2 hours to wait the food is actually decent.
I waited 30 minutes for a water...I went Saturday lunchtime and the place was pretty empty. I waited about 10 minutes for a server to come out and then another 20 for my water. No apologies or sympathy from the waiter - apparently this was business as usual at Sol. The restaurant did however have great atmosphere being on the side of a very loud major roadway. Dont even bother with this place because by the time youre reading this Sol will be out of business.
So disappointed. I usually LOVE Sol but its been a while since weve gone. We arrived and its fairly slow (4-5 tables outside that all appear to have their food, and one other table plus us inside). We wait almost 15min to be greeted by our server and she brings us waters before getting our drink orders. I order a sweet tea and our food. I ordered a Miami with soup, my partner orders grilled cheese. She returns about 5 minutes later to inform me that the Miamis are pre-made every morning (ew), they are out of Cuban bread and therefor they cannot make it without mayo. She brings me a menu and says shell be back. She comes back eventually and takes my new order (just soup). Another 5min later she returns to tell us that they cannot make his sandwich either as there is no bread at all. After a total of 30min of arriving we decide to just leave and go elsewhere.
The food is good, but I wish I knew what it tastes like fresh and warm. Did takeout 3 months ago and had a terrible experience. Tried again and even though I arrived at the time provided by the online order (which was 12 minutes later than the text I received notifying me that my order was ready) I had to wait an additional 25 minutes to get my food, which judging by the looks and temperature of the food it was sitting in the back somewhere. It took 10 minutes just to get a server to stop and talk to me and I had to keep flagging and asking about my order. This is exactly the same experience as last time. I am supposed to get a $10 credit so maybe Ill try them for lunch, but not going back for dinner until they improve their service.
This is my second time here. I left a one star review about 5 months ago. We came back because we wanted to give it a second chance. Huge mistake. The service here is the absolute worst. So slow, no personality and seemed very confused about everything. The menu s pretty good but one of the worst places from a service perspective. Its soooooo slowwww here. The servers make you feel like youre an inconvenience. Its too bad because it seems like it would be a cool place.
Disappointed. Stale iced tea--twice (asked for and received a second glass, still stale), waitress in what looked like a volleyball uniform (skimpy), and my potato chips looked like the bottom of the bag. The Miami sandwich was delicious, thank goodness. Visiting with a friend that I hadnt seen since before the pandemic, I did not want to ruin our time together by complaining. It will be quite a while before we return.
Heres the thing about Sol - their food is D E L I C I O U S. Fresh, well-prepared, flavorful, and consistent. Their service is... said with affection after going pretty much weekly for almost two years... terrible. They are kind and friendly people. They care about their product and their customers. They just arent in a hurry about it. Ever. They can have a restaurant full of people, or nobody there. The service is going to be the same. Kind. Friendly. And lacking any modicum of urgency or whiff of efficiency in the smallest measure. Sooo -- go for the food and order a drink to enjoy while youre there. When either arrives (eventually they will, and usually with a smile) just remember all good things are worth the wait.
This cookie should go to the vegan hall of shame for the worst value. It doesnt look or taste like it should be $2.95.
A local restaurant with locally sourced items. Menu varies from a wide range of hamburgers to Tex-Mex style food. Parking is directly off the street on either side of the building. Staff were friendly. Food was prepared well. Flavor was good. Their dessert was not the freshest. For those concerned with Covid, they had a QR code that not only brought up the menu but allowed you to order and pay through your phone. The wait staff wore their masks 100% of the time. However the kitchen staff was not wearing masks. Tables were spaced out well.
I have been a few times now. I would give it 4 stars but the typical slow service was really, really slow on my last trip. If you have a party of 5 or more dont go. Other than slow service, the food is pretty good and has a bit of a Cuban twist I guess. A very broad menu that can satisfy kids and adults. And breakfast options are good. Some craft beers as well. A nice little place.
Very big quantities and impressively high quality of food. My dining group got the loaded kettle chips, cheesy fries, cheese curds, chimichicken bowl, half cuban, and philly mac and cheese. A bottomless beermosa and margarita was ordered.The service was alright. Nothing much more than the server delivering the food to us. But during the pandemic, what elae do you need?The food was pretty good and I would come back for more dishes. The half cuban comes with chips on the side and turned out to be an overwhelmingly large meal. But Id rather have more food than not. Plus for the price, very much worth it! An appetizer with a meal came out to about $15 after an 18% tip.
I keep going back because the food is very good, but every time i do the order is never correct and it takes forever to even get drinks. We sat and waited today over a hour for our food and there was only 2 other couples in the whole restaurant and they both got their food before us. disappointing. Can’t decide if they’re just slow or don’t care enough to get off their phones/stop talking and run food.
While the food was okay... The service was less then acceptable. While I enjoyed my bbq mac and cheese, my fathers order was messed up. While normally I would request a change or a correction of the order we didnt feel like waiting another 30 minutes just to be forgotten again by the wait staff giggling in the back with their friends.But! I will compliment their Manager. She not only took time while off the clock to talk with me, but also came to a reasonable agreement on a fair rebate due to this being a one time event (we are from out of town).If you are going to go hear either order via call ahead and carry out or when you are ready to sit down request a physical menu or youll be sitting unattended for at least 10 minutes or in the case or our table neighbor, 27 mins before they got water.
They take covid safety very seriously while still providing a welcoming atmosphere. the food is amazing, drinks are great and the service is outstanding. Alyssa remembered my usual after only being in 3 times over a couple months. highly recommend!
Not really a fan of writing bad reviews but gotta give this restaurant experience a 1 star. Server wasn’t friendly, she walked by us twice while we had empty drinks, and then served our food and walked off without asking if we were doing alright. I stopped her and asked if we could get some refills when she got a chance... then, wife took a bite of her fish sandwich and behold, all kinds of hair having out of the buns.We had to pay for the food and tip before we were served, so of course we left a good one, before all this... we left a full Sammy on the plate..
Best Cuban sandwich since Tampa.Burgers are top tier. Clean. Great service! Coffees are exquisite. Great value for exceptional food!
I went a handful of times and service was always so slow. The last time I went I waited 1/2 an hour for someone just to give me water after I was given a table. I walked out and never went back.
Had at least 15 min to half hour without any acknowledgement while waiting for a large party to be seated. There were 2 in our party.Ordered tostones as a side after placing the order for my main. Received and charged for appetizer. Server never checked after setting down our order or refilling our water, our sole beverage. Never saw a drink menu and they were promoting a bloody mary bar on their chalk board. Food was overpriced for quality and quantity, basically meh. Disappointing after the stellar letter posted on their bulletin board in the entry. Maybe their breakfasts were better
Wow. Waiter was terrible. His thumb in my food was the tastiest part of our meal. 2 full plates cleared from our table and not even a question as to whether our meals were okay. Horrible all the way around.
The food was okay we created a bowl. The size was good and the chicken was good. BUT there was only waitress working the bar, seating people, serving people and she just kept saying one second to each customer which just left everyone waiting ... to eat to be seated to check out. We waited 35 minutes for just a bill!!! Then when receiving the bill it was not even ours. I will not be returning.
Nice place good food. Having the typical wait time due to lack of workers. Training a a new. Bartender. A for effort, Ill definitely go again, food worth the visit.
Burgers were good; fajitas were not good. Service so so
Lunch today was fantastic! Good drinks and the food was wonderful. Highly recommend and will go back.
I eat there 2-3 a week, its pretty close to my work, always good food, daily specials and the online ordering for pick up is super easy
Great food! Though it may take a little longer to get your food out to you, its totally worth the wait. I had the Ultimate Burger w/ fries and my fiance had steak fajitas. It was all really good and fresh. The toppings for my burger and his fajitas were very fresh! The atmosphere inside the restaurant has a very island tropical feel. Id definitely recommend trying this place out.Added pics of other visits to SOL. Must say this has become a favorite place for us and were officially regulars. Definitely recommend!
My wife and I had the bbq pork potato chips appetizer and it was not very good. The pork was almost as tough as jerky and if there was more bbq sauce it may have been somewhat better. Our entrees were the beer battered cod wrap and the Mac n cheese with chicken tenders and marinara sauce on top. The wrap was good although you could definitely tell they use frozen fish that they just drop into the fryer. I understand it’s a small spot but fresh cod with house made beer batter would up the flavor a bunch. My wife’s Mac n cheese was good she said. In my opinion a very weird combination. Our server was the best part of the visit! She was very nice and very cool to our 3 year old. Also out of there menu the best is the cocktails! Would o go back yes. To get nice and drunk and maybe have appetizers that’s about it. Just another place in Athens with basic bar food for the most part
It was so worth it the staff was wonderful and so polite they actually took the time to talk and to get to know us and give us good suggestions. Ive lived here my whole life in this place is practically brand new not even been here before, first time and it was definitely worth it and I will definitely be going back.
I remember going here and ordering coconut shrimp and they came out completely raw. My father complained to the waiter who brought it to the chef and it still came back out raw
Awesome, very friendly service. Rice had a bit more lime then I would like, but that may be due to the Cuban style everything has. Not too many seafood options, just fish and shrimp. Overall good experience that I highly recommend. Also students of OU get a 10% discount
Giving this place a 1 is a stretch. Waited over an hour for food and it was cold. It’s ridiculous the servers won’t even make eye contact with you to check on you. Don’t waste your time and money on this bs restaurant. Alcohol is amazing tho
They are having you order with a QR code which is okay. Except, you have to checkout and pay each time. So, there is no browsing the menu with drinks and an appetizer. We followed the process, utilized the QR code, and ordered. 15 mins pass by and we had to wave down an employee to get the sodas we had ordered. In total we were there for almost 90 mins for drinks, an appetizer, meals, and a take out order for the kids. My husbands drink was empty for 30 mins and again had to flag someone down for service. We sat playing on our phones finished eating for another 30 mins waiting for our takeout order I placed when our food came to the table. The food was delicious. But great food is never a replacement for experience and efficiency. It literally feels like you are ordering online and they are just allowing you to sit there ignored. You pay gratuity when you order. So it appears they dont care how poor of service they provide since you already tipped up front based on good faith.
This place was nice, they were very accommodating for my childs allergies. The empanada was the oiliest thing I have ever eaten in my life. My husbands hamburger was too large to eat normally. The fries were wonderful. Definitely a great place to go if hungover.
Fries and chips were greasy. nachos overicrowaved and sprinkled with lots of seasonings that over powered the dish. Lettuce on Burgers was black and still had hard rib in center, burgers no flavor and not cooked to specacations. We paid our bill of $33.00 and change and got out. Going elsewhere to eat... CAUTION to all.
Pleasant atmosphere to enjoy a casual lunch. Very friendly attentive staff that makes sure everything is just right! Not having an overwhelming menu makes your selections less difficult to choose any of their tasty dishes. No beer or wine yet, but a full bar for cocktails. This was our first visit...and we will be going back!
Good food. I got the two taco platter with a chicken and pork. The pork was slightly dry but overall it was still a good meal. The Mac and cheese is delicious as was the Cuban steak. They have a lot of different choices with gluten free and vegan options as well. Staff is friendly.
On a slow Sunday I visited this place for the first time. 100% The slowest place Ive ever been. Waited at the door for about an hour before being greated or seated. Once seated i orderd drinks, a burger and appetizers. Drinks took at least 15 minutes, appetizers 30 minutes and still no other food.
Disclaimer, 4 stars is only due to the fact there is next to no Island cuisine on the menu. More of mexamirican hybrid menu. The food. Was. Delicious. I had their special enchiladas with chicken and my wife had the chimichurri chicken bowl. To reiterate, the food was outstanding. The atmosphere and pricing are perfect. I just expected to see some colorful slaws and more jerk season. No real complaints tho.
Food was bad. My burger had no flavor whatsoever. Drinks were good. Best part of the place was our waitress who was absolutely amazing.
The food is great for starters. I usually get a big fat burger and fries when we go here. The orders usually come out right the first time which is a big plus. Only gripe i have is the service. Drinks will run dry here prompting you to flag someone down or take your cup to the bar and ask for a refill. It seems the girls here are usually stretched pretty thin causing issues like this. For the service issues i deduct 1 star. Good food, fun atmosphere, occasional live musician all makes for a good time.
I really want to love this place, being from Miami... Every time we have gone since Sol opened (4-5 times) we have to wait at least 40 minutes for the food. Its never been exceptionally busy. If there is an issue in the kitchen or if orders are backed up, maybe offering some bread to your hungry customers would be an option. I also have to say that the food is only okay. Today, I ordered the breakfast sandwich with home fries. You can choose between home fries and french fries. I was fairly disappointed to see that the home fries were actually chopped up french fries, no onion or green pepper, not actual cubed potatoes, quite bland. The sandwich was fine, a little greasy. We like the uptown location better, the ambiance is better uptown, although the food isnt exceptional at either location.
Good food, fabulous vegetarian, vegan menu. Margaritas were tasty. Tried the guava rum tofu Mac & cheese, black bean burgers! Good portions, yummy fries. Music was fantastic!
We walked in right at the tail end of lunch. It took 4 or 5 minutes for someone to greet us. Once we were greeted, we asked if we could sit outside. They said no. So we got a table near the window. A server walked up and said No, dont sit them there. Sit them over here. they moved me and my friend to a different table in the middle of the restaurant. The server came to get our drink order and we ordered an appetizer. He brought them back very quickly. When he brought the appetizer over, he stood there and waited for us to take a bite. He asked if we liked it with a creepy smile. Then he left and came back a few minutes later to take our lunch order. My friend ordered the Sol Burger and the server said, You dont want to do that. So, my friend ordered a different burger. He asked the server why he recommended not to order the Sol Burger, instead of answering, the server took our menus and walked away. What followed was the weirdest, most uncomfortable 10 minutes of my life. Our server was clocking out for the day and he was cashing out his tips for his shift. Another server accused him of stealing tips and they started screaming at each other in front of all of the patrons. A manager came over and broke up the fight. We didnt know what to do. My friend asked our server for a refill on his drink a few minutes later. He filled the glass with coke and essentially slammed it down on the table. It was a very uncomfortable, awkward lunch because of the lack of civility and professionalism that the service staff exhibited. Needless to say we will not be going back to Sol.
We had a mostly good experience. My husband ordered the empanadas and they were swimming in grease but our server was great from start to finish and took the item off our bill. Everyone elses food was spot on, very good food and lots of choices. I recommend it and will go back.
Friendly staff, cool atmosphere, and great food!
On Valentines day while everywhere in Athens was packed, and the wait time was an hour. Took my girlfriend here because Ive been before. We were seated immediately, and were well taken care of by the staff.Food was amazing(I had the Cuban sandwich, she had the Mac & cheese), atmosphere was decently romantic, and there was only 2-4 other people there. Its a very good Hole in the wall restaurant, so if your thinking about trying this place, I would definitely recommend you do!
I have been to this restaurant twice now and have no plans to return. My last visit began with being ignored by three servers/hosts for about 5 minutes. There was a crowd forming at the host stand and one server came up to get numbers in a very unorganized and rude fashion. We then waited for another 25 minutes for a table for 6 while there were two tables that were clearly visibly empty. Once we were finally sat, the interactions with our server were short and rushed and we felt like a bother to her. When our food finally arrived, it was overcooked, dry, and I found two hairs in my sunrise skillet. The server did comp my meal, though not my drink, and because it took so long for our food to come I did not end up replacing my meal. While it was a busy Sunday Brunch, there is no excuse for poor management and hairy food. Great Bloody Mary bar, however!
I really want to like this place...I have been here 5 times. On weekends when it is not busy, the service is just as slow as if they were packed. The waiters / waitresses seem incompetent 75% of the time. A few weekends ago there was a 30-40 minute wait when half of the restaurant was completely open with seating. The waitresses would not meet anyone that came in (there is a sign as you walk in stating to wait to be seated). I witnesses 3 different groups of potential customers leave after waiting close to 5 minutes without any acknowledgement from any of the staff. The service from the wait staff needs immediate helping...The food is okay. Most of the food is pretty bland. The coffee and creamer are excellent (assuming your waiter / waitress ever comes back to fill up your coffee cup). The sauces they do use from time to time are very good. If this place wants to succeed, they need to address:1.) The waitstaff. They are extremely slow and seem very confused.2.) Add flavors to fairly pricy dishes. I dont mind paying, but dont want to pay for bland flavors that a child could easily make.I will be back one more time...depending on how that visit goes will dictate if I ever drop another dime on this establishment.
I ordered beer batter fish tacos and Sandy ordered a burger. The fish tacos had one small piece of frozen beer battered fish that was cut in half with one half placed in each of the two soft tacos. The fish pieces were about 1/2 an inch wide and 3-4 inches long and they put a little plain slaw on top of each piece of fish. Absolutley terrible.We waited about 25-30 minutes to get our food after waiting 30 minutes to be seated, it was getting late and we were hungry and the food arrived barely warm. Sandys burger arrived in a totally saturated, soggy bun that was inedible. She ate a little bit of the burger because we had waited to be seated for 30 minutes and then waited for the food and we were hungry. Then the waiter came by and asked how it was and we told him about the problem with the food. He said hed take Sandys burger back.He came back with just a bun and no burger. When asked why he said, well you ate some of the burger. I told him she ate some because we were starving and it was the only thing that was edible. Also the wait was so long that we thought if we waited for him to come back around, without eating anything, that it would have taken forever for them to make it right. But since he finally came around, asked how it was and after we told him it wasnt acceptable, he said, Ill take it back.Ok we thought,hed make it right. Instead he came back with just a bun. One of the stupidest things Ive ever experienced. I told him this wasnt acceptable and he said hed talk to the manager. He came back and said they wouldnt charge for the burger.The fact that the manger initially tried to solve the problem by sending out just a bun proved that he is an idiot. When I told the waiter that wasnt going to fly, the manger finally did something right but it was little consolation. The lunch experience was ruined by terrible food and terrible management. Avoid this restaurant at all costs. Cheap, lousy food and idiotic management.
Most of the food was really good. We had nachos as an appetizer, but it was regular melted cheese, it wasnt creamy. It was just dry ingredients on dry tortilla chips. But all of the other food was really good. I got a Fish Bowl, which had blackened spicy tilapia.
Bruised, rotten produce in salads, super slow service, kitchen that can’t read orders (or cook in an authentic Caribbean style), wait staff that can’t make change... it’s been years since I’ve been here and will probably end up being years before I try again. I was hoping they had the problems in the kitchen worked out this time but, nah. The maduros were really good though and the black beans were decent this time.
This is not only a great restaurant with great food and drinks, but the owner was very engaged and helpful. I have celiac disease and he was very confident in how he explained the cooking and prep area, and ensure that there was no cross contamination. Of course he couldn’t guarantee that because he did have flour in another part of the kitchen.I usually show symptoms within the hour and it is a day later and I am fine, I was able to go out and enjoy a graduation dinner with my Bobcat daughter and the rest of the family.
Mediocre food, alright restaurant. We visited multiple times over the course of a few months, starting after it opened. The food just isnt as good as it was when they started out in a buggy. It was also better when it was right into an alley uptown. Its just... not as good as it was. The waiter/waitresses are friendly, but their chefs arent as great as they were before the current location. Overall, I give it a neutral review.
Great place to get some Cuban breakfast. Would love to see some pastelitos on the menu at some point. Till then, Ill settle for the Cafe con Leche
I loved the food for special occuations during the lockdown, but I sadly dont think I can order from here any more. The service is very unreliable, theres a chance you wont get your meal or it will be cold when it arrives. They wont go out of their way to help if theres a problem either. Not worth the risk of ordering from this place during finacially difficult times. Save your money.
My son and I each ordered the Piña Colada Shrimp Bowl. The food was ok, it was basically sweet and sour shrimp with boiled shrimp instead of breaded and fried. Nothing great, but ok.I will not be returning to Sol though because the staff member who brought my food to me couldnt be bothered to wear her mask correctly. Follow the law!
Mac and cheese is amazing, chips and salsa are fresh and perfect. Staff is friendly, I always stop here for lunch when Im in Athens.
My absolute favorite restaurant of all time. Generally I dont like trying new food, Im a creature of habit, but I cant wait to try new foods here. Delicious twists on classic dishes plus their own foods. Everything Ive tried Id always incredibly delicious, I cant sing their praises enough (I recommend this restaurant so much I have been accused of being on their payroll... Im not, haha). Try this response, you wont sorry
Im so glad we stopped by at this place. The food was great and the drinks even BETTER!. The building needs an urgent remodeling but the friendly staff and the menu make for it. Were definitely going back.
Experience from a Doordash driver that contracts with Sol:They are not able to keep on time with delivery times leading to cold food from unfortunate orders that are paired with Sol orders.It is really unfortunate they are not considerate of the Doordash employees time they contract with, or the other customers quality of experience using the service.If you order Sol, expect a wait!
Coconut shrimp and Pina coladas!
Im sure the food is good if they could ever get it to you, most things are not available because they ran out. Weve tried to like this place, both times we have had a horrible experience. If you want to wait a hour for your food go here, dont want ketchup this is your place. Not to mention you can opt to have hour old fries because the fryer shuts down early. They can make a good jameson and coke, ill give them that. 😊
Such incredible flavors! I got the Sol burger and my wife got the Island Hopper, and both tasted great. The Sol was simply a flavor explosion.Good service, even in the midst of a partial Covid shutdown.
Weve been several times, and every time except today has been fantastic. Great service, the food is awesome, I wish the draft beer selection was better (this IS Athens after all), never have to wait for a table... Until today... Its Brew Week in Athens. Sol has advertised in all of the publications. People are out eating and drinking. On top of it all, its Tuesday. TACO TUESDAY! And some idiot manager only had 2 servers on duty. Half of the tables were empty but we were told it would be a 45 minute wait because they didnt have anyone to serve us. We walked out. They lost a $100+ tab. I really hope something terrible didnt happen to cause the situation, but if it was just lack of planning then someone should be fired.
Talked this place up to my friends, however this most recent experience just made me look bad for reccomending them. Over half the tables were empty but our food took over an hour and came out cold so they must be understaffed but their lame excuse for serving us cold food was they were out of avocado. Our server was over eager about upselling exepensive cocktails so much so you would think they are making commission. Also we sat near the back and heard employees very loudly very rudely discussing customers. Sadly although I have eaten here for years because the food is usually good this isnt the first time I have had similar experiences. If the owner reads this I would recommend reevaluating some business practices and employees.
We have really tried to love this place - Weve been there about 7 times in the past few years, and each time is the exact same. We have to wait nearly an hour for our food. Our waitress doesnt come back until the food is ready (45 mins), so we never get a refill on our coffee for our wait. Additionally, we have to wait another 15 minutes to get our bill after we finish eating. The past few times weve had to go up to the bar to pay because no one brought us our bill in a timely manner. No matter how good the food is, the service brings down the whole experience. This time, our waitress had bar stamps on her hands, which takes about two seconds to wash off, so its slightly concerning that she is handeling our food.We really enjoy their breakfast, and their coffee & cream is delicious! Just wish our service was better.
A college town version of Cuban food. Not authentic necessarily but also not in a bad way. Great option for vegetarians... Both tofu and Jack fruit available. Great beer options on tap and in bottles /cans.
Stopped here w a friend, about 4 pm. Only a few people in place. Got menus, ordered drinks. I had the fish tacos. Fish was marinated in I think soy sauce, lightly grilled. Flavorful and flaky. 3 flour totrillas, plus salsa, rice and greens. Very good. My friend had the bid your own taco bowl w pulled pork. The pork was absolutely fall apart tender. Would definitely come back again
Great food! I loved the desert I had. It was like a special seasonal Carmel cheesecake. Our waitress was really nice. Overall great prices and great service!
Excellent menu. Unfortunately I always go for the Cuban. The other dishes that my children cant finish are good too. Get the Cuban though.
Underwhelming food. Service is horrible. Walls are painted terribly. Everything about that place seems thrown together cheaply. I was expecting it to stand out but once again its another mediocre local athens spot that gets undeserving praise from locals.
How have I missed this place all my years here?? Bigger than it looks on the outside. Great food & service; well definitely be back.
Great food n spirits... Was able to sit groups of 10 or more.Great service!
Delicious margarita and yummy food!
An awesome little place to take a break and sample some good food and drinks. Interesting American, Caribbean and Central American fusion menu. If you see Sierra say hi. 😘 They have a liquor license but its strictly BYOBowl for ice cream if you want some with their killer chocolate cake. 🙂
Expansive vegetarian menu (great) lacking flavor (bad.) Wait staff service has generally been only okay. Badly lit, and severely out of place, given its theme combined with the East State Street location (building used to be a biker bar.) Not sure what happened, but the new Sol location bears no resemblance to the old Court Street one, which was really quite good.
I’ve been here few times. The food is good, but it takes too much time to get your orders.So, if you’re in a hurry, don’t come to this place!
Definitely going to have to come here more often. Food is always amazing, service is just as great! The food is always cooked to order, huge portions, and quick. Would recommend to anyone.
Such a great place for take-out or sit-in for traditional dining. Broad menu, very consistent and delicious. Appreciate the wonderful Sol crew who made Sol take-out super easy and safe during Covid-19.
Waited over 45 minutes for our food. Food came out at different times, for the 3 of us. Last food that came out was cold. The pulled pork also had not sauce on it. My salad dinner came out wrong as well.All 3 of us left hungry and out $33.
This place isnt terrible but it isnt great. Alright food.
I always have a good time here, its like cuba met margarittaville. Its a real good place to have lunch!
The food here is amazing and always delicious. I just wish the servers were more attentive. This place has the absolute worst customer service. My food has always been great but otherwise the service is terrible
Empanadas, eggrolls, and cuban sandwich are awesome.
Tried to order empanadas on a Wednesday lunch to be told they were out because they sold them the night before.. wouldnt you think they would make more? We got a Cuban sandwhich that was somehow grilled but still cold in the middle and cheese wasnt even melted. Also got the pork wings which were 3 tough pork chunks with bones and minimal sauce for $10. I wouldnt go here again if it was free. Please spend your money elsewhere and support local business that actually tries.
Great salads friendly caring staff
Was a nice Cuban restaurant with original choices. Now the selection is typical Athens bar food. So sad the menu changes. We have enough burger and wrap places in Athens. We didn’t need another.
We were looking for a place with outdoor seating as we’re still trying to social distance. We chose Sol. We were seated quickly. We waited for about 20 minutes and never saw a server so we left. I doubt we’ll be back.
Ive only walked out of a restaurant 3 times in my life, Sol owns 2 of them. Todays experience involved a great start. Then after waiting 25 minutes on dessert, here comes the owners daughter. After slamming her plate on the table and yelling across the restaurant at the waitress saying tell them their morons and learn to make a fu***ng salad the next ten minute wait was less pleasant so we paid and ran as fast as we can. We have a 2 try policy in our house, first restaurant in my life to get the boot. Order to go, the food is fine.PS. First time walk out was a typical 40 minutes wait without service, no biggy, it happens.
Really good food with a awesome atmosphere
Good food! Friendly staff.
Not great but not bad. About half full capacity if that and food and drinks were a bit slow. Good tasting food but nothing special. Friendly wait staff. Nice that its open early, thats the only reason we stopped at all.
Food was Great ....... But got are apoetizer after our meal and never seen the waitress until again untill she brought our bill ..... Four empty drinks halfway through the meal.
They were great. Placed a online order went to pick it up and they did not receive it. They went above and beyond on getting what I needed.
The mac-n-cheese was very tasty. I had the Philly Mac. The house margarita hit the spot. The salsa was a little too mild, but otherwise a good salsa.
The food is amazing. I really like the food. The service is amazing, the multiple times Ive been at Sol on state street and in that little alley with the cool lights. The only thing I have to say is that the guy who manages the restaurant seems to yell at his waitresses in front of us sometimes. It really makes the meal and my experience sad when I see that the waitresses are doing a great service and we enjoy it but the management seems to be unhappy about it. I think the servers deserve better? The guy manager seems to be angry at his servers, but Ive been here with my parents and on separate occasions with my friends when the restaurant is busy and the waitresses are courtesous and tell us if the food is taking long. We love Sol but that one guy seems angry and mad all the time.
I was told by the waitress that the sandwiches are pre-made and cannot be altered. I asked for no mayo and they couldnt do that.
Good drinks and apps at reasonable prices, plus friendly servers. Hard to beat.
Best sit down restaurant in Athens, service is great makes you feel at home. Right when I walked in I was greeted and seated, I got my food in no time and it was spectacular. Great prices great people. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
I love having their breakfast and bloody Marys! Its such a unique and special place to eat. The staff is always friendly. Never had something we didnt like!!
I really want to like this place but upon the third try the service is still awful. The wait is always LONG, never enough waitresses, and you will sit at your table waiting for food for an hour or more. It’s been two years of trying and nothing has changed.
Sol restaurant in Athens Ohio..Just tried the restaurant and Im/we are super disappointed.Got a Mahi Mahi mesquite fish dip that was actually tuna.... doused with hickory smoke.At a price of $8.95 for the appetizer served with prepackaged Zesta saltines.Also got their CHEDDAR cheese curds... which was ACTUALLY mozzarella at a price about the same.... I brought it up to our sweet server who responded that she didnt know because she had never eaten it.I then asked if I could have a piece of paper to leave a note.... and she instructed me to on the bill.I also left my name and number after stating nicely that we were served bait and switch menu ingredients.... to which I have yet to receive a phone call....To me- screams that I/we were right.0 stars my friends. Avoid paying for high dollar items when you are served a can of tuna and fake cheese.👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻First time I didnt finish nor take home the food that I thought I was buying.
Great little place.The food was delicious. Wonderful gluten free food options too.
Really great food! Thought that they were understaffed due to Moms weekend. But the service that they had was fantastic
Sol is a great restaurant. The food is amazing. My only complaint is the recent changes to some food items like the bbq pulled pork sandwich. But other than that I recommend giving this place a try.
Kitchen is really S L O W. Waitresses are typically good and food quality is average to better.
Great food and drinks and service !
Think they just microwaved the food, because it was so fast. It was good food. Try the special ice cream!! The guy I ordered from didnt even know it was on the menu. Was really good!
Had a pickup order that was just an appetizer and was told 15-20 min. I get there at the 20 min mark and call then proceed to wait another 20 min after I call for the curbside pickup….
Unfortunately, our order was incorrect and upon picking up the food we were not even given all of the incorrect order. In addition, once we began eating we discovered it was inedible. The place looks cute though.
I found Sol to be pleasant with warm decor and a menu not previously available in Athens, but not remarkable. My ropa vieja was good but not quite up to par with what Ive had elsewhere. The side of black beans could have benefited from additional seasoning. Perhaps it was a temporary problem but the day I went the interior temperature was so high my dining companion and I were sweating, making for an uncomfortable dining experience.
The food was absolutely phenomenal!!! 10/10 would recommend. Great service and a great atmosphere
The food was good but there was only 1 waitress and she did her best! They dont do trivia anymore which is disappointing!
Extremely slow and sporadic service. This is for the new Sol on E State ... The waitress did not take care of us, we had to ask for everything twice and she just seemed very disconnected from our needs and unavailable most of the time we were there. The food was decent ... nothing to write home about and very small portions, especially for the price. I had the vegetarian omelette which was supposed to come topped with fresh cilantro .. there were a few very small sprinklings of green leafy stuff crumpled up on top, hard to tell what it was exactly, too little to even taste. Besides that it was small and rather flat. The biscuit was exceptionally good, but I was almost finished with my omelette by the time our waitress brought it out to me, after having asked for it a second time. Then she brought a couple little packs of butter when I was almost finished with my biscuit. Never offered drink refills .. we only got one refill and that was after mine had sat empty for some time and had to ask for that. Our waitress served our food with my empty glass sitting there on the table and I had to ask her for a refill. She never came back to ask how everything was or if we needed anything else, just in a hurry to get away from the table and go back into hiding or whatever/wherever she was. There was only one other table in the restaurant the entire time we were there and there were plenty of staff milling about. No excuse for this shoddy service.
Great food and very friendly people. Well go back for sure.
NOT DIGGIN IT. We made reservations for lunch on day. Our reservation was confirmed several days ahead. When we arrived no reservation and absolutely no compassion from the manager. Thankfully my niece graduated from Ohio U so we never have to return.
The food was ok and someone at our table got a cold meal...GM did take it off the bill
The staff is so kind, patient, and professional! The food is outstanding, especially the grilled cheese and mac and cheese for when you need that good old comfort food.
At east state street location. Poorly ran establishment. Very slow. The food was not anything to get excited about. Will not be back!
Maybe 2.5? You have about a 50/50 chance of getting the right order. And another 50/50 chance of the food being cold. When its right, and at least warm, its not bad.
Excellent food, especially the cheese curds and chicken quesadilla. Nice waitresses as well
Such delicious food and drinks! They were very good at keeping to COVID regulations as well. Staff was wonderful and delightful. Go here!
Everytime Ive been there the kitchen cant keep up with the demand. Good food though otherwise.
I discovered this place about a year ago and it is now, hands down, my favorite restaurant in Athens. I consider myself a foodie, and Im not sure how I survived so long without trying it out. I try to get something different each time I go, and every single thing I have tasted there has been phenomenal. It is small, so reservations are a good idea, however I have never had a problem getting a seat. Staff is also very laid back, friendly, and efficient.
Food was delicious, drinks were great and the service was A+
I never do reviews. Horrible wait for food. It took 45 minutes to get an egg sandwich and the sol breakfast. Dont understand what takes so long to get breakfast food out to customers and it wasnt overly busy. If I could I would give this zero stars.
Large varied menu. Food was very mediocre - fish tacos and the curry dish. I am not a picky restaurant-goer but it was very bland for the price ($$). Its BYOB and you are offered glasses, but then charged $1.50 for each unknowingly. Inquired about the glass charge and did not receive an answer. Service (both times Ive been here) was not pleasant and sporadic.
Food was excellent! Love the fact the everything is locally sourced.
I am somewhat of a picky eater, so trying something different was a little scary for me. I had never had Cuban food before, and my boyfriend surprised me by taking me to Sol for a quiet dinner. What a phenomenal experience. We started off with the Chips & Salsa, which were unique, and offered a wide palette of flavors. Next came the House Salad, mine with an unforgettable Creamy Parmesan Garlic sauce. By the time my entree came, I didnt think the food could get any better.. I was wrong. I ordered a creamy pasta, made with Snowville milk, an array of spices, and tofu.. I wish I could remember the name of the dish because it was truly magnificent.. To top off the great food, our server, most likely the manager, was incredible. She was so friendly, had a vast knowledge of the food, and truly understands hospitality.. I have never been so pleased with service in Athens, OH. ... The food is also very well-priced, considering what you get. Thank you so much. I will be coming back as much as I can!
One of the few places in town for mixed drink cocktails, great twist on American favorite macaroni and cheese, shaved coconut shrimp and chorizo burgers fresh and local supplier.
My go to local eatery. Favorite in the menu is the fish taco. Great food selection...never had anything off the menu I didnt like.
Love this restaurant, vegetarian options are never lacking in flavour, drinks are great as well. One of my favourite places to eat in Athens.
Sad to have to rate it at only a 3 out of 5 because the food can be excellent. However the service is almost always way too slow and the food is inconsistent.
Our server, Quinn, was fun and attentive! Love the food, service, and atmosphere. Will be our new regular spot.
Ordered a diet Pepsi, received a cocktail. Ordered black bean soup, received COLD black bean soup.
Great food, beer selection is great, cocktails are over priced, service is good, food price is average for people sizes. Definitely will go back again.
Our food was absolutely delicious! Perfect portions and amazing flavor. Our waitress was super friendly!
Went in on Sunday for breakfast sat was not busy about Four tables received our menus and a glass of water thats when the service stopped. Ten minute s later still no service went to bob evans
Cubanos are my favorite and I have tried them all over the country. The cubano that I had at Sol rates right up there with the ones from south Florida.
Chop bowl not worth the price….got only a couple pieces of lettuce.
Very good bar tender. Did not get to try the food. Front patio slopes excessively.
Food was excellent, service superb. Will definitely go back given the choice.
Great Supreme margarita and terrible Loaded nachos, way overcooked, should have sent them back.
I had to wait outside in the car cuz my family didnt want me going inside with my double cup. I am shamed. But the parking lot is still pretty dope though. Bless you Sol!
Very tasty and nice atmosphere
Perfect brunch meal and cozy atmosphere. Attentive staff. Wish I lived closer to enjoy more often!
A special place. Always good food, good service and adult beverages that cant be beat.
The Cuban sandwich is delicious. Atmosphere is relaxing. Can get in, order, eat, and be out within an hour at lunchtime.
Pretty good food, but the service is typically very slow. If you are in no rush, this is a great place!
Prepare for a wait due to the size of the place but the food is incredible! The Cuban is phenomenal and their weekend bloody mary bar selection is extensive!
Ive only been here for breakfast, but Ive always been very happy with my food. Get the Cuban toast for sure.
Awesome food I get the ultimate burger medium rare with pepper jack and it’s literally the best burger I’ve ever had
Great vegetarian & vegan options, drinks are always delicious and staff members are generally friendly. Great atmosphere.
Ohhh i tell you what man, i havent eaten here cus im just a delivery driver but the smell of their fooooooddd 🤤🤤🤤🤤
Love the atmosphere. I felt I was near the beach. Music was an awesome mix of country and reegae. The burger was bomb.
Very good variety of Cuban inspired food. Great portions. Their Ropa Veja is amazing!
Love the atmosphere and music. Food and drinks were awsome. Bartender very friendly!! Would come back for sure!
Waiting staff was very friendly, food was great.
Total reviews rating 4
199 Reviews for Sol Island Bar and Grill 2023:
Review №1
2022-04-15We had the Cuban sandwich, a salad, avocado “fries”, chicken fajitas. Service was great. Food was good. Location is on busy State Street but outdoor patios are rare in this town so it was nice to sit outside on a nice day. Inside also nice & cozy. Umbrellas on tables outside would be nice. Prices decent too. I liked the menu a lot. Vegan & Vegetarian options too.
Review №2
2021-11-24Cubano. What a great find! An easy to miss family owned restaurant and bar in an area overrun with chain restaurants. The place is island 🏝 and Cuban themed throughout with it’s decor. The food is fresh, local and appeared to be made fresh daily. The bar is a small but the drinks were good and a little strong in a good way. I love a scratch made margarita and theirs was great! The place was not very busy the night we were there so we had extremely attentive service but I suspect that the service is usually friendly and prompt. I think my favorite thing was the photos of Hemingway, Havana and the island life.
Review №3
2022-06-05Im new to the area. Ate here and it was so good I came back the next day to try something else. Ive tried 4 entrees now and everything has been flavorful, interesting, and cooked perfectly. Highly recommend this place. Relieved to find theres food this good here. I had serious trouble finding a full menu online, so posting pics of it here (sorry about the glare.)
Review №4
2021-07-06First time here. It was so good. Very clean and very cool place. Dine or outside. And takeout. Food...awesome.My husband said this is best burger I have had in a long time. My wrap was just as good. A great vegan choice. Hand cut fries and locally made foods. We love places like this. Will definitely be back. Great service.
Review №5
2022-05-17Very cool local restaurant. Their is signage that says they try to locally source their ingredients when they can. The hand-cut fries were good and the chorizo burger was very interesting. Also tried the fried fish platter and it was delicious. The building has indoor and outdoor seating. The wait staff was very friendly. I enjoyed my experience, would definitely consider eating here again.
Review №6
2022-01-30Pretty reliably the best burgers we have found in the area so far. The mushroom swiss burger is our favorite & always delicious!
Review №7
2022-02-26Ive lived in the area for years and have stopped in to Sol a few times without ever finding a favorite dish. I tried them again recently and had a hamburger, not exactly the first thing that comes to mind in a place like this, and found it to be really good. This is my new go to spot for a non-fast food burger in town. The BBQ bacon burger is loaded with bacon, and the sauce is perfect.
Review №8
2022-03-02Pina colada shrimp bowl!!!Mini Key Lime pie!!!And amazing sweet tea!!!This place is my new favorite for in town Athens.
Review №9
2022-05-05The food was nice - I especially enjoyed the fries! What impressed me the most was their team, though. My car wouldnt start and while my husband and I tried to fix it, one team member tried to help us, and everyone else I spoke with was very, very kind. Will definitely go back and try more food there!
Review №10
2022-03-26If you want something different, this place it. Typically everything is good. We go here pretty often. If it was too bad we wouldnt go that much. Food is really good, waiters/waitresses are usually nice as well. Its a nice change to all the normal places.