La Bodeguita Del Medio – Spanish
Stepping into this vibrant sanctuary feels like a spirited escape to Old Havana, where the air is perfumed with the irresistible aroma of garlic-laced mojo and slow-roasted pork. Golden-brown empanadas and crisp potato croquetas offer a satisfying crunch that gives way to savory, traditional fillings, while bright plates of citrus-cured ceviche and zesty crab cakes bring a refreshing coastal energy to the table. It is a lively, rhythmic space where the warmth of Caribbean hospitality invites guests to linger over rich bowls of black bean soup and shared plates of garlicky shrimp.
463, South California Avenue, Palo Alto +16503267762 https://www.labodeguita.com/0Cuisine: Spanish
Price range: $$
Dietary options: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, low-carb, high-protein, keto, pescatarian, diabetic, heart-healthy, plant-based, low-fat, mediterranean, whole30, paleo, sugar-free, low-sodium, anti-inflammatory, south-beach, clean-eating, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, atkins, weight-watchers, volumetrics, tlc, detox, alkaline, raw-food, aip, mayo-clinic, slow-carb, pegan, candida, macrobiotic, lectin-free
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Friday
- 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM
- Monday - Thursday
- 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
- Friday - Saturday
- 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Menu
Starters
- Pork Empanadas - $17.4: House-made pork picadillo turnovers, chilis, cheese, black bean salsa, cabbage slaw, coconut/jalapeño sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Camarones con Mojo - $17.2: Spicy sauteed shrimp, piquillos, garlic, habanero peppers, cuban style toasts Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Pan Roasted PEI Mussels - $17.6: Sautéed in cuban table oil, garlic, sour orange, soy pan sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Carb, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Atkins, South-Beach
- Potato Croquetas - $14.6: Potato fritters, aged manchego cheese, pimenton, chives, tamarind-smoked jalapeno BBQ sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Shrimp Ceviche - $17.2: Black beans, habanero, red onion, coconut milk, fresh key lime juice, cilantro Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Raw-Food, Slow-Carb
- Crab Cakes - $17.8: Crab, JO #1 spice, roasted corn salsa, avocado-cilantro pesto, sofrito sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Cuban Black Bean Soup - $8.8: Spanish onion, parsley Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb
- Chicken Empanadas - $18.4: Turmeric crusted, shredded chicken, mushrooms, spinach, chilis, aged manchego, chive crema Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free
Salads
- Yesica Salad - $11.4: Mixed greens, roasted shaved corn & pepper salsa, black beans, carrots, radish, citrus-cumin vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic
- Palmitos Salad - $14.6: Frisee, radicchio, hearts of palm, ruby red grapefruit, sugar cane walnuts, avocado, lime vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Raw-Food, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic
- Raw Slaw - $8.8: Shaved green cabbage, carrots, cilantro, smoked paprika vinaigrette, jalapeños Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Weight-Watchers, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Raw-Food, Volumetrics, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb, Pegan, Candida
- Plantain Crusted Goat Cheese - $16.4: Arugula, radicchio, toasted pepitas, sultanas, aged sherry vinaigrette Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Volumetrics, Mayo-Clinic
Main Courses
- 1 Pound Bindle of BBQ Ribs - $29.2: Guava bbq sauce, fried yuca, spicy ketchup, raw slaw, MHS aioli Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Tierra Y Mar - $31.8: Grilled marinated skirt steak, coconut crusted shrimp, sofrito mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, avocado-cilantro pesto Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Pork Masitas - $27.8: Slow-braised pork shoulder, white rice, black beans, pickled red onions, spicy pork demi-glaze Dietary tags: High-Protein, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Ropa Vieja - $31.4: Shredded skirt steak, peppers, tomatoes, chilis, spiced yellow rice, sofrito sauce, maduros Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Caribbean Curry - $26.2: Turmeric yellow curry, spinach, carrots, yuca, red sweet peppers, coconut milk, chilis, laurel-scented white rice Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, Mayo-Clinic
- Arroz Con Pollo - $26.8: Oven-roasted chicken, spiced yellow rice, sweet platanos maduros, pollo braising sauce, roasted sofrito sauce Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
- Impossible Savory Cuban Picadillo Hash - $27.6: Plant-based hash, roasted tomatoes, chilis, sultanas, capers, olives, black beans, laurel rice, braised purple cabbage Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Mayo-Clinic
- Paella Cubana - $68.2: Shrimp, chicken, chorizo, mussels, yellow rice, shellfish stock, petit pois, olives, piquillo peppers Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free, Clean-Eating
- Seafood Ajiaco - $74.8: Lobster tails, black mussels, clams, shrimp, yuca, plantain, spicy tomato bisque, laurel rice Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber
- Pan-Seared Snapper - $31.8: Ajiaco-spice dusted snapper, boniato mash, braised baby purple cabbage, roasted garlic-citrus compound butter, cilantro oil Dietary tags: High-Protein, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Clean-Eating
Sandwiches
- Chicharrones De Pollo Sandwich - $18.4: Buttermilk fried chicken, spicy MHS aioli, brioche bun, raw slaw Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Cubano Sandwich - $18.4: Acme sourdough, roasted pork, ham, dill pickle, swiss, spicy dijon, side salad Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Pulled Pork Sandwich - $18.4: Guava bbq sauce, pickled red onions, jalapenos, spicy slaw, MHS aioli, pimenton vinaigrette Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwich - $18.4: Brioche bun, pickled onions, slaw, side salad Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free
- Shrimp Po' Boy Sandwich - $18.4: Buttermilk crispy shrimp, slaw, brioche bun, MHS aioli, side salad Dietary tags: High-Protein, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Black Bean Burger - $18.4: Housemade black bean patty, pepper-jack cheese, dijon-pickle brine aioli, pickled red onions, brioche bun, side salad Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber
Pasta
- Pasta Verde - $26.2: Spinach, squash, petit pois, avocado, asparagus, aged manchego, avocado-cilantro butter sauce, pimenton oil Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free, High-Fiber, Mayo-Clinic
- Short Person Pasta - $8: Plain pasta with cheese Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Sugar-Free
Sides
- Platanos Maduros - $8: Sweet, ripe plantains Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Alkaline
- Crispy Yuca - $8: Fried yuca with house ketchup Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol
- Marinated Olives - $7.4: House citrus and spice blend, orange zest Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Diabetic, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Sugar-Free, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Detox, Alkaline, AIP, Mayo-Clinic, Slow-Carb, Pegan, Lectin-Free
- Mariquitas Plantain Chips - $8.8: Thinly sliced plantains, black bean salsa Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Sugar-Free, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol
- Cuban Table Oil (250ml) - $13.8: Signature orange oil
- Black Bean Meatballs - $8: Roasted red pepper sofrito Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, Sugar-Free, South-Beach, Clean-Eating, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Mayo-Clinic, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb
Desserts
- Havana Bananas - $15.4: Caramelized bananas, spiced walnuts, cinnamon, caramel sauce, vanilla gelato Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Pescatarian
- Cuban Flan - $9.4: Traditional house recipe, dark caramel Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Mr. Johnson’s Chocolate Rum Cake - $13.6: Dark Callebaut chocolate sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Key Lime Tart - $13.4: Key lime custard, graham cracker crust, guava berry coulis Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Nut-Free, Pescatarian
- Fiorello's Sorbet - $8.8: Rotating flavors like blood orange, pineapple, or coconut Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol
- Carajillo - $15.4: Espresso, Licor 43, turbinado sugar rim
Beverages
- Mojito - $17.8: Bacardi Limon, mint, sugar, lemon, lime, soda
- Zacapa Manhattan - $17.6: Zacapa 23 rum, Carpano Antica, bitters, Luxardo cherry
- Mezcalito - $17.8: Mezcal, basil syrup, lemon, lime, tajin rim
- Paloma - $16.8: Cazadores reposado, grapefruit juice, sugar cane syrup, lime, soda
- Sangria - $16.8: Wine, rum, fresh fruit
- Estrella Galicia Draught - $7.8: Spanish Lager