faq

Where are you located?

We are in Palo Alto, California... In the heart of Silicon Valley. We are just walking distance off Stanford Campus... 22 miles south of San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Headed to the Guild Theatre, Frost Amphitheater, Bing Concert Hall? We are just a short Uber/Lyft away with a huge parking lot/garage behind us...

Also, remember us for before or after (maybe even during?) any Stanford Cardinal home games!

We are a little over 12 miles to Levi Stadium's ... And for those of you (like us!), fans of Bay Area FC Women's national soccer, headed south to a game? Maybe we are on the way?

Should I Make a Reservation?

We accept a limited number of reservations as we try to keep ourselves walk-in friendly.

* You are welcome to call to request your booking. (650) 326-7762 (press zero to bypass the system & speak with a real person during open business hours...)

* Or use our online portal (hint: "online" only allows a max of 6 guests, requires 18 hours minimum notice, call us if you don't see what you want, same goes for many restaurants ;)

CLICK FOR ONLINE RESERVATION LINK

We open at Noon (yes, open for lunches finally) Tuesday - Saturday. The kitchen closes at 9 PM on T/W/Th and 9:30 PM on F/S.

We'd Like to Come in With a Large Party, Ok?

Thank you for thinking of us! We typically don't book more than 8-12 guests for sit-down dinner? Anything larger, please call one of our manager's and they are happy to see if we have wiggle room for a larger group (or email mod@labodeguita.com)

CUBAN CORRAL/FRONT STREET: Noon - 5 PM "Street Meet" all one tab, 30 people max, picnic tables & firepits out front... advance booking only during cold season)

DIVAN/BACK PATIO EVENTS: 5-8 PM "Appetizer/Cocktail Party" 20-25 (30 Max), light or heavy apps, all on one tab...

Email mod@Labodeguita.com for more info

Can We Do a "Buyout?"

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer full restaurant buyouts at this time.

Is Parking Easy to Find?

Yes, immediately behind the restaurant, Yes, immediately behind the restaurant. Picking up to-go is easier by walking in through the back patio. If you are joining us for seated dining, please walk around to the front entrance... Remember at peak hours, our neighborhood has multiple parking garages.

If you are interested in alternate transportation, 'California Avenue' CalTrain station is just a few blocks down.
Also, the VTA bus (22 line) stops at California Avenue at El Camino, and we are just 3 businesses off El Camino.

Arriving via Uber or Lyft? Perhaps you want to use the address for the Citibank next to us (3 doors down)? 2401 El Camino Real (... Cal Ave is currently closed to cars out front so the bank lot is easier for the ride share apps to get in and out... We have a huge parking lot with a rear entrance BEHIND us but the robots don't always find it as fast as the humans :)

Do You Have Happy Hours?

They’re all happy here (wink, wink)!

We have finally relaunched our
"Cuban Social Hours"
with good neighborly deals...

Tuesdays - Saturdays from Noon - 5PM (yes, noon! We all need more happy)

We have our CSH menu in additional to our full traditional menu.

Can you please explain your 'operational surcharge'?

Valued Guest and Friend of La Bodeguita.

Thank you for your interest in our 'operational surcharge' policy.

The restaurant industry is in the midst of a perfect storm, with reduced capacity and massive business disruption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with dramatically rising costs across our business ecosystem, including food and beverages, supplies, and services (laundry, cleaning, and packaging, for example). Recent mandates regarding employee wages, benefits, and healthcare coverage have further impacted our operational costs.

We face a dilemma over how to maintain the quality of our food, service, and atmosphere you enjoy and have come to expect. As you are probably aware, many restaurants in Palo Alto and beyond have closed their doors in the face of these challenges, which is not an option we wish to contemplate, but if we are to remain open and sustainable, we must find a way to cover our increased costs.

We have deemed it necessary to implement a surcharge, which will help us continue to provide the high-quality food, welcoming hospitality, and value you expect. At the same time, it will allow us to continue to provide the best possible working environment for our staff.

This surcharge is not a gratuity or tip for our service staff. Instead, it will help to offset the extraordinary cost increases that we are experiencing across our operations.

By adding a surcharge, we will be able to offer you the consistent menu you deserve. And, because we won’t have to change prices constantly, we won’t need to do the associated menu reprints or website updates—wasteful and time-consuming activities that strain our limited resources.

It remains our top priority to provide a consistently excellent experience for the customers and community we have served for over 27 years—an experience we hope you will continue to enjoy.

As always, we appreciate your patience and support.

La Bodeguita del Medio

#Since1997

Will I Get Carded?

If you have the good fortune to look 30 or younger, you are likely to be carded, so please bring a valid ID. If you are from out of state, we may require a second form of ID. If you are from outside the United States, we require a passport (foreign driver’s licenses are not valid for alcohol consumption or tobacco purchases). We will not accept paper extensions or mutilated identification.
Please don’t be angry about this, be flattered.
(And be glad that we’re serious about not serving underage patrons!)

Am I Allowed to Bring an Animal Inside?

We all love our pets, however, unless your animal is a service dog,
we will not allow any animals inside our restaurant, bar, divan and/or back patio.
(not even pet monkeys or cockatoos :)

We happily allow well behaved dogs at the sidewalk tables in front of the restaurant,
and we are happy to provide filtered house water for them. Just ask!

Can You Accommodate My Gluten-Free Diet? What About Food Allergies?

We do have quite a few gluten-free choices on our menu. Please notify your server or a manager when you arrive and they will go through the menu options with you. We will do our absolute best to respect allergy notifications. However, if you have a severe allergy to items on our menu, please be aware that, due to proximity, there is the possibility of exposure to such allergens.

Do I Have to Come in To Purchase a Gift Certificate?

No, you can buy from our website and either schedule an email delivery or print on your own! If you would prefer us to snail mail something, please contact MOD@LaBodeguita.com

Do You Offer Vegetarian & Vegan Items?

Some of our most popular dishes are vegetarian or vegan!
Croquetas are a staff favorite, along with our super-popular Impossible TM Cuban Hash...

Great news, all of our year round cocktails are vegan too!

Do You Have High Chairs or Booster Seats?

We do not. However, we have a variety of child-friendly pillows (soft and cozy, anything spills, they easily just go in the wash, no stress...)

We love seeing families enjoying La Bo! We welcome all ages...

If you are bringing in a little one, please let us know in advance and we will do our best re: your seating...
You are welcome to bring your own seating 'assistance'...

Also, please tell us in advance if you plan to bring a stroller, and we will help to create more space for your visit :)

May I Bring in A Bottle of Wine?

You are more than welcome to bring that special bottle of wine and enjoy it here.
We have a corkage fee of $30 per 750 ml bottle and a three-bottle limit per group.

Please keep in mind that we will not allow outside beers or liquors and we do not offer bottle service.

Can We Order Food to Go?

Absolutely! You can order for pick-up directly from our website without having to go through a 3rd party.
.

HINT: Parking is easier there and you avoid the crowds.
Please enter from the back parking lot.
Also, we are happy to deliver to your car, just let us know.

Raining? Call when you arrive (back parking lot) and we can bring to your car under a bright yellow umbrella :)

Do You Cater?

Please reach out and let us know what you have in mind... BOH@LaBodeguita.com

Can We Bring a Birthday Cake or cupcakes? Do You Offer Anything?

Yes and yes. You may bring your own dessert (cake, cookies, cupcakes...) Note: we have a dessert fee of $5 per person if you’d like to enjoy your sweets here.

If we know there is a birthday, we are happy to offer a complimentary dessert — usually our famous (and delicious) key lime tart.

Can I Bring in Food and Drinks from Outside La Bodeguita? Pizza Delivery? Chinese Take-Out? What About My Own Water Bottle?

Sorry, we do not allow guests to bring in food or beverages, including water, from outside.

We are happy to offer complimentary house filtered/still water for you to enjoy while you’re here.

(Full, unopened wines and birthday desserts are the only exceptions and involve a fee. Thank you so much for your understanding.)

Can I Get a Copy of A Past Receipt?

If you need a copy of a receipt, the person whose name appears
on the card needs to be the person submitting the request.

Please email mod@labodeguita.com for assistance.

NOTE: Our records are kept off site.
We will do our best to obtain your copy within 7-10 business days.

Can I Prepay for Friends Who Will Be Coming in Soon?

We hate to create a hassle, but we are no longer able to simply
accept credit card information over the phone (we miss the old days too!).
We can send you the form and we are pleased to assist in whatever you want to arrange.
If you are pre-paying for alcohol, the purchase will not be approved until the guests' ages are verified.

HINT: Might be easier to buy an online gift card and text/email the recipient?