Besides dining at the Y when on vacation I like trying out local eateries. In general I found the food at sodas in San Jose to be on the bland and really starchy side. The food at most sodas is generally inexpensive, some might say cheap. I found that roasted/broasted chicken or pork of any sort to be a good choice at most sodas, though the pork was usually on the fatty side. Most also served beans and rice with their meals, which was great. But...sometimes pasta and mashed potatoes were included. That is a real starch overkill. I avoided all uncooked vegetables, especially lettuce and cabbage because some have written about getting ill from them. I did however have some great cooked cabbage with carrots and onions.
I had a strange experience at a soda in the Mercado Central area. It appeared to be run by a Chinese lady with Tico employees. They had a flame broiled chicken setup that looked really good. I ordered my food by pointing out menu pictures (no espanol or Chinese for that matter) and paid for it. I was given my drink and watched a soap playing on a very large plasma TV. I was sitting there for about 20 minutes and still hadn't been served my food. I tried to explain I hadn't been served but to no avail.
They tried to get me to pay again. 
I just finally gave up and left. 
Sort of a Muy Chinese moment. 
The best meals I had in San Jose were the ones I cooked in the kitchen of my apartment. But then again we don't really come to Costa Rica for the food.
