Weebly co-founder Chris Fanini saw something worth saving in a California roadside stand with more than a century of history. After the business changed hands, his hospitality group spent about a year restoring the property and preparing it for a new chapter.
The location first welcomed travelers as a root beer stand in 1923, long before it became known for burgers, milkshakes, and a signature red relish. Generations of customers eventually made it part of their road trip routines.
I love the idea of an old roadside favorite getting another chance without losing the details that made it memorable. The restoration preserved its nostalgic character while introducing a refreshed menu built around familiar American comfort food.
Today, visitors can order burgers, fries, and creamy soft serve before settling into the outdoor seating area, where a century of local history still feels close.
A Century-Old Burger Stand Just Got Its Second Wind
Pick’s Roadside occupies a historic location that first opened in 1923 as Reed & Bell’s Root Beer Stand. It became Pick’s Drive-In in 1951, when Johnie Mae and Mayo Pickard took over and helped establish its reputation for burgers, milkshakes, and a distinctive red relish.
For generations, the little stand in Cloverdale, California, served as a pit stop for road trippers. Families heading north on the old highway knew it as a reliable place to refuel their stomachs.
Plenty of old roadside stands fade away quietly. Owners retire, buildings sag, and the signs eventually come down for good.
The historic stand found a new owner in Chris Fanini, a co-founder of the website-building platform Weebly. His Anidel Hospitality Group spent about a year restoring the property before reopening it as Pick’s Roadside in January 2026.
I believe that kind of rescue matters more than people realize. Small towns lose a piece of their personality every time a landmark like this disappears.
The revival keeps the spirit of the old stand alive while giving it a cleaner, brighter look. It feels less like a museum and more like a family heirloom someone decided to actually use.
That balance is tricky to pull off. Too much polish, and the charm vanishes.
Too little care, and the place crumbles.
Here, the history still feels close enough to touch. You can almost hear a 1950s jukebox humming somewhere in the background, even if it lives only in your imagination.
The Burgers Are the Whole Reason to Hit the Brakes
Burgers run the show at this counter, and the lineup covers every craving. You’ll find a house Pick’s burger, a cheeseburger, and a bacon blue cheeseburger for anyone who likes bold flavor.
The kitchen also tops some burgers with relish and pickled onions. Those tangy little extras give each bite a bright snap that cuts through the richness.
Want more meat? You can add a second patty to your burger.
That move turns a solid lunch into a full-on road trip meal.
The menu was updated after reopening to fine-tune the offerings. It shows the team is paying attention and willing to adjust as they go.
My advice is simple. Start with the signature burger if it’s your first visit, because the house namesake usually tells you what a kitchen cares about most.
Hungry crews can mix things up by ordering different burgers and trading halves. Nobody said road trip etiquette required sharing, but it does make lunch more fun.
A roadside business with roots stretching back to 1923 carries a remarkable legacy in California. Today’s burgers continue a food tradition that developed after the original root beer stand became Pick’s Drive-In.
No pressure on the grill cook, right? Grab a stack of napkins and get comfortable at one of the outdoor tables before your order is called.
Chicken Sandwich Fans and Hot Dog Lovers Are Covered Too
Not everyone pulls over craving beef. Some folks want crunch, heat, or the simple joy of a hot dog in a bun.
Pick’s Roadside answers both moods. The menu includes a spicy fried chicken sandwich and a classic hot dog.
The chicken sandwich brings a little fire to the table. It’s a solid pick when your taste buds want something louder than ketchup and mustard.
Then there’s the hot dog, the quiet hero of roadside stands everywhere. It’s quick, easy to eat, and just right for a smaller appetite.
Kids especially tend to gravitate toward a dog. It’s a familiar choice that keeps picky eaters happy while adults explore the fancier burgers.
Short on time? A hot dog makes a smart snack before getting back on the road.
You can be fueled up and rolling again without feeling stuffed.
I like that the menu doesn’t try to do everything. It sticks to roadside classics, which fits a stand with more than a hundred years of history behind it.
Fun fact for your next trivia night. Hot dogs were already an American roadside staple when this little stand first opened, so ordering one feels like a nod to its earliest days.
Save Room Because the Straus Soft Serve Steals the Show
Straus soft serve is on the menu, and that’s big news for dessert fans. Straus Family Creamery is a well-known organic dairy from Marin County, California.
Getting their creamy soft serve at a roadside stand feels like a delicious upgrade. It’s the kind of treat that makes a quick stop turn into a longer one.
Root beer floats are another star here. Fizzy soda and cold soft serve together taste like summer vacation in a glass.
The menu also offers milkshakes and malts. A thick shake pairs nicely with a burger, especially on a warm Sonoma County afternoon.
Some drivers swing by just for dessert. Honestly, that’s a perfectly reasonable life choice.
Cloverdale summers can get toasty, so a cone makes sense on almost any visit. Just eat fast, because soft serve waits for no one.
A malt is a fun pick if you’ve never tried one. Malted milk powder adds a toasty, old-fashioned flavor that fits right in at a century-old stand.
I believe dessert is where a roadside stop earns its place in your memory. Burgers fill you up, but a drippy cone on a sunny bench is what you’ll remember on the drive home.
Your Dog Is Invited to Lunch and Even Gets Its Own Water Bowl
Good news for anyone traveling with a four-legged copilot. The patio here welcomes dogs, and the staff even sets out water and little dishes for them.
That small gesture says a lot. It tells you this place thinks about every member of the family, furry ones included.
All seating at Pick’s Roadside is outdoors. Shade covers the eating area, which helps on hot inland days.
Open-air dining fits a roadside stand perfectly. You get fresh air, sunshine, and the easygoing feeling of a classic summer picnic.
Plan ahead when the weather turns chilly or rainy. Bringing a jacket makes sense since there’s no indoor dining room to duck into.
Dog owners should still pack the basics. A leash, some waste bags, and a towel for sticky paws will make lunch smoother.
I like how the outdoor setup encourages slower meals. Without a cramped dining room, people can relax and actually enjoy their food.
The vintage rockabilly look adds extra charm to the patio. It feels like a time machine with picnic tables, minus the confusing gadgets.
Bottom line? If Fido usually waits in the car during road trip meals, this stop gives the pup a well-earned break and a shady seat at the table.
Easy to Find, Open Every Day, and Right on the Main Drag
Finding lunch shouldn’t require a treasure map. Pick’s Roadside sits at 117 S Cloverdale Blvd, Cloverdale, CA 95425, right along the town’s main street.
Cloverdale is the northernmost town in Sonoma County. That makes it a natural pit stop for travelers heading toward Mendocino County or coming back south.
Pick’s Roadside is open for lunch and early evening meals, although published schedules differ between local reporting and the restaurant’s online ordering platform.
Recent online ordering information lists an 11 a.m. opening, while earlier reporting described seasonal hours extending into the evening. Visitors should confirm the current schedule directly before making the trip.
Arriving with time to spare is especially helpful for travelers planning a stop during a longer drive.
The location also works great for cyclists. Riders sometimes pedal up from neighboring towns and use the stand as a well-earned lunch break.
Parking along a main boulevard in a small town is usually manageable. Still, give yourself a few extra minutes on busy summer weekends.
Wondering about the vibe of downtown? Cloverdale has a relaxed, small-town feel that pairs nicely with a slow lunch outdoors.
Fun detail for history fans. Cloverdale Boulevard carried old highway traffic for years, which helps explain why a roadside burger stand thrived here for so long.
Turn Your Burger Stop Into a Full Day of Northern California Adventures
Lunch is just the opening act. Cloverdale sits in a gorgeous slice of Northern California, and plenty of adventures wait nearby.
Healdsburg is about twenty minutes south on Highway 101. Its charming plaza, shops, and bakeries make a fun afternoon stroll after your burger.
Nature lovers have options too. The Russian River flows near town, offering spots for paddling and lazy riverside picnics in warmer months.
Cloverdale River Park gives you easy access to the water. It’s a pleasant place to stretch your legs before the next stretch of driving.
Heading north instead? The route toward Mendocino County and Anderson Valley passes through rolling hills and small communities that make the drive memorable.
Pick’s Roadside makes a handy anchor for either direction. You can fuel up first, then plan the rest of the day around scenic drives.
Families might enjoy pairing a picnic table lunch with a short hike. Lake Sonoma, west of Healdsburg, offers trails and a visitor center for curious kids.
I believe the best road trips mix good food with wide-open views. This stand delivers the first part, and the surrounding countryside handles the second beautifully.
So grab one last cone for the road. A century-old stand with a brand-new chapter deserves a spot on your California route.
