A burger, fries and a beverage with a tiny side of history. That’s what you will get when you dine at Pick’s Roadside in Cloverdale.

The history is what got me there. The claim to fame is being the oldest drive-in in California.

Pick’s Roadside in Cloverdale tries to capture past glory. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

It’s not a drive in any more, though there are lines on the pavement where people could have parked—though not necessarily when it was a drive-in.

“It originally opened in 1923 as Reed and Bell’s Root Beer Stand, a regional franchisee of A&W Root Beer, founded by Lewis Reed and H.C. Bell. In the early 1950s, Mayo and Johnie Mae Pickard purchased the roadside stand and renamed it Pick’s Drive-In,” according to Sonoma magazine.

It reopened in January by Sonoma County-based Anidel Hospitality with a menu that includes Wagyu beef burgers and sparkling wine, as well as the new name.

While A&W root beer is not on the menu, Lost Coast root beer from Eureka is. It was deliciously sweet and a treat. Root beer floats are also available.

Three of us got the veggie burger and were not thrilled. Store-bought, so to speak, black bean burger. Nothing special, just messy.

The meat eater was satisfied with her Wagyu.

The fries and onion rings are definitely worthwhile.

Pick’s is worth stopping by if you are in the area, but you won’t be missing out if you don’t. This is unlike Gott’s Roadside in St. Helena, which I would suggest you make a point of going to. The food is better and the options more robust.

While I know things are just getting more and more expensive, $30 for a veggie burger, fries and root beer really is out of my normal price range.

Plus, I was also hoping for a bit more history instead of a blurb on the menu.