The century-old Pick’s Drive-In, a Cloverdale landmark for generations, will reopen in mid-January after months of renovation by Anidel Hospitality, the Sonoma-based company founded by entrepreneur Chris Fanini. The group specializes in breathing new life into historic properties, including the Sonoma Cheese Factory and Lake Tahoe’s Chambers Landing.
Often cited as the oldest drive-in in California, Pick’s — soon to be renamed Pick’s Roadside — traces its roots to the early 1920s. 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.
While the paper trail gets a little fuzzy when it comes to Pick’s claim as the “oldest,” there’s no doubt about its century-long evolution from roadside pit stop to full-fledged drive-in, serving burgers, fries and frosty mugs to generations of farmers, families and travelers.
The new menu will stick closely to the classics — burgers, milkshakes, root beer floats and fries. But this being Sonoma County, burgers will be made with premium Wagyu beef and optional ingredient upgrades will be available. The drink list will include a curated selection of wine and beer. Maybe most importantly, Pick’s much-loved red relish is making a return…