Eat Local: Cotati's Messy Burger Joint

Mike’s at the Crossroads 

Overview: Mike Condrin served up a mean burger for years at the Petaluma stock yard, before he opened his second location in downtown Cotati. Mike has since sold the business — but the burgers are still mean and tasty. The new owner, Dawn Nunes, a former waitress and manager, has made some changes to the menu. Mike's now offers fries on the weekend and has an expanded the non-burger selections.

Décor: A black and white checkerboard floor and chrome legged barstools gives Mike’s an old diner feel. Booths, tables and bar seating make the local spot perfect, whether you're alone or have a group to feed. TVs playing mostly sports here. The atmosphere is relaxed and the kitchen is open so you can watch your burger being made if you so desire.

The Drinks: Beer, wine and cider give a fair selection of hard beverages while, soda, coffee and ice tea allow for some choice on the soft drink side as well. The beer list features microbrew and import beers, such as Black Butte Porter and Widmer Hef, alongside the more common domestic labels. A nice surprise on the drink menu is the Wyder’s Pear Cider, a dry pear cider that is slightly reticent of champagne.

Entrees: Mike’s is none for their burgers and they will not disappoint. A basic Mike’s burger comes with cheeses lettuce, tomato and red onions and will set you back $8.75. There are also a number of fancy burgers from the Nauvoo Burger which comes loaded with blue cheese, to the Great Western Hickory Burger, a BBQ burger so messy the menu claims you will need 15 napkins. Mike's also offers chicken sandwiches as well as hotdogs and grilled cheese.

Sides: Sides come with the burgers at Mike’s, you can get a green salad or macaroni salad, and on the weekend you can even get fries. For years Mike refused to serve fries with his burgers, going so far as to print a top 11 reasons why in his menu. With the new ownership that has changed, with fries being offered on the weekends and a new top 11 list added to the menu.

Service: If you can avoid the lunch rush you can get a table pretty quick. The service is good but you must remember these burgers are being cooked to order so do not expect fast food speed here.

Signature Dish: The double burger. If one mikes burger is not enough to fill you up give this a try. We also recommend the KRUSH burger — loaded with sauteed mushrooms, garlic and onions, finished with a zinfandel glaze — yum! Mike's burgers run $9.75, plus about a dollar for additional toppings. Kid's menu items are $5.50. We think it's a steal for the great burgers! 

Mike’s at the Crossroads, located at 7665 Old Redwood Hwy., is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11-8 p.m. Call 707-665-9999 for more information, or to place a to-go order.