M&G Burger in Fairfax, CA is a great throwback burger place in the shadow of Mt. Tamalpais. “Mayberry on Acid” a sticker read in the window of one store. Fairfax has a high percentage of folks wearing tie die. The smell of patchouli oil wafts through the air as you walk by store after funky store. Just up the hill after you have driven through town, there sits a small building that has housed M&G since 1962. You walk in and are transported back to the 60’s. M&G has kept up with the times by serving all organic Prather Ranch beef. Even the hot dog that my three-year-old nephew ordered was organic. I ordered a double cheeseburger ($5.75), fries ($1.90), onion rings ($2.95) and a chocolate shake.
We took a seat at a small table back by the bathrooms. There were charming old signs hanging on the wall including one right on the bathroom door saying “Full Serve”. I loved sitting among the paneled walls with my sister and nephews. Our food came neatly wrapped in white paper.
The burger looked yummy with two patties sitting on its lettuce, tomato, chopped onions and special sauce. Everything was cradled in a toasted yellow bun. The beef was tasty and smothered in American cheese. My sister and I both liked our burgers very much.
The fries were crinkle-cut and tucked into a white bag. Something about these kinds of fries always takes me back to the Penguin Point when I was kid in Indiana. It is a good memory and I enjoyed the fries. The onion rings had a similar old-time taste. They were breaded and crispy. Make sure you ask for the special honey-mustard sauce to dunk the onion rings.
The shake was just okay. It tasted like soft serve.
There was a steady stream of nice, friendly people coming through the restaurant the entire time we were there. We left and walked down the street to the Fairfax Scoop, which was very popular on this hot Saturday. Bike riders still in their spandex were gaining back the calories they had just burned. Each person ordered their ice cream and then would recommend the flavors as they left the store. I had a Mexican chocolate and Love Parade. The Mexican chocolate had cinnamon. Love Parade was a creamy vanilla with peanut butter and chocolate chunks.
We walked around town and even found a toy store with Burger Town characters in the window. I really enjoyed M&G and Fairfax. It is what Marin is all about – small towns tucked into the hills, each with their own unique character.
Burger 4 spatulas out of 5
Fries 3 spatulas
Onion Rings 3 spatulas
Shake 2.5 spatulas
M&G Burgers & Beverages
2417 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
Fairfax, CA 94930
415-454-0655
