One of the largest n w root beers i've seen. It was twenty dollars for 1 meal with a large root beer float. Well worth it amazing barbecue crunch burger any root beer float. I will be back

The food was amazing the staff was friendly and the root beer floats were the best in frosted mugs

Love the chicken tenders and a chili cheese way2go A&W Fred the sculptor of Sausalito Fred e gallery.

I'd not been to an A & W before and we were on our way to SF. It was late evening and the staff were all happy and jovial with each other! So nice to see people happy at work - they made sure I understood what I was ordering and options. The food was delicious!! Between the awesome staff/vibe and the food, I was very satisfied. The place was super clean, too!

No doubt a fine place for something different from the other fast food chains-it's not just the root beer, it's all about how American their food is. Its Marin county location encompasses tradition and not directly, hospitality. I like going there.

Love this restaurant. I always make it a point to stop by whenever I come across one. The menu is great but the fries are to die for. The best fries I’ve ever eaten. Always the same quality and taste.

Love stopping by here for lunch before heading north to Humboldt Country. Friendly service, delicious burgers, fries and onion rings and cheese curds and root beer floats. Clean and open seating inside. Never too busy.

If you love a 1970s throw back with easy access off the 101...ya can't go wrong here! Love the garden burger and the onion rings.

Love them Update (GOOD AGAIN) why is it so much better than any other fast food place ?

As far as fast food places go, this place one of my faves. I enjoy their burgers and fries more than most any other fast food. And of course the root beer floats....mmmm so good. Also enjoy the cheese curds and the chicken strips were quite good. Plus, consistently clean, friendly, and fast.

The staff is exceptionally helpful and nice at this location. Excellent management. Good food.

The woman was so awesome and helpful. My friend wanted chili cheese fries but onion rings also. She was so nice that she put the onion rings on top of the fries and put cheese over the top of them. He was so over the top happy. I thought it was very sweet of her to do that. I always try and stop at this location when going to or from the city.

This place is a hidden gem. Everyone from the management to the employees are always extremely friendly and hospitable. If you come inside to dine in you'll quickly see that they raise the bar for a "fast food" establishment and honestly, it feels more like a small family owned diner than anything else. Highly recommended as a break away from the norm; come in and experience the difference yourself.

Always friendly and helpful staff. They have the best root beer floats on the planet! Love the papa burger and cheese curds. Restaurant is clean, has a big screen TV, and interesting plants in the dining area. You can tell the place is family run and that the employees really take pride in their jobs- it really shows!

We had to stop and get some root beer and whatever caught our eye. Absolutely loved it, we don't have any here in San Diego. Can't wait to go back when we revisit the Snoopy house in Santa Rosa.

Good food but gross to see a fly catcher hanging where you order the food

I remember coming to this A&W as a kid. Today I brought my 3 year old grandson. He was so excited to get a gold coin in his kids meal for a free ice cream cone. So much better than a "toy".

The service was amazing. Even when they got hit with a rush, all employees stayed calm and pushed out the orders. My family and I did two separate orders and everything came out hot and fresh. We ate there, the atmosphere was good, other families enjoying their meals as well. And my goodness you can't beat the root beer. 100/100 👍

Outstanding stepping back in time restaurant!! Great service and true to the back in the day recipes!!

One of the best A&W I've been to in a long time. Food was hot and fresh! Of course the Root beer is always the best part.

My family hasn't had A&W in a long time as there are none close to our home. We look forward to tasting their delicious burgers and scrumptious root beer floats. We happened to be traveling through Marin and spotted this location. The food, as always, was not a letdown. In addition, l was especially impressed by the girls taking my order and helping me at the counter. They were very nice, polite, friendly and helpful. We'll definitely be back.

Best A&W I’ve ever been to. Foods always hot and fresh.

I used to go to this location when I would drive to San Francisco. They still serve the root beer floats in chilled glass mugs. The prices have gone up since COVID. A double Papa combo is about $15 after tax. The burgers were fresh and the fries hot and crispy. The corn dogs were plump and juicy. Overall, no complaints. I usually eat at In-N-Out but sometimes I crave a different tasting burger and this is on par with the double double. The workers were pleasant and friendly. Overall, no complaints. As of September 2025, you can still get a BOGO Papa burger combo on Tuesdays which is a great deal!

The folks who work at this location are patient and seem to be enjoying their jobs. They were super helpful!! The food was well done too.

Love this place, always a must, takes me back to my childhood and those road trips with the family

The quality of this location ia top notch. You can tell the owner is very involved in the operation based on the care and presentation of the order. I definitely recommend 👌

Great place with amazing burgers. Went in for the frosty mug root beer. Stayed for the burgers!

The difference between this place and other fast food chains is the staff, the food, and the root beer floats. If you download the app. it always updates you on specials they are having as well as discounts. They have hot dogs, chillie, onion rings, and root beer floats! Did I mention they have root beer floats?! Why haven't you got a root beer float yet?! 😆🍻🍔🌭🍺

Been one of my favorites for years when passing through. Even when my grown kids were little.

Great burger place! Bacon Double Cheeseburger was very tasty. Also good root beer.

Not only is the food perfect but they have so many healthy living plants in the dining area it's awesome

Best place to meet up and get Great deals on favorite orders! Excellent service and awesome workers. Will enjoy again

My friend and I were coming from a work picnic when she saw this location. She loves A&w burgers and I've never had one before so she decided to get off the freeway just so we can try. I will say in terms of fast food burgers, this one definitely tastes like one of the freshest. The food came out very quickly and though it was a little more pricey than a McDonald's might be, I think it definitely is worth it.

The best root beer EVER!

While enjoying a complete time capsule from the rise of fast food nation, this family-run establishment maintains the quality of food and customer service you'd expect from the 50's and 60's right here in 2024. This has been my experience consistently for over 15 years of my living in California, and I'm extremely grateful for many of the experiences I've had there. From chauffeuring foreign royalty around the bay area on holiday to bringing friends and family visiting from out of town, I can always count on good food, good vibes and great times when I go there. Thanks so much, San Rafael A&W!!!!! Keep it rockin'!

Best coffee shop in Santa Rosa 🌿💛

Clean, just like I remembered it from being a kid. Not bad, still could use a coupon but the burger was worth it.

I was driving on the freeway and happened to see the googie architecture and I knew I had to stop by. Very clean and nice location. Employees were very nice and efficient. Definitely coming back

I've been coming to this location for 30+ years and now that I live over an hour away it's not often that I dine here. But yeah, I'll give it 5 star for a fast food restaurant or, if u like, u can go to the McDonald's across the street. No thank you! Lol. A&W good food at this location specifically

The chicken grilled sandwich is so yummy I want another one and the french fries are super crispy good and the A&W float is so creamy

Onion rings were delicious and paired it with a root beer float. Comes in an original frosted glass.

One of the better fast food chain restaurant I've been to you seems like the employees here take pride in their work food is good I like the all you can drink root beer in a icy mug

Always love going to A&W, I want to try their burger, but can't seem to get past the Coney Dog

Charming fast food restaurant with “Americana” feeling. The food is fine, the service is friendly, and you find some food items that you won’t find at other restaurants, which remind me of carnival food, like the little corn dogs. I think it’s a fun restaurant stop as you travel along the freeway.

Fun, first time to visit such a classic restaurant. Frosty mug root beer was great!

Best experience and had juicy chicken and burgers and the prices for the mugs are good price

Very delicious non-greasy grilled chicken sandwich, the best fast food we have ever had! Super friendly service! Sooooooo much better than McDonald’s!

Place feel a bit run down but still clean. Too few bathrooms. Food was good, especially if you like root beer.

Hailey Elizabeth Rochin

Many of my best meals with my family as a child were at the A&W. So now, on all my road trips, i can’t help but stop and order some cheese curds. Over the years i’ve encountered less of them, or only a few at gas stations. It was such a pleasant surprise to find a standalone A&W with the character and charm i remember so fondly. Truly an institution in my life, and I loved the new dill pickle ranch cheese curds. A revelation!

Matt Adams

Probably the best tasting fast food I've ever had. Food was very expensive. BUT. It was hot, great service, and very tasty. It was very worth it after a trip to disappointing San Francisco. Haven't had A&W in years, and I wish we had one in southern California.

Justin Yaeger

Carlos was awesome, even explained the proce difference if we ordered a la carte vs a meal when we asked. Very helpful and great service

Teresita S

Fast food is getting more expensive so I have to be picky about the places I frequent. A&W is a definite go-to spot for me. My favorite meal to get there is the chicken tenders and fries - always cooked well and is always tasty. The people working there are always so nice too. I appreciate the great customer service they provide.

Jay kay Kay jass

I would describe the service as fast efficient. She accidentally tried to charge me $15 for my one cone, but quickly realized whoops.She made a mistake , that's good news. I ordered a single cone.It's the best cone around. The flavor I can't find any better flavor than this. it's delicious The price is a little steep. Burger king is much more affordable.But nowhere near as good. No line, no, wait, good ice cream.Happy camper

+1

Amir

Yeah, atmosphere is great. Everything smelled good. The food was good. I love the cheese curds and the drinks and of course I love the root beer cause it’s A&W. And also everyone’s nice there

Jessica AlmeidaSterling

They have the best fries in town, and their burgers are great too. Always excellent service! Try the root beer cream freeze.

Pia Azarraga

This is the first A&W chain that Ive eaten at. I see them alot, but haven't tried them except for this place and honestly I might not try other A&Ws except this branch cuz the quality is top tier. The portions are big and fresh. The chicken tenders are always piping hot and juicy and the fries are crispy and remains crispy through out the meal. They aren't greasy and reminiscent to old style Americana fast food. Honestly no complaints just a really great fast food restaurant with good quality food.

Eddy Hernandez

My first stop to eat. After picking up my Daughter at the Oakland Airport. Came to San Rafael's A&W. The Manager Dave, was Very welcoming and accommodating. The Service was genuine and Old School, just like the A&W brand! I got a Double Papa burger w extra sauce, and Mija got the special of the day. A Mushroom burger combo, in the big mug!! I came last year, during this time of the year here, and enjoyed it. That's what brought me back here! Thank you for the Great experience!!!

Scott Ghinazzi

Super nice and fast. Love the mugs. Will have to buy one myself!

Brenda Ibarra

Stopped by here on a road trip. Northern California has a lot of A&W, but southern California does not. My BF loves root beer floats so naturally we had to stop. The prices were a little steep, paid $26 for a #3 combo with a large root beer float drink upgrade, and a seperate order of chili cheese fries. But the float was giant, the fries were piping hot and super delish! It looks small in the picture because my bf has massive hands but i digress. The burger was pretty great, had a juicy charbroiled taste that gave me nostalgia to a good old fashion mom and pop burger place. There was a ton of trash cans placed around the parking lot and 2 at the actual drive thru, which was nice because I emptied my trash in them and its very convenient. I really appreciated that. Employees were super nice too. 10/10

Robert So

This is by far my most favorite burger joint. I go here almost every week. They have the best burger's other than Phyllis's Burger which is better but more pricey. I have been to this restaurant since the 80s. The only A&W I know in the Bay Area.

Garrett Brisbee

Cleanest and best managed burger joint I have ever been to. The seating area and bathrooms were spotless. Staff was friendly and helpful. My order came after just a few minutes and was perfect. The root beer float looked like something from a commercial, and tasted even better than it looked.

Right off the freeway pass Mc Donald’s and go to A&W! Get a float or even better the updated version of the root beer freeze! Delicious! They have a trash can in the drive through too I love that! Clean out my car while I’m waiting.

Their newer employees are really nice. Food is typical fast food affair, but their newer employees are very nice and friendly to y little girl. We come for the soft serve and cheese curds, but always slip in a root beer or two and sometimes some chili fries too.

Not sure how long they have charged extra in order to receive your Root Beer Float in the classic glass Frosty Mug, but I assumed that if I ordered it “For here”, that’s what I would get. When I asked for a frosty mug instead of the plastic cup I received it in, the lady behind the counter acted as if I had asked for a happy ending after a massage without paying extra. Really made me regret wasting my money on a tip when it could’ve upgraded my float. Still a cool place to grab fried foods you’d have a hard time finding anywhere else. Just a strange encounter I suppose

I love that they are open late, and are very friendly! I have gotten the Papa Burger, chicken strips, mini corn dogs and more! My favorite menu item is the cheese curds. I also love the root beer floats! Hungry for some ice cream? Try a polar freeze with Reces peanut-butter cups.

I'm not too crazy about the food at A&W, but the root beer float is irresistable. I love that you can top it off with more root beer in the restaurant, in case your ice cream to root beer ratio is getting a bit too high. Well done A&W. I'll be back.

Sweet staff, even in our Covid-19 stunned world; genuinely nice and helpful in a way that you just can't force. And the food quality is far above what you can expect at most fast food places. Yummy, satisfying burgers, decent daily deals, and top notch chili dog. And of course the root beer floats still rock. The place to go if you happen to be north of downtown San Rafael and craving your Americana fix... In fact, writing this review made me really, really crave some authentic a&w food.

We stopped here on our way back into the city after a long road trip. It was a blast down memory lane. Of course I had a large float. Their root beer is the best.

Is it me or has the flavor of the root beer become much more generic since I was little? Regardless, once you add a pile of soft serve to it, it is almost redeemed, not the destination quality of my childhood, but okay.

Great place for quick meals. They have some great weekly specials. It is great they are handica accessable.

Drive thru line can back up into the street. Moves at a good pace. The taste of the orginal root beer brings back memories. Hot dog was really good orderes cheese curdles definitely needs some sauce with it. Little pricey $11+ for the meal.

A&W is a place of nostalgia for me. This location has the vibes from the 90s where I am from, which is both comforting and disheartening because it could use a face lift. We ordered at the kiosks and the cheese curds and beverages came out shortly after. Staff seemed attentive to the older couple that came in and ordered at the counter. If youre looking for a trip down memory lane swing by! The curds were good and so was the root beer. I cant comment on the other food at this location, hence 4 stars.

Paul P

Gotta love a good root beer with a burger and fries. And their burger and fries are decent for fast food. Go for the nostalgia and enjoy the meal. And don't forget the root beer, regular or diet, both are good.

Keith Metcalfe

Update from early 2024: I don't understand how a restaurant can have a couple of items that I order every time, not be on the menu board behind the counter. What are they thinking? There's plenty of space! And I'm not talking about an obscure special dish, I'm talking about a plain hamburger! The fast food tastes great, but it is definitely more expensive then other nearby fast food restaurants. Glad to try it again after recently reopening the dining room post Covid. Food definitely tastes better than almost all other restaurants considered "fast food".

SkyNet

Place very nice and clean with nice people running it. My chilidog and fries and RootBeer were good 👍 Update 4-23: ***Deal Alert*** come Saturdays and Sundays and get a 2 cheeseburger combo which includes fries and large root beer 🍺 for only $10.50 ! Amazing deal !

Captain jack

Wow! A&W ... hard to find.. but very yummy super surprise!! Ice cold frosty ⛄ mug root beer . The cheese 🧀 curds are yummy too.

+2

Flavorful char broiled papa burger and fries.. Root beer float freeze had too much ice cream to soda ratio. Pub fish and chips was decent. Lucky to have found the drive thru not so busy. Though they can handle it when busy. What a great old fashioned A&W. You'll enjoy!

Food is just ok. Root beer float was the shining star. Burger was dry and bacon was very well done. Super crunchy. Felt overdone. Onion rings were decent.

Great rootbeer floats, like always. $8 for a gallon of rootbeer is ridiculous

Brandon Phillips

My food was very good bit my girlfriends was baaaaad! Mushroom burger is a no go for me. Tummy problems. All others fantastic. Staff was amazing. I think it was the manager that served us and he was super friendly and accommodating!

Blake Erhardt

Employees are fantastic. Root beer floats are amazing but the onion rings were the worst I’ve ever had

Miguel Vasquez

Usually A&W is good but sometimes my meal is very oily for some reason, giving it 3 stars in respect to the brand, sometimes its a bit disappointing. Great place, probably not so great food handling & quality craft.

Sep 3 2025. The Hamburger meat was so bad people were returning them.... 😵‍💫🥺

This is a food establishment I enjoy visiting while in town since there's no A&W in the state i live in. Today the onion rings were over cooked and thr chili cheese dogs no longer use nachos chese, they have switched to shredded cheese. They have always used nacho cheese, I wish the chili cheese hot dog posters were updated to reflect the change in ingredients. I wouldn't had orded this meal, meal was thrown away.

Meal deals are not listed at counter menu so we ordered kids meals which tasted great but would have preferred meal deal which is more food for same price.

A&W needs to change their menu branding. I ordered chicken sliders that were on number 2 in the menu and what they gave me was 2 muffins with a small piece of chicken in it. On the menu it looks like sandwich and in reality it’s a small piece of bread with a little chicken in it. Why i am paying same amount of money for a small amount of food. Disappointed, and never gonna visit again. This was my first time in A&W and i entered and looked on to the menu in-front of me there was a sliders on number 2 with chicken sandwiches picture on it and when i got those sliders it wasn’t the sandwich that was on the menu that looks like a chicken sandwiches. It is obvious who haven’t had the sliders before they will look into the picture and assume that they will get the same thing. You need to correct those menu with the right advertising picture, At last the guy who was serving was so rude to me and he talked to my friend when i was not there that i need to order chicken sandwiches if i need the same thing that is in the picture.

If you want some food poisoning go here especially after 10pm. I think they keep the food out all day because no one eats here so they warm it up for you. Do not eat here unless you don't have anything to do for the next 3 days. Disgusting food for people on a road trip that don't know any better.

Burnt buns and hair in my frys! $9.53 down the drain! Called A&W and they seem to not care or even offer to fix it! I WON'T BE BACK!!!

Trash frozen patties not sure how this place is around besides the nostalgia. Everybody at the counter was super kind

Food was horrible. Left part of it out on the table and it stunk the whole room up.