Roam Artisan Burgers, the fine-casual Bay Area restaurant known for its grass-fed burgers, seasonal salads, soft-serve shakes and dedication to all-natural ingredients, opens its sixth location — and first in Marin — on Saturday at the Town Center Corte Madera.
Mill Valley native and Redwood High School graduate Josh Spiegelman co-founded Roam in 2010 with business partner Lynn Gorfinkle, who at one time lived in the county and remains one of its active surfers and trail enthusiasts.
“We are beyond excited to open in Marin,” Spiegelman says. “This is such a special community for us, and we really feel welcomed.”
The co-owners’ ongoing mission is to reimagine a classic all-American menu that embodies comfort, nostalgia and convenience while mindfully elevating both the flavor and integrity of its ingredients, all with affordability in mind. They’ve built long-term partnerships with a select group of trusted farmers, ranchers and artisans to support sustainable practices and ensure that quality is at the heart of every dish on their fully transparent menu.
The burger lineup features beef from 4K Ranch in Montana, a signature turkey blend from Diestel Family Ranch in the Sierra Nevada foothills and all-natural Great Range Bison from Colorado. The organic veggie patty, cited as the most labor-intensive item on the menu, is made with quinoa, black beans, dates, brown rice, beets, onions and jalapeños.
Choose a sesame seed, whole grain, brioche or gluten-free Pacific Coast Baking Co. bun, or opt for a butter lettuce wrap. Customize with a variety of sauces, toppings and cheeses, or try one of the suggested “Roam styles” including the Tejano (pepper jack cheese, jalapeño relish, avocado, tomato, white corn strips and herb ranch) or the French N’ Fries (truffle Parmesan fries, brie, avocado, caramelized onions, greens, Worcestershire sauce and stone-ground mustard).
A new burger is being introduced at this weekend’s opening and, for now, is exclusive to Marin.
“We were talking one day about the burgers that are usually 5 ounces and that some people want it larger, which would also highlight the quality of the pasture-raised beef,” says Gorfinkle, who regularly collaborates with Spiegelman on menu innovations.
The two came up with the Tavern Burger, a hand-formed, 8-ounce beef patty topped with caramelized onions, roasted garlic aioli and melty, organic Wagon Wheel cheese from Cowgirl Creamery in honor of the Point Reyes Station location where the cheese company got its start in the 1990s. It later closed in 2022, and is now based in Petaluma.
For vegans, there’s a bacon cheeseburger with Roam’s veggie patty; Umaro bacon crafted from seaweed, chickpeas and coconut and sunflower oils; and dairy-free and vegan Violife cheddar cheese.
Roam accommodates personalized requests to meet various dietary needs and preferences. Every dish is made to order and nearly the entire menu is available gluten-free.
Fries (regular russet, sweet potato, a zucchini onion “haystack” or “Fry-Fecta” with all three) are cooked in a chemical-free, expeller-pressed, high oleic sunflower oil. Peak season produce makes a showing in the farmers market salad and veggie sides, as well as their soft-serve puree toppings and sodas. Small-batch sauces and dressings are made in house.
Three rotating craft brews, one kombucha and four wines (two red, two white) are served on tap; beer is also available in bottles and cans.
Roam replaces Vietnamese restaurant La Maison De La Reine, which reopened in downtown Novato in late 2023. The team is unveiling a fresh new look designed by San Francisco-based Zero Ten Design (Cassava, Bun Mee, Cadet Wine & Beer Bar and Town Center neighbor Starbird Chicken) featuring a neutral color scheme enhanced by abundant greenery, large glass windows, modern furnishings and contemporary light fixtures. The socially conducive landscaped patio has modern furnishings and contemporary light fixtures. The socially conducive landscaped patio has Adirondack chairs, a firepit and dedicated dining area for kids.
Corte Madera is Roam’s first location to have an ice cream window, which is also where takeout orders are picked up. It provides easy access to the organic Straus Family Creamery soft-serve ice cream with toppings like house-made caramel sauce, a Guittard chocolate shell or plant extract-colored rainbow sprinkles; an organic, plant-based Cosmic Bliss vegan mint chip shake; and a new line of all-natural, handmade popsicles in rotating flavors such as guava, strawberry, coconut and raspberry lime.
Roam is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. beginning Saturday with free tastings and fun activities all day. Regular hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 346 Corte Madera Town Center in Corte Madera.
To order online, inquire about catering for corporate events and social gatherings or find information about Roam’s other five locations in San Francisco (two), Lafayette, San Ramon and San Mateo, go to roamburgers.com.
Leanne Battelle is a freelance food writer and restaurant columnist. Email her at ij.lbattelle@gmail.com with news and recommendations and follow on Instagram @therealdealmarin for more on local food and updates on the launch of The Real Deal Marin restaurant search guide.
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