Whether you’re craving a burger with a view or a family-friendly patio with a place for the kids to play, these two restaurants — Jilly’s and Cock Robin — have found their footing after opening in early 2025. Here’s what’s working on their menus.
Jilly’s Real Food Roadhouse
On sunny days, sitting on the rustic patio outside Jilly’s Real Food Roadhouse in Jenner is a Zen moment. There’s a commanding bird’s-eye view of the Russian River as it makes its final bend toward the Pacific Ocean. Owner Jill Lippitt adds warmth to the unadorned restaurant, stopping by each table to greet guests and share her colorful history as a local community organizer and spiritual teacher.
Lippitt took over the former Russian House #1 after co-owners Tatiana Ginzburg, Tatiana Urusova and Polina Krasikova lost their lease on the experimental, pay-what-you-want restaurant and spiritual center that was a head-scratcher to most, but a secret gem to its fans. Jilly’s Real Food Roadhouse quietly opened in late 2024 with a menu of weekly specials from barbecue to rice noodle bowls.
The menu has settled under chef Tommy Hickox, featuring diner-style smashburgers with caramelized onion jam and special sauce ($14 single, $18 double), buttermilk fried chicken ($15 plate with coleslaw and fries, $22 sandwich with slaw), barbecue brisket sandwich ($22) and fresh-cut fries cooked in beef tallow ($6). I’m not typically a fan of fries made in-house because the texture can be unpredictable (some overcooked, some undercooked), and most chefs opt for the simplicity of premade frozen fries. Even Michelin-starred chefs opt for Sysco food service versions for their consistency and value. I’m assured, however, that Jilly’s fries have improved since my last visit.
In May, the roadhouse began serving brunch with a classic lineup of eggs Benedict ($18), veggie scrambled eggs ($16), buttermilk pancakes ($13) and biscuits and pork sausage gravy ($10).
On cool days, plenty of tables are inside, and the vibe is come-as-you-are, with blue-checkered tablecloths and homespun adornment. Large windows offer million-dollar views overlooking the river and nearby hillsides, all the décor you need.
Beer and wine are available, along with ciders and other beverages in a refrigerated case by the door. Brunch is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lunch and dinner are from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Monday. 9960 Highway 1, Jenner, 707-756-0119.
Cock Robin
Though it opened in late 2024, this fast-casual burger and fried chicken restaurant, spearheaded by Barlow owner Barney Aldridge and former Easy Rider chef Jared Rogers, needed time to settle before I was ready to say much about it.
The sprawling 4,000-square-foot space at the corner of Highway 12 and Morris Street in Sebastopol replaced Seismic Brewing. It’s an homage to one of Aldridge’s favorite childhood restaurants in Naperville, Illinois. At first blush, it seemed a sure-fire winner for the 12-acre outdoor marketplace. Value-oriented dishes like a $9.95 single-patty burger are in line with other fast-casual restaurants like In-N-Out.
Long lines and subpar food at its opening were a stumbling block, but several dishes have improved, including the Classic Robin ($9.95), a well-done beef patty with American cheese, special sauce, tomatoes, shaved onion and shredded iceberg lettuce. Also good were the Wisconsin Burger ($15.95), with fried cheese curds from nearby William Cofield and tomato pork jam, and the Crispy Chicken Sandwich ($13.95), with bacon, avocado, pepper Jack cheese and a kick of Frank’s RedHot sauce. Milkshakes are also solid.
Skip the dipping sauces. French fries are served with a bitter pistachio Romesco sauce that’s all wrong for the fast-casual vibe (please, just use Heinz), and the ranch dressing is so appalling I mentioned it to the staff, asking why they didn’t use the amazing housemade ranch from nearby Acre Pizza, just steps away. Hopefully, things will continue improving because the location is excellent, and a good burger is always a good thing. 6700 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, 707-503-6466, cockrobin.com
You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.