Ste M176
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 783-2900
Mendocino Farms is a joy to visit. We are always greeted with friendliness and great service. It's no accident that this occurs; it's evident there's great customer-oriented training taking place! We always feel welcome and well cared for at MF without exception. The sandwiches and salads are top notch with regard to flavor, freshness and selection. We also appreciate sampling the sides each time we order. The gourmet soda is to die for, and we give in to our inner desires and enjoy this guilty pleasure. Seating has never been a problem, as this place is spacious and accommodates many. The decor is a contemporary country style and is comfortable. We also burn some wait time playing beanbag games. All-in-all, a wonderful experience and a regular place for our family!
I never thought I'd see the day that my boyfriend would scarf down a salad without me forcing him to... That is, until we came to Mendocino Farms and were pleasantly surprised by the healthy and delicious selection of salads. We both love how filling they are and how they're packed with tons of different ingredients. Of course the sandwiches are also amazing, so I have to get one of those from time to time. But seriously, if it's a tasty, boyfriend-friendly salad that you're after, then look no further.
These are pretty pricey sandwiches, but I like that they use very fresh and local ingredients. I ordered a Peruvian Steak sandwich and the flavor was great, but I wish it had a bit more meat for the price ($12.12 including tax). Luckily I had a BOGO coupon and got two sandwiches for that price, but otherwise I don't think I would come here regularly. I like the decor and ambiance of the restaurant, and the service I received was very friendly. I think the name of the staff member who helped me was Zahvee (not sure on the spelling). He had a big smile and seemed to make conversation with everyone he interacted with, even me. Overall I had a good experience, but as a student with many other cheaper options nearby, I don't see myself coming here regularly unless I could get a deal. It does seem like a good date spot though!
Once you step in, an employee will ask if you have dined with them before. They are helpful in helping you select something. Everything that I have tried here is wonderful. I love that each dish has so many different components. That way you don't get bored of what you're eating. Almost fried chicken sandwich - expensive for a sandwich but the ingredients are so fresh. It also tastes healthier than straight up fried chicken. You can get their different sauces on the side to try, but my favorite one is the mustard remoulade. Sophisticated chicken and prosciutto salad - there is so much going on in this salad and I love it! From prosciutto, chicken, sautéed vegetables, to almonds. Curry couscous - carby and delicious. There are a lot of copy cat recipes for a reason! Healthiest salad - very healthy tasting, but that doesn't mean it doesn't taste good! The employees are always so friendly. This is my go to place if I want a well rounded salad.
The ordering process here is interesting. At first I thought it was an automated machine where you order yourself like they have at jack in the box, but a cashier/server comes up and takes your order and then walks with you to the register to ring you up. The ambiance here is very relaxing and fun. They have two corn hole sets and a foosball table. Also some of the seating have turf which gives it a great vibe. Our server was super helpful and said "this place is like Costco feel free to try any of our salads". Which of course I did! The curries couscous was pretty legit. Ordered the porkbelly banh mi. The textures all worked well. The crunchy pickled carrots and radish with the tender meat. Really great place to just kick back!
NEED SOMEONE TO CATER LUNCH? Just want somewhere to grab lunch? GO HERE for fresh and affordable food! I had heard so many good things about Mendocino Farms so I decided I'd take a chance and have them cater a lunch meeting. SUCH A GREAT DECISION. I love that they have packages to choose from, which makes ordering a bit easier. We usually go for different Foodie Packages, which comes in a S/M/L size. You get to choose the sandwich halves or let them do a variety back. Then you have choices from different salads and pastas, and it comes with dessert. Easy peezy. I love that they put little label cards between sandwiches so you know which sandwich it is and exactly what's in each one. Same with your sides. It is SO organized so you don't have to cautiously look around the sandwiches and guess what's inside, what sauces are on it, etc. Every sandwich I've tried is amazing! The bread is soft, the proteins and veggies are fresh, sauces complement the sandwiches really well. I had a steak sandwich and also a turkey one (don't remember exactly what's in them), but I remember eating every bite of each sandwich. SO GOOD. The pastas and salads are really fresh with light dressings --- basically nothing you eat makes you feel guilty. This is my favorite place to cater sandwiches from and everyone I recommended it to has also been really impressed with Mendocino Farms --- from the food, to the ease of ordering, the catering set up, their punctuality delivering and professionalism, and great customer service.
Very comfortable, casual restaurant. Eat in the spacious indoor dining room or on the patio. If I may, I suggest the BBQ tempeh sandwich. You don't have to be vegan to fall in love with this scrumptious and hearty sandwich. The tempeh comes in small pieces, similar perhaps to pulled pork, and has a pleasantly sweet sauce to hold it all together. They add a generous serving of coleslaw and surround it with a gently toasted ciabatta roll. Sure it's a bit messy, but it's okay. I chose a side - the beet, quinoa salad, but was too full from eating the ENTIRE sandwich and had to take the side home with me. I had it the next day with lunch and loved it too. The whole almonds in this mix put it over the top. Expect to pay close to $10 without side or drink. I felt it was worth it, but wouldn't go here on a regular basis due to the prices. Now if it was more like 8 bucks, I might be having this a lot more often.
I love Mendocino Farms not only for it's delicious sandwiches but for the service as well. I have been to two locations - here and one in Tustin and the service has been amazing. The staff was accommodating and patient when I sampled all of the sides (yes I tried all of them LOL). My favorite is the curry couscous and the potato salad. This time, I ended up getting their seasonal sandwich, Chef Judy's Korean Meatball Sub. I love the sauce and the mushroom and everything was really flavorful, although nothing will beat the "Not So Fried Chicken" sandwich. Damn that sandwich is good. I would say that I am a sandwich connoisseur, and Mendocino Farms hands down make the best sandwiches. You seriously need to try it!
Very true spot for lunch. You enter and have a very friendly member help you order. Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. They have the option to try their side salads. They have several games to play while waiting including corn hole and large Jenga. Great spot to sit and study while enjoy your meal. I ordered the avocado toast. Lots of avocado and yummy toppings. Would come by again. The service was great and the food was good.
One of our vendors brings this to our team for lunch ever so often and it tastes so fresh and healthy each time! I was finally in the area to check the place out myself. Super clean place and everyone was so friendly and helpful. We didn't know how to order but a very nice young lady helped us with our order and even let us sample their side dishes. We went with the Farm Club sandwich and a side of their pesto pasta. We got a buzzer for our order which took about 5 to 10 min. I was surprised when the server brought our meal since I was waiting for the buzzer to go off but I didn't mind the service. We munched on our fresh and over loaded sandwich as well as pasta and just felt so good after eating. One sandwich and a small side of pasta was enough to fill my friend and me up. Aww that bacon was so thick and good too!
Love the food here. I usually go to the El Segundo location, took my mom here, and this is what welcomes us....yuck.
I have wanting to try Mendocino farms since I saw a location LA. We finally decided to give it and try I even skipped my carb diet just to eat a sandwich here. I was interested in their pork belly banh mi since I saw other reviews rave about how good it is. It's more of a twist on a banh mi since the bread it's on is a panini pressed ciabitta which is nice and soft with a crunch. The pork belly is nice and tender going perfectly with the pickled veggies also the chili aioli isn't spicy at all to me. Just thinking about it makes me salivate. The sandwich is a little messy to me since it's pretty juicy with the sauce and the meat. I also got to try the peruvian steak sandwich but I think the pork belly banh mi is better hands down. I also love how they let you try samples of their sides. The curry couscous is amazing it has a nice curry sweet taste and quite refreshing in flavor. There lemonade are nothing special though just super tart. Price wise at 11 a sandwich it's okay not as cheap as a five dollar banh mi but I can dig the taste and flavor for that price.
Happy puppy lunch date! Brought my dogs for lunch and loved the Drake's chicken salad packed with fresh goodness- shaved, roasted free range chicken breast, Herbes de Provence marinated Drake Family Farm's goat cheese, pink lady beets, green apples, dried cranberries, honey roasted almonds. Menu-awesome choices and I had a hard time making a selection. Staff was helpful and welcoming and even brought water for my fur kids.
How have I not heard of this place before?? Great ambience, fast service, hip. With its assortment of side salads that you can taste (how do you not get full before ordering??),this place is my dream. The server was patient as I tried the billions of salads they had there, before settling on a kale, bean, and quinoa salad. I got the "fried chicken" sandwich, which was delicious. My only complaint is that the bread was a bit on the hard side. Like cut-the-top-of-your-mouth hard. This place is a bit pricy, or I suppose normal for the Irvine area. I'm weighing if it's worth the price. But the quality is great and the service is great.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! Been a student for THREE years now at UC Irvine, and can't believe this is my first time here. I ordered the Peruvian Steak Sandwich ($10.95) and "Not So Fried" Chicken ($9.95) which comes w/ BBQ & dijon mustard sauces. Personally a fan of the steak sandwich but thought the bread was too thick and soft. The chicken was super tasty and my bf's favorite. The mustard pairs deliciously with the entire sandwich and has a wasabi-like tang. Loving their free samples of amazing side dishes. The CURRY COUSCOUS is out of this world...so good. I could eat a tub of that in a day. The entire store is HUGE. Each table at all corners of the place has a different vibe to it & it's a great working space as well. Lowkey regret not ordering one after seeing everyone's meals while leaving the restaurant. :( Definitely will come back & try their salads!!
It is well known to my friends that I am a huge Mendocino Farms fan. Being on UCI campus, I took the chance to stop by for a quick bite while I connected with a friend and former coworker. I stepped away from the bahn mi that I traditionally order.l, and got the turkey club sandwich. However I was not a huge fan of the sandwich. The turkey was definitely thick and real, no pressed meat here. The bread was not exactly what I was looking for. Whole grain, while it is good, just did not feel right for this sandwich, or at least what I was expecting. That being said, the staff were great! The lemonade super tasty. They also have a corn-hole game that you can play to pass the time or keep the kids occupied. What did I learn today? I am sure I could have sent back the sandwich, but instead I just eat the middle with a fork and knife (ala Mr. Pitt and his snickers bar for the Seinfeld watchers out there).
Interesting artisan sandwiches with a few vegan options. Very friendly employees! I tried the vegan Bahn mi, which was very good. Ingredients tasted very fresh, and the tofu was flavorful and had nice texture. The bread was the best part-fresh sourdough ciabatta. I felt they added a bit too much oil to the sandwich, but otherwise the flavors and textures were very nice. They also have an interesting selection of natural sodas. This location is specious and has a lot of seating, steps to the UC Irvine campus. I hope Mendocino farms will offer a larger selection of vegan options in the future. The prices here are a bit steep for relatively simple sandwiches, but the quality and convenience is worth it on occasion.
I really like Mendocino Farms, which is coming to San Diego soon. This particular Farm, which is located near UC Irvine, is pretty new with the typical MF décor and menu offerings you have come to know and love. Assuming you've been. If you have not, you are in for a nice time with fresh food. Tonight, I had one if my favorites: Mama Chen's Chinese Chicken Salad. This big meal salad is full of flavor and a great mix of veggies, including Napa cabbage, kale, carrots, bean sprouts, butter lettuce, romaine, Cilantro, almond slices, wontons, and shaved chicken breast with a miso mustard sesame dressing. I ate every morsel. Wonderful. My only complaint is that their beer selection is really limited. They actually have more beet choices than beers choices (I think) which is silly. Purple beets, pink beets, golden beets, striped beets. Maybe more. And just four beers. No stouts, no porters, no good IPAs, etc. Bottom line is that I'm a fan. Now if they could just increase their selection of brews...
When you pull up to the UCI parking lot, you usually see people lining up outside Mendocino Farms waiting to place their order. Upon entrance, you're greeted with large menu board with server taking your order; then proceed to the register to pay and sample some side dish. Décor: spacious open space with large tables and some areas with family friendly games. Service: semi self-help as you order first, pick up at the counter and find your own table Food: pricing is a bit high for sandwiches, but the ingredients are wholesome and hearty. There are some items that can be requested as gluten free and vegan options STEAK BLT ON PRETZEL SANDWICH 10.95: steak with balsamic glze drizzle, bacon, lettuce, tomato, herb aioli, red wine onions; although designated as blue plate special, this was not memorable SAVE DRAKE'S FARM SALAD 11.95: chicken breast, goat cheese, pink lady beets, green apples, dried cranberries, almonds, red onions, various greens with citrus vinaigrette: this was really good with a little tang and couldn't finish in one setting. Not a fan of the pink beet though. Would come back to try other items on the menu. TIP: if you place an order for morning pick up, make sure to time it before their break, so they will have it ready for you. Otherwise, add another 15-30 for them to prep it.
Meh...this place is not all that. I haven't had it in a very long time and my memories of this place were a lot better than what I experienced today for lunch. The food is bland, poorly executed, and small portioned. Plus the ordering system isn't super clear. You don't know what the side options are until you've already ordered. So I couldn't decide if I wanted a entree salad or a few sides. Ultimately I decided to order a sandwich and split a big salad with my husband, but I kept thinking I might regret that decision if I like some of those sides enough. I sampled the sides and was relived to find they were mostly carb ones and not green based. The food... - steak blt on pretzel: my husband and I got this. Our buns were burnt. The meat was dry. All the components of this sandwich were flavorless. There's an aioli in it that did not enhance the taste at all. I feel like they may have accidentally left it out because there was no juicy/moist component at all apparent in the wich. I think it's missing some blue cheese or Gorgonzola to add a robust flavor component. The sandwich is also super tiny for $10.45. - Asian pear salad: they don't peel the Asian pear and unfortunately the peel on Asian pear is bitter. Also, there wasn't enough of the pear. The dressing was uninspiring; it was mostly just apple cider vinegar. It made the salad super sour. I couldn't finish all of it. The best part of the salad was definitely the toasted hazelnuts and craisins. I think the flavor of this salad would've been enhanced with blue cheese. Instead They used shaved grana padano cheese which is too gentle flavored for the other components. It does not have enough of a flavor profile to shine in this salad.
Mendocino Farms
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4187 Campus Dr
Ste M176
Irvine, CA 92612 - Phone number (949) 783-2900
- Business website mendocinofarms.com
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“They also have GOOD gluten free options and really good customer service.” in 10 reviews
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“My favorite is the not so fried chicken sandwich and my husband LOVES the curry couscous.” in 20 reviews
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“Celebration Sandwich, Prosciutto and Chicken Sandwich, Steak BLT and Save Drake Farms Salad are my favorites.” in 25 reviews
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Ariana B. said "Didn't want to eat here because of the bad reviews but decided to give it a shot. $10 for half soup and sandwich. Average portions. I got the tomato soup and chipotle chicken panini which were both…" read morein Soup, Salad, Sandwiches -
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- Chris Z.
- Ladera Ranch, CA
- 4 friends
- 27 reviews
Mendocino Farms is a joy to visit. We are always greeted with friendliness and great service. It's no accident that this occurs; it's evident there's great customer-oriented training taking place! We always feel welcome and well cared for at MF without exception.
The sandwiches and salads are top notch with regard to flavor, freshness and selection. We also appreciate sampling the sides each time we order. The gourmet soda is to die for, and we give in to our inner desires and enjoy this guilty pleasure.
Seating has never been a problem, as this place is spacious and accommodates many. The decor is a contemporary country style and is comfortable. We also burn some wait time playing beanbag games.
All-in-all, a wonderful experience and a regular place for our family! -
- Mercedes S.
- Las Vegas, NV
- 30 friends
- 72 reviews
- 7 photos
- Elite ’17
I never thought I'd see the day that my boyfriend would scarf down a salad without me forcing him to... That is, until we came to Mendocino Farms and were pleasantly surprised by the healthy and delicious selection of salads. We both love how filling they are and how they're packed with tons of different ingredients.
Of course the sandwiches are also amazing, so I have to get one of those from time to time. But seriously, if it's a tasty, boyfriend-friendly salad that you're after, then look no further. -
These are pretty pricey sandwiches, but I like that they use very fresh and local ingredients. I ordered a Peruvian Steak sandwich and the flavor was great, but I wish it had a bit more meat for the price ($12.12 including tax). Luckily I had a BOGO coupon and got two sandwiches for that price, but otherwise I don't think I would come here regularly.
I like the decor and ambiance of the restaurant, and the service I received was very friendly. I think the name of the staff member who helped me was Zahvee (not sure on the spelling). He had a big smile and seemed to make conversation with everyone he interacted with, even me.
Overall I had a good experience, but as a student with many other cheaper options nearby, I don't see myself coming here regularly unless I could get a deal. It does seem like a good date spot though! -
- Tiffany D.
- Rosemead, CA
- 547 friends
- 109 reviews
- 380 photos
- Elite ’17
Once you step in, an employee will ask if you have dined with them before. They are helpful in helping you select something. Everything that I have tried here is wonderful. I love that each dish has so many different components. That way you don't get bored of what you're eating.
Almost fried chicken sandwich - expensive for a sandwich but the ingredients are so fresh. It also tastes healthier than straight up fried chicken. You can get their different sauces on the side to try, but my favorite one is the mustard remoulade.
Sophisticated chicken and prosciutto salad - there is so much going on in this salad and I love it! From prosciutto, chicken, sautéed vegetables, to almonds.
Curry couscous - carby and delicious. There are a lot of copy cat recipes for a reason!
Healthiest salad - very healthy tasting, but that doesn't mean it doesn't taste good!
The employees are always so friendly.
This is my go to place if I want a well rounded salad. -
The ordering process here is interesting. At first I thought it was an automated machine where you order yourself like they have at jack in the box, but a cashier/server comes up and takes your order and then walks with you to the register to ring you up.
The ambiance here is very relaxing and fun. They have two corn hole sets and a foosball table. Also some of the seating have turf which gives it a great vibe.
Our server was super helpful and said "this place is like Costco feel free to try any of our salads". Which of course I did! The curries couscous was pretty legit.
Ordered the porkbelly banh mi. The textures all worked well. The crunchy pickled carrots and radish with the tender meat.
Really great place to just kick back! -
NEED SOMEONE TO CATER LUNCH? Just want somewhere to grab lunch? GO HERE for fresh and affordable food!
I had heard so many good things about Mendocino Farms so I decided I'd take a chance and have them cater a lunch meeting. SUCH A GREAT DECISION.
I love that they have packages to choose from, which makes ordering a bit easier. We usually go for different Foodie Packages, which comes in a S/M/L size. You get to choose the sandwich halves or let them do a variety back. Then you have choices from different salads and pastas, and it comes with dessert. Easy peezy.
I love that they put little label cards between sandwiches so you know which sandwich it is and exactly what's in each one. Same with your sides. It is SO organized so you don't have to cautiously look around the sandwiches and guess what's inside, what sauces are on it, etc. Every sandwich I've tried is amazing! The bread is soft, the proteins and veggies are fresh, sauces complement the sandwiches really well. I had a steak sandwich and also a turkey one (don't remember exactly what's in them), but I remember eating every bite of each sandwich. SO GOOD. The pastas and salads are really fresh with light dressings --- basically nothing you eat makes you feel guilty.
This is my favorite place to cater sandwiches from and everyone I recommended it to has also been really impressed with Mendocino Farms --- from the food, to the ease of ordering, the catering set up, their punctuality delivering and professionalism, and great customer service. -
- Carlene P.
- Lake Forest, CA
- 32 friends
- 225 reviews
- 185 photos
- Elite ’17
Very comfortable, casual restaurant. Eat in the spacious indoor dining room or on the patio.
If I may, I suggest the BBQ tempeh sandwich. You don't have to be vegan to fall in love with this scrumptious and hearty sandwich. The tempeh comes in small pieces, similar perhaps to pulled pork, and has a pleasantly sweet sauce to hold it all together. They add a generous serving of coleslaw and surround it with a gently toasted ciabatta roll. Sure it's a bit messy, but it's okay.
I chose a side - the beet, quinoa salad, but was too full from eating the ENTIRE sandwich and had to take the side home with me. I had it the next day with lunch and loved it too. The whole almonds in this mix put it over the top.
Expect to pay close to $10 without side or drink. I felt it was worth it, but wouldn't go here on a regular basis due to the prices. Now if it was more like 8 bucks, I might be having this a lot more often. -
I love Mendocino Farms not only for it's delicious sandwiches but for the service as well. I have been to two locations - here and one in Tustin and the service has been amazing. The staff was accommodating and patient when I sampled all of the sides (yes I tried all of them LOL). My favorite is the curry couscous and the potato salad. This time, I ended up getting their seasonal sandwich, Chef Judy's Korean Meatball Sub. I love the sauce and the mushroom and everything was really flavorful, although nothing will beat the "Not So Fried Chicken" sandwich. Damn that sandwich is good.
I would say that I am a sandwich connoisseur, and Mendocino Farms hands down make the best sandwiches. You seriously need to try it! -
- Amanpreet S.
- Irvine, CA
- 203 friends
- 46 reviews
- 42 photos
Very true spot for lunch. You enter and have a very friendly member help you order. Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. They have the option to try their side salads. They have several games to play while waiting including corn hole and large Jenga.
Great spot to sit and study while enjoy your meal. I ordered the avocado toast. Lots of avocado and yummy toppings.
Would come by again. The service was great and the food was good. -
One of our vendors brings this to our team for lunch ever so often and it tastes so fresh and healthy each time! I was finally in the area to check the place out myself. Super clean place and everyone was so friendly and helpful. We didn't know how to order but a very nice young lady helped us with our order and even let us sample their side dishes. We went with the Farm Club sandwich and a side of their pesto pasta. We got a buzzer for our order which took about 5 to 10 min. I was surprised when the server brought our meal since I was waiting for the buzzer to go off but I didn't mind the service. We munched on our fresh and over loaded sandwich as well as pasta and just felt so good after eating. One sandwich and a small side of pasta was enough to fill my friend and me up. Aww that bacon was so thick and good too!
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- Dyonne T.
- Hermosa Beach, CA
- 3 friends
- 14 reviews
- 6 photos
Love the food here. I usually go to the El Segundo location, took my mom here, and this is what welcomes us....yuck.
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I have wanting to try Mendocino farms since I saw a location LA.
We finally decided to give it and try I even skipped my carb diet just to eat a sandwich here.
I was interested in their pork belly banh mi since I saw other reviews rave about how good it is.
It's more of a twist on a banh mi since the bread it's on is a panini pressed ciabitta which is nice and soft with a crunch. The pork belly is nice and tender going perfectly with the pickled veggies also the chili aioli isn't spicy at all to me. Just thinking about it makes me salivate.
The sandwich is a little messy to me since it's pretty juicy with the sauce and the meat.
I also got to try the peruvian steak sandwich but I think the pork belly banh mi is better hands down.
I also love how they let you try samples of their sides. The curry couscous is amazing it has a nice curry sweet taste and quite refreshing in flavor.
There lemonade are nothing special though just super tart.
Price wise at 11 a sandwich it's okay not as cheap as a five dollar banh mi but I can dig the taste and flavor for that price. -
- Kathy S.
- Orange, CA
- 47 friends
- 52 reviews
- 12 photos
Happy puppy lunch date! Brought my dogs for lunch and loved the Drake's chicken salad packed with fresh goodness- shaved, roasted free range chicken breast, Herbes de Provence marinated Drake Family Farm's goat cheese, pink lady beets, green apples, dried cranberries, honey roasted almonds.
Menu-awesome choices and I had a hard time making a selection.
Staff was helpful and welcoming and even brought water for my fur kids. -
- Alice M.
- San Diego, CA
- 73 friends
- 35 reviews
- 41 photos
How have I not heard of this place before?? Great ambience, fast service, hip.
With its assortment of side salads that you can taste (how do you not get full before ordering??),this place is my dream. The server was patient as I tried the billions of salads they had there, before settling on a kale, bean, and quinoa salad. I got the "fried chicken" sandwich, which was delicious. My only complaint is that the bread was a bit on the hard side. Like cut-the-top-of-your-mouth hard.
This place is a bit pricy, or I suppose normal for the Irvine area. I'm weighing if it's worth the price. But the quality is great and the service is great. -
- Jacqueline K.
- Diamond Bar, CA
- 708 friends
- 121 reviews
- 596 photos
LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! Been a student for THREE years now at UC Irvine, and can't believe this is my first time here.
I ordered the Peruvian Steak Sandwich ($10.95) and "Not So Fried" Chicken ($9.95) which comes w/ BBQ & dijon mustard sauces. Personally a fan of the steak sandwich but thought the bread was too thick and soft. The chicken was super tasty and my bf's favorite. The mustard pairs deliciously with the entire sandwich and has a wasabi-like tang.
Loving their free samples of amazing side dishes. The CURRY COUSCOUS is out of this world...so good. I could eat a tub of that in a day.
The entire store is HUGE. Each table at all corners of the place has a different vibe to it & it's a great working space as well.
Lowkey regret not ordering one after seeing everyone's meals while leaving the restaurant. :( Definitely will come back & try their salads!! -
It is well known to my friends that I am a huge Mendocino Farms fan. Being on UCI campus, I took the chance to stop by for a quick bite while I connected with a friend and former coworker.
I stepped away from the bahn mi that I traditionally order.l, and got the turkey club sandwich. However I was not a huge fan of the sandwich. The turkey was definitely thick and real, no pressed meat here. The bread was not exactly what I was looking for. Whole grain, while it is good, just did not feel right for this sandwich, or at least what I was expecting.
That being said, the staff were great! The lemonade super tasty. They also have a corn-hole game that you can play to pass the time or keep the kids occupied.
What did I learn today? I am sure I could have sent back the sandwich, but instead I just eat the middle with a fork and knife (ala Mr. Pitt and his snickers bar for the Seinfeld watchers out there). -
Interesting artisan sandwiches with a few vegan options. Very friendly employees! I tried the vegan Bahn mi, which was very good. Ingredients tasted very fresh, and the tofu was flavorful and had nice texture. The bread was the best part-fresh sourdough ciabatta. I felt they added a bit too much oil to the sandwich, but otherwise the flavors and textures were very nice. They also have an interesting selection of natural sodas.
This location is specious and has a lot of seating, steps to the UC Irvine campus. I hope Mendocino farms will offer a larger selection of vegan options in the future. The prices here are a bit steep for relatively simple sandwiches, but the quality and convenience is worth it on occasion. -
I really like Mendocino Farms, which is coming to San Diego soon. This particular Farm, which is located near UC Irvine, is pretty new with the typical MF décor and menu offerings you have come to know and love. Assuming you've been. If you have not, you are in for a nice time with fresh food.
Tonight, I had one if my favorites: Mama Chen's Chinese Chicken Salad. This big meal salad is full of flavor and a great mix of veggies, including Napa cabbage, kale, carrots, bean sprouts, butter lettuce, romaine, Cilantro, almond slices, wontons, and shaved chicken breast with a miso mustard sesame dressing. I ate every morsel. Wonderful.
My only complaint is that their beer selection is really limited. They actually have more beet choices than beers choices (I think) which is silly. Purple beets, pink beets, golden beets, striped beets. Maybe more. And just four beers. No stouts, no porters, no good IPAs, etc.
Bottom line is that I'm a fan. Now if they could just increase their selection of brews... -
When you pull up to the UCI parking lot, you usually see people lining up outside Mendocino Farms waiting to place their order. Upon entrance, you're greeted with large menu board with server taking your order; then proceed to the register to pay and sample some side dish.
Décor: spacious open space with large tables and some areas with family friendly games.
Service: semi self-help as you order first, pick up at the counter and find your own table
Food: pricing is a bit high for sandwiches, but the ingredients are wholesome and hearty. There are some items that can be requested as gluten free and vegan options
STEAK BLT ON PRETZEL SANDWICH 10.95: steak with balsamic glze drizzle, bacon, lettuce, tomato, herb aioli, red wine onions; although designated as blue plate special, this was not memorable
SAVE DRAKE'S FARM SALAD 11.95: chicken breast, goat cheese, pink lady beets, green apples, dried cranberries, almonds, red onions, various greens with citrus vinaigrette: this was really good with a little tang and couldn't finish in one setting. Not a fan of the pink beet though.
Would come back to try other items on the menu.
TIP: if you place an order for morning pick up, make sure to time it before their break, so they will have it ready for you. Otherwise, add another 15-30 for them to prep it. -
Meh...this place is not all that. I haven't had it in a very long time and my memories of this place were a lot better than what I experienced today for lunch. The food is bland, poorly executed, and small portioned. Plus the ordering system isn't super clear. You don't know what the side options are until you've already ordered. So I couldn't decide if I wanted a entree salad or a few sides. Ultimately I decided to order a sandwich and split a big salad with my husband, but I kept thinking I might regret that decision if I like some of those sides enough. I sampled the sides and was relived to find they were mostly carb ones and not green based.
The food...
- steak blt on pretzel: my husband and I got this. Our buns were burnt. The meat was dry. All the components of this sandwich were flavorless. There's an aioli in it that did not enhance the taste at all. I feel like they may have accidentally left it out because there was no juicy/moist component at all apparent in the wich. I think it's missing some blue cheese or Gorgonzola to add a robust flavor component. The sandwich is also super tiny for $10.45.
- Asian pear salad: they don't peel the Asian pear and unfortunately the peel on Asian pear is bitter. Also, there wasn't enough of the pear. The dressing was uninspiring; it was mostly just apple cider vinegar. It made the salad super sour. I couldn't finish all of it. The best part of the salad was definitely the toasted hazelnuts and craisins. I think the flavor of this salad would've been enhanced with blue cheese. Instead They used shaved grana padano cheese which is too gentle flavored for the other components. It does not have enough of a flavor profile to shine in this salad.
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Jude D. said "Love this place! Maggie & Joanne are just wonderful human beings. We were looking for a family friendly place since we have a 3 year old daughter. They were so nice to her, and the poke is amazing!" read morein Hawaiian, Coffee & Tea, Poke -
Katie D. said "I went here for the first time today and all of the employees were friendly and kind. I asked for a gluten-free crust and they asked if it was a preference or allergy, which was nice. My only complaint was…" read morein Fast Food, Salad, Pizza
Business info summary
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- Today
- 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Closed now
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$$
- Price range
- $11-30
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