Mendocino Farms is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in gourmet sandwiches and salads, founded in 2005 by Mario del Pero and Ellen Chen-Del Pero in Los Angeles, California.

The brand is renowned for its commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients and a menu that evolves every six to eight weeks, offering a diverse range of flavors and culinary experiences.

Menu Offerings

Mendocino Farms' menu features a variety of innovative sandwiches and salads, catering to a wide array of tastes and dietary preferences.

Notable items include:

Not So Fried Chicken: Shaved, roasted chicken breast topped with Mendo's krispies, herb aioli, mustard pickle slaw, tomatoes, and pickled red onions on toasted ciabatta, accompanied by tangy mustard barbecue sauce or mustard pickle remoulade.
Chimichurri Steak & Bacon: Roasted, carved steak and applewood smoked bacon with marinated red peppers, caramelized onion jam, chimichurri, shredded romaine, and herb aioli on a toasted sesame roll.
Vegan Banh Mi: Organic marinated, baked tofu with vegan aioli, sweet chili sauce, pickled daikon & carrots, cucumbers, jalapeños, Thai basil, and cilantro on panini-pressed ciabatta.
Pink Lady Beets & Goat Cheese Salad: Shaved, roasted chicken breast, honey and herb marinated goat cheese, pink lady beets, green apples, dried cranberries, crushed honey roasted almonds, red onions, mixed greens, and chopped romaine with citrus vinaigrette.
Peruvian Steak: Spicy aji amarillo marinated steak with Oaxacan cheese, herb aioli, red onions, tomatoes, and shredded romaine on a toasted potato roll.
Chicken Parm Dip: Shaved, roasted chicken breast, Mendo’s krispies, melted mozzarella and Grana Padano cheeses, pomodoro sauce, Italian basil, and Calabrian chili aioli on a toasted sesame roll, served with an extra side of pomodoro sauce for dipping.

A kid's menu is also available, ensuring options for younger diners.

Locations

As of June 2025, Mendocino Farms operates 78 locations across the United States, with a significant presence in California, Texas, Washington, and Colorado.

In California, the chain primarily focuses on major cities such as:

Los Angeles
Orange County
San Diego
Sacramento
San Francisco, CA, US
Torrance, CA, US

Other key locations include Cherry Creek, CO, US.

Recent Expansion

In 2025, Mendocino Farms expanded into new markets, opening its first locations in Denver, Colorado, and Chicago, Illinois.

The Denver location is situated in the Cherry Creek area, while the Chicago location is in the River North district.

Commitment to Quality

Mendocino Farms is dedicated to providing a "white tablecloth meal between two slices of bread," emphasizing clean ingredients without preservatives, additives, or dyes.

This commitment ensures that each dish offers great flavors and a premium dining experience.

Community Engagement

The brand actively engages with its community through various initiatives, including the introduction of a mobile order pick-up lane in San Diego to enhance convenience for customers.

Additionally, Mendocino Farms celebrates milestones such as the opening of its 75th restaurant in San Jose, marking a new era of growth and expansion.

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