Family Dining: Mendocino Farms Opens at Irvine's University Center!

Mendocino Farms Sandwich Market, known for their farm-to-table sandwiches and supporting local farms & artisans, recently opened its 10th restaurant at Irvine's University Center! Their goal is help everyone eat "healthier" by featuring a chef-driven menu that changes with the seasons and offering high quality ingredients at affordable prices.  We recently sampled their menu and was excited to check out their new location, because it was designed by parents to incorporate a family-friendly dining experience. Now we really don't have an excuse when we're dining out to eat healthy!

K-Town Bulgogi Ribeye Roll
This seasonal sandwich includes house-marinated bulgogi ribeye steak (our favorite Korean BBQ marinate), spicy Gochujan sauce (chile paste), K-Town style slaw (pickled veggies) in rice wine vinaigrette, and chili aoli served on a panini-pressed soft roll - It's DELICIOUS!

Peruvian Steak Sandwich

Looking for an option with a nice kick to it? Their Peruvian Steak Sandwich includes a spicy aji amarillo marinated steak with Oaxacan cheese, herb aioli, red onions, tomatoes, and shredded lettuce served on a panini-pressed torta bun. It's equally as tasty as the sandwich mentioned above. If you like it hot, you'll like this one.

"Save Drake Farm's Salad"
On their salad menu, are farm fresh salads. Their "Save Drake Farm's Salad" includes roasted free-range chicken breast, Herbes de Provence marinated Drake Family Farm's goat cheese, pink beets, green apples, dried cranberries, honey roasted almonds, red onions, greens from Scarborough Farm, butter lettuce and romaine served with a tasty citrus vinaigrette. The dressing is light and yummy.

On the Kid's Menu

Affordable Kid's Meals include a kid's sandwich, a side, and drink for only $4.95. Children can choose from Turkey & Cheddar, Grilled Cheese, Salami & Provolone, Ham & Provolone, house made Peanut Butter & Local Jelly (Strawberry Rhubarb Jam from Coldwater Canyon Provisions) on Quinoa Wheat Bread, served with a side of fresh fruit, and a beverage.

Free Samples from their Weekly Seasonal Specials

They have additional seasonal soup and deli salad specials which rotate weekly and include a Spicy Dijon Potato Salad, the Drake Farm’s Feta with Basil Pesto Shells, and Curried Couscous with Roasted Life’s A Choke Farm’s Cauliflower & Carrots. Ask for a free sample! Seasonal specials can be found online at mendocinofarms.com.

Family-Friendly Dining

As mentioned earlier, co-founders Mario and Ellen wanted to create a community gathering place where diners of all ages can enjoy an innovative menu in a family-friendly atmosphere. It includes a play area with an indoor cornhole court, a ceiling-to-floor chalk wall, a kid-size table, and a foosball table. (My kids got really good with the bean bag toss.)

Fan of the Day!
How fun is this? Frequent diners can be pleasantly surprised as staff members select a random "Fan of the Day" to win a complimentary meal on the house. All the members made an announcement which can be heard throughout the restaurant. I experienced one just for fun, and it made me feel extra special. (I couldn't help but smile).

Mendocino Farms Sandwich Market supports local farms and artisans using premium ingredients.

• Bread from Drago Bakery,
• Petaluma Poultry's free range chicken,
• Scarborough Farms' greens, heirloom tomatoes, and herbs,
• Drake Family Farms' goat cheese,
• Creminelli's domestic prosciutto,
• Sugarbird Sweets & Teas' hand blended passion fruit black tea, and
• Coldwater Canyon Provisions' award-winning Strawberry Rhubarb Jam.

We enjoyed dining at Mendocino Farms that day. The food tasted great, and we felt great eating it. We can tell that they take great care in training their staff to welcome diners, because they were super friendly and helpful. We loved that they came by several times to ask us if we need anything or refills. We will definitely go back. Please visit their website for more information!

MENDOCINO FARMS

Irvine's University Center
4175 Campus Drive, Suite B
Irvine, CA
(949) 783-2900
www.mendocinofarms.com

HOURS:
Open for lunch and dinner daily
11:00 am - 9:00 pm

More about Mendocino Farms:
Founded in 2005 by Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen, Mendocino Farms is a Southern California-based sandwich concept that promotes a farm-to-table philosophy by using local, seasonal ingredients in its menu. Mendocino Farms aims to offer “more than a sandwich” by creating community gathering places where friends, families, and coworkers can come together over a good meal, and maybe even learn something new about a local farm or a special season.