Mendocino Farms

Fresh ingredients, generous portions, and very clean with great service. The avocado was in good shape too. The only downside is that I felt it was a bit pricey. Since I visited shortly after it opened on August 31, 2025, everything was spotless. Overall, a nice experience, though I think one visit is enough.

I visited Mendocino Farms and was impressed by their fresh, thoughtfully composed sandwiches and salads—every ingredient tasted pristine and well balanced. I went for the “Not So Fried” Chicken sandwich and a seasonal green juice: the sandwich was crunchy and juicy, though the juice leaned a bit too sweet for me. The ambiance was casual and bright, with a cheerful, bustling lunch-spot vibe. Overall, it was tasty, light, and felt like a healthier dining option.

Warm atmosphere, polite staff, and the food comes out very quickly — but most importantly, everything here is incredibly delicious! The soups are fantastic! The sandwiches are very filling; if you eat one in the morning, you can walk around the city all day until dinner. And unlike Los Angeles, it’s never crowded here, so you can always find an open table!

Wonderful all around. Went around 3pm today. The staff that was working were great, very kind and helpful. The food was priced fairly, and me and my two companions all enjoyed what we ate. All of the drink options were homemade I believe. The restaurant was very clean. Definitely a great choice for a quick bite to eat!

I’ve been to San Diego location, was excited to try it out in Chicago. Ordered the special, hot honey peach prosciutto sandwich and it was amazing. Presentation great and tasted so good, all ingredients were fresh. Also the team was super friendly, shoutout Nicholas! Great addition to the River north neighborhood, worth the price, I will be back!

Great new addition to the neighborhood! I was expecting just a regular fast food takeout sandwich but wow! Very pleased with how fresh the ingredients were and how much flavor each item had. It’s honestly better than some of the restaurant sandwiches I’ve had. I also loved the tomato soup. Perfect little combo for a chilly Chicago snow day. Since the sandwiches were made fresh there, it took a little extra time but it was so worth the wait. Even my husband who had the sandwich hours later was very happy with it and already wants another one ☝🏻 Also people who work there were all so nice and welcoming. I will definitely be back for more ❤️ (Possibly tomorrow because I am obsessed with the soup)

Super great service (though for some reason they couldn’t get my gift card to work) and food (partner and I got the “not so fried” chicken and pink lady goat salad) was really good but dang was it on the higher end of the price scale in terms of how much food you get.

This was my initial visit, and we chose to stop here for lunch. Both the sandwich and the soup were exceptionally delicious. I hope to have the opportunity to return soon.

Love the not so fried chicken sandwich . We ordered ahead of time .it was still a few minutes so they brought it too our table! Well lit cute farm booths. Nice weather permitting outdoor tables . I wish there were more locations , I found it first in CA. I want to try the Salad some day! I love the bread . Potato salad was good. Open one I Pleasant Prairie WI lol . I love driving a distance to partake in this fave of ours !

Love Mendocino Farms. My absolute favorite sandwich is the not so fried chicken. Love the mustard sauce that it comes with too. The inside has a cute vibe. During nice weather they have tables outside. We first discovered this restaurant in San Diego. Really glad it made it's way to the Chicago area. Will be back again! Want to try a salad next time

We stopped by here for a quick and light dinner. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich and it was delicious. Crispy, juicy, and really well put together. Honestly, probably one of the best sandwiches I've had. Overall, really solid meal. Would definitely come back just for that sandwich.

The restaurant was very clean and inviting, staff were incredibly helpful and friendly, and the food was scrumptious! Decent bang for your buck... Relatively speaking, it is Chicago after all. Lol

We have eaten at Mendo's in LA several times and in Seatle, so were were excited when they opened in Chicago. Our group ordered a variety of sandwiches, including the Peruvian Steak, Happy Hippy, Chicken Pesto Caprese, Turkey Avo Salsa Verde and Chen's Crispy Rice Salad. The curried couscous is one their signature sides, and it did not disappoint. You place your order at the counter and they bring it to your table. There are not many tables, but it was not very busy on a Sunday afternoon. Sandwiches are a bit more expensive than what you expect from a casual chain, but the quality of the sandwiches and the focus on farm fresh ingredients and unique combinations makes it worth it.

I'm really happy they've finally opened in Chicago. I had a vegetarian salad option and enjoyed the freshness of the ingredients, flavors of the dressing and quantity as well. Looking forward to returning and checking out more on their menu soon.

I recently checked out the new Mendocino Farms in River North during the lunch rush. I ordered online, showed up about 30 minutes after placing my order, and still ended up waiting almost another 45 minutes in-store. I get that it was busy and they just opened, but over an hour total for a single sandwich felt excessive. The sandwich itself, the chimichurri steak and bacon, was delicious and definitely worth trying. Unfortunately, the long wait and the customer service took away from the experience. After having several team members come up to me to ask about my order I felt ignored, especially since people ordering in person seemed to get their food faster. If someone has already been waiting an hour, I'd expect that to take priority. Overall, kind of a mixed first impression. The food is solid, but the process still feels a little rough. Hopefully as they settle in, the kinks get worked out, because I'd love to come back and give it another shot.

Nice location for this place. I have eaten at the one in Cali and I was so excited to have one in the city. It's a small place but has outdoor seating which is nice. The inside seating is quite small especially when busy. I went during lunch and it was a mad house. I waited over 30 mins for 2 sandwiches to go. So plan your lunch timing out before going. You can watch the people making the food. The manager was friendly and handed out cups to try the drinks. I tried the mango water it was delicious and flavorful. I tried the not fried chicken sandwich and it was delicious! I got the slaw on the side cause I'm not a fan of pickle flavoring. I loved the little fried chicken crunchies instead of having full on fried chicken. I also got the sauces on the side so the bread didn't get soggy. I got my partner the steak spicy sandwich he said it was good also. I can't wait to try the salads next!

So pleased to see there's a Mendo in Chicago! I'm visiting for work from California and always crave Mendo salads. Did a Modern Cesar Salad with Chicken for pickup and it was seamless. Interior is simple and clean. I was greeted by friendly staff when I picked up my bag. Definitely recommend Mendo, especially for those who work nearby. It's a great option for lunch.

I came here during Grand Opening week, where they had a BOGO offer. I was surprised by the crowd, so much so ,that we had to wait quite a while for our food which was totally O.K. One of the managers gave us a cup so that we could try thier juices. The pomegranate mint lemonade and guava lemonade were two of my favorites. The mint was not too overpowering and the guava was just the right amount of sweet. I got the chimichurri steak and bacon and it did not disappoint. I haven't had a sandwich that good in a while and I love trying all kinds of sandwiches! The sesame roll was very soft and the caramelized onion jam complemented the steak so well. The restaurant is pretty large and there is seating on both sides. There is also outdoor seating if the inside is too loud for your liking. I will definitely be back as this may be my new favorite spot for a while.

We are excited to have a Mendo open in Chicago. We ate it often when we lived in California. It is just as delicious as we remember. The vegan bahn mi, curried couscous and kale/apple salad are all amazing. This is our new go to spot for weekend lunches. The service has also been great. Everyone has been super friendly and helpful. I can't wait for the sear tower location to open. I'll be there often during the week. -B

yum yum yum... i was so overwhelmed with the menu and can't wait to try more. i finally settled on the quinoa superfood - it was so filling and so fresh. i cannot wait to go back again and again and again. tip: pre-order and then pick-up. they are busy as f.

Best fresh food options and really friendly staff! Huge fan of the club sandwich - highly recommend!

I stopped by for lunch today which was pretty packed around 11:45. I ordered the prosciutto & chicken sandwich as well as a lemon cheesecake cookie. It took about 15 minutes for me to get my order and they also forgot the cookie at first. The sandwich was really tasty, and I especially loved the mixture of flavors including the basil pesto, balsamic glaze, and honey roasted the almonds. The cookie, though advertised as their best seller, was just okay for me. I would probably come back and check out some of the other menu offerings during an off peak hour.

My sister was excited about this place so we decided I would be her personal Uber Eats and bring her our food. I order online for pick up while I was waiting for her to decide what she wanted. I place an order today at 12:50 choosing the fastest time available and the estimate was a mind boggling 40 mins. I think, eh just an estimate and place it. My order confirmation says my scheduled pick up is for 2pm! 1 hour and 10 minutes later... When my sister finally decides what she wants, I try to place her order and they were no longer taking online orders. No big deal, I walk over and place an order. I get her food about 15 mins after paying and ordering, so around 1:10. I stand around and wait hoping my estimate was wrong. I wait and wait and ask someone to check on my order. They said they're prepping it. I continue to wait and the cashier who helped me noticed I was still there and checked on my order, still prepping. The greeter also notices I've been waiting and repeats, checks, still preparing. They said I've been waiting so patiently and offered me something, I went with the cookie. It did not sweeten the situation. Another person notices and says my order was for 2pm. I've been standing there for more than an hour at this point and finally get my order at 2:05. It's an extremely fucked up online order system. I acknowledge that this is something the employees don't control and they've been great. But for the prices they charge, get your fucking shit together. Waiting more than an hour for food is fucked up especially when you don't have all the time in the world for lunch. I'm obviously late at this point and have no time to enjoy my lunch. The employee themselves are the the issue or even the food. If they were, this would have been a zero star review. I should note this is their second day of being open. Everyone who ordered in person was in and out. I was there long enough to see a change of some employees. They certainly weren't shorthanded. Now the food itself was really good. I ordered the chicken parm dip sandwich and my sister ended up coincidentally getting the samething. The mendo crispies were so good. My crispy and hers even after an hour later were still crispy. I also got the curry couscous which i regrettably shared with my sister. Should have devoured it all myself. Food was on point. Prices are up there and the wait had left a horrible experience. Not sure I'll return.

I had the prosciutto and turkey sandwich, and it was absolutely delicious. The jam added the perfect touch of sweetness, creating a great balance of flavors. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, and the staff was very friendly. I'll definitely be back!

The food was all delicious. As you can see from the pictures, the portions are on the small side when you take into account the price points. The staff were friendly and there was a buzz to the place. I worry they may not be around for long if the price points stays high. May come back in the future if I have a coupon because the food was great!

Ahh! This used to be Potbelly. Remember that? This is the first location in the state. Their going to open one in Willis Tower in October. Follow us on that. I had the Chicken Parm Dip combo. The staff and service is fabulous.

Loooove Mendocino farms. Used to go all the time when I lived in Houston. So happy they opened one in Chicago. I got the prosciutto and peach sandwich and it was divine. Also great enthusiastic service.

Mendocino Farm just opened in River North Chicago. We tried their heirloom BLT and Quinoa and Avocado salad. Both were good. Portionsize is good as well. You can bring dogs in as well. A patron had there dog inside. Dog laying in the walkway had almost tripped a few people. No employee said anything. It was an accident waiting to happen.

Great addition to Chicago dining. Had the Chimichurri steak and bacon. The steak and bacon are cooked perfectly for a sandwich, easy to bite and does not pull back. The toppings of caramelized onion jam, herb aioli, marinated red pepper and chimichurri provide a layer of flavor that compliments the meat perfectly. All this rests on a toasted sesame roll. I could actually taste the sesame. The flavors were farm fresh. Most importantly, the staff is fantastic. The restaurant lives up to their motto "Eat Happy" because the staff conveyed a sense of happiness and welcome to all the customers. Hopefully they will open locations throughout the metro area.

Had such a great time today at Mendocino Farms. It was our first time and everything was fantastic. We had 2 different salads, potato salad and the chicken parm sandwich - everything was outstanding. The staff was very friendly and attentive, super quick service and got us everything we needed so quickly. Specifically, Lexi was so friendly and helpful! Greeted us, gave some suggestions on what to order, brought out our food, and checked in on us while we ate. She was super welcoming and sweet, and I loved meeting her. Plan to come back soon, great place.

Best part of Mendocino Farms is walk up ordering and the option to take out if busy! Great place for lunch on the weekends when every restaurant in the area is only serving brunch. Plus the food is amazing with options for all diets.

Yay! I have been anxiously awaiting their opening, and it didn't disappoint. Hubs and I both got a happy hippie (we are vegetarian) and it far exceeded our expectations! It's a huge sandwich full of fresh and unique ingredients. Beet caviar? yes! It was a perfect mix of veggies, cheese and sauce with fresh, toasted bread. Pickle potato chips rounded out our lunch. Can't wait to try other sandwiches and salads, but I have a feeling the Happy Hippie will be a regular on rotation. The sandwiches were worth every penny. Ordered seamlessly thru the app, picked up at time indicated, nice gal addressed me and pointed me to my food. The space is light, airy and cute as can be. Welcome to my neighborhood!

Awful service. Food took 2 hours, continuously lied about wait times. People behind the counter chatting while 50 people are waiting for their food. I'd go somewhere else for lunch until they figure out how to operate.

I placed an order online, which will take a 45 minutes to be ready. Well, i arrived for the pick up and not ready. I finally asked and they said it will be ready soon. Then 25 minutes passed, no lunch. I believe my order was misplaced. I said somethung again, yhey said its being bagged. Another 15 minutes passed and no lunch, i asked again and took additional 10 more minutes. Like realky ppl!! Oh yea, yhey tried ti compensate me with a freaken cookie!! Like No!!!! I took my order and left. Time passed by and couldnt take my lunch cause it was time to go back to work. I will be returnimg the food for a full refund!!

Tried to order from here but was routed to Houston restaurant. So no food for me. Looked lame, so just moving on to the next spot in River North. Staff was nice about it.

tried the sample, 10/10 and will be going back today. the service was amazing, they were knowledgeable about the food and very kind.

Came here for a work lunch and ended up waiting almost two hours for food. It was definitely busy but they need to turn off door dash and mobile order during busy times. Don't come here unless you have an entire afternoon to sit around and wait for sandwiches.

When standing in line, was told by server that I could order online. When I tried to order online, I was directed to doordash. I was told that was the way to order. After ordering, I was told it would be 20 minutes. When I went to pick up the order, it was changed to an hour. When I asked if I could then cancel the order, he said no. He would neither give a refund nor provide the order for another 25 minutes. He was rather rude. I received neither the order nor a refund. What a rip off for a new restaurant trying to build clients in River North.

food is amazing !!!!! service was prompt and recommended amazing food- I got the avo turkey salsa verde and the hardy corn soup 10/10