Mendocino Farms

So this place is great, if you want a calm atmosphere, great service and good food. The tomatoe soup was great a solid 10/10, the sandwich on the other hand I think it was missing something, maybe some sauce or the meat had little flavour (Chimichurri Steak Sandwich). The drinks I had Guyaba Lemonade, it was a little too sugary for my taste, I tasted the pomegranate lemonade and that was fantastic. Overall it was a great first experience

I love Mendocino farms. My recent favorite is Steak and Chimichurri sandwich, but I’ve also tried Turkey BLT and it tasted great too. I also cater from them a lot for work and it’s always a hit. I like the seating area as well, the restrooms are always clean and staff is very friendly. Overall, a very pleasant experience and very delicious food!

Angie was such a sweet heart! The service in atmosphere was amazing. I definitely wanna come back to try the other items on the menu. I ordered the Peruvian steak sandwich. Everything but the steak itself was delicious. The way the meat is cut Or the actual type of meat, I personally wasn’t the biggest fan of. But that’s just me. Can’t wait to come back here and try the rest of the menu!

The Prosciutto & Chicken Sandwich at Mendocino Farms in Mission Valley is a total showstopper. Forget everything you thought you knew about deli sandwiches - this sandwich is tasty. The combination of salty, savory prosciutto and tender roasted chicken, brightened by a vibrant basil pesto, and sealed in a perfectly panini-pressed ciabatta, is nothing short of brilliant. It’s the kind of sandwich you think about long after the last bite. Fresh, sophisticated, and flawlessly executed. A must-try!

Best sandwiches in town, period. Great ingredients and bread, everything is fresh and tasty. There are a few options to choose from, either to eat there or to go. Clean an open space. The kitchen is a little slow though, so consider that if you’re in a hurry. Parking located inside the mall, so available spots depending on the hour.

This place always has great sandwiches, but today I tried their “November to Remember” and oh em gee, absolutely delicious!! I would highly recommend trying this sandwich before it’s gone, as it’s only on the menu temporarily. I’m also thrilled they brought back the dill potato salad, it’s so yummy! The restaurant itself is very clean and has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. There is nice decor and the staff is friendly. My only recommendation is to order ahead, unless you have time to wait. This place is always packed at lunch.

The best ever food and flavor in mission Valley. The flavor of the food was amazing so clean too many kind of drinks to choice all fresh and organic we love this place.

Great food and service! I came in yesterday for a quick dinner and had the Peruvian Steak. It was delicious with the perfect amount of spice. I wanted to know more about catering and Christina was very helpful. I’ll definitely be ordering soon!

THE MOST BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER. the people there were so nice and they had so much energy, would definitely come again.

I was strolling through the Mission Valley Mall today, when I came across a stand offering samples. Well, let me tell you, those two lovely young ladies absolutely made my day. They greeted me with the kindest smiles and walked me through the whole menu. they had such a good attitude and genuine warmth. They gave me some wonderful recommendations and suggested I try the turkey salsa verde sandwich. And my goodness was it delicious! Exactly the kind of different, I didn't even know I was craving. With employees like those two, it's no surprise the food is just as delightful. You've got yourselves a new loyal customer.

This is my absolute favorite healthy option restaurant in town. Fresh and high quality Ingredients in their salads and sandwiches. My all time favorite is the Chens crispy rice salad! I choose chicken for my protein u can also make vegan n choose tofu. This salad is so flavorful, filling and made with fresh ingredients and so generous portion size n lots of toppings. Damn I can literally eat this salad every day. The miso mustard dressing is perfection, Yummiest salad ever!!! Hubby tried the Avocado quinoa superfood ensalada men oh men another perfection another salad winner !!! We have tried the vegan banh mi and chicken pesto Sammie so delicious!!! And try their soups tomato basil n lemon chicken farro . I literally loved the drinks get your greens and guava lemonade. Overall, price is right and friendly staff orders came out quickly. U can order online n pick up as well. I wish I live close by and eat here everyday, my healthy staples healthy alternative and balanced meals. Definitely coming back here over n over need to order other food in the menu! So Highly recommended! My kind of longevity restaurant! Location is in mission valley mall by Bloomingdales outlet and Nordstrom rack! Lots of parking Ciao !

Love this place for salads (especially avocado quinoa) ingredients are fresh - but they have been stingy as of lately! Salad used to come with a wheat tortilla wrap on the side which was amazing. They used to ask you if you wanted it. They stopped doing it. You can't even order it online anymore (even if you want to pay for it). We've been told multiple things on different occasions such as "they don't do it anymore" "it will take 15 minutes to prepare" "it will be at an additional cost" etc. I contacted corporate and apparently they still give a tortilla but only half now. Unsure if it's changed since then. The inconsistency when it comes to an answer is a little annoying. This place is tasty though, so I still recommend it. Just being a long term customer for years, it's sad to see things decline.

I love Mendocino Farms Sandwiches. I am really not a sandwich person, but I would eat a Mendocino Farms sandwich any day. The food is always fresh and the sandwiches are always made consistent. Whether you are visiting any time of the day or any location, it is consistent which is huge to me. My favorites are the Chicken and Proscuitto, Peruvian Steak and the Chimichurri Steak & Bacon. Today I elected to build my own sandwich taking great things from both steak sandwiches and it was AMAZING!!! I love that they offer a good variety of sauces as I think sauces are what really makes a fantastic sandwich. I also have never had any gristle on the chicken or steak, they are using great quality ingredients. I tend to order online and pick up as I am not a fan of waiting long and this tends to work out great for me since the service can be a little slower during busy times of the day. The employees are always very friendly and welcoming. Honestly it's really one my favorite sandwich shops.

Mendocino Farms is my new go to for a healthy dinner! I would hardly call this place fast food because their dishes are so elevated. This time I tried the Chen's Crispy Rice Salad with tofu and it did not disappoint. Every bite of their salads is filled with a variety of ingredients and flavors. My favorite so far has been the Superfood Salad with Impossible chorizo and no cheese to make it vegan. The Curried Couscous Salad is also yummy and vegan! I love their Vegan Banh Mi but lately I have been ordering salads as I am trying to get in more veggies. I miss the Vegan Mushroom Cheesesteak but will definitely keep coming back. I also loved the summer special Watermelon Poke Salad. Thank you for offering healthy options with large portions. I love eating outside so my dog can sit with us. Inside is modern and bright with plenty of seating. Service is counter service but they do bring your food out and check on you during your meal. I will be coming back again and again.

We had a family party that was catered by Medocino Farms. We had the sandwich tray with Chinese Chicken Salad, Avocado Quinoa Salad, and potato salad. My favorite sandwich is the Farm Club. I love the 3 varieties of sandwiches offered and the salads were delicious. I'm not a big potato salad person so it wasn't my thing. Sandwiches were: Farm Club Chicken Pesto Caprese Chimichurri Steak & Bacon If you're having a small gathering you got to try the catering. It was the perfect combination with minimal clean up.

Seating inside and out. My favorite thing to get is the not so fried chicken sandwich and the curried couscous!

Avo quinoa super food ensalada with shaved chicken will forever be my go to salad Not so fried chicken sandwich

I've had their sandwiches at events a few times but this is my first time dining in one of their locations. I really like the chimichurri steak & bacon, the meat is tender (can be slightly chewy sometimes) and I love the red bell peppers and lettuce. The sesame roll bread is crunchy and the portion is big enough for me to share with my sister. You order at the front and enter your order # at a table, so they can bring it out to you. I would definitely come back!

Casual sandwich chain that has slightly elevated menu options compared to the typical build-your-own deli sandwich shop. Clean, good service, typically pretty fast. Parking in the closest lot can be kind of crazy; be prepared or park on the side of the mall closer to the freeway and walk. You walk in, wait in line, get chatted up by the cashier about your day, order, and sit down at a table. You input your table number by scanning a QR code, and they bring you your order once it's ready. I have tried the chicken pesto caprese, the not so fried chicken, the chicken parm dip, and the prosciutto and chicken. The not so fried chicken was not my cup of tea; the "krispies" were actually kind of soggy, and the sandwich was not so standout compared to their other menu offerings. The caprese and parm dip were both solid, but truly the prosciutto and chicken is what keeps me coming back. I yearn for this sandwich. The contrast between cold mozz and veggies and warm bread, crunchy almonds and creamy cheese and crispy bread, everything is flavor and textural perfection. The honey roasted almonds really add so much. Amazing sandwich. Side note: When I went the water nozzle for the free water was tuned WAY too strong. I happened to sit nearby and watched so many people get firehosed and walk away doused before I started getting up to warn others. Not sure if that was a one off, but be cautious to start haha

Really enjoyed our visit to Mendocino Farms! The vibe is fresh, casual, and welcoming--perfect for a quick bite or a chill lunch with friends. The menu has a great mix of sandwiches, salads, and seasonal specials. We tried a couple of different sandwiches and were super impressed with the quality of the ingredients--everything tasted fresh and flavorful. The bread was perfectly toasted and the flavor combos were creative without being over the top. Loved the variety of sides too! The couscous and pasta salads are underrated gems. Only reason it's not a full five stars is that the portions felt just a little smaller than expected for the price--but honestly, the quality and flavor more than made up for it. Staff was friendly and helpful, and the service was fast even during the lunch rush. Definitely recommend and will be back!

I love their crispy pork sandwich (Vietnamese inspired) and most of all their couscous! The couscous alone is something I will go back to Mendocino farms for. Food is healthy, tasty, and definitely fresh. I can't stop raving about their couscous. Get their couscous!!! thank me later .

Katie went above and beyond to make sure we got access to delicious food that worked perfectly for our dietary needs. We each ordered the Avocado & Quinoa Superfood Ensalada, with some customizations: one of us had no cheese and no kale, while the other skipped the cheese but added chicken. Honestly, we didn't even need to use any dressing--the salad was phenomenal as is! The flavors and textures were outstanding: the beautiful, flavorful crunch of the lettuce, the refreshing jicama, and the hearty quinoa. The spice of the red onions paired perfectly with the sweet roasted corn and creamy black beans. The chicken was seasoned, flavorful, and moist, and the creamy avocado tied everything together. I highly recommend this salad! I also built my own sandwich with chicken, sprouts, cilantro, and lettuce on sourdough. When I got home, I added avocado and balsamic glaze, which made it even more delicious and flavorful. My friend ordered a side of the spiced curried couscous, which they really enjoyed and even added to their salad for an extra flavor boost. Huge thanks to Katie for her kindness and patience, especially when I kept losing phone service while coordinating the order. She was incredibly accommodating and never once lost her cool. Thank you to the team for making an awesome, refreshing and fresh ingredient meal. When I went to pick up the food, I was impressed by the clean, shaded outdoor area, and parking was super easy to find. Overall, a fantastic experience from start to finish -- highly recommend!

I finally gave this place a try after hearing so many great things from others! I can't believe I waited this long to eat here because these guys are doing it right! I tried one of the Chef's Specials, Sweet Peach and Goat Cheese Salad and my wife had the Avocado and Quinoa Superfoods Ensenada. She made it vegan. Y removing the corona cheese and added plant based chorizo. Great service, awesome food, fresh quality ingredients! Can't wait to return to try the other items!

I always come here and get the modern Caesar salad. I get the superfood krunchies on the side so they won't get soggy. The sandwiches are also good here. The place is clean. Service is good. Staff is friendly. You get your food in a timely manner. Sometimes parking is a pain, it just depends on the time you come.

I love coming here for lunch! Excellent salads and sandwiches. My favorite is the salad with Goat cheese and apples but they change things seasonally which also keeps it fresh and exciting. Their theme is farm to table and food quality is really good. The interior is super cute and quirky too, with actual grass and cows walkinon the ceiling.

Been here about 5x already, including once last week and today. I really like how fresh their sandwiches are. Last week we had the Chimichurri Steak & Bacon and the Not So Fried Chicken with their Lemon Chicken & Farro Soup which I've had twice because it's that good. It does get busy during lunch time and they take a while to get your food when dining in, however their food tastes fresh and it's also "healthy" (so they say). They also have good soft drinks like the Guava Lemonade which was delicious (I had a taste today). I like the casual environment.

I go through my sandwich phases... where all I want to eat is sandwiches all the time and then not eat another for a very long time. Must be the carbs cravings! Mendocino farms is conveniently located in Mission valley across from Nordstrom Rack. The parking is horrendous here on the weekend! You can order online or call in your order. I usually call mine in. Staff is friendly. Usually doesn't take long to get my order 15-20 min max which is great. My fav are the steak sandwiches, but they get expensive. So my second fav is the Chicken pesto caprese which I've been getting lately. Healthier too probably. Can't go wrong with any of their sandwiches. 2024: 31

I've ordered uber eats in the past from here and came to try my favorite salad in person today, the avocado quinoa superfood salad. I was quite disappointed that it was very salty. Couldn't really taste the dressing much and I think they over did the cheese. The farm club sandwich my mom had was just ok. We were expecting a sour pickled flavor on the pickled onions in the sandwich but they were more an intense sweet flavor which we did not like. The tomatoes were cut pretty thick and the sandwich was tough to eat. To top it off, when we arrived we weren't greeted, the employees were so into their personal conversation that I had to ask twice for utensils. It was just an OK visit here today.

Loved it! Lots of fresh and delicious options, especially perfect for lunchtime. Service is great with friendly, helpful people behind the counter as you order. They are knowledgeable about the products they offer and willing to make suggestions if asked. The decor and ambience is fresh and clean, with fun quirky touches.

I love Mendocino Farms, however this location has been a little off for me. I've tried many locations but for some reason, every time I come to this one, the sandwich is missing an ingredient, or my salad is not filled to the top. It's a little strange, but nonetheless, the food has always been good. The staff here can be awkward or snappy so I don't always feel comfortable coming here.

It was a hard to choose between the many appetizing options on the menu, but in the end I went with the seasonal sweet peach & goat cheese salad. The salad has a lot of variety, from mint to pickled onions, fennel, romaine, kale, and hot honey (!!). The Peaches were ripe and sweet. The farmhouse vinaigrette was so good and the goat cheese was the star of the show. I was pleasantly surprised at this well thought-out limited item. I'm glad I didn't miss out on this one, but will be sad to see it go. Husband said the not so fried chicken sandwich was delicious and he used every last drop of the pickled mustard remoulade. He's also tried the prosciutto and chicken sandwich, and liked that one as well. I tried a little bit and thought it was good. I'd love to come back to try more salads like the Thai mango salad, pink lady beets & goat cheese salad, and the farm club sandwich + deli side combo. One thing to keep in mind is that even if it's "healthy food", the calories for the salad + dressing are a bit higher than you might expect! Pricing is reasonable.

Can't go wrong with this place! 10/10! I love their juice choices and the Thai mango salad is a must! This place is always packed for a reason! Salads are huge and good!

Okay, I have been coming to Mendocino Farms for my custom salads for months. I love that I can customize a delicious vegan salad with either impossible chorizo (if you're in the mood for something spicy) or grilled tofu for a protein ( at no extra cost). It's nothing special, when considering what you can make at home, but the ample selection of vegan salad dressings, along with the three add-on ingredients really sets things apart from other vegan salad options. The service is quick. If you're in a rush order ahead in the app. It does get crowded at lunch time on weekdays. The dining experience is casual. Runners bring your food to you. Indoors is cool and a little louder than the outdoor dining, which is usually spot on if it's not too windy.

Mendocino Farms is possibly the best place to get a sandwich in San Diego. It's hard for me to explore their menu further because the turkey avo salsa verde is pure perfection. It has the most cozy and spicy burst of fresh flavors with the grilled bread that holds it all together. I have strayed a few times and get a bowl or salad and they were great too, but my heart belongs to that damn turkey sandwich. I love that they keep the classic menu staples, but other parts of the menu rotate often. They have a nice variety of iced teas also.

Great price Great service Great food Chicken sandwich is great Taco salad was great Solid vibe Nice indoor and outdoor spaves

Very nice and courteous service. Everyone is well groomed too, which is rare at some chain restaurants. I always get the Mary's not so fried chicken at the La Jolla location... this was my first time at the Mission Valley location and tune texture was off... but I was hungry and so it was fine. They're nice folks and the place is clean so I'll try it out again... might just be an off night.

It was chill but I went in got the Peruvian steak sandwich. I will not lie this taste absolutely nothing Peruvian. It tasted more like a Philly steak. And for the price I paided definitely not worth it. But the guy who took my order and brought my food was nice.

This is or go-to spot when we're in the mall since they have a good and hearty selection of sandwiches, salads and soup. The service is fast, the place is always clean and they are consistent with the quality of the food.

This place is phenomenal! Their goat cheese salad, soups, sandwich are so good! So are the chicken tenders. Love the ambiance and the service is quick. The inside is so cute! Love everything about this place!!!

It's a casual dining setup--order at the counter, grab a seat, and scan the receipt and table barcode, and they'll bring the food out to you. Overall, the prices were fair for the quality, but charging over $3 for a small bag of chips is kind of ridiculous. That said, the food was fresh and flavorful, and the staff was super friendly and helpful.

We were helped by Alyssa , i believe you spell her name , and she was very helpful and the customer service was the best i've received in a while , the house made drinks were amazing and i will definitely be returning!

Ordered the farmers club and it was delicious. I always get that and the bbq kettle chips with the Guava lemonade.

The food was delicious. The flavor profiles were spot on. The only reason for 4 stars was the delay in our meal being prepared and served more timely, considering the restaurant was not busy or at capacity.

Service wise, you first order at the counter and you put in your receipt number on the table of your choosing with the provided QR code so they can find you. Personally I think they have the best salads and sandwiches for a reasonable price. They are allergen friendly and have their options clearly marked on the menu. My favorites are the Pink Lady Beets and Goat Cheese salad and the Farm Club Sandwich on gluten free bread. The bread normally comes toasted which adds such a nice textural contrast when biting into the sandwich. The salads are also refreshing and filling so you definitely get your money's worth. Overall, a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of tables to sit at. I'll definitely be coming back!

**UPDATE**: The customer service team replied to my review on this thread and asked me to reach out to them so they can make it right. The day they made the reply was when I sent the email. Unfortunately, to this day, I have yet to receive any word from their team on this matter. This has caused me to rethink my review and update it to reflect the poor customer service and lack of attentiveness. Please know, that when you see this company reply to a review, most of the time they don't actually respond or try to make things right. Disappointed. I usually enjoy this food place but today my wife and are were disappointed. 5 stars for service, the people are great. 2 stars (and that's generous) for the food. 3 stars total. I recently tried the new Street Corn Sandwich from Mendocino Farms and had a mixed experience, leading me to give it a three-star rating. First, the positives: the chicken in the sandwich was flavorful and well-cooked. It had a pleasant, medium spice level that added a nice kick without being overwhelming. The overall flavor of the sandwich was enjoyable and made for a satisfying meal. However, there were several key elements that fell short. For a sandwich named after street corn, it surprisingly lacked many of the components that define this classic dish. The amount of corn in the sandwich was minimal, with what seemed like only a tablespoon's worth, which didn't contribute much to the overall taste or texture. Moreover, I couldn't detect any hint of the advertised jalapeños, which was disappointing since I was looking forward to that extra burst of heat and flavor. The absence of Tajín, a spice blend typically associated with street corn, further detracted from the authenticity of the sandwich. Additionally, I didn't notice any mayo taste, which is often a staple in street corn recipes to add creaminess. In conclusion, while the Street Corn Sandwich from Mendocino Farms had good-tasting chicken and a decent overall flavor, it failed to deliver on its promise of capturing the essence of street corn. It ended up being more of a spicy chicken sandwich with some corn rather than the vibrant, flavorful experience one would expect from a street corn-themed dish.

The steak sandwich. So good. Literally perfect and now I have to figure out how to dupe it at home because it's that good. Thanks guys for a great lunch!

I love the sandwiches and dill pickle chips at this spot! I typically order the Farm Club sandwich. It always tastes good and fresh. It comes with ciabatta bread but you can change it to a different bread. The sandwich includes turkey, bacon, lettuce, avocado, pickled onions and an aioli sauce. It also comes with tomatoes but I always get them removed. The sandwich pairs nicely with dill pickle chips. The restaurant is nice and clean. The service has been good every time I've placed an order with them.

This place delivered on Father's Day! We had the Peruvian steak sandwich, chicken pesto , Oaxaca potato salad and farmers club! Everything was excellent and not heavy! Nice and quiet too, Perfect for a beautiful San Diego Summer day

Food- my 'not so fried chicken'- was splendid in every way! Switched Siracha mayo for house Jalapeño Salsa Verde. YELPers, each bite was heaven! Service- cashier was adequate - a few exceptional staff, one young man asked if he could help in any way! Ambience was fun, kewl & appeared roomy, inside & out. Suggest improvement of ordering process, maybe a number system. Definitely coming back!!

Overall, the quality of the food outweighs the price and some of the hassles of dining here. Hassles include a long line, long wait time for food, and having to scan a QR code on your table. The QR is used for table location, but for security reasons, you shouldn't scan anything that's on a sticker in a public place. The Farm House Club is a great option if you're nervous about their more exotic sandwichs. It included roasted turkey breast, smashed avocado, applewood smoked bacon, herb aioli, tomatoes, mixed greens, pickled red onions on seeded whole wheat bread. I don't care much for wheat bread, but theirs was so soft. - Figure around $20 for a sandwich, chips, and drink. - Only tea and lemonade options. - Ambiance is loud and crowded. -

I always order takeout but it's still delicious! I love their chimichurri steak sandwich. The meet is flavorful, tender, and plentiful! All the ingredients taste fresh and ties well together.

Review for my to go order for the CHEF'S CREATIONS (LIMITED TIME) Hot Honey Peach & Prosciutto Sandwich $13.25: If you like sweet and spicy this sandwich pairs them perfectly. The sweet sliced peaches, the heat from the Calabrian chili aioli&hot honey, and the crunchy honey roasted almonds are most pronounced, followed by the savory prosciutto and nutty arugula, and lastly the mozzarella. The sesame roll is perfectly toasted.

3.5 stars $14.35 for just a sandwich with no side is pricey. II ordered chimichurri, steak and chicken on a sesame roll toasted. Yes, it came with caramelized onions and had good flavors with nice presentation, but the beef itself was not that amazing. Bacon was fine but it was not applewood smoked. My daughters kids meal was all right. It came with three chicken tenders, decently sized, white meat breaded fried. It came with side of apples and choice of lemonade, or water. Pretty good for $7.50. The other kids meals were probably in the six dollar range for sandwiches like grilled cheese, turkey and cheese. This place has nice high ceilings, open concept. Also we were able to watch the sandwiches being made based on where we sat next to the partition at the booth. This place is really easy to find because it's in the very front of the parking area along with other restaurants.

The sandwich and the soup are good, reasonably priced. The modern Caesar's salad is super yummy with chicken taste so fresh, (think they are using organic chicken) and well seasoned. The drink I ordered taste healthy, Kale with lemon; so refreshing. The service is all right; as well as the ambiance. A good recommendation, will definitely come back.

TL;DR: 1pc of watermelon in the watermelon salad. Soggy not-so-fried chicken sando. Reconsidering my go-to soup, salad, sando spot :/ MendoFarms has been a favorite since day 1 - I always split the 1 sandwich (not-so-fried chicken) and 1 salad (usually the beets & goat cheese) This time, I got to sample the watermelon salad and since it was so good, I ordered a small side of it to go with the meal I didn't realize that I was ordering a really small side (the container was not even close to being filled) with only ONE piece of watermelon in the tiny container. Had to cut the one piece in half so that we could both have a piece. Ridiculous. On top of that, the sando was soggy because the sauce was put directly on the sandwich despite us explicitly asking for the sauce on the side... Sure, this could be chalked up to a one-off hiccup in service but it really messed with our previously positive experiences at MendoFarms

I love the modern ambiance at Mendocino Farms. It was my first time dining at ANY Mendocino Farms. I've ordered their Thai mango salad, It was not only fresh but I love the fact that they give you a BIG portion!! In case you wanted to order the Thai Mango Salad, Here are the Ingredients: Shaved, roasted chicken breast, ramen noodles, napa cabbage & kale slaw with carrots & bean sprouts, baby spinach, sliced mango, honey roasted almonds, pickled daikon & carrots, Thai basil, fresh mint, cilantro, lime, and fried shallots (640 cal) with Thai almond dressing Mendocino Farms is a fast casual restaurant, which then means that they don't offer Full table service. Their salads range in price from $11.75 - $15.50.

$12 for a half sandwich and small side, not bad at all! I had the Turkey Avo Salsa Verde and Oaxacan potato salad and both were good. I didn't care for the salsa verde, it's similar to what you'd eat with a burrito. The sandwich already has a lot of flavor so it didn't need the salsa. I'll definitely be returning to try other items. The only thing that was unusual for dine-in was that you have to use a smartphone to scan the QR code on the table and enter in the code that's printed on your receipt, in order to let the staff know what table you're sitting at to get your food served. I think this system is unnecessary and I wonder what they do about customers who don't have a smartphone?