Mendocino Farms — Restaurant in Sacramento

I've actually eaten at a "Mendocino Farms" in San Francisco and was very excited when they announced of a new location opening up in the Midtown neighborhood of Sacramento. Located at the beautiful Ice Blocks area on R St. (in between 16th & 17th St's), this Mendocino Farms made its debut to the Sacramento area in late-2018. I came here for lunch during the afternoon of 2/23/2020 at around 1:30pm; roughly 3 weeks before the sudden and unexpected changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I wish there was more places like this; sandwiches and salads that are authentic, one-of-a-kind, and unique that use only the freshest ingredients. Before, the options were limited as the closest places to compare this to are "Jack's Urban Eats", "Selland's Market Cafe", and "Sampino's Towne Foods". Enjoying quality meats, produce, and bread is what can really make a sandwich and salad come alive.

As far as the layout of this location, the outside seating area is quite generous with plenty of tables as well as a unique powder blue & white dairy cow that is quite catchy to say the least. The inside layout and atmosphere is very warm, inviting, and lively. I love all the aesthetics including a big rope above the seating area and a distinctive phrase that reads "Mindful choices.. ..eat Happy.. create Change.. support Local.. ..Live sustainably". It shows how much their business focuses on important and meaningful topics.

During my visit, I ended up ordering their "Chicken MBP"; this consisted of roasted chicken breast, mozzarella, red peppers, basil pesto, Scarborough Farm's greens, & balsamic drizzle on ciabatta bread. My friend went with the "Mario's Caprese" - mozzarella, red bell peppers, basil pesto, fresh greens, & balsamic glaze on soft ciabatta bread. We were also given our choice of a side; I went with the "Italian Farro Salad" while my friend went with "Pesto Pasta". The whole ordering process was quite simple and not as chaotic as I anticipated it to be. And instead of your standard soft drinks, this place uses "Puck's" carbonated beverages that are made with pure cane sugar. Its a richer and bolder flavor that is a big step up from your every day sodas.

My sandwich was delicious while everything was packed nicely inside of the ciabatta bread. The Italian Farro salad was cool, refreshing and a nice substitute from your typical salad. Prices are on the higher end of the spectrum with sandwiches and salads in the $10-$17 range (as of 2020-21). They have a progressive menu which means they change up the items depending on the season. They also carry the classic sandwiches, blue plate specials, and a nice vegan selection. And finally in addition to the soda choices, they offer a nice beer & wine selection.

All in all, "Mendocino Farms" is definitely a breath of fresh air while offering many different choices in their food lineup. The location all in itself is ideal for those that live at Ice Blocks or if you happen to visit for the day. And with a 2nd Sacramento-area location opening in Roseville (sometime in 2021), this will be a pleasant welcome to those that live in that area as well as nearby Rocklin & Lincoln. With the excellent customer service, beautiful ambiance, and tasty sandwiches, I am giving the Midtown Sacramento Mendocino Farms an above...

Review based on going a little before noon on opening day. This was possibly the smoothest restaurant grand opening that I've attended. They had plenty of staff, and trainers attending to the various stations to address any issues. It's no guarantee of course, but I think that's a good indicator of their customer service level going forward. The decor is very nice inside, and outside there are tables, heaters, Foosball, corn hole, and a charming blue & white cow statute.

You place your order at a station right inside the door so they can start working on your sandwich/salad while you check out the beer/wine selections and side dish deli case - the curried couscous I sampled was exceptionally delicious and I happily added a side of it to go with my steak chimichurri sandwich on a pretzel roll. You pay for everything at the end of the line and take a table marker back to your table.

The sandwich was remarkably good - fresh ingredients, steak not dried out, delicious bread; I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. We didn't get any salads but the people next to us did and they look fantastic as well. The sandwiches aren't huge, but not tiny either. However, if you're used to getting larges at places like Subway/Togo's, then you're going to find these on the small side. I thought it was a good value for everything you're getting.

Later in December (the 17th I think), they're going to start a dinner for 2 option for $25 that includes a bottle of wine (like Selland's Cafe if you're familiar with them), available for either dine-in...

Mendocino Farms is truly one of our all-time favorite places to eat. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm, friendly atmosphere that just feels good. The staff is always kind, helpful, and happy to explain menu items or recommend something new to try. The environment is clean, upbeat, and has that modern, casual vibe that makes you want to stay and relax.

The food is absolutely top tier—everything is fresh, high-quality, and made with real ingredients you can taste and feel good about. The sandwiches are creative and packed with flavor, the salads are colorful and filling (not just lettuce and dressing), and the bowls are amazing too. There’s something for everyone on the menu, and whether you’re craving something hearty or something light, they’ve got you covered.

One of the things we love most is how many healthy and vegan options they offer. It’s honestly one of the best places for plant-based eaters, and even if you’re not vegan, you’ll still enjoy every bite. Their menu feels thoughtful and balanced, and it’s clear they care about offering food that fuels your body while still being incredibly tasty.

Yes, the food is that good—we seriously never get tired of going here. Every meal feels fresh and satisfying, and we always leave feeling happy and full (but never weighed down). It’s our go-to spot whether we want a quick lunch, a casual dinner, or just something healthy and delicious on the go.

We love this place so much. If you haven’t tried Mendocino Farms yet, you’re seriously...