Mendocino Farms — Restaurant in San Jose

Review

I gave it 5 star but be careful of flies! I went with a friend, long lines because it is busy but worth it …, I know, get to the flies! Not yet, I need to be fair. I ordered Peruvian steak Sandwich, absolutely delicious, bread is soft like Hawaiian King bread, a bit better though, steak is juicy and sauce is great, a bit small but good if you want to keep weight off, my friend got a salad, looked small as well, nothing special in my book but hey, it is for my friend not for me. While I was indulging, my friend told me with a low voice, there is a fly 🪰in the food! I was no way, did it drop or it was there, I asked? She told me I don’t know. To be honest, the place was outdoor and that type of fly is not the one you see hanging around. I am a fly expert because I was born in Egypt, we live with them, we eat them, unintentionally though. Anyway, I left my sandwich and waited to confront the poor cashier, I know it is not her fault and probably not anyone’s fault but I just wanted to complain and let the owner know that this is not acceptable to find a live, well fed fly in the freakin salad. While waiting in line, my friend called me to come back, I know my friend, she is like a queen and act like a queen, super polite and peaceful, no war, no drama and still single, good for her. Went back and she told me a waiter came by and apologized and gave us two come-back card lunch for our next free lunch. My friend was in a rush, didn’t ask for a replacement and of course I offered my other half of my tiny sandwich for her but she refused, queens don’t eat others food I guess. Anyway, picture attached, just be careful if you don’t want to eat flies like we do in Egypt. Delicious without flies...

Saw this place from the street so I thought to myself, self you should stop in.

They have been open now for just 3 days.

As we walked in the first thing I noticed was this huge tree in the middle of the restaurant. (Very cool)

Wifey and I walked in a were greated immediately "even though the place was packed" the server was all smiles and VERY helpful, he explained the samich choices and took our order. 5 stars, good job. As you walk up to the counter (before you pay) there is like a salad bar and you can sample all the salads for free (as many samples as you like) They serve wine and beer also as well as lemonade, ice tea, bottled or fountain water as well as there own version of healthy sodas.

Last but not least I ordered the Peruvian steak sandwich and added guacamole for $2 as per the recommendation of the server, comes with spicy aji Amarillo marinated Creekstone Farms steak with Oaxacan cheese, herb aloli, red onions, tomatoes, shredded romaine on panini-pressed Torta bun.. (this samich is num num for life yo!) Wifey ordered the "not so fried" Mary's chicken which came with shaved roasted Mary's fresh range chicken breast topped with Mendo's krispies, herb aioli, mustard pickle slaw, tomatoes, pickled red onions on toasted ciabatta and a side of mustard pickle remoulade..again (so so num num yummy) This place has lots of employees and the table service is lightning fast. The only draw back is it is loud inside but I'm willing to overlook that. The complete experience was...

I no longer work near Mendocino but that doesn't stop me from frequenting it. The taste and quality keeps me coming back. I do have a new favorite now. Their avocado quinoa super long name salad is deliciously filling.

Their hidden gems are actually their soups. I've enjoyed the latest creamy corn chowder greatly and previously, the chicken tortilla soup soothed my soul during a time I caught covid and my throat hurt. My friends and I hit up Mendocino here and in Campbell prob once every two weeks 😅

When work is about a few blocks away and you're thinking of a nice #healthy lunch, Mendocino Farms is an easy and consistent go-to. Their menu is varied and #vegetarianfriendly so appeals to any and all of our team members if we grab lunch together. Plus, when it's a perfect sunny day (like today), you can #eatoutside and people watch.

My favorite is Mama Chen's Chinese Chicken Salad because their reinterpretation has kale slaw, toasted cashews, and mustard sesame dressing. I also really enjoy their daily soups, which is rarely a miss in my book. My colleagues enjoy more of their sandwiches, like Pork Belly Banh Mi and The Hot Italian.

Prices are reasonable (especially given the location) and I'm always the perfect amount of full. It also doesn't hurt that service is fast and very accommodating when we...