Mendocino Farms — Restaurant in Tustin

A Sandwich Study of Heat ($10.25, can be requested gluten-free) is made with shaved, roasted turkey breast, smoked gouda, smashed avocado, chili aioli, jalapeno relish, tomatoes, and romaine lettuce on a panini-pressed rustic white. A side of salsa quemada can also be requested. This is a refreshingly light turkey and avocado sandwich that comes with a side order of heat. The smoked gouda help cut through the heat and adds a creamy and smoky layer to the overall flavor. The salsa quemada is a must as it adds a robust flavor with zesty and spicy kick. Rating: 4.3/5

Drake Farms Celebration Sandwich ($11.45, can be requested gluten-free) is made with Creminelli prosciutto, Herbes de Provence-marinated Drake Farm’s goat cheese, fig chutney, basil pesto, slivered almonds, arugula, and lemon on toasted buckwheat. This sandwich is a perfect blend of sweet, salty, herby, creamy, and nutty. Imagine a charcuterie board served in a sandwich! I am in love with this sandwich! It would be great paired with a glass of wine from the Hangar Bar. Rating: 5/5

Mendo’s Chicken Cobb Salad ($12.45) is made with shaved, roasted free range chicken breast with balsamic glaze drizzle, a blend of butter and romaine lettuce, Applewood smoked bacon, crumbled bleu cheese, avocado, grape tomatoes, red onions, and hard-boiled egg with mustard vinaigrette. Chicken can be substituted with carved steak for an extra $1. This is a healthy-portioned salad and has all the essential items of a cobb salad. The dressing is just little too mustardy for me. I think I would request a substitution of balsamic vinaigrette next time. Rating: 4.3/5

French Green Beans & Drake Farms Feta ($4.50, gluten-free) is made with shaved fennel, Kalamata olives, and toasted almonds in a creamy lemon salsa verde dressing. This is an absolutely beautiful deli salad! The green beans are crisp and sweet. The feta and Kalamata olives add just the right amount of salt to the mix. I am not a big fan of fennel, but having it shaved into the salad actually works for me so the flavor is not so intense. The almonds add a nice crunchy texture and nutty flavor. Rating: 5/5

Curried Couscous ($4.50, vegan) is made with roasted cauliflower & carrots. I love Israeli couscous! They are like little pearls of goodness. The curry flavor works really well with the couscous adding its fragrant flavor and aroma. The carrots add a slight sweetness and color to the salad. Rating: 4.5/5

Marinated Red Beets & Quinoa ($4.50, gluten-free) is made with citrus, green apples, dried cranberries, honey roasted almonds, Scarborough Farm’s baby arugula in a citrus vinaigrette. I love quinoa and could eat it every day! This salad is amazing with a vibrant purple color. It leans more toward the sweet side from the beets and slightly tart green apple. The arugula adds a bitter flavor which balances well with the sweet and tart. The citrus vinaigrette helps to brighten up the salad as the quinoa absorbs all of these great flavors in every...

Updated - The team at Mendocino Farms reached out to me and expressed their apologies for the experience. They provided a free meal to allow me to come back and try the experience again. The front register person had a little difficulty figuring out how to use the voucher which made me a little embarrassed since there was a line behind me. However, they did get the bill properly entered and the food came out properly as ordered this time. I hope the original issue was an exception to the rule of how the restaurant is run. If so, this is a very good, clean burning type meal to enjoy. Had the pork belly banh minh, the cobb salad, and the no so fried chicken sandwich. All were enjoyable from my family's perspective.

Original 3-Star - Solid, clean burning food for your body. However, it is a little pricey and they aren't always good about making sure the orders are correct. They go through what you ordered (i.e. no quinoa, extra dressing, etc.), but they don't go through and check to make sure they did what you wanted. I ordered a "Chicken Cobb Salad" with no blue cheese. They got the no blue cheese correct, but one would expect chicken in a "chicken cobb salad". I had no chicken. Given they charge $3 to add chicken to other salads, seems a little wrong to not put the chicken in the salad. Since I took it to-go and there was a lid on my salad when I left, I didn't check the order in detail at the counter. That part was my fault and I'll make sure to do that next time. Otherwise, it's a good place to add some change to your normal routine of...

Colin, the General Manager, goes above and beyond to make sure you are enjoying your food and your experience. It is very clear how he attained that position.

I was eating lunch on the patio with my two kids. He stopped at our table noticing my son hadn't eaten any of his PB&J and asked what the issue was. I just explained he isn't much of a bread person. Colin's response was to offer to make another PB&J, but this time cutting the bread slices thinner to result in less bread. When my son turned that down, he offered soup. My son turned that down as well, but Colin noticed he was really loving the apple slices that come with the kid's meals, so he brought out not one, but two more containers of them - free of charge!

Beyond that, his staff was very attentive to figuring out our unique coupon situation at the register - without condescending or giving us any hassle.

It was a great experience! And the food is delicious! We'll definitely be returning!

Great for kids! Just be forewarned: This location (at the District) does NOT offer chicken...