Mendocino Farms Impresses Again In Irvine

Once again it’s National Sandwich Month! So what a better way to celebrate it than with Mendocino Farms Sandwiches & Marketplace! Now with a fairly new location in Irvine (right on Campus drive a block down from University Dr.), it is even easier to enjoy their delicious sandwiches. Based on our great experience last year, Wendy and I couldn’t wait to visit again.

Just so you know up front, they have even more then just sandwiches. There are great prepared salads, sides and soups all inspired from their local Farmer’s Market. Okay lets dive in —–>

As you may have heard, everything in this restaurant is house-made fresh, from the drinks to soup and salad, and the sandwiches they are famous for. To start of the meal get a fresh juice or something more adult like beer on tap. We got Passionfruit Black Ice Tea and a Golden Toad 329 Days of Sun Lager.  Both where delicious and full of flavor.

We couldn’t possibly try all the great sides they offered, so we asked that we get small samples. They included from top left and circling around; Healthiest Side Salad Ever (raw beet ginger, carrots, kale, black rice, raisins and more) Marinated Red Beets and Quinoa, Almond Romesco Shells, Spicy dijon Potato Salad and in the middle a Curried Couscous. Amazingly they were all really good. Choose your craving and get a full sized tasty treat to go with your main course.

Every chance she gets, Wendy will order Salad.  Save Drake Farm’s Salad (shaved, roasted free range chicken breast, Herbs de Provence marinated Drake Family Farm’s goat cheese, pink lady beets, green apples, dried cranberries, honey roasted almonds, red onions, Scarborough Farm’s greens, butter lettuce & romaine with citrus vinaigrette) was so good last time we visited that Wendy had to get one again!

K-town Bulgogi Ribeye Roll (house-marinated bulgogi ribeye steak, spicy Gochujang (go-chew-jang) sauce, K-Town slaw in rice wine vinaigrette, chili aioli on panini-pressed soft roll. My eyes lit up when I saw this on the menu, I had to try it. I love Korean food and it didn’t disappoint. Yum!

The truth is I like a lot of Asian food so I also had to try the Kuruta Pork Belly Banh Mi. Their take on the popular Vietnamese sandwich with braised, caramelized Kurobuta pork belly, housemade pickled daikon & carrots, cilantro, cucumbers, jalapenos, chili aioli on panini-pressed ciabatta was spot on.

Okay now on to some more American styled favorites. The Steak BLT is actual carved steak with prime applewood bacon (yes bacon!), romaine lettuce, roasted tomatoes, herb aioli, red wine onions on toasted R/GF rustic white bread. God bless America; it was good!

Finally, (trust me we didn’t eat all of these even if our eyes and mouths wanted to) we tried the Prosciutto and Free Range Chicken. It has R/GF Creminelli prosciutto & roasted free range chicken breast with local Gioia fresh mozzarella, and a crushed honey roasted almonds, basil pesto, balsamic vinegar, tomatoes on a panini-pressed ciabatta. Just another wonderfully put well put together sandwich.

Another aspect of Mendocino Farms is the fun atmosphere. They always have fun games to entertain and an outside area to eat if you like. Don’t be shy and check everything out.

I know we left totally stuffed and satisfied, and you will too. However, we couldn’t leave without me getting a cookie or two (okay three) for dessert later.

Know that Mendocino Farms was founded in 2005 with a commitment to support local farms and vendors utilizing the freshest seasonal ingredients in preparing its menu items.  It’s no surprise their food is so good and popular with dinners. It certainly is with us!

There are regular menu items as well as seasonal specials. So check them out and let us know which ones made your top list.

Mendocino Farms
4175 Campus Dr
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 783-2900