Review of Mendocino Farms San Ramon After 50+ Visits
Published: 2023-12-03, Last Updated: 2023-12-04
Mendocino farms is a beloved California local chain that sells creative sandwiches and salads. Their San Ramon, California location is at City Center Bishop Ranch.
Mendocino's sandwiches are delicious. They go beyond basics like "turkey" and "ham" and instead create sandwiches that are complex enough to make a full meal.
I love their Not So Fried Chicken, which combines sliced chicken breast and just enough crunchy little bits of friend batter to give a fried chicken taste, but without the greasy heaviness of a real fried chicken sandwich. Their prosciutto sandwich is delicious, too, with candied nuts and balsamic vinegar providing a nice sweetness.
Mendo is known for their tasty ingredients that are definitely a cut above what you'd find at a typical sandwich place.
In addition to sandwiches, Mendocino Farms serves delicious salads. I like their Thai chicken salad, which has spicy peanut sauce and sweet pieces of Thai mango.
In addition to their standard lineup, Mendo creates seasonal salads and sandwiches. For Thanksgiving they have a sandwich with turkey and cranberry sauce, and over the Summer they created one with peaches and hot honey.
Alongside their sandwiches, Mendocino Farms serves sides and soups. I'm not a huge fan of their soups--with a few exceptions, they're too thin and vegetable-y for my taste.
Their sides are great, though. I love their kale salad side (confusingly it's different from the salads on their menu), and their curied couscous is a signature dish that's reason enough for a visit all on its own.
Mendocino's meals are big. In many cases I find they're a little too big for a lunch. Especially if you order a salad, you'll likely have leftovers.
I'd rather have some options for smaller portions. The size means that a meal from Mendocino Farms is big enough to make a dinner.
They serve beer and wine, which makes Mendo a nice choice as a casual dinner spot.
The San Ramon Mendocino Farms location tends to get orders out pretty fast, but they can get backed up during busy lunch times. I usually order ahead through their website.
Kids eat free on Wednesdays when you buy an entree, which is another nice perk.
Reviewed by Thomas Smith
Me at Mendocino Farms San Ramon
Pros
- The restaurant offers creative, complex sandwiches that make a full meal.
- Mendocino Farms uses high-quality, tasty ingredients that are a cut above typical sandwich places.
- In addition to sandwiches, they serve delicious salads and have a lineup of seasonal specialities.
- Portion sizes are large, making their meals suitable for both lunch and dinner.
- The San Ramon location processes orders quickly, has options for online ordering, and offers perks like kids eating free on Wednesdays with the purchase of an entree.
Cons
- The soups are often too thin and full of vegetables, which may not suit everyone's palate.
- The sizes of the meals are generally quite large, which may be too much for those seeking a lighter lunch.
- There's a lack of options for smaller portions.
- During busy lunch times, the service can sometimes slow down and orders can get backed up.
- The menu can be quite complex, which could be overwhelming for those who prefer straightforward choices.
How We Evaluated It
I visit Mendocino Farms 2 to 3 times per week. I have gone there for lunch and dinner at least 50 times, taken my kids many times, and gotten their takeout and catering food. I have tried nearly every dish on the menu.
Other Nearby
Roam Artisan Burgers San Ramon (7.5/10)
Marugame Udon San Ramon (8.0/10)
Photos
Close-up of steak and shishito pepper bowl at Mendocino Farms restaurant in San Ramon, California, September 30, 2021. Photo courtesy Sftm. (I took this photo)
Restaurant staff members wearing nitrile protective gloves prepare meals at Mendocino Farms restaurant in Contra Costa County, San Ramon, California during an outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus, March 14, 2020. Restaurants were deemed essential services and allowed to operate take out services under a shelter in place order currently in effect in the region. (I took this photo)
Close-up of tomato soup with swirl of basil pesto at Mendocino Farms restaurant, San Ramon, California, December 26, 2019. (I took this photo)
Interior of the Mendocino Farms sandwich restaurant in City Center, Bishop Ranch, San Ramon, California, November 21, 2019. (I took this photo)
Steak and shishito pepper bowl at Mendocino Farms, San Ramon, California, July 10, 2022. (I took this photo)
Persons hand holding holiday Thanksgiving sandwich with turkey and stuffing at Mendocino Farms restaurant, San Ramon, California, November 19, 2021. Photo courtesy Sftm. (I took this photo)
Close-up shot of a person holding a sandwich from Mendocino Farms, San Ramon, California, February 5, 2021. (I took this photo)
Interior of the Mendocino Farms sandwich restaurant in City Center, Bishop Ranch, San Ramon, California, November 21, 2019. (I took this photo)
Photograph of Mendocino Farms, a restaurant in San Ramon, California, United States, close-up of hand of man holding sandwich (I took this photo)
Address
6000 Bollinger Canyon Rd, San Ramon, CA 94583
Contact Info
Website: Click Here