Mendocino Farms Opening First Bay Area Location in Campbell

From Bay Bird Inc Public Relations: Mendocino Farms, Southern California’s favorite neighborhood sandwich market where guests can “Eat Happy,” is thrilled to announce its initial foray into the Bay Area with its launch in Campbell’s newly remodeled gathering place- The Pruneyard Shopping Center. The Campbell opening marks the 17th location for the brand that first debuted in Downtown Los Angeles in 2005, and has since expanded throughout the state with locations in Orange County and San Diego.

In the more than 12 years since its inception, the elevated, fast-casual concept has garnered a cult-following of loyal brand advocates attracted to its seasonal, chef-driven menu of creative salads and gourmet sandwiches utilizing adventurous, yet approachable ingredients. Their deep devotion to partners with local farms, purveyors and food artisans, recently garnered Mendo a minority investment by Whole Foods Market.

Husband and wife owners, Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen are excited to serve as an integral part of the new renovations at the iconic Pruneyard Shopping Center which has acted as a neighborhood hub in Campbell for generations.

“Mario and I created Mendo to be a neighborhood gathering place where families can get high quality food at an affordable price and be cared for as family,” said Ellen Chen, co-founder. “We couldn’t think of a better neighborhood to share Mendo with than the incredible families that surround The Pruneyard.”

Del Pero and Chen are opening the 3,000-square-foot Campbell location Friday, Dec. 8 and expect it will seamlessly integrate itself into The Pruneyard, serving as a beacon for the surrounding community by providing a comforting, family-friendly hub.

To accomplish this, the property is outfitted with a variety of seating options: individual, communal, counter seating, and lounge options on the patio. Mindful of the brand’s emphasis on providing a welcoming, yet lively setting attractive to adults and children alike, Arcsine Architecture + Design (Oakland’s Agave Uptown and Emeryville’s The Periodic Table) applied an aesthetic throughout the space that evokes a modern Napa farmhouse. Notable elements include a foosball table, corn hole, kid’s corner complete with a chalkboard and pint-sized games, and a living plant wall serving as a cornerstone of the spacious outdoor patio.

The Campbell menu offerings consist of Mendocino Farms’ signature items including fan favorites such as the Not So Fried Mary’s Chicken Sandwich with shaved, roasted Mary’s free range chicken rolled in Mendo’s krispies with herb aioli, mustard pickle slaw, tomatoes, pickled red onions on toasted ciabatta with a side of chipotle BBQ sauce or mustard pickle remoulade; Kurobuta Pork Belly Banh Mi, a play on the Vietnamese classic made with rich, caramelized Kurobuta Pork Belly, pickled daikon and carrots, chili aioli, and spicy fresh jalapeño on panini-pressed ciabatta, and the Peruvian Steak Sandwich, carved Creekstone steak marinated in aji Amarillo sauce, hand-pulled Oaxacan cheese, red onions, shredded romaine on a panini pressed torta bun.

Though the popular eatery has built a reputation for innovative, chef-driven sandwich creations, its flavorful and unique entrée salad have also garnered a substantial following. Guests can select from mouthwatering options like the Avocado & Quinoa Superfood Ensalada, a flavor-and nutrient-packed powerhouse featuring butter lettuce,romaine, kale, house-made “superfood krunchies” (a healthfully addictive blend of crunchy fried quinoa, millet, heirloom red rice, and nutritional yeast), Cotija cheese, and a black bean, roasted corn, and jicama succotash or the Save Drake Farm’s Salad featuring Scarborough Farm’s greens, free range chicken breast, pink lady beets, dried cranberries, honey roasted almonds, and a generous portion of Herbes de Provence-marinated goat cheese from Drake Family Farms in Ontario, California, where every single goat has a name and is treated like a pet.

Mendo prides itself on its seasonal and plant based offerings. This season they are featuring a collaboration with Pressed Juicery called the Rescued Vegetable Burger which features rescued vegetable pulp from Pressed Juicery made into a veggie patty with spicy Chao tofu cheese, beet Thousand Island, butter lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and bread & butter pickles on a plant-based brioche bun. It is a testament to the brand’s commitment to combatting food waste, reducing its carbon footprint, and partnering with local businesses that have like-minded values.

The fresh fare at Mendocino Farms Campbell is complemented by a selection of four craft beers and four wines on tap. Additional seasonal from-scratch soups and gourmet deli salad specials rotate weekly and include options such as their famous Curried Couscous salad with roasted cauliflower and carrots, and The Healthiest which is a raw shaved beet and carrot salad with black rice, ginger, citrus, and toasted hazelnuts.
Weekly specials can be found online here and through the restaurant’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter Extensive and flexible catering options are available daily for pickup and/or delivery, providing the ideal option for office and school functions or upscale entertaining at home.

Mendocino Farms Campbell is located at 1875 South Bascom Avenue, Suite 440 in The Pruneyard Shopping Center in Campbell, CA. The restaurant is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm, seven days per week. To learn more about Mendocino Farms, visit their website here.

Image via via Patch