mendocino farms ~ artisan sandwich aficionados

Look for the white and blue cow, the grass-lined benches, and a friendly team to serve up some fabulous all natural, organic ingredients in their tasty artisan, gluten-free sandwiches.

Mendocino Farms is a perfect lunch or dinner spot for quick, scrumptious artisan sandwiches, sides or salads.  They offer tasty bread options for everyone ~ and gluten-free eaters dine on Rising Heart Bakery’s gluten-free bread.  Their approach is to “reconstruct ‘fine dining’ entrees to the sandwich level and take classic regional sandwiches and give them a modern interpretation.”  They’ve done a fantastic job at that!

Marina Del Rey’s Mendocino Farms inside seating… the staff is so friendly and service is extremely prompt!

Once you’ve walked in the front door you’re greeted with a friendly host/hostess to take your order.  With seven Los Angeles locations, each differs with their placement of the humongous menu, but don’t worry, you won’t miss it!  If you’re ordering gluten-free, they use a blue color-coded sheet to document your order, and then, and this is the best part, they ‘announce’ you…. yelling “gluten-free!!!!!” to the kitchen.  It’s quite fun.  (This is done to get your g-free bread toasted right away and eliminate cross-contamination as best possible on the prep surfaces.)

Mendocino is, of course, in Northern California, and Mendocino Farms pays tribute to this county “known for it’s support of the Slow Food Movement and sustainable farming.”  Their ingredients are all natural and organic, they use heritage meats that are humanely raised without antibiotics and with vegetarian feed, they buy local whenever possible, and they follow the Creminelli family artisan traditions of ingredients and processes.  Take a look at their site to read more here.

I’ve dined at the Marina Del Rey location and the 3rd & Fairfax location.  Both are super clean, a fun, friendly environment, and helpful staff.  They encourage you to ‘sample’ whatever you’d like – from the sides to the teas – and everything I tasted was wonderful.  (Note- some versions of the potato salad are g-free, others are not.  Ask first!).

Prosciutto & Free Range Chicken Farm Favorite gluten-free sandwich at the Marina Del Rey location… with a taster of the roasted veggies.

My recent lunch in Marina Del Rey called for the Prosciutto & Free Range Chicken Farm Favorite sandwich on Rising Hearts Bakery gluten-free bread.  Menu description:  Parma prosciutto & shaved, roasted free range chicken breast with local Gioia fresh mozzarella, crushed honey roasted almonds, basil pesto, balsamic vinegar and tomatoes.  Their almonds mixed with the right amounts of prosciutto, chicken and pesto in each bite gave a sweet, hearty, creamy and crunch all in one.  OMG so delic!

At their 3rd & Fairfax location I indulged in the Chicken MBT (not your typical basil and tomato) Classic ‘Mendo Style’ gluten-free sandwich.  Menu description:  Shaved, roasted free range chicken breast, local Gioia fresh mozzarella, house marinated red peppers, basil pesto, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and Scarborough Farm’s greens.  Another excellent choice – perhaps more mainstream than the above, however still extremely tasty, sweet and fabulous.

Enjoy your meal outside… sit on the grassy benches under the trees and enjoy our beautiful Southern California weather while noshing on your fabulous meal.

Seating is plentiful at these two locations… the 3rd & Fairfax indoors feels like a relaxed coffee shop environment, has some high-tops among regular tables, and a much smaller outdoor eating area.  Marina Del Rey offers a larger outdoor seating arrangement, and a bit cozy indoor smaller space.  Make a new friend or two – family-style tables provide you the perfect opportunity!

EAT HAPPY! I can’t help but smile when eating my meal looking at such a sign ;o). This location at 3rd & Fairfax has a fairly large indoors, and their Chicken MBT sandwich was amazing!

I have so many more visits ahead to try tasty looking meals… including The Italian “Love Sandwich”, the Steak BLT, the Drunk’n Goat On Highway 128 and possibly The Sophisticated Chicken Salad.

Lynne, one of my fun friends always open to trying something new, ordered the (glutenous) Kurobuta Pork Belly Banh Mi sandwich… to quote:  “It was freaking delicious!  Loved the textures with the grilled ciabatta and slaw inside the sandwich.  I thought it might have fat on the pork but it was crispy.  Two thumbs up!  The curry couscous salad was also pretty zippy.”

Vegan options are offered as well ~ V7 Whole Grain Vegan Burger, Vegan BBQ Torta, Vegan Shawarma, and Vegan Banh Mi.

Need we say more?  If you haven’t given it a try, it’s so worth it.  Step out of a boring same place, same time routine and step into a nutritious, inspired sandwich market.  Something for everyone at Mendocino Farms.

• Chicken MBT on g-free bread – kitty = $ 11.17 + tip

• Prosciutto Chicken on g-free bread – kitty = $ 12.37 + tip