Mendocino Farms, the fast-casual restaurant known for turning sandwiches, salads and more into an unexpected culinary adventure, is opening its third Seattle-area location in Kirkland (12540 120th Ave NE, Suite 102) opened yesterday, Tuesday, October 29th. The other two locations in the area are in South Lake Union and in downtown Seattle (Rainier Square).

Located within The Village at Totem Lake, which features retail stores, a state-of-the-art cinema, office spaces and residences, the newest Mendocino Farms restaurant will introduce the brand’s “Eat Happy” ethos and adventurous flavors to the vibrant Eastside community.  

“We are humbled and grateful for the overwhelming welcome we received from Seattleites at our first two locations in South Lake Union and Rainier Square, and we’re thrilled to bring another location to the area at The Village at Totem Lake in Kirkland,” said Kevin Miles, CEO of Mendocino Farms. “We are excited to become a part of the Kirkland community and hope they will enjoy our cheffy, high-quality dishes that Seattle residents have come to know and love. With this latest opening in Kirkland, we look forward to continued growth in the greater Seattle region.” 

Mendocino Farms celebrated with a grand opening on Tuesday and also has a curated “Happy Place” event on Saturday, November 2nd from 2:00 to 4:00 pm with samples from Mendo, a balloon artist, face painting and limited-edition swag giveaways. 

We tried the Mama Chen’s Chinese Chicken Salad, the Peruvian Steak Sandwich, and the Pork Belly Banh Mi. As a fan of Chinese chicken salads, I have to say this one is a standout. The dressing strikes a perfect balance of sweet and savory, and it’s a flavor combination I’d definitely return for. Both sandwiches were delicious as well, with perfectly cooked, tender meat that was juicy and packed with flavor. While I wouldn’t call the Banh Mi “authentic”—since it’s served on ciabatta rather than the traditional baguette—I actually preferred it that way. The softer ciabatta was a welcome change from the usual crunchy baguette, which often leaves me with sore mouth. The meal was $46 for these three items, and I’d definitely stop by again the next time I’m craving a gourmet sandwich or salad.