Don’t Worry, Eat Happy

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At Mendocino Farms, there’s just one rule — “Eat Happy.” The slogan permeates every aspect of the healthy fast-casual restaurant, which has locations across California and Texas and recently opening two new restaurants in Dallas' West Village and Preston Hollow.

“We really have an interesting niche that we fill that’s in between fast food and full-service,” marketing vice president Riki Swindler says. “The ingredients that we use and the innovative and creative combinations of our food is what makes it more culinary and chef-driven.”

Guests who visit Mendocino Farms can expect a twist of fun with every healthy bite. From sandwiches and salads to soups and bowls, every forkful is delicious.

“We like to call it approachably adventurous food,” Riki says. “It’s stuff that feels familiar, but we include ingredients that are new or different than you normally see.”

Guests will love Mendocino Farms’ refreshing lemonade, which ranges in flavors from traditional and strawberry to spiced apple and beet ginger lemonade. When it’s time to dive into the salads, diners will have a bevy of fresh options awaiting them. The most popular choice is the hearty avocado and quinoa salad, which features housemade superfood crunchies and succotash made with roasted corn, jicama and cotija cheese, while the pink lady beets and goat cheese salad provides a sweeter alternative.

Sandwiches are also a big part of Mendocino Farms. A must-try is the “Not So Fried'' chicken sandwich, which features shaved roasted chicken breast topped with Mendo’s krispies, herb aioli, mustard pickle slaw, tomatoes and pickled red onions on toasted ciabatta, served with a choice of mustard barbecue sauce or mustard pickle remoulade. Another chicken option is the sweet heat crispy Thai chicken sandwich, which puts air-fried crispy chicken tenders, Thai basil slaw, pickled daikon and carrots, sweet chili sauce, sriracha mayo and fried shallots on a toasted sesame bun.

You won’t want to pass on the bowls either, which include hearty options such as chimichurri steak and shishitos or smoky chicken elote. The restaurant’s sides include delectable options like the Oaxacan potato salad, a creamy potato salad with roasted corn, cotija cheese, green onion, cilantro and a hint of chiles, or the spicy curried couscous with roasted cauliflower, carrots and Mendo’s signature spice mix.

So whether you stop in for a salad, sandwich, bowl or a combination of all three, you’ll most likely leave Mendocino Farms happier than when you arrived.

“There’s nothing more powerful than to see the brand, the food, the people and the store resonate with new communities,” Riki says.