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oChef » Mendocino Farms – San Francisco
Mendocino Farms - San Francisco
Photo from Mendocino Farms
Mendocino Farms at a glance
San Francisco Transbay
- 🥪 Sandwich Shop
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 48 of the guests
#2032 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#43 Sandwich Shop out of 65 in San Francisco
Good
6.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
236
Reviews
59.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful food
- Helpful staff
- Pleasant ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Long waits
- High prices
- Small portions
The sandwich shop Mendocino Farms in San Francisco’s vibrant Transbay neighborhood invites you to discover a fresh take on lunch and dinner. You’ll find a casual yet trendy atmosphere perfect for a quick bite, whether you’re seeking healthy options, vegan delights, or vegetarian choices.
Enjoy your meal with a glass of wine or a coffee, and take advantage of their convenient outdoor seating.
Overview: Introducting Mendocino Farms
Mendocino Farms offers a vibrant dining experience with a focus on fresh, thoughtfully designed food. Many appreciate the flavorful sandwiches and salads, often described as authentic and delicious.
The ambiance is frequently noted as cheery and comfortable, contributing to a positive visit. However, some customers have found the value to be a point of concern, citing slightly pricy items and occasional issues with portion sizes.
Additionally, waiting time for orders has been a recurring frustration for some patrons, impacting the overall service experience.
Good
6.4
out of 10
236
Reviews
59.3%
Satisfaction
83
negative
13
neutral
140
positive
Mendocino Farms achieves an overall Restaurant Score of 6.4, placing it in the average category, with Customer Satisfaction at a mixed 59.3%. This assessment is drawn from 236 customer opinions, comprising 140 positive and 83 negative remarks.
The strongest aspect is clearly the Food (7.9), which consistently receives high praise for its quality and flavor, making it a primary draw for many. The dining experience is further enhanced by a pleasant Ambience (8.4), often described as clean and comfortable.
However, the Service (4.2) and Value (4.1) aspects show room for improvement. While staff are often friendly, issues with wait times and perceived pricing for portions contribute to these lower scores, suggesting areas where the restaurant could refine its operations.
What people like
- Flavorful sandwiches, salads
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Cheery, comfortable ambiance
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Perceived high prices
- Small portion sizes
Mendocino Farms earns a solid Recommendation Score of 7, suggesting it’s generally a good choice for its core offerings. If you prioritize fresh, flavorful sandwiches and salads in a pleasant setting, and don’t mind potentially higher prices or a wait during peak times, it’s certainly worth considering.
However, be prepared for potential delays in service and evaluate if the portion sizes align with your expectations for the cost. It might disappoint if you’re seeking a quick, budget-friendly meal with consistently fast service.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Mendocino Farms
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 88% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, its clear theres a lot to love! With a solid score of 7.9 and customer satisfaction at 82.8%, many rave about the fresh ingredients, vibrant flavors, and healthy options. From delicious sandwiches to fresh salads, the positive feedback is strong, with 101 positive comments out of 122. However, not everyone is completely won over.
A smaller number of 13 comments pointed out concerns like stale bread, sandwiches feeling a bit overrated, or issues with shrinking portion sizes and perceived declining quality. Some felt the food didn't quite live up to the hype.
Food
122
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
13
negative
8
neutral
101
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, flavorful food
- Great sandwich variety
- Quality ingredients used
What people don't like
- Stale or dry bread
- Shrinking portion sizes
- Overrated expectations
Often praised
- foodYour food is sure to taste 👅 authentic and genuine
- Thai Mango SaladHad the Thai Mango Salad, fresh with great flavors
- chickenMy experience at the restaurant involved ordering the "not so fried" chicken sandwich. The chicken was surprisingly juicy and not dry at all, offering a really flavorful and light taste. While it was slightly pricey at around $16 for a sandwich without sides, I still found it enjoyable and would consider returning.
- lunchBeing that I reside out of state, Dan promptly agreed to a video chat so that I could see the outdoor seating set aside for us. We just finished our lunch, and all was perfect, delicious, and timely. On top of it being the 53rd Pride Parade and likely one of their busiest days of the year, Mendocino Farms delivered an excellent and seamless experience for us.
- menuEverything is super tasty! The sandwiches are full of flavor, the salads are fresh and delicious, and the whole menu is just wonderful. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for great food and a good experience 😋😋
- sandwichthe sandwich was so crazy good
- sandwichesNo doubt, it’s the number one place for sandwiches.
- sandwiches and saladsthe sandwiches and salads hit not only the right spot but every spot
- American foodFresh, chilled and modern American 🇺🇸 food is fresh and definitely thoughtfully designed.
- Cobb saladand the Cobb salad
Frequently criticized
- breadall the other bread that comes with the sandwiches consistently taste stale
- applessad that apples are no longer available
- cookiecookie but it was sooooo sweet
- expectationsThe food is good, but honestly, I felt it was a bit overrated. It didn’t really live up to the expectations for me. Might be worth trying once, but not something I’d go out of my way for again.
- half a sandwichreceive your order for half a sandwich
- hypeI tried Mendocino Farms after hearing a lot of hype from my colleagues. The food is good, but honestly, I felt it was a bit overrated. It didn’t really live up to the expectations for me.
- portion sizeThe sandwiches we received were small, messy, and consisted mostly of cheese with very little meat and barely any sauce. If Mendocino Farms is reading this, you've lost a loyal customer who loved your sandwiches since 2013 due to your declining quality and shrinking portions.
- qualityThe sandwiches we received were small, messy, and consisted mostly of cheese with very little meat and barely any sauce. If Mendocino Farms is reading this, you've lost a loyal customer who loved your sandwiches since 2013 due to your declining quality and shrinking portions.
- saladsalad was a bit too cold
- sandwichPossibly the worst sandwich ever
If you're looking for fresh, flavorful, and often healthy options, especially sandwiches and salads, this spot is generally a great bet. Just be mindful that some experiences mention inconsistent bread quality or smaller portions, so manage your expectations on every visit.
Service (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
When the service is on point, it truly shines! Many customers have experienced friendly staff and quick service, with some even praising the great customer service and helpful managers. Based on 24 positive remarks, its clear that when things go well, the team delivers a positive experience, often described as a lifesaver with positive vibes'.
However, the overall service experience is quite a mixed bag, reflected in an average score of 4.2 and a poor customer satisfaction of 27%. A significant 61 out of 89 comments highlight frustrating long wait times, slow preparation, and frequent online order issues. Some even reported poor customer service and rude staff, making for a challenging visit, especially during peak hours.
Service
89
Reviews
27%
Satisfaction
61
negative
4
neutral
24
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Great customer service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Slow preparation
- Online order issues
Often praised
- staffstaff goes out of their way to be friendly and helpful
- serviceIncredible service, every time I’ve been here I’ve been surprised by helpful and friendly the staff are
- customer servicecontacted by customer service and they were extremely courteous and understanding
- experiencedelivered an excellent and seamless experience for us
- Dan and teamSuch a great and friendly experience. Thank you Dan and team for going out of your way to make this work for us!
- back storygiving us the back story to this growing business
- food to goor you can get your food to go.
- friendly gentlemanserved by a friendly gentleman
- help and supportThank you for your help and support on all things catering.
- lifesaverYou've been a lifesaver on multiple occasions
Frequently criticized
- waiting timeIf you work near this area and are trying to pick up a quick lunch, I strongly suggest going elsewhere. The first time I ordered online for a dedicated pickup time, I waited 45 minutes only to discover something happened to my order and it disappeared. The second time I ordered in person and my sandwich took 20 minutes to make even though no other customers were present; staff was just preparing future pickup orders.
- servicethe service was incredibly slow
- waitwait of over 20 minutes for a chicken sandwich
- pickup timeover an HOUR until the soonest pickup time
- sandwich preparationit should not take 50 minutes for a sandwich to be prepared
- wait timeA 40 minute wait to receive your order
- 12 o'clock houravoid the 12 o'clock hour. They are super busy
- DeliveriesDeliveries for orders made from their website is always late.
- Waiting timethey always end up delivering 2-3 hours late!
- attentionGuy at the counter doesn’t really pay attention
If youre not in a rush and visit during off-peak hours, you might enjoy friendly service. But be prepared for potential long waits and order mix-ups, especially if ordering online or during busy times. Its a bit of a gamble, so manage your expectations.
Ambience (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 21% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits all the right notes! Boasting a good score of 8.4 and a strong customer satisfaction of 85.7%, its clear most visitors are charmed. Many remarks, 12 in total, praise the amazing seating, including comfortable outdoor options, and the spacious, clean interior.
The overall atmosphere is often described as cheery with great energy, contributing to a very positive experience. However, its not entirely perfect. Out of 14 total remarks, there was one dissenting opinion specifically about the atmosphere, which unfortunately received a low rating of 2. While this seems to be an isolated incident, it's worth noting that not everyone found the atmosphere to their liking.
Ambience
14
Reviews
85%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Amazing seating options
- Spacious, clean interior
- Cheery, positive ambiance
What people don't like
- Poor atmosphere rating
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was described as casual and upbeat.
- seatinglots of clean/ comfortable seating inside and outside
- ambianceAmbiance is cheery
- energythe energy here is super clean 🧼
- experiencea good experience 😋😋
- indoor and outdoor diningThey have both indoor and outdoor dining
- interiorspacious and clean interior
- open all weekMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. It's one of the few places downtown that is open all week. I enjoyed the great food, which was also relatively healthy.
- outdoor seatingWhile this location doesn't normally reserve tables and catering is typically meant for offsite, they kindly agreed to host us onsite with 30 boxed lunches. Being that I reside out of state, Dan promptly agreed to a video chat so that I could see the outdoor seating set aside for us. We just finished our lunch, and all was perfect, delicious, and timely.
- welcomeWe felt so welcome!!
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was rated a 2
Overall, if youre looking for a place with a great vibe, comfortable seating, and a generally positive atmosphere, this spot is definitely worth checking out. While one person wasnt thrilled with the atmosphere, the overwhelming majority found it to be a delightful experience.
Value (4.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
Looking at the value, some customers found a few bright spots, praising the bang for your buck and reasonable prices. With 3 positive remarks, opinions highlighted fair pricing, particularly for the wide variety of self-serve fresh-squeezed juices. The score for value is an average 4.1, suggesting its not all bad.
However, the majority of the 11 opinions, with 8 negative remarks, leaned towards disappointment. Many felt the food was pricey for what you get and overpriced, with some even mentioning being charged' too much. This sentiment is reflected in a poor customer satisfaction of just 27.3%, indicating significant room for improvement despite the average score.
Value
11
Reviews
27%
Satisfaction
8
negative
0
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good bang for buck
- Beverages offer value
What people don't like
- Food often pricey
- Overpriced for quality
- Not worth cost
Often praised
- bang for your buckFor the area, it's a pretty good bang for your buck. I think the best deal is on the beverages, which have a wide variety of fresh squeezed juices, that are self-serve (so you can try them all).
- pricingfair pricing
- reasonable pricesYes, he was the manager, I learned by asking. Excellent food, quality ingredients, reasonable prices, and a manager bustling about making sure everybody had what they needed.
Frequently criticized
- priceSlightly pricy for the price at ~16 for a sandwich with no sides
- chargethe cashier charged me 4x more
- pricey for what you getPricey for what you get
If you're seeking good value, especially for beverages, you might find some pleasant surprises. However, be aware that many customers found the food itself to be quite pricey for what you receive, so manage your expectations on the overall cost.
How are the prices at Mendocino Farms?
On average, you’ll spend around 19 per person – from 48 guests. That puts the restaurant in the $11–$20 category. For a Sandwich Shop, that’s mid-range, maybe slightly above.
Looking at the data, most diners (37 out of 48) spend right in that $11–$20 range, showing prices are pretty consistent around the average.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 48 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering it’s a Sandwich Shop in San Francisco, an average of 19 feels quite reasonable. We think the pricing is fair for the type of restaurant and its location.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Mendocino Farms
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
6
Mixed Feelings on Food and Price
My experience at the restaurant was a mixed bag. The soup was great, but the Chinese Chicken salad was just so-so. I also found it to be pricey for what you get.
The service and atmosphere were rated a 4 and 3 respectively.
- soup9
- Chinese Chicken salad5
- pricey for what you get3
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
8
Reliable Food, Sad Apple Loss
Mendocino Farms is my go-to spot, and I've been visiting at least once a week for almost two years. It's a place where I can trust the food, especially with my very sensitive stomach. The quality is high, always.
However, I am sad that apples are no longer available as a sandwich add-on.
- food9
- high quality10
- apples3
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Colleagues
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
5
Good food, but overrated hype
I tried Mendocino Farms after hearing a lot of hype from my colleagues. The food is good, but honestly, I felt it was a bit overrated. It didn’t really live up to the expectations for me.
Might be worth trying once, but not something I’d go out of my way for again.
- food7
- hype3
- expectations3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
3
Good Food, Terrible Delivery Times
My experience with deliveries from their website has been consistently disappointing. I typically order between 10: 00-10: 45 AM for a 12: 00 PM delivery, but the orders always end up arriving 2-3 hours late. While the food itself is good, the excessive waiting time is ridiculous.
I won't be ordering again due to the unreliable delivery.
- Food8
- Deliveries2
- Waiting time1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Absolutely Delicious Sandwiches!
No doubt, it’s the number one place for sandwiches. Everything is super tasty! The sandwiches are full of flavor, the salads are fresh and delicious, and the whole menu is just wonderful.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking for great food and a good experience 😋😋
- sandwiches10
- flavor10
- salads9
What Mendocino Farms offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Quick bite
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of healthy and dietary options can you find at Mendocino Farms?
At Mendocino Farms, you’ll discover a wide array of healthy options, including dedicated vegan and vegetarian choices. It’s an ideal spot for a quick bite that caters to various dietary preferences, ensuring you can enjoy a delicious and wholesome meal.
What is the atmosphere like and what service options does Mendocino Farms offer?
Mendocino Farms offers a casual and trendy atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed dining experience. You can enjoy your meal with outdoor seating, dine-in, or opt for convenient delivery services, making it versatile for your plans.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Mendocino Farms?
Mendocino Farms has an overall Restaurant Score of 6.4 and Customer Satisfaction of 59.3%. Customers particularly praise the Food (7.9) and Ambience (8.4), though Service (4.2) and Value (4.1) receive lower marks.
What kind of food can I expect at Mendocino Farms?
Customers frequently highlight the fresh and flavorful sandwiches and salads, often described as authentic and genuine. The menu is generally considered wonderful and thoughtfully designed.
Are there any common issues customers experience at Mendocino Farms?
Some customers report long waiting times for orders, especially during busy periods, and perceive the value as slightly high for the portion sizes received.