Bright blue umbrellas, brown takeout bags and the bustle of lunch customers animated the corner of Shattuck and Hearst avenues as Mendocino Farms officially opened its doors in Berkeley on Oct. 14. 

Mendocino Farms is a sandwich and salad chain founded in Southern California in 2005. While the name might be more familiar in Los Angeles, where the chain boasts 27 restaurants,Mendocino Farms has more than 80 locations across five states.

“The Berkeley Mendo,” as Mendocino Farms CEO Kevin Miles called it, is located  next to Marugame Udon and across the street from Sweetgreen. 

“We know that Berkeley is a town of foodies so we are excited to share our elevated sandwiches, salads, and more with residents who we know will be excited to try our unexpected flavor combinations,” Miles said in an email.

At the entrance, an employee — whose nametag highlights their favorite dish — greets you with a smile and directs you to a menu  featuring each item, its ingredients and its calorie count. 

After having a great meal at Mendocino Farms, customer Susan Tanzillo said she plans to order takeout next time.The waiting line has a designated shelf for takeout bags, which are labeled with the customer name as well as the name of the employee who quality-checked the bags.

“I’m amazed at how good and how large the portions are,” Tanzillo said. “I can’t eat gluten, so this is wonderful for me.” 

Customers LoriAnn Kim and Minji Lee come to Berkeley for church from Dublin and Emeryville respectively. They had both been to other Mendocino Farms restaurants before. 

“I haven’t been to Mendocino Farms that many times, but from the few times that I have, I have liked it because it is always a healthy and delicious option,” Kim said. 

Lee appreciated the spaciousness and the cleanliness of the Berkeley location. Both Lee and Kim commented on the nice service and planned on returning next week. 

UC Berkeley Ph.D. student Jinna Brim came to Mendocino Farms for the first time after her friends recommended it to her and one friend posted about its opening on social media. 

Brim, who works in Barker Hall, said she was happy to find a new restaurant close to her side of campus, where food options are somewhat limited. 

Mendocino Farms’ Berkeley location seemed to attract a diverse clientele, including campus students, young families, older couples and office workers.

Miles expressed gratitude for Berkeley customers’ support and was confident that the restaurant would attract residents with its unique sandwich and salad offerings. 

“There are plenty of fast casual options in Berkeley, but none are quite like Mendo,” Miles said. “You’re not going to get a ‘Not So Fried’ Chicken Sandwich or Spicy Curried Couscous anywhere else.”