‘Eat Happy’ sandwich shop Mendocino Farms expands in Dallas

The L.A. restaurant with the Blue Cow statues and the “Not So Fried” chicken sandwich is continuing its move into Texas.

Mendocino Farms started out in 2005 at a failed Starbucks location in downtown Los Angeles, offering customers the chance to “Eat Happy” with a wide selection of sandwiches and salads made from ingredients sourced from SoCal farms. Selections such as Chimichurri Steak & Bacon, Vegan Banh Mi, and Thai Watermelon & Cucumber Salad have won the chain success in California, where most of its 47 stores can be found.

Texas is the chain’s next major target. On July 12, it will open a shop in the West Village section of Dallas, where it already has locations downtown and in Addison. Shops in Preston Oaks and Plano will open later this year.

Mendocino Farms has five Houston Metro stores—two downtown and the others in Rice Village, The Heights, and Uptown Park.

“West Village embodies the spirit of hospitality at the heart of Mendocino Farms," said the chain’s CEO Kevin Miles. "This vibrant community of foodies is a perfect fit for our next Dallas location. We're eager to raise the bar on what guests can expect from a fast-casual culinary experience.”

The chain is known for widening its menu with special items. New this year are the Sweet Heat Thai Crispy Chicken Sandwich, The Beets & Black Barley Salad, and the Thai Mango Salad.

Mendocino Farms is donating 50% of its opening day sales at West Village to La La Land Kind Café’s We Are One project, which provides education and skills to help local foster youth find jobs.