Popular California lunchtime destination opens in Scottsdale

A California-based fast-casual spot known for its fresh salads and sandwiches opened its first location in Arizona on Tuesday. The new outpost of Mendocino Farms has landed in The Shops Gainey Village, at the northeast corner of Scottsdale Road and 73rd Place. 

The restaurant chain launched in 2005 and has grown to include about 80 locations, largely in California, as well as Austin, Chicago, Denver and Seattle. This new Valley restaurant is part of Mendocino Farms’ “broader expansion strategy,” according to a 2025 news release.

“The opening of our first store in Arizona represents both a meaningful expansion for our brand and an opportunity to connect with a new community,” Alicia Mowder, CMO of Mendocino Farms, said in a press release.

The first 100 guests at the Scottsdale restaurant on its opening day received a tote bag filled with swag. That’s not the only way Valley diners can try Mendocino Farms. Starting Feb. 18, a Mendo food truck will tour around town. Its stops can be found online.

The restaurant is a popular lunchtime destination, especially for those seeking a fast meal on the go. Mendocino Farms’ menu includes salads, sandwiches, soups and sides. Popular items include the Thai Mango Salad and a “Not So Fried” Chicken Sandwich with “Mendo’s krispies,” which the restaurant describes as a “crunchy, herby, butter-milk polenta topping.”

Soup and side options include Corn and Hatch Chile Soup and Basil Pesto Shells. The restaurant menu changes based on what’s in season. A salad with chicken, goat cheese and Pink Lady apples is among the current specials. Drink selections include aguas frescas, iced tea and lemonades, including a version with pomegranate and mint, per the restaurant’s online menu.

This isn’t the only Valley location of Mendocino Farms in the works. A north Scottsdale location is anticipated to open this year, per the restaurant’s website. It will join more than a dozen restaurants at Scottsdale Promenade on the northeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Paradise Lane.

Harrison Cole, a leasing and development manager with Vestar, the team that oversees the Promenade, anticipates that Mendocino Farms “will quickly become a local favorite.”

“Their commitment to feel-good food made with wholesome, high-quality ingredients makes them a perfect fit for this health-conscious community,” he said in a 2025 press release.

Mendocino Farms

Now open:
8777 N. Scottsdale Road, #304, Scottsdale

Opens in 2026:
16243 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale