Popular California Sandwich Chain is Opening Its First Houston Restaurant in Rice Village — Updated

Mendocino Farms, the beloved California sandwich concept founded by husband and wife Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen, opened its first out-of-state location in Houston on July 18. Famous for serving creative gourmet sandwiches and artisan salads, the new location is in the former Nao Ramen spot at 5510 Morningside in Rice Village.

Since opening their first location in Los Angeles in 2005, Del Pero and Chen have grown Mendocino Farms to over 25 locations throughout California. In a statement to CultureMap Houston earlier this month, Del Pero attributed cultural parallels between Houston and California as critical to the company’s decision to expand operations here. “There is so much about Houston that resonates with our passions and our values and reminds us of home,” says Del Pero. “The hospitality, the diversity [and] the respect for time-honored traditions like you see in barbecue.” With its latest expansion, Mendocino joins a growing list of California-based chains expanding to the Houston market. Others include Lazy Dog, Dog Haus and, most famously (or notoriously), In-n-Out Burger.

A spread of menu items at Mendocino Farms in Rice Village. Photo courtesy of Mendocino Farms.

Known for establishing partnerships with local suppliers near each location, the company plans to do the same in Houston. They’ve announced plans to use honey and goat cheese from Pure Luck Dairy, bread from Slow Dough Bread Co. and craft beer from local breweries.

In partnership with Chris Shepherd and his Southern Smoke Foundation, the new location is serving a Charity Sandwich made with Shepherd’s smoked bacon sausage and signature “wedge slaw”. The sandwich is being sold during the store’s first month of business with 100% of proceeds going towards the Southern Smoke Foundation and its mission to provide relief funds to people in the food and beverage industry who are in need.

Mendo’s Original Pork Belly Banh Mi. Photo courtesy of Mendocino Farms.

 

As of this writing, the Mendocino Farms website shows three other Houston location are currently in the works. An Uptown Park restaurant, originally expected earlier this year, is now slated to open this fall with Heights and Downtown spots to follow next year.

For more information, visit the Mendocino Farms website.

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