Sandwich News

California chain brings hefty, upscale sandwiches to second Dallas-area location

Their sandwiches are so extra.

Mendocino Farms

UPDATE 3/23/2021: The addison location of Mendocino Farms opened on March 23.

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An upscale sandwich chain from California that promised to expand its footprint in Dallas is following through: Mendocino Farms has signed on to open a location on the border of Addison, at 5290 Belt Line Rd.

The restaurant will open in at the Prestonwood Place shopping center, which is undergoing a big renovation that includes an update to the facade; additional office space; and a 15,000-square-foot park. Current tenants include Flower Child, Shake Shack, Chipotle, and The Great Outdoors.

A spokesperson for the center confirms that the concept will open in early 2021.

Mendocino Farms is known for sandwiches, both classic and trendy. The concept was founded in Los Angeles in 2005 with a mission to combine an inclusive dining experience with chef-driven food and a sense of hospitality.

They made their Texas debut in Houston, followed by Dallas in November 2019, when they opened a location at 2000 Ross Ave. in downtown Dallas.

Sandwiches include:

"Not So Fried" chicken, a lighter version of a cold fried chicken sandwich with shaved chicken breast rolled in Mendo’s "krispies" (a polenta-based buttermilk batter fried separately to maintain crunch), herb aioli, mustard pickle slaw, and choice of warm barbecue sauce or Southern-style remoulade
Mendo's original pork belly banh mi, a play on the Vietnamese classic made with pork belly, pickled daikon and carrots, and fresh jalapeño on toasted ciabatta in place of the traditional baguette
Farm Club, an elevated take on the club sandwich with shaved turkey breast, avocado, bacon, mixed greens, and house pickled red onions on soft, seeded whole wheat bread

Salads include:

Saved Drake Farms Salad, with shaved chicken breast, honey, herb-marinated goat cheese, pink lady beets, green apples, dried cranberries, crushed honey roasted almonds, red onions, mixed greens and chopped romaine with citrus vinaigrette
Avocado & Quinoa Superfood Ensalada, with butter lettuce and romaine, kale, house-made superfood krunchies (crunchy fried quinoa, millet, heirloom red rice, and nutritional yeast), Cotija cheese, and a black bean, roasted corn, and jicama succotash

Thre are many vegan options, including:

Taco salad featuring Impossible plant-based chorizo
Southwestern spiced Impossible burger
Vegan banh mi with organic marinated, baked tofu
BBQ tempeh sandwich with tangy mustard-pickle slaw

The menu provides a legend to the diverse array of offerings that can be ordered gluten free, vegan, or vegetarian. The chain also offers an order-ahead option online, where you can grab your order from a pickup shelf.

"Mendocino Farms is so much more than just a place to get a great sandwich," says Kevin Miles, Mendocino Farms CEO (and Dallas native) in a statement. "Our goal is to be a neighborhood gathering place for co-workers, friends, and families to come together over uniquely delicious, fresh, and seasonal food."

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Coffee buzz

Suburban fave Lemma Coffee brews first Dallas cafe in high-profile spot

Photo courtesy of Lemma Coffee Co.

Lemma Coffee Co. is opening in Mockingbird Station.

After building a following in the Dallas 'burbs, Lemma Coffee Co. is finally opening inside the city limits: The specialty coffee chain will debut its first Dallas location at Mockingbird Station in mid-September.

Lemma will take over the former Starbucks space at 5331 Mockingbird Ln., Ste. 150, bringing its high-quality coffee to the area's busy mix of residents, office workers, shoppers, and nearby university students. Owner Daniel Baum revealed the new shop's location in an Instagram reel on Saturday, August 1.

Baum, a former photographer, founded Lemma Coffee Co. in 2017, initially serving coffee at the Denton County Farmers Market. After opening its first brick-and-mortar shop in Carrollton, the company added locations in Frisco in 2020 and downtown Plano in 2022.

“For us, it is exciting to have a shop within Dallas and show the work we have put in over the past nine years,” says Baum, who grew up in Dallas.

The Denim Danger is one of Lemma's popular specialty drinks.Photo courtesy of Lemma Coffee Co.

Lemma focuses on premium coffee, with a menu featuring classic espresso drinks alongside specialty beverages made with house-made syrups. Highlights include:

Citrusgoth Latte: Charcoal, chocolate, and citrus.
Denim Danger: Blueberry syrup, maple, and brown sugar.
The Great Bambino: Cold brew s’mores (inspired by the movie The Sandlot).
The Bees’ Knees: Latte with vanilla, honey, and lavender.
Seasonal Coffee Tonic: Espresso, lychee puree, fresh orange and lime, and citrus bitters.

The company has also expanded its matcha offerings to include drinks such as the Matcha Tropic with coconut cream and banana syrup, Strawberry Matcha, and Ube Matcha.

For food, Lemma partners with local Montecito Bakery. The menu typically includes butter and chocolate croissants, almond loaves, dulce de leche cruffins, avocado toast, sandwiches, and hoagies.

While the beverage menu remains consistent across its locations, Lemma designs each shop to fit its neighborhood. The 1,300-square-foot Mockingbird Station location will feature several single-person tables, plenty of natural light, and limited bar seating for guests who want to watch the baristas while working or studying.

“People will be able to grab what they need and get back to the hustle, and if they want to stay, we will accommodate them in our space,” Baum says.

In addition to its cafés, Lemma operates a roasting facility in Coppell that supplies its own shops and wholesale customers across North Texas, including DFW Common Good, Oak Cliff Bread, Brewed, Seventh Day, and Local Good.

The company prides itself on responsible sourcing, direct-impact relationships with farmers, and a meticulous roasting process. To highlight traceability, every bag of retail coffee sold in-store features the name of the farm, allowing customers to pinpoint the origin of their beans.

“We have a quiet but loyal customer base — our core customers come in, buy our coffee, and take bags home to brew,” Baum says. “It is a dream for us to bring our shop into the city and continue to grow.”

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