Mendocino Farms restaurant chain opening in Vernon Hills

Mendocino Farms, a fast-casual restaurant chain known for farm-fresh crafted sandwiches and salads, is opening its first suburban Chicago location Tuesday in Vernon Hills.

Doors open at 10:30 a.m. at 913 N. Milwaukee Ave., the former SLYCE Coal Fired Pizza Company in the Mellody Farm center.

The chain was founded in 2005 as a family business in southern California. There are now nearly 70 locations in California and more than 20 others in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Texas and Washington.

In coming weeks, Mendocino will be opening two new locations in California, a second in Scottsdale, Arizona, and a third in Denver. In Illinois, the Vernon Hills restaurant joins locations in Willis Tower and the River North area in Chicago.

The restaurant has a commitment to quality ingredients and sourcing food from local farmers and food artisans, without added hormones, artificial sweeteners, flavors or dyes, according to the company website.

Humanely raised, antibiotic-free poultry is served and bread is sourced locally when possible. By the end of 2026, all locations will use only 100% cage-free eggs, according to the company.

Best sellers include the “Not So Fried” chicken sandwich, and avocado and quinoa superfood ensalada. The limited-time spring menu includes smoky BBQ brioche sandwich and Farmhouse ranch salad.

Menu items are available for flexitarians, vegans, vegetarians or those eating gluten-free, and the staff will work to accommodate dietary restrictions or food allergies, according to the website.

“Mendocino Farms is also committed to partnering with local organizations and giving back to the community, making each new opening more than just a restaurant,” according an announcement of Tuesday’s opening.