Mendocino Farms is rolling its "Eat Happy" sandwiches and salads into the Chicago suburbs on Tuesday morning, planting a flag in Vernon Hills. The new spot at the Mellody Farm center is set to open at 10:30 a.m. and will be the chain's first suburban Illinois location, following its recent downtown Chicago debuts and giving suburban diners easier access to its chef-driven menu.
According to Mendocino Farms, the Vernon Hills restaurant will be located at 913 N. Milwaukee Ave. Customers who choose Chicago-Vernon Hills in their My Mendo account will see a free-entrée reward added on grand-opening day, valid for two weeks. The site also lists sign-up links and basic hours for the new location.
What's on the menu
The chain leans into chef-driven sandwiches, seasonal salads, and sides, with fan favorites like the Avocado Quinoa Superfood Ensalada and the "Not So Fried" Chicken Sandwich, as reported by Eater Chicago. Mendocino Farms has said its Chicago locations will rotate seasonal items and highlight local producers when they can.
Where it sits
The Vernon Hills outpost is taking over the former SLYCE Coal Fired Pizza space inside the Mellody Farm shopping center, according to the Daily Herald. It joins Mendocino's River North and Willis Tower restaurants in the city, putting the chain within easier reach of North Shore and northwest-suburban diners.
Opening day notes
As reported by NBC Chicago, the Vernon Hills store will be Mendocino Farms' only suburban Illinois location when doors open. The chain is pushing early sign-ups to My Mendo to lock in the free-entrée reward and will offer catering alongside standard takeout options at the new restaurant.
