Fast-casual restaurant will enhance mixed-use neighborhood’s reputation as vibrant 24-hour hub
Friedman Properties, a Chicago-based real estate investment and development firm, today announced Mendocino Farms, the chef-driven fast-casual restaurant known for its gourmet sandwiches and salads, will debut a new location at 508 N. Clark St. in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Opening later this year, it marks the Los Angeles-based chain’s first Midwest location.
“River North continues to be Chicago’s most dynamic neighborhood, with a variety of fine and casual dining options alongside world-class retail, hospitality and entertainment offerings,” said Albert Friedman, CEO and chairman of Friedman Properties, which owns 508 N. Clark. “The arrival of Mendocino Farms only adds to the flavor of this neighborhood, giving residents, professionals and visitors another reason to savor all that River North has to offer.”
Mendocino Farms offers a diverse menu of chef-driven, seasonal sandwiches, salads and more made from high-quality ingredients. Founded in Southern California in 2005 by husband-and-wife team Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen, Mendocino Farms has grown to 75 locations across California, Texas and Washington.
Located in a 4,384-square-foot space, the River North location will boast a bright and inviting atmosphere, complementing the restaurant’s selection of fresh, from-the-earth fare. Mendocino Farms will feature dine-in and carry-out options, outdoor dining and catering services.
“For 20 years, Mendocino Farms has been a place where great food and genuine hospitality come together, and along the way, we’ve become known for our chef-crafted sandwiches and salads made with high-quality ingredients,” said Kevin Miles, CEO of Mendocino Farms. “Now, with our very first Chicago location in the vibrant River North neighborhood, we can’t wait to welcome new fans into our herd, and to share the craveable flavors and atmosphere that make Mendo special.”
Over the past 50 years, River North has established a reputation as Chicago’s premier dining destination, giving rise to original concepts from award-winning chef Rick Bayless and well-known restaurant groups including Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. As a result of its popularity, the neighborhood also attracts new-to-market concepts like Mendocino Farms. Other recent restaurant openings in River North include Bodega, Gus’ Sip & Dip, La Grande Boucherie, Levain Bakery and OLIO E PIÙ, with planned openings by Crying Tiger and SeoulSpice later this year.
This vibrant dining scene, supported by a wealth of neighborhood amenities including proximity to public transit and the Chicago River, has solidified River North’s status as a 24-hour mixed-use district. The area is home to trendy bars and nightclubs, Fortune 500 companies, boutique hotels and popular attractions including Eataly and the temporary home of Bally’s Chicago Casino. In February 2025, it was announced that Theater of the Mind, an immersive theatrical experience co-created by legendary musician and artist David Byrne, will open this fall at the Reid Murdoch Building, also owned by Friedman Properties.
About Friedman Properties:
Founded in 1970, Friedman Properties owns and operates a growing portfolio of more than 50 mixed-use properties encompassing over 5 million square feet concentrated in Chicago’s River North. Spanning the office, retail, restaurant, residential, parking, event and hospitality sectors, the firm’s diversified holdings include some of Chicago’s most iconic structures, including the Reid Murdoch Building, Courthouse Place, Tree Studios and the Medinah Temple. Friedman Properties is also recognized for leading ground-up developments that seamlessly integrate into historic neighborhoods, with such projects as the Moxy Chicago Downtown hotel and the “triplex” hospitality development at 501 N. Clark, home to Aloft, Hyatt Place and Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels, among many others. For more information, visit www.friedmanproperties.com.
Mendocino Farms River North: California-based fast-casual restaurant Mendocino Farms will open later this year at Friedman Properties’ 508 N. Clark St. in Chicago’s River North neighborhood.