California sandwich chain plans second Denver location in Highlands

The sandwich shop calls California home but has begun expanding out of state. (Courtesy of Mendocino Farms)

Mendocino Farms just opened its first Denver location — and is already cultivating its second.

The sandwich joint out of southern California submitted documents to the city for a new 54-seat eatery in the Highlands. 

No one from the company responded to a request for comment. But public records show the business plans to spend $683,000 to build out its new 2,700-square-foot restaurant at 3543 W. 32nd Blvd. 

That amounts to $255 per square foot in construction costs for the new storefront, which sits at the end of a long retail strip.

Mendocino’s first Denver location opened Tuesday at 320 Fillmore St. in Cherry Creek. A turkey club sandwich costs $14, and a steak sandwich $16. That spot is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and also serves beer and wine. 

Founded in 2005 by husband-and-wife duo Mario Del Pero and Ellen Chen, the restaurant has primarily been concentrated in California, with dozens of locations from Sacramento to San Diego. It recently began expanding to Texas, Washington and Chicago.