Mendocino Farms

Its name doesn't exactly sound like it belongs in the heart of LA but don't be deceived. The last time I went downtown for lunch I got stuck in a hour of traffic, got lost for a half hour, paid $21 to park only one hour, lost my car in that same overpriced garage for what felt like hours, only to get lost and stuck in traffic all over again as I attempted to leave the city. Consequently, I made the promise numerous times I would never again be found downtown, during lunchtime, in a car, and with me in the driver's seat. Thankfully, my memory failed me so - promise broken - I set out to see what Mendocino Farms had to offer. Known for their fresh sandwiches, they pride themselves in using organic ingredients and produce from local farmers.

It was busy and usually waiting in line when I'm hungry isn't the first thing I look forward to. I do, however, love quick lines and samples, and this place delivered both of these. They offer samples of the various salads they sell which kept me happy and busy as I watched a team of guys make my sandwich. I got the Highway 128 which consisted of roasted chicken, goat cheese, ancho chili cranberry chutney, lettuce, and green apple on cranberry walnut bread. I also tried the Turkey Avocado with turkey, smoked gouda, chili aioli, jalapeno relish, tomato, lettuce and chipotle salsa on panini grilled rustic white bread. While very different in flavor, I think they got it right with both of these sandwiches.

It's sort of like Panera - but better. A lot better. They combine things on a sandwich that the average person wouldn't think to do but it works and makes a simple turkey sandwich look pretty weak. They claim to "reconstruct fine dining entrees to the sandwich level" - I'd have to agree. However, if you aren't feeling so adventurous, you can make-your-own sandwich. You mark off of a checklist whether or not you want it grilled and what kind of bread, meat and toppings you'd like. I, however, decided an adventure was in store and while my decision on what to order wasn't easy (they all look really good) I finally settled and I'm now convinced I made the perfect choice.

Taste:  Fresh - the flavors are well-balanced and healthy. The Highway 128 sandwich was nutty yet soft and subtly sweet. The Turkey Avocado was crisp but smooth with a spicy kick. The sandwiches are big enough to split or to meet a big appetite - either way you'll leave feeling totally satisfied. The only thing you'll want is to come back again to try one of their other creative sandwiches.                                                                                                                                
Atmosphere:  There are three locations, each one in downtown LA. I visited the smaller location which is only open for lunch but parking was extremely easy and two hours cost me only $4. It was easy to find and definitely redeemed my prior experience of eating lunch downtown. The place was busy but it has a fun atmosphere and the line went quick. The workers have high energy and are very friendly and attentive.

Price:  Reasonable. I paid about $8 for my sandwich, the average price, with most of them ranging from $7-$9. For what the sandwiches are, you are definitely getting your money's worth.

But wait - there's more.  Everyone knows no sandwich is complete without some sort of refreshing beverage by its side. Mendocino Farms doesn't just settle for the typical coke products but has "vintage fountain sodas." They use real sugar cane which makes it extra frothy - and extra good. With the first taste of my diet cherry "pop," I was sold. Nothing better than a great sandwich with an equally great drink. So the next time you are in downtown LA at lunch time, do yourself a favor, forego a lunch at Panera or any other mediocre place and go to Mendocino Farms - you won't be disappointed.

Umami Burger

Taking risks pays off. I decided the first contender for the best sandwich-type place would be Umami Burger. Sure it's not a "sandwich" sandwich but burgers have bread and meat so I decided they're sandwich enough. It's located in Santa Monica near the 3rd Street Promenade which is a fun place by itself but even better on Wednesday mornings during the Farmers Market.  There's nothing better than fresh produce, samples, and weird people. Combine those three together in one place and that makes for a great morning.  After paying an unreasonable price for a peach, I ate it knowing it didn't contain any pesticides they say are going to kill me and it tasted far better than anything I could buy in the store - so I guess that made it worth it. Within walking distance was Umami Burger, and I'm going to be honest, I passed a Subway on the walk over and almost gave into the temptation. But I remained strong, reminded myself of the goal, and decided I'd give this burger place a chance.

When I first heard of umami I thought it was either a natural disaster or a disease, both of which are wrong. As much as I understand what umami is, I'm still not sure I can adequately describe it.  It's something you need to experience - but I'll try to do it justice. Umami is the fifth taste. There is salty, sweet, sour and bitter - and then there is umami. Never heard of it? Neither had I, but I was intrigued and wanted to find out.

Before I even ordered I knew I had to ask Jeff, the nice guy who seated us, what makes Umami Burger unique. With all of the other burger places I could go to, why would I, or anyone, want to go to one with a name that sounds like a strange combination of something foreign and yet oddly hipster? His answer impressed me, intrigued me, and went way over my head. It was the "synergetic effect of the recipe" that made the burgers distinct, he said. They have an "unconventional way of making something conventional great." At least I knew they hired smart people, and after the help of Webster, I have to agree with Jeff's answer.

First of all, they have awesome water cups. Sounds insignificant, but there's an imprint for your thumb to give you a better grip - no spills at our table, thank you Umami.  I decided to get the Earth Burger with a mushroom and edamame patty, white soy aioli, truffled ricotta cheese, cipollini onions, butter lettuce and slow roasted tomatoes.

Earth Burger

Jeff confidently told me this would be the best veggie burger I've ever had and if not, a dessert would be on him. As much I wanted that dessert, he was right - no dessert for me. Along with that I tasted the Ahi Tuna Burger with ahi tuna, crushed avocado, gingered pickles and wasabi flakes.  Lastly, I tried the SoCal Burger with butter lettuce, slow roasted tomatoes, house spread, house-made american cheese and caramelized onions. The sweet potato fries were cooked in brown sugar and were served with a mildly sweet ketchup. As inadequate as this will be, let me try to explain what I experienced...

Ahi Tuna Burger

Taste: Savory - the best word I can think of to describe the flavors. The bun was slightly sweet which worked perfectly with the rich yet not overwhelming patties. All three of the burgers were extremely tender and juicy but they held together well. I hate fish but even liked the Ahi Tuna and the SoCal Burger was not greasy or too heavy. The combination of toppings on the Earth Burger made it the best burger I've ever had - seriously. I left feeling totally satisfied, full but not gross or overly stuffed. And they stamp the top of their buns with a "U" - a nice touch.

Atmosphere: The location is great, near the 3rd Street Promenade and the beach. It was packed but the wait wasn't long. Not a greasy place but clean feeling. The crowd ranged from surfers, to hipsters, to people I’m sure had to be important - and hopefully you if you do yourself a favor and try it out.

Price: Around $10 a burger - not your everyday burger price, but so worth it.

Umami Burger. The best burger place I've ever gone to. But a problem remains. I am still a creature of habit and when I like something, I really like it - I really like Umami Burger and want to go back again...and then probably again. But I'll stay strong and take another risk.  The bar has been set high and I’m left wondering, can the next place live up to it?...

All photos courtesy of Kristin Arnesen.

And So It Begins....

I love sandwiches. I am a creature of habit. And when I like something, I really like it. So naturally Subway has become my go-to for a sandwich that satisfies without fail, In-n-out is the only place I go for a grilled cheese and fries, and Chipotle faithfully answers my cravings for "Mexican" food.  I am completely content with my predictability and I'm not growing tired of them, not even a little bit. These are my three places and I like them, a lot, so why would I ever take the risk and go anywhere else? The chances of being let down or left wanting something more just doesn't seem worth it. And don't get me wrong, I still firmly believe this. But also, I've started to wonder, maybe I'm missing out on something great. What if my five dollar footlong is actually mediocre and my grilled cheese with grilled onions is only subpar? I think I'm ready to find out, and what better place to do this than in LA, a city full of diversity, creativity and great food. I am setting out to find the best sandwich-type food in all of LA, a big task it is but I know that my stomach and curiosity are up for the challenge. So here we go. One girl, one city, one goal. And so it begins...