Never knew this area existed. I came early and worked remote for a bit which is a great area and environment. Modern building with different areas. A little hard to follow bc it looked like most folks ordered first and then waited in line to pay, However for OCRW you paid at the register first and then wait for them to call your name. The line was long the day we went. I got the salmon poke nacho with a Diet Coke. I also ordered a blueberry lime cardamom muffin earlier which they did sell out of. The cookies also looked good since I was there early and saw them coming out of the oven. The poke nachos were good. I liked the chips they used and it wasn't fishy. I wish I had these options when I use to go into the office. Great spot for healthier breakfast or lunch, SYOY! I do hope to come back. read more

Herb & Ranch - Salmon Poke nacho & drink- OCRW $15 - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

I am so glad I discovered Herb & Ranch at the Taste of Irvine event cause it's now one of my favorites in Irvine! It is a bit hidden but once you find it you'll be glad you did. There is plenty of parking and seating outside (it was a hot SoCal day so sat inside). The inside is so cute, gives off a farm/ranch vibe with different counters to order coffee, hot food and poke. I ordered the turkey press which was delicious. It came with a side salad with a yummy dressing. I also got the berry matcha which was good. I almost got the salmon which I would come back for! Such a great place to grab lunch. I wish it was open on weekends. I met Jonah, one of the chefs, and he was so kind and helpful. A must if you're in the area! read more

Herb & Ranch - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

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Bright, beautiful "food hall", open for breakfast and lunch. Casual with an upscale feel. We arrived toward the end of lunch service. It was hard to choose from all the different stations - each had a different theme and looked tasty. There were "farmhouse" entrees, sandwiches/paninis, plant based grains, bowls and salads, also Asian and Mexican themed. The staff were pleasant and helpful. We ordered soup and sandwiches to share, and also a couple of lunch entrées. Preparation was fairly quick and we took our trays to the table to enjoy. Everything tasted fresh and nicely seasoned. The tomato basil soup was a favorite, as was the brisket panini - rich and satisfying. The turkey sandwich was just okay. The salmon and chicken were moist and delicious, and the sides and were very good, especially the smashed potatoes! The breakfast menu also looked good; they were still offering grab and go items, so I took a blueberry muffin to go! read more

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I like this place a lot. Staff is always friendly and food is always good. It's convenient, small food hall close to work with plenty of food options. Can't go wrong with the salmon and sides are all delicious. read more

This cafe is such a beautiful hidden gem near UC Irvine. There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and ample parking. I had a morning meeting here and tried their Brown Sugga latte with almond milk. I loved it! It wasn't overwhelmingly sweet but the brown sugar still came through. They also serve food, like sandwiches, salads, etc. I will have to stop by for lunch one day to give it a try! read more

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Chocolate chip cookie with no sea salt. So amazing, chewy, warm, delicious. I highly recommend to order it! The cookie is not too sweet, perfect amount of chocolate chip to dough ratio. My entire family loved them! read more

Pros: - Excellent Turkey Press & Lemon Vinaigrette Salad - Mahalo section has delicious poke bowls and plates - Coffee Shop has tasty and high quality Vanilla Latte and Blueberry Matcha - Interior is very nicely decorated - Service is very kind - Variety for groups with different preferences - Ample indoor and outdoor seating Cons: - Soups were inedibly over-salted. They were kind enough to change out my first one (Lemon Chicken Rice), but the Tomato was the same. - Hygiene wasn't great. We noticed some coughing and face touching with gloves on. read more

Herb and Ranch is closely associated with the UC Irvine-technology community. It is located in a research park, only open weekdays, and only until 3 pm. The food is excellent. The breakfast menu is limited, but everything tastes good. Lunch options are much broader. It is served from food stations. The restaurant is most busy from about 11:30 am to about 2:00 pm. read more

Rachel was super sweet and attentive! Excellent food, cute spot and yummy coffee. This is a gem of a place. Breakfast burrito was really tasty, the salsa is so good! Lots of variety to choose from and the staff is so nice. read more

True find for takeout and bright, airy dining inside or out. Ordered short rib lasagna, pesto chix sandwich/tomato soup, and cookies. All fast, but def not fast food, comforting and nicely portioned. Shout out to Chef Jonah, who had a kind ear to accommodating food allergies, baking off cookies to order to avoid cross-contamination. Gratitude to him, the counter service and OC Restaurant Week for the welcoming intro. read more

I love Herb and Ranch. Food is consistently delicious, drinks are good and the staff is so friendly! They added a self-service ordering kiosk so you can bypass the lines - this is so helpful when it gets crowded at lunch time! read more

Herb & Ranch - Tuna, cauliflower with verde sauce, farro salad - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

Delayed review, came here for restaurant week. The ambiance is gorgeous! It's confusing but you need to order at yhe first counter. I took one star off because the food was small sized, I expected a larger portion. Customer Service is awesome! read more

Herb & Ranch - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

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Everything looks pretty at Herb & Ranch but nothing tastes amazing. The food is average at best. They don't seem to know how to balance the flavors in any of their food. The only reason I go back sometimes is because I work next door and I need a quick lunch. I wouldn't ever drive to eat at Herb & Ranch. read more

I ordered a an espresso with flavor which was about $4 when they charged me for a more expensive Latte I didnt ask for... the cashier rang it up for what I originally asked for and when another employee came by they spoke and he changed the order and doubled my cost. Its always something when I come here... read more

Sooo my sister got us some chocolate chip cookies from here. And she asked for them without the chucky salt on top and oh my goodness... wow they were sooo good. I'm still thinking about them. They were so hot and warm and gooey. Perfect! Would so order them again. read more

Typically, if I think Irvine Company-adjacent lunch spot inside an office park, I'd imagine the worst, bland food ever in existence. But Herb & Ranch is so much different. It's located within the UCI Research Park in one of the buildings. There's plenty of parking, and might I saw, even too much? Inside is a smaller space with a couple different stations, including poké, sandwiches, coffee, hot foods, and a bowl section. Think of it like a mini food hall. I went with a bowl, and chose a miso chicken bowl, that comes with greens + quinoa, and toppings like crispy wontons and oranges. It was a perfectly crafted bowl, and I even added Brussels sprouts. The chicken tasted great, and the portions were amazing. The price wasn't too bad either, totaling about $15. The service was excellent, and everyone was super friendly and helpful. My only feedback is for them to open at later hours, and even during the weekend. read more

Herb & Ranch - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

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Salmon poke very best I've ever had. So was the iced tea. And the service is top notch. Definitely love this spot!!!

Ambiance, service and food, all a yes for me! They have low music playing that's a good vibe, open and airy. Everyone's so nice inside. Food portions were generous and delicious. Outside has a few different options for seating as well. Definitely a hidden gem! read more

I can't speak on the food itself since I haven't tried it yet, but the cookies are SO good. I came by with my cousin because she claimed they had the best cookies in Irvine. I was surely not dissapointed. I tried a Ferrero Rocher cookie, and honestly that was my favorite. I also tried the chocolate chip cookie, this too was pretty epic. It's the sea salt for me. Also, look at that cookie pull on the chocolate chip cookie. OMG!!! Amazing. Their cookies are epic. My cousin's friend Tyler helped us pick our cookies out and provided excellent customer service. I would certainly be back. read more

Herb & Ranch - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

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As a busy medical student, I absolutely love spots that are convenient to go to, have yummy food, and good wifi! This was a hidden gem that was shown to me by my own professor and I've never looked back since. Every time I've been in a time crunch and stay near campus, Herb & Ranch is ABSOLUTE my go to! I have taken my classmates a few times here and everyone has loved it. Essentially, Herb & Ranch is an upscale food court located in Irvine Research plaza. You have your choice of several different stations, ranging from a poke bar and bakery/coffee shop to pressed sandwiches and hot cooked meals. My go to has been the salmon plate combo with smashed potatoes and brussel sprouts as sides. I have never changed my combo because the plate is THAT good and I am always craving it whenever I go. The food is on the pricier side but it comes with the quality of ingredients you get. In addition, there is plenty of seating for groups with long tables in the middle or bar seating. Please be warned: this is a popular lunch time spot, so during peak hours, it might be hard to find inside seating. However, there is a ton of outdoor seating and a beautiful park nearby where you can enjoy your food. My only gripe about Herb & Ranch is the hours; I wish they closed later in the day! read more

Got takeout from here for lunch and it was pretty good! I ordered the Beet Around The Bush which comes with roasted beets, cherry tomato, fried goat cheese, and pistachio vinaigrette on top of a brown rice/quinoa mix. Besides the goat cheese (way too sour for me, but it's goat cheese!), everything was delicious. The pistachio vinaigrette added a much needed brightness to the dish, and everything else harmonized nicely. Great textures all the way through with the smoothness of the beets, crunchiness of the greens, and graininess from the rice/quinoa. I like how the packaging is also mostly compostable as well! read more

Herb & Ranch - Beet around the bush - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

Interesting concept that makes for a great place to grab breakfast or lunch (not dinner cuz they close at 3pm!) nestled in UCI's University Research Park. There's plenty of Herb & Ranch designated parking spots in front of the restaurant - but you can pretty much park in any unmarked space if those spots are filled. It's sorta like an open food hall - something for everyone at each of the different food stations. There are options such as sandwiches, short rib, chicken, various types of coffee/espresso, and my favorite station - Mahalo - which offers poke bowls. Well, for the time being with all food served in to-go containers, poke plates. You grab whatever meal you want from one of the many made-to-order food stations, and pay at the checkout station. I've gone here twice now, and have always gotten the salmon poke plate - which comes with mac salad, steamed rice, kimchi, seaweed salad, edamame, and of course - the salmon poke (or your choice of protein). Prices range from $14 to $17 for most items. There is a selection of soft drinks to mineral water to juices when you pay. I haven't made it here for breakfast yet - I hear they make a killer burrito - good choice for lunch and plenty of seating inside and outside the restaurant. read more

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Got invited to a private event in the evening. Lots of great wines and delicious foods. Beautiful and bright location with phenomenal service. Although the items we were served are not available during regular business hours, they do have the ability to cater or do special events with special menus. read more

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I came here with my coworkers and consider it a great option for people to do a meet up for lunch. The food stalls here are definitely on the pricier side, but they food is definitely quality. I ordered the salmon poke plate and while I was nervous ordering food from a place that wasn't just a poke place, the food was really fresh. The rice was cooked well, the salmon didn't taste fishy, it was a really quality plate. I wish I got to try the food from the other stalls because the food my coworkers ordered all looked really good. I also loved the outdoor seating and picnic type area. It's definitely a great place to spend some time with coworkers, friends, and classmates alike. read more

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Ambiance is cool, comfortable, and inviting. Service is quick and convenient. Food offering is ample with something for almost anybody's taste. Highly recommend for breakfast or lunch. Ample seating to catch up with friends, to have coffee or a meal to eat in a group or alone, and fun to enjoy your dining outdoors or indoors. read more

Excellent location situated around a very nice business park. The area has plenty of places for eating either outside or inside. The restaurant has plenty of delicious healthy choices and service is excellent Tried the tuna poke bowl and was extremely impressed and satisfied. Extra portion of protein and all ingredients were excellent Good experience read more

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Hidden gem close to UCI. Would go back any day! Food was amazing. Casual but comfortable ambiance.

I've been here multiple times and tried a variety of their food stalls. I'm shocked that each time I've thoroughly enjoyed the food I got (poke, baked salmon, steak salad, cookies, etc). Although it is a bit on the higher cost side I can't say I haven't had anything here I didn't enjoy. The coffee shop has some of my favorite cookies! They're chewy with a good crust on the outside! The cafe also serves wine if you're into that. There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. The decor is very aesthetically pleasing and clean. read more

Food is delicious, best salmon I've had, with great side choices. In addition, the team that works there is super nice, always smiles when I stop in. Lots great seating space, you can have a small gathering, or study while you eat. Plus they have great coffee to top it off. read more

Love the way they marinate the chicken here. So flavorful and cooked perfectly. This place is a hidden gem and it's a good and bad thing because on the up side you don't have to wait too long. On the other, it's really just hidden where you're grabbing lunch with people who work in the area so it seems kinda outsider-y when you go. You can tell majority of the patrons there work in that area. Anyway, my only knock would be for 3 times lately they have forgotten my salad dressing so my salad was pretty dry and blah. If it wasn't for the marinated chicken I'd go back but I hope that they are more careful on their to-go orders to include everything that we pay for. read more

Herb & Ranch is a hidden cafeteria in the UCI research park. The space is farmhouse modern and clean. The ambience is chill and comfortable. Food is fresh and high quality. Staff is very nice and friendly. Price is definitely on the higher end. I got a breakfast burrito. It was fresh and clean, meaning I didn't feel greasy or too full after finishing the burrito. Definitely would try other items next time I'm in the area. read more

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Everything here is delicious, healthy and you can tell it's made with care. I'm lucky to work in the same building as this has become my lunch go to. read more

This 4 star-rating rests entirely on their cardamom and blueberry muffin. GODDAMN that muffin is marvelous! Their coffee is pretty decent as well, but that muffin is worth a trek to Irvine. read more

This place is the true definition of a hidden gem. It's behind University of California Irvine. If you did not know it was there then you simply did not know it was there. It's mixed in between a bunch of buildings it it was not for the outside umbrella it will blend in all too well! It actually does blend in almost too well. I drove past it twice. What it lacks in being a restaurant it makes up in aesthetic and customer service. Let's talk about the real reason you are here the food. I went in knowing I'd try the two easiest thing on the menu a burrito and a muffin. Those are pretty difficult to mess up. The muffin was a muffin I know that does not give much details but it was like any muffin you could get anywhere. It reminded me of a warmed up Costco muffin. It doesn't change the fact it was good, but the lime which could of set it apart was subtle and I went looking for the flavor since it had lime in the title. The blueberries however where great it bleed into the muffin but not in a way where you couldn't get chunks of blueberries in your bite. When I opened it I was more then surprised at the placement of the blueberries. It was as if someone's job was to place the blueberries instead of the task of scooping the batter into a pan. Not to mention it was a huge muffin that I was able to share. I think adding a bit more lime would really take this muffin from a 7 to a complete 10. The breakfast burrito is by far my favorite thing ever. They did not skip when it came to filling this up. They had real potatoes, cheese, eggs, and actually chunks of thick bacon. Yes that's right chunks of thick bacon. It honestly surprised me I was expecting pieces of bacon but no they did not disappoint. I can honestly say this set this apart of any breakfast burrito I l've ever had. I think I only make it this good at home. Plus the chunks of potatoes with the skin still on them but not over cooked just right. The only thing missing from these was seasoning, I added once I got to work, and it simply made it my favorite thing ever. It does come with avocado but I think the softness of the potatoes including the eggs would of made the inside too mushy. But all in all I give it a 15 out of 10. If you are ever in the location looking for a place to stop or want to try a different breakfast spot I saw give Herbs & Ranch a try you surely will not be disappointed! I do wish they had better hours but COVID hit a lot of restaurants hard, so I understand. read more

Expensive but food is solid. Only open on the weekdays- it gets crowded during lunch hour because of all the nearby companies. They have alcohol and fun sodas/drinks + much needed coffees. Reminds me of wholefoods vibes. Coffee is decent. Ahi tuna with two sides (smashed potatoes & roasted cauliflower) - ahi tuna was ok; the entire fish was thick. Wish there was a sauce. Smashed potatoes were delicious. Soft and buttery but also some little crispy bits. Roasted cauliflower was actually unexpectedly good- the texture was perfection cronchy but not mushy. Location has lots of parking, and lots of outdoor seating. Tables outdoors right outside or cross the parking lot and find lots of recreational seating by irvine company. read more

Herb & Ranch - Ahi tuna with smashed potatoes and Roasted Cauliflower - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

We frequent The Herb Ranch often and the best part about this place is the menu is always changing with many different recipes I never thought of before. Like today I had the most delicious eggplant parmasean with goat cheese. That goat cheese put it over the top with great flavor! I also had chicken spicy sour soup and it stayed so true to its name. A savory biscuit of Chives and herbs went with it so well. I've had their roast beef sandwich packed with so much beef I could barely open my mouth big enough for it. There are Asian foods salads and other sandwiches to choose. Plenty of seats outside like lounge chairs rockers and huge lounge swings I plan on trying out for my next visit. Because you go right up to whatever food you'd like at different stations the service is quick and efficient. Inside are long community farm tables. Everyone is very freindly from staff to patrons. Your day will be well made if you go. A very pleasant one. read more

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Food is good and reasonably priced. Service is fast and friendly. The location is convenient for UCI staff and students, but appears to be mostly staff going there. The outside seating is great! Bathrooms super clean. Definitely coming back if ever in the area. read more

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What a gem of a lunch spot. Delicious, fresh food with plenty of options... and in a format that can keep up with a lunch rush? Love it. Every time I've visited it's been a consistently good experience. Great entrees, seasonally rotating side dishes that are just as good, a convenient coffee bar located at the checkout with seasonal-inspired drinks. The service is awesome too, the people working always seem in a good mood, even under the pressure of the rush. A happy face goes a long way! I've been wanting to try more of their menu, but love the salmon plate so much... I haven't convinced myself to try anything else yet because of how much I love it. Anyways, if you can afford a more upscale lunch, give this place a try, they've got something for everyone and very nice communal seating too! Since they're located in the UCI campus, they've got great WiFi and charging stations parked nearby for remote work. PS - There's a great ecological preserve/trail just past this place! Literally a 2 minute walk to the trailhead from herb and ranch :) read more

Herb & Ranch - Seared Sustainable Salmon with sides of Summer Farro Salad and Salt Roasted Smashed Potatoes. Probably my favorite lunch recently! - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

Came here for a work lunch with my coworkers, who raved super highly about this place. To be honest, I thought it was "Urban Ranch" for the longest time because of the play on words, so I had no idea of what to expect when I came here. It's located in a business park, so pretty unsuspecting area for some great food. When you come inside, it's set up to be similar to a food hall. You can go up to the station you would like to order at and then pay together at a common register. I ended up getting a turkey press with a side of Tuscan soup. In the peak of lunch hour, it was pretty crowded, but there is plenty of seating both outside and in. We ended up near a pool table, ping pong table, and a couple of TVs. The food, though, absolutely blew me out of the water. Everything was so flavorful, without being too heavy. It filled me up for almost the rest of the day. I'm so sad that I won't be able to make it to this place except during my lunches :( read more

Herb & Ranch - Turkey Press Sandwich - New American Near Me - Irvine, California

Pretty cool lunch spot. Think of this as a modern take on the cafeteria, there are a few different stalls to choose from. The first is the farmhouse which is hot protein plates, the press is sandwiches, mahalo is hawaiian food, grains & greens has salads. Whichever place you order from you take your tray and pay at the bar which has coffees and beers. My review is for the farmhouse. I got the braised shortrib which comes with a spicy hazelnut romesco. For my sides I got the charred broccoli and rice & quinoa. The broccoli comes with a pesto sauce. Everything was very fresh and delicious, I would probably order the exact same thing next time! Overall I give this place 4-stars because the food is delicious and I'm a big fan of Brian Malarkey. The service however could use some improvement. My food took a several minutes longer than I was quoted when I ordered and there was a sluggishly slow moving line to pay. There were 3-4 people in front of me and it took an average or 3 minutes per person to pay. Total time from ordering to eating was upwards of 15 minutes, which is very long for this type of place. read more

Herb & Ranch - Farmhouse: braised shortrib w/broccoli and rice & quinoa - New American Near Me - Irvine, California