Herb & Ranch

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 :)

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.

I ordered food twice from their Grains & Greens section and was disappointed on both occasions. Chicken and sauces were way too salty and almost inedible for me. I ended up throwing away most of my food. Also meats were hard like a brick and stone cold.

I recently had lunch at Herb & Ranch in the UCI complex, and it was a great experience! I ordered the poke bowl and tried the salmon platter--both dishes were fresh, flavorful, and well-prepared. The ambience was perfect for a relaxing meal, with both indoor and outdoor seating options available. The outdoor area was especially nice on a sunny day! Parking was easy and ample, so no hassle there. Overall, it was a fantastic lunch, and I'll definitely be coming back to try more from the menu!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

Great place with a wide variety of dining selections. We have enjoyed their soups, salads, Mac & cheese and cookies!