A sandwich and rosemary french fries meal at Clover, a vegetarian chain based in Cambridge. (Photo: Nathan Cooke)

Clover Food Lab opens its Kendall Square bricks-and-mortar restaurant Thursday with a “pay what you want” offer that gives all proceeds to Lovin’ Spoonfuls, a Boston-based food rescue organization that gets perishable food to homeless shelters and soup kitchens.

The goal is to donate $10,000, said Lucia Jazayeri, the small chain’s communications director, on Sunday.

The one-day effort starts at 11 a.m. and lasts to 2 p.m. or until the food sells out. Regular business hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m start Saturday.

The opening-day menu adds an experimental sandwich with Massachusetts brussels sprouts, smoked Grafton cheddar, toasted hazelnuts, pickled cabbage and a garlic-sour cream spread in addition to the small chain’s deep-fried falafel sandwiches and signature french fries with rosemary, fresh soups and pour-over coffee. (The suggested donations are $6 for sandwiches and $3 for sides and drinks.)

“In keeping with the atmosphere of experimentation in Kendall Square, Clover Kendall will serve as a test kitchen for the rest of the company,” Jazayeri said, noting that the location “is around the corner from the alleyway where Clover founder Ayr Muir, an MIT grad, parked his first food truck back in 2008.”

The chain is hoping diners will help publicize the event via Facebook, Eventbrite or Twitter.

Clover Kendall is at 5 Cambridge Center. There are also storefront locations in Harvard Square at 7 Holyoke St. and in Inman Square at 1075 Cambridge St. An Alewife location is anticipated next year.