Saturday, August 8, 2009

[Irvine] [Bakery] 85°C Bakery Cafe

85°C Bakery Cafe
2700 Alton Pkwy, #123
Irvine, CA 92606
(949) 553-8585
http://www.85cafe.us

I used to go to 85°C Bakery Cafe when I was living in Taiwan a few years ago.  But the one I went to wasn't exactly a bakery.  It was more like a coffee shop that also serves regular restaurant food.  Since the cafe was close to my work, I often go there for lunch with coworkers.  They served simple salad, sandwich, rice and pasta dishes.



When I heard that they opened a branch in the U.S., I assumed it was the same style as Taiwan.  But it was just a simple bakery that sells bread, cake, and drinks.  Friends told me the line at this place is always long.  Luckily, the day we went, there was no line.  But still, there were so many people inside the bakery fighting to get breads.



墨魚大蒜麵包 Squid Ink Garlic Bread

It was my first trip to 85°C.  I didn't exactly know what to get.  So I just grabbed whatever looked special to me.  I have never seen Squid Ink Garlic Bread anywhere.  This bread tasted just like regualr garlic bread.  I guess the squid ink didn't add anything special or extra to the bread.  It only made the bread black.


芋頭麵包 Taro Bun

I didn't try the Taro Bun, but my mom and sister really like it.  They have requested me to get this taro bun many times after they tried it.


奶油麵包 Cream Custard Bun

I didn't try the Cream Custard Bun.  Got it for my dad and he likes it.


蘑菇起司麵包 Mushroom Cheese Bread

I love mushroom and cheese.  So I thought this would be the best bread ever.  But it didn't taste that good to me for some reason.  The flavor was great, but I didn't like the chewy bread that much.


菠蘿麵包 Pineapple Bun

Didn't get to try the Pineapple Bun, either.


風乾番茄麵包 Sun Dried Tomato Bun

Sun Dried Tomato Bun just tsated like garlic bread with a few pieces of sour sun dried tomato on top.  Nothing too special.


五榖雜糧麵包 Five Grain Bread

Got the Five Grain Bread for my mom, so I didn't get to try it.


起司蛋糕 Cheese Cake

This wasn't exactly a Cheesecake.  It was more like a cheese and egg custard mixture kind of cake.  It was more of an Asian style cheesecake.  We all like this one.

This batch of bread and buns cost about $15.  Since we moved down to Irvine, we've been coming here every 3 days or so.  We usually just get bread for breakfast or snack.  We do have a few favorites now (sorry I didn't take pictures after this first visit).  We usually get the hot dog cheese bun, blueberry custard bun, and apple turnover.  We also tried their famous sea salt coffee.  It was good, but I still don't understand what the hype was about.  It was just coffee with some salt sprinkle on top.  Oh and we like their black forest cake a lot.

If you live in OC, yeah do come down to 85°C to get some bread and buns.  But if you come here on weekend, be expect to wait in long long line out the door.  I know some people would take a trip from Los Agneles to here just to buy bread.  But I personally don't think it's worth that of a long drive.

So what is/are your favorite bread/bun from 85°C?

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9 comments:

  1. Don't you think 85C over rated by Wealthy Humble Irvine Chinese ?

    No, I don't think it's overrated by wealthy humble Irvine Chinese.
    I think it's just overrated by everyone. I mean, the bread was great, but it wasn't THAT great.

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  2. have to accept the fact that you are not in LA anymore, eh? :P

    I actually just tried 85C for the first time last week, I loved the coffee bread and the rose bread? Too bad it's sorta far. Yes, the sea salt coffee was interesting to try, but I wouldn't go crazy over it! Let us know how the cakes are when you have a chance to try them!

    Yeah, I tried the coffee bread with walnut. Pretty good.
    Haven't tried the rose bread yet. Definitely will try that one next time.
    And yes, I do miss LA food.... ><

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  3. Looks like another great place for bread in Irvine! I liked the JJ Bakery Irvine that is not part of the JJ Bakery chain, but then they started being not as good. I'll remember to visit here next time when we need to get stuff for our friend in UCI.

    So JJ in Irvine is not the same as the other JJ?
    Last time I passed by the bakery, it was completely empty.
    Maybe I'll give them a try next time.

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  4. Oh yum. My Boyfriend and I drive up here from San Diego every so often just for this place. I like the taro swirl bread, blueberry cream cheese bread, coffee bread, chocolate bread, and some others. Not really a fan of their savory breads. They used to have this enormous pineapple type bread, but I haven't seen it in a long time. That was my favorite (though I am not a fan of their regular pineapple bread).

    Wow! Quite a drive for you guys!
    I personally prefer savory bread in general. So I like all the savory ones from 85C.
    Dr. P LOVES the blueberry cream cheese bread.

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  5. Eileen, from your past entries I understand that you have recently moved to Irvine. I have lived here for years and what I must advise you is that as you are authentically Asian and a foodie, there are numerous places here that will only serve to confuse you for the simple reason that they are popular but actually do not deliver good food. 85°C is one of them and I can only imagine it as being people that have either not had good baked goods or are simply buying into a fad. While you did not run into a large crowd, there are times where the place is packed, with lots of people eager for mediocrity.

    There are decent places in Irvine and in the surrounding area, it's a matter of looking, tasting, and not settling. I hope your food discoveries are happy ones, as is your time here. And if you're looking for a decent bakery, you can give Cream Pan a look see for your next trip out.

    I've been meaning to try Cream Pan. I think they recently changed their name.
    Since we moved here, we've been eating in Irvine, Costa Mesa and Tustin.
    I have to say, Costa Mesa probably offers the best food around the area.
    More posts about my OC dining experience coming up soon.

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  6. I always love stopping by here everytime i go visit irvin for vacation.

    Where do you live?

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  7. Eileen,
    Actually both are in Irvine. Makes it so confusing! The non chain one is at the Sam Woo with a cafe and 99 Ranch Market. The real chain one is at the other 99 Ranch Market near A&J.

    Did you ever try the brioche yet? One of their employees said it was their most popular item and so we tried it- very interesting: very fluffy with a light sugar layer on top, with vanilla cake on the bottom. Tasted just like bread I tried in Asia!

    Brioche from 85? or from JJ?

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  8. Brioche from 85. I am currently writing up a post on it and am going to reference you for the suggestion of this place :).

    I will read your post when you finish. Thanks.

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  9. Happy Holiday! I miss 芋頭麵包 a LOT!! I will make sure I buy enough to bring http://www.eileenlikestoeat.com!

    haha next time buy a lot to stock up!

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