Bruxie: Spreading Waffle Love

This pastrami waffle sandwich was like a “I’ll have what she’s having”, Harry Met Sally moment, only I wasn’t in Katz Deli, but the new Bruxie in Brea Downtown. Lean, not-too salty, Boar’s Head pastrami sandwiched between a light, crispy waffle balanced with lightly-dressed crunchy cole slaw and the zing of whole grain mustard. It’s been several weeks  and I’m craving another!

If you live and dine in Orange County, you’ve heard about Bruxie in Old Towne Orange and, hopefully, have experienced at least a few of their gourmet sweet and savory waffle sandwiches. The phenomenal success of this unique waffle concept, brain child of Chefs, Partners and concept creators, Dean Simon, Kelly Mullarney, and Philippe Caupain, was the catalyst for opening a second location, exactly one year later, in Brea Downtown.

Lemon Cream with seasonal berries

Planning the opening date of the second Bruxie on the anniversary of the first, was their way of saying thank you to Orange County and loyal Bruxie fans and seen as a significant and necessary step for their brand, according to Dean Simon, Managing Partner of Bruxie.

The Bruxie menu features two types of Belgian waffles: the Brussels waffle is a light, crispy, yeast waffle used in all the Bruxie sandwiches – it is not sweet and when cooked, its yeast aroma is reminiscent of freshly baked bread. The Liege waffle, is a more dense, sweet waffle, with Belgian-pearl sugar baked into it. Bruxie fans have over a dozen savory sandwiches to choose from, dessert waffles to satisfy their sweet tooth, salads of local sourced produce, locally produced old-fashioned cane sugar sodas, real Wisconsin frozen custard, shakes, sundaes and floats – and nothing on the menu exceeds $10.

Pumpkin Spice Shake (seasonal special)

Dean Simon and Kelly Mullarney  talked with our group of food writers on Friends and Family night – their excitement is contagious and their commitment to sourcing locally as much as possible and using the finest ingredients available is real (Michel Cordon Bleu smoked salmon, Callebaut 60% Belgium chocolate, the finest Wisconsin custard). The waffle sandwiches, salads, sodas, shakes, and desserts definitely reveal the secret of their continued success and popularity.

I opened with the Hot Pastrami Bruxie (Hot Pastrami Bruxie – Boar’s Head Pastrami with Gruyere, Cider Slaw, Spicy Brown Mustard & Half Sour Pickles) – hands down, the best pastrami “sandwich” I’ve had in recent years – that said, I don’t order them often because I’m usually disappointed, plus, while they score high on the taste meter, they score low on the healthy meter – but a girl’s gotta indulge now and then to keep the chi in balance 🙂

But of course, Chicken and Waffles is listed first on the menu – the popular savory waffle combination favored by waffle lovers old (Roscoe’s in LA anyone) and new:

Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Waffle – Chili Honey & Cider Slaw

Turkey Club – Boar’s Head Roasted Turkey, Gruyere, Avocado, Applewood Smoked Bacon & Pesto Aioli

Bruxie Salad – Grilled Chicken, Romaine & Arugula, Mushrooms, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Avocado, Lemon Vinaigrette & Balsamic Reduction

Outstanding flavors and freshness – a winning ♥ Heart Healthy ♥ option

The Bruxie Brea location also mirrors the retro drive-in charm of the wildly popular Old Towne Orange location with roll-up steel garage doors, painted reclaimed wood and bold graphics, but with three uptown improvements:

1. free structure parking!
2. bathrooms!!
3. indoor seating!!!

Albacore Tuna Melt – With Cheddar Cheese, Crisp Lettuce & Tomatoes
another great ♥Heart Healthy♥ option

Grilled Chicken Caesar – the edible Parmesan Waffle Bowl makes this salad!

Carolina BBQ Pulled Pork – Slow-Roasted Pork, Cheddar Cheese, Cider Slaw and Bruxie’s own BBQ Sauce

Let’s not forget the Callebaut Belgian Chocolate I mentioned earlier!

Chocolate Covered Banana w/Peanuts Shake

Chocolate-Filled Liege Waffle (Bruxie’s Liege with caramelized pearl sugar filled with dark Belgian chocolate)

 So seize the moment! Do a little holiday shopping, see a movie, and savor the waffle! I know I’ll be trekking up to Old Towne soon for a breakfast waffle of Smoked Salmon & Dill Cream Cheese, now that I know it’s Michel Cordon Bleu smoked salmon!

Bruxie

Birch Street Promenade in Brea Downtown

215 W. Birch Street

(714) 255-1188

and

292 North Glassell

Old Town Orange

(714) 633-3900