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!
Birch Street Promenade in Brea Downtown
215 W. Birch Street
(714) 255-1188
and
292 North Glassell
Old Town Orange
(714) 633-3900
Geez Louise!
yup yup… had the pastrami- i’ll be back 😉
Justin Moore-Brown
LOVE BRUXIE!
The Birch Street location is GORGEOUS too.
I recently had their Reuben waffle and of course their chicken & waffles are to die for.
Salmon & Dill was DILL-licious too 🙂
Priscilla
Oooh, Ruebens, Yum! Definitely have to get over there for the Salmon & Dill 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipesa
The salad is my favourite!
Liz
I wouldn’t be able to decide!! Top of my list would be the pastrami sandwich and their salad….mmmmmm.
Sandra's Easy Cooking
Oh wow, what a great post and review..Everything look fantastic but that Albacore Tuna Melt, and Chocolate-Filled Liege Waffle, is yummmy!!!! Thanks for sharing and have a awesome Holiday season with your family!
Kiri W.
Wow! I’ve actually never had a “wafflewich”, but I’ve heard a lot about them. Very curious to try, Brucie sure sounds interesting!
Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything}
everything look great Priscilla! Now I’m craving waffles for breakfast!
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family
What a clever idea to use waffles. I know here in the South chicken and waffles is a very popular, savory, dish.
Emily Malloy @Cleanliness
Amazing!!!
Lora @cakeduchess
Wow! I’ve never been to Bruxie and would fly out there just to go there. All these waffles look fantastic. I hope you had a lovely holiday:)xx
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet
What a great concept! Wish I lived in Sunny Southern Cali! 🙂
Carolyn
Wow, everything on waffles and it all looks amazing!
RavieNomNoms
This is just TOO much fun! I haven’t ever seen a place that does so much with waffles. How amazing would that be. I mean it looks like you could practically get anything you want on a waffle. Amazing!
Emily @ Life on Food
As good as the sandwiches look I think I would go straight for the shakes. I am a frequenter of Katz Deli but maybe I need to head out west.
5 Star Foodie
awesome waffle sandwiches! 5 Star foodie jr. and I have actually been making a lot of waffle sandwiches at home, Junior will have to share on the blog one of these days.
Nancy@acommunaltable
OMG…. it’s official, you are now my “go to” restaurant guru for Orange County!! I am definitely thinking we need to go and get one of these sandwiches soon – two weeks and I am done with school – WOOT!!!
Magic of Spice
What a fun place, and no I have never actually eaten there…go figure 🙂 I am sure the guys have though, will have to let them know about it just in case 🙂
belle (tinkeringinthekitchen)
what a delicious sounding (and looking!) recipe! Im going to grab a coffee and read more, so glad i found your blog 🙂 Belle