old towne orange Archives - Sweet Potato Bites

Last time I visited Old Towne Orange it was right after Bruxie had opened their first location, which meant it was high time for a return visit. The Englishman and I decided to head over to Old Towne for a birthday lunch and exploring. After looking at antiques, visiting a Huell Howser Spot and picking up craft beer at Provisions Market, we decided to have lunch at The Filling Station Cafe.

The Filling Station Cafe is a cute restaurant located just outside the Orange Circle. Since it was so nice out, the Englishman and I opted to sit on their patio and enjoy the sunshine. First thing we did as soon as we were seated is order obligatory birthday beers.

The menu at The Filling Station Cafe is pretty basic – breakfast served until 2pm, sandwiches, soups salads and burgers. This is definitely a no-frills place; just your basic cafe food with a nostalgic twist to it. I am all for trying new and innovative cuisine, but I really liked the homey feel of this place. Sometimes you just want a simple sandwich and fries you know?

For lunch I decided to order the Turkey and Cranberry Sandwich with a side salad and sweet potato fries (of course).

The sandwich was piled high with turkey, lettuce, tomato and Gouda cheese (I got the cranberry on the side) and was nice and flavorful. I ended up leaving the bread and eating the sandwich salad-style, and loved it! And then there were the sweet potato fries.

You all know about my love for good sweet potato fries and these were light and crisp, and perfectly salted. I seriously could not get enough. I’ve been to restaurants where the sweet potato fries come out a bit mushy, but these were crispy and on point.

The Englishman ordered the Biltmore Chicken Sandwich which came with grilled chicken, Pepperjack cheese, avocado, onion, tomato and lettuce in a cibatta roll. With a side of regular fries of course.

I tried a couple of bites of the chicken and it was juicy and perfectly cooked. The fries were also delicious but I thought the sweet potato ones were slightly better.

The Filling Station Cafe is a great spot in Orange if you want just classic American fare. There’s nothing fancy or pretentious about this place and I love that. I spent a lot of time eyeing the breakfast menu so I think a return trip is definitely in the cards.

First it was frozen yogurt. Then cupcakes. Cake lollipops followed soon after. While all these trends are still alive and thriving in Southern California, I’m officially jumping on the Waffle Sandwich trend. What brought this on you may ask? The answer is my recent (and first) waffle sandwich experience at Bruxie. It was truly love at first bite.

Where the (waffle) Magic Happens

Bruxie is a small waffle shop located in Old Towne Orange up the street from Chapman University that serves gourmet waffle sandwiches, waffle cut fries, milkshakes and floats and old school real sugar (hooray!) sodas. There’s no indoor seating, just a few benches and high top tables near the parking lot. And this place is PACKED. I’m talking line down the street packed.

So on one lovely Saturday morning, the Englishman, my parents, and myself decided to head down to Bruxie to get our waffle sandwich on. While standing in the PACKED line, my stomach began to growl with the smell of fresh made waffles in the air. As we got closer to the front of the line, I began contemplating my waffle sandwich options.

The Bruxie menu offers a lot of delicious savory and sweet options, along with daily specials. I decided to go with the Applewood Smoked Bacon, Scrambled Egg and Cheddar waffle and a side of waffle fries. It. Was. Delicious. The waffle was light and fluffy (and not too sweet) and the savory bacon and egg were the perfect complement.

Egg, Bacon, and Cheese Waffle Deliciousness

The side of waffle fries were light and crisp, and seasoned perfectly. And cooked in peanut oil! (Which is perfect for this corn and soy allergy girl)

Waffle Fries - the perfect side dish!

The Englishman decided to roll with the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffle Sandwich as he experienced this combo at famed joint Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles and wanted to do a comparison taste test. The verdict? “Bruxie’s waffles were light and airy like a butterfly, and Roscoe’s was heavy and dense like a plump goose” (direct quote right there). Needless to say, I think Bruxie was the winner in his book.

Buttermilk Chicken and Waffle Sandwich = Success

My mom had the same waffle as me (and loved it) and my dad decided on one of the specials – The Ruben Waffle sandwich complete with Roast Beef and Sauerkraut. He was pleased with his sandwich as well and it’s safe to say that not a crumb was left behind when we finished our meals.

Bruxie's Special of the Day: The Ruben Waffle

While we did not try any of the sweet waffles, the options looked purely decadent and delicious. Nutella with Bananas, Lemon Cream and Berries, and S’mores are just a few of the sweet waffle choices on the menu. Being a Nutella fan myself, I plan on making a trip back very soon to try the Nutella and Banana waffle.

Thanks to Bruxie, I think it’s fair to say that waffle sandwiches are truly the new haute cuisine to hit Orange County. Forget crepes and paninis, I’ll take a waffle sandwich please.

Bruxie

292 North Glassel Street

Orange, CA 92866