A Waffle Obsession: Bruxie Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches

About a month ago, my friend Erin and I trekked to Orange County to check out Taco Bell’s dismal Waffle Taco. Afterward, she insisted we also check out Bruxie, a chain whose menu revolves around waffles. We shared a turkey club between us and from that one bite, my life changed forever. Bruxie became a must-visit place to hit whenever hunger strikes in Orange County.

So, in two different visits at two different locations, I checked out a bit more of their menu just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke.

Bruxie’s location in the city of Orange has a walk-up window with limited outdoor seating. It’s located in a cute and historic-looking part of Orange with lots of friendly shops.

On this visit, Paul and I split a Bruxie Burger ($6.95). An all-beef patty is flat-topped grilled, split in half and placed on a folded Brussels-style waffle. Cheddar cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and pickles round out their version of the burger. Based on the patty alone, it’s unremarkable; the patty is flavorless but to its credit moist and cooked to a medium-well. Paired with a waffle, it’s a textural contrast where meaty meets light and crispy. It’s far from a perfect burger but it’s one that’s unforgettable.

On a second visit — this time located at the picturesque Huntington Beach location — we veered away from the burger and went full throttle: we ordered a sandwich, side and dessert.

In an attempt to go for a less heavy filling, we opted for a Cheesy Bruxie ($4.95) with bacon for an additional dollar, and made it a combo by adding waffle fries ($2.50 more).

The shallow waffle pockets in the Cheesy Bruxie are filled with melted Tillamook cheddar and gruyere cheeses. The waffles stay crisp despite the cheese and is only helped with the addition of plentiful bacon pieces. What the the Bruxie Burger missed, this sandwich excels in all levels. The waffle fries are delicately seasoned without an ounce of oiliness.

For a sweet ending, we ordered Chocolate Filled Liege ($4.95). The dark chocolate filling offsets the sweetness of the waffle, which incorporates pearl sugar in the batter. And it’s served warm. There are no appropriate adjectives that deftly describe how much I loved this. I wish I didn’t have to divvy up its deliciousness with Paul.

There are a host of other sweet and savory items incorporating the waffle theme that look equally promising: fried chicken and waffle, smoked salmon, Wisconsin frozen custard and a Brussels waffle served with syrup. Non-waffle themed items include cheesecake and shakes (with seasonal varieties).

Bruxie has five locations in Orange County. Check one out even if you’re just passing through.

Check out Erin’s review of the Turkey Club at Serious Eats here.