Bruxie (Old Towne Orange)

ORANGE, Calif. - I'm all about re-purposing breakfast foods so that they can  be enjoyed at lunch and dinner. Luckily, so are the three guys who opened Bruxie Gourmet Waffle Sandwiches on the corner of Glassell and Palm in Orange. I realize that Roscoe's has been doing something similar for decades in Los Angeles, but the waffle sandwiches that come out of this historic Old Towne Orange shack are uniquely sensational. OC foodies have been eating up the novelty of Bruxie's creations since it opened at its location near Chapman University last Fall.

The Bruxie waffle is made in a style that originally hails from Brussles. Described as light, airy and crip, it is leavened by yeast rather than baking powder, so it isn't necessarily like the kind of doughy, sugary waffles you'd get at a greasy spoon diner. Biting into any of the menu's offerings is nothing like biting into a syrupy McGriddle (Though you can add maple syrup for a dollar).

The most popular items on the menu is the Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffle ($6.95), the Bruxie Burger ($6.95) and the Prosciutto & Gruyere ($7.95).

Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Waffle

Buttermilk-soaked, deep fried and drizzled with honey chili sauce, this tender chicken breast with a crispy exterior is tucked in the fold of the waffle with a small helping of coleslaw. What made this sandwich for me was the honey chili. A bit tangy and a tad sweet, the sauce is reminiscent of the Asian sweet chili sauce I grew up dipping egg rolls in.

Prosciutto & Gruyere

The Prosciutto & Gruyere, which I had on another visit, packs a more subtle punch of flavor. The thinly sliced dry-cured ham is delicately salty (as prosciutto usually is), and the presence of the gruyere cheese works well against the taste of the whole grain mustard and chives. It sort of reminded me of the paninis I used to get at one of the cafes around the corner from my apartment in Florence, Italy.  

With seven items on the savory menu and six on the sweet menu, I'm certain I'll eventually get around to trying everything. There are also seasonal specials available, such as the Pulled Pork or the Pastrami. I think for my next visit, I have my sights set on the sweet side of Bruxie. I know I'll have trouble deciding between the Nutella & Bananas and the S'Mores. If anything, I'll have to bring a friend or two next time who's willing to share a few of these in one sitting. Any takers?

NOTES

• The waffle fries are deep-fried in 100% peanut oil. Good texture, but a little too peppered in my opinion.
• The beverage collection includes locally crafted pure cane sugar sodas.
• There are tables for parties of two and four in a shaded space attached to the building. There is also a counter on the other side of the building and bar-height tables in the parking lot. 
• Count on having to park on the street. Most of the nearby spots are 30-minute spaces.
• Due to the historic nature of the building, there are no public restrooms.

Bruxie is located at 292 North Glassell St. in Orange, California.

Check out the Bruxie website here.