With the success of 85°C Bakery Cafe first US location in Irvine, it was only a matter of time before they expanded. I’m actually surprised it took so long given that the Irvine location has been opened a couple of years and it has managed to maintain its popularity, with consistently long lines out the door every weekend.
The second location is in Hacienda Heights, which like Irvine, has a pretty large Taiwanese population. We were in the area during one our of LA trips recently and decided to pay a visit.
The Hacienda Heights location is much bigger than the Irvine one, at least twice the space, if not more. While there was a line when we went, it wasn’t as long as the average line in Irvine and we only waited about five minutes. Inside, we were greeted to the same familiar drink menu, cakes, and the same fresh breads.
This location also offers 85C branded merchandise, which I haven’t seen in the Irvine store.
The two most popular breads are the brioche and the taro bread. You’ll hardly ever see them on the shelves, but when you wait in line at the register, someone will usually come around with a fresh tray asking you if you want to add one. If you don’t get one then, you can also ask at the register and there’s usually some still in the kitchen.
Here’s some of the other breads I picked up this time.
I didn’t catch the names of a lot of the breads because they had them haphazardly displayed wherever they could find room and the breads weren’t near their proper labels.
French toast
This was one of the new offerings and I really liked it. It was crunchy and toasted, made with a buttery and rich brioche.
I didn’t catch the names of these two. The first one, the topping got all soggy the next morning. The long one, was sweet with no filling.
In addition to the taro bread and brioche, my other favorite is this oversized pineapple bread. It has the butter sugar crust that I love on pineapple buns (bo luo bao), with a soft and flaky inside. I don’t remember the actual name for it. I think it might be giant brioche.
Overall, I actually preferred the larger Hacienda Heights location. Unfortunately, it’s even farther from San Diego, so I doubt I’ll visit often.
You can check out some of the other breads I got on this visit in CC’s post. And you can check out my previous posts on the Irvine location here, here, here, and here.
85°C Bakery Cafe
17170 Colima Rd
Hacienda Heights, CA 91745
I would do backflips for brioche (if I knew how) but I am so curious about the taro bread! If I am ever near that area I will have to stop in and check it out! I’m so glad that you shared this with us.
Both are really good. And completely different. You definitely should stop by if you are in the area. These breads are heavenly and come out fresh about every five minutes.
I didn’t realize how many posts you had about 85°C! I made it to the Irvine location this past weekend. On Friday afternoon, I just walked in, but on Sunday afternoon, the line was out the door. I loved their mochi egg tart, and my husband liked the strawberry half-moon cake. Between 85°C and Portos (yes we went there too), we got way too many baked goods!
Wow, 85C and Portos the same day! I usually load up at either place so I don’t think I could handle but at once.