Le Diplomate Cafe

My family and I have been patrons of Cream Pan in Tustin for nearly two decades now, even before…read morethe TikTok strawberry croissant craze and even before it opened more locations like in Fountain Valley and Lomita. The quality has just been so utterly consistent. These baked goods truly taste rustic and homemade; I believe the freshness is guaranteed and everything is baked daily. I always buy the shuku pan to make sandwiches my daily lunches and the country bread/sourdough for my avocado toast and breakfasts. The sandwiches made in-house are also recommended especially the chicken katsu and the assorted ham/tuna/egg salad. I like the croquette and egg salad in a bun especially. All of these are savory and flavorful yet subtle. I also recommend any of the pastries including curry pan, melon pan, and of course the strawberry croissants but beyond that I also really like the strawberry banana croissant and blueberry croissant. There is also a selection of drinks made in-house café-style as well as bottled Japanese drinks. The staff are friendly and I really like the space even though it's small. You can find seating outside especially if you avoid rush hours. Of all the three locations, this one is my favorite because it's so rustic and historic and really fits in with the overall vibe and aesthetic of Old Town Tustin and the El Camino Real. Please check this bakery out; it's one of the best in all of SoCal in my opinion.

Cream Pan never fails to deliver! Not only when it comes to fresh, delicious bakery items but also…read morefor savory meals at reasonable prices. The portions across the board are generous, high-quality, and worth every penny. As you can see from my previous review, their chicken katsu is one of my faves. It is crisp on the outside, and tender on the inside. It's a generous portion with plenty of Japanese curry sauce, and I love the pickled red ginger. There is a kiosk available from 9:30 to 5 pm, where you can now order and pay for their katsu items. I believe the Chicken Katsu Curry was around $17.99. You need to show the receipt when they call your name. I also picked up a couple of sandwiches. The Tuna Butter Roll hits the spot for a quick, comforting lunch. It is packed with creamy tuna, cucumber, and tomato slices--at just around $3.50, it's an incredible value. The Sandwich Box assortment (egg, ham, turkey, tuna) gives you a little bit of everything, making it perfect for a satisfying light lunch on the go. If you're looking for hearty portions at reasonable prices, Cream Pan continues to hit the mark every single time.

Raisin bread ($4.80). 8/11/2024

Strawberry Banana Croissant, Strawberry Croissant

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It's called epic

Paderia Bakehouse

4.4(1.1k reviews)

2.7 mi

For the walnut chocolate chip cookie. I luv u. Beat the sea…read moresalt one by a mile. AMAZING when warm. Just pure bliss. Fast service.

I stopped by this spot after getting lunch right next door…read more I had no idea what type of place this was, but I did notice quite a few folks going in. I found the inside decor a bit unexpected, the green walls, the dark vibe with gold accents. It reminded me of a chic lounge or den. I was happy to see they sold drinks and baked goodies. I wasn't in the mood for coffee or a drink, but decided to check out the sweet treats. I was so excited they had Portuguese egg tarts. I am very familiar with the Asian egg tarts, but I haven't had the Portuguese kind. I was eyeing up the banana pudding, but I decided to not get it. Prices seemed a bit high so we just went for 4 egg tarts. We relaxed a bit while our order was ready. They warmed them up, I decided to try one since I am not from this area. MY, oh MY, oh my!!!!!!!!?!!!!!?!!?!!! They were so good, the outside was super flakey, not greasy. The egg center was warm, not too 'eggy' and the sweetness level was just perfect. They were honestly to die for. I contemplated for a few minutes to BUY MORE even though I had only eaten one. I thought, I'm not from this area, so I might as well get more! I ended up getting 5 more, each tart leans on the expensive side for how small they are, but they are mighty delicious!!! I also decided to try the sea salt chocolate chip cookie: Classic Cookie. Traditional components with a dash of sea salt to accentuate the taste of rich imported Belgian chocolate Egg tarts: 5/5!!!!! Honestly when I put in my 2nd order, I couldn't help myself to tell the people behind me how dang good the egg tarts are... They told me they ended up getting some just because I mentioned it.. The salted chocolate cookie looked different to me, it is shaped like a mound. I thought this was good, full of chocolate and the sea salt was good. Would I order it again? Maybe, maybe not. 3/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Food: 4/5

Paderia Bakehouse - Ensaymada (with Aged White Cheddar). Soft brioche bread rolled like a cinnamon roll with butter, sugar, and aged white cheddar on top.

Ensaymada (with Aged White Cheddar). Soft brioche bread rolled like a cinnamon roll with butter, sugar, and aged white cheddar on top.

Portuguese tarts and Mexican hot chocolate cookie.

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Ube egg tart

Sunmerry Bakery

3.9(779 reviews)

4.7 mi

Me and my husband were eating right next door at A&J restaurant. My husband got 2 drinks which was…read morepart of their special BOGO free deal... JASMINE MIlK TEA: 9/10 The Jasmine tea tastes great! There was quite a lot of FOAM on top but, overall it was very ENJOYABLE!!! PORTUGUESE EGG TARTS: 8/10 $1.49 each. I bought them for my mom and she said they were good but, she liked the CHINESE EGG TART more!!!... SERVICE: 8/10 Good and a little hesitant. I wasn't sure if I was being treated as a customer or a burden. Everyone was just trying to do their jobs it seems... AMBIANCE: 8/10 Kind of quiet! Which I actually like because yes other locations are busier. I noticed they ran out of many BAKED good items by evening time... START YOUR DAY THE SUNMERRY WAY!!!!

Let me first start by saying that I like Sunmerry Bakery's product as a whole generally and have…read morebeen coming here for years. It advertises itself as a more premium pastry brand and I don't mind paying a little more for quality pastries. For this last trip, it sorta fallen off a cliff for me. I got their cream puffs this past weekend and I was gravely disappointed. It had labeled a use date of 7/14/26 when I bought it on 7/11/26. I tried it with my wife today on 7/13/26 and the cream tasted sour... Wait, what? How??? Why??? We wondered whether it was a "new" flavor or something and realized that no, this just went bad. Granted that you are paying $12 for 6 of these, for $2 each puff this is not really acceptable at all. Sure, I called the store and they refunded me this purchase. By letting them know that they should probably throw away the rest of this batch, will this happen? The store clerk told me so, but who knows? The fact that you have to question premium stores really puts a sour taste in your mouth. It does make you wonder whether to come by again in the future or not. And that's on top of whether to trust any of the labels they provide or not....geez...

Chicken Cheddar Matcha Latte

Black Sesame Donut.

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IG @FoodandPooch

Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe

4.6(2.1k reviews)

13.4 mi

Okayama makes my Japanese, carb-loving, heart so happy. I usually order the shio pan (salt bread),…read morekobo-kuma (filled with vanilla custard) and curry pan (regular & spicy). I've also tried the jalapeño cheese roll, yakisoba pan, and mentai salt & butter roll. All very yummy savory options if you're just looking for a quick bite to eat. Their drinks are also just as good as their bread! I've had their banana crème matcha latte, sea salt taro latte, and most recently, their kobo-jicha latte. The kobo-jicha might be my new favorite! Will be back soon.

I recently can eat dairy again, and I decided to kick it off with some baked goods!! We went on a…read moreFriday morning and there was no wait. We sat outside to eat our pastries and they tasted great fresh. The salt & butter roll was my favorite, so simple but soft and pillowy. They use Hokkaido flour which gives their pastries a unique texture, They have a lot of options including both sweet and savory. The only thing that kind of let me down was their honey butter croissant... it's just a little tip of a croissant, it was tasty but a tiny portion. The croissant low key reminded us of Costco croissants (no shade to Costco lol). We also ordered drinks, and their matcha tasted great! Overall if you're looking for some delicious and adorable treats, I recommend trying it!

Yokohama peach (iced)

Matcha Sea Salt Cold Brew

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French Toast

Maison De Croissant

4.8(335 reviews)

2.7 mi•Westpark

Every time I'm in the OC and I'm looking for a place for a sweet treat, Maison de Croissant was…read morealways high up on the suggested search results list. Only recently was I able to visit and try their croffles and other sweets. Did NOT know that this was inside the H Mart food court in Diamond Jamboree. Parking is horrendous and the driving there is horrendous as well. Probably the easiest and least horrifying option just to automatically default to is to just park in the overflow lot right next to the plaza. There's no indicator for the parking garage so on a particularly busy day, you can head all the way to the top, find nothing and navigate through the hell crowds trying to leave. Ambiance is a very casual, counter order business in the food court. There's seating there, but we ate really close by. Definitely something you have to eat immediately or the texture will not be optimal or it might get soggy. We got the tiramisu croffle and they toasted it and put it together for us there. The lady working there packed it up nicely in a to go box and we got some cookies (regular ones and almond crisp ones). It's a bit sweet, but they're dessert pastries so that makes sense. Goes great with a brewed cup of tea. Croffle had a nice semi-chewy texture and the tiramisu flavor added a bit of a coffee taste to it. Good balance of the cream and croffle. The cookie wasn't too bad either. Overall not a bad to go dessert spot.

8/10 Croffle - It was alright. I'm pretty biased though since I don't like whipped cream at all,…read moreand half of it was just whipped cream on top. My friend really liked it though.

#Blueberry Croffles #Strawberry Croffles #Chocolate Croffles

#Croffles

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The Tiramisu Croffle and the Blueberry Croffle

Bakery 101

4.7(384 reviews)

4.5 mi

I ordered this durian cake for our anniversary, and wow... it's easily the best cake I've ever had…read more If you love real durian, you'll love this cake. The cream is super smooth and filled with actual durian pulp--no artificial flavor at all. The sponge is so light and fluffy that it almost melts in your mouth, and it pairs perfectly with the rich, fruity durian cream. I already love fresh durian and durian ice cream, but this was my first time trying a durian cake, and it completely exceeded my expectations. The 6-inch cake was $68, so it's definitely a treat, but I'd happily buy it again. Just make sure to order a few days ahead. The service was amazing too. Since it was our anniversary, they added a cute "Happy Anniversary" sign to the cake at no extra charge. When we picked it up, they even reminded us to head straight home because the summer heat could affect the cake. You can tell they genuinely care about the quality of their cakes and want customers to enjoy them at their best. Definitely coming back to try more flavors!

Very cute and small local bakery. Plenty of parking and no wait on a Sunday. No seating inside but…read morea few tables outside. I got a few cake slices for my brother since he doesn't eat a full cake and they were very fluffy and moist. Not too sweet and very easy on the stomach. The staff was very nice and welcoming. There was a good variety of croissants, cookies, cakes and puddings.

One of the best matcha cakes I've ordered from a bakery

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Strawberry roll cake and core cake

Chaupain Bakery

4.7(1.9k reviews)

6.5 mi

Service is bad, brings wrong food or some items were missing from the food we ordered. Twice I had…read morethe same order and they different from each other. Once bread was missing. The lamb sausage yesterday was awful tasting were as two weeks ago was tasty. Had to ask for coffee that was ordered twice till someone brought it. On the whole service is very careless.

Chaupain's croissants and pastries never cease to amaze. So so flaky and crispy! My go-to and an…read moreabsolute must try for anyone who loves French bakeries. My family loves the spinach cheese and mixed berry croissant. They have a variety of croissants, tarts, cakes, quiches, sandwiches - and entree items like French onion soup, and the sunrise sandwich which are both very good. The Laguna Hills branch is a very small storefront with some patio seating. The staff are always so polite and friendly!

Order counter

Pastry.

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Pumpkin Spiced Latte in Paris :p | IG @moniquedao

Hamadaya Bakery

4.2(239 reviews)

5.1 mi

Absolutely love coming here. Their muffins are tasty and not too sweet. Their chocolate mochi donut…read moreis wonderful with the perfect amount of chew and the texture with each bite is nice. Their wagyu curry pan is perfectly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Their drinks are also something you shouldn't miss out on. Their kinako hot drink, hojicha latte and matcha drinks are perfect for a mid day pick me up. They also have ice cream soft serve which is nice and a great treat on a warm day. I often buy their sliced bread as well and prefer their bread to other places.

Such a cute little bakery located inside the Mitsuwa! I come here whenever I'm craving a quick soft…read moreserve- it is such a sizeable portion for the price. I like getting the plain vanilla one, and it also comes with a little cereal at the bottom that gives it a good crunch. The coffee jelly milk is also great, it feels similar to a boba drink but it's a lot cheaper. Whenever I come here it's always the same lady who I'm sure is tired of seeing me lol, but she is so sweet and kind and patient when I have trouble deciding what to pick here! As for the pastries/desserts, the custard pudding cup deserves more love! I'm not sure if it's housemade here, but if you've ever been to Japan, it tastes exactly like the ones you buy from the konbini! I remember I would buy one almost every day of my trip, so I've grown cravings for it that Hamadaya satisfies in OC. The bavarian chocolate cream is a fun decadent pastry if you're into chocolate- comes with so many chocolate chips. The cheese bread is also a go-to for me if I'm in a savory mood- it's exactly what it sounds like, cheese and bread but who doesn't love those two things? Egg katsu sandwich is good if you're looking for something more substantial. The strawberry shortcake I've tried here was also good, but I did pick it up near their closing so it felt a little dried out. Definitely would recommend coming here earlier in the day for fresher and better selection of pastries!

Green tea soft serve w/ mochi topping and coffee jelly milk

Coffee Jelly Milk - Less sweet

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Coffee milk jelly

Tous Les Jours

4.1(61 reviews)

2.7 mi•Westpark

I always like stopping by Tous Les Jours for some delicious pastries. This location is inside the…read moreHmart grocery store and food court. There is plenty of seating inside the food court and it is really spacious. They have a selection of pastries, breads, cakes and also sell drinks. Their pastries are always fresh and fluffy with my favorites being the vanilla donut and cream puffs. Service is always friendly and there's never a line or wait time. I really recommend this place for anyone looking for a sweet treat.

In all honesty. I'm almost inclined to give them a 2/5 but I'm being a tad generous. I've heard…read moregood things about these guys from multiple people but I really wasn't impressed. The savory items weren't savory, the sweet items weren't sweet as well. Everything was just middle of the road. MID is an accurate word to use here. Yes the selection is decent for being a grocery store location. But the items just weren't great. My brother got a birthday cake. It was expensive and man that cake was DRY. They like the iced tiramisu latte but my iced hojicha was so lacking in flavor.

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Duke Bakery

4.3(427 reviews)

4.1 mi•Oak Creek

So many classic and delicious flavors! The cashier was so kind, welcoming, and provided some free…read moresamples which were much appreciated. The bread also isn't expensive (which is great so I can buy many at a time). (: I got the Cupcake this time, which was fluffy, soft, not too sweet, and not dry. It was yummy. I'll definitely recommend this place and will be back soon. Thank you so much!!

Tried Duke Bakery through Too Good To Go and got 6 pastries for $10. Most of them ended up having…read morered bean filling, which I'm personally not a huge fan of, but I can still appreciate the quality. The bread itself was soft. The fillings weren't overly sweet, which I liked since it didn't feel heavy or overwhelming. Even though the selection wasn't exactly my preference, the overall taste and value were solid. I'd come back again, especially to try more of their other options. It was my first time and I didn't know that they were supposed to swipe to confirm, not me but she was nice and still let me pick them up. Also, bring your bag to carry the breads / pastries.

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Kokonut peach

Milky bread

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Kokonut matcha

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157 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Martinez A.

9 years ago

IS IT "LE DIPLOMATE CAFE" OR "EL CHARRO BORRACHO"?!!! Yesterday, 5/24/17, at approximately 3:30 p.m., at the request and convenience of clients whose children attend UCI and needed my professional assistance, I did accept to carry out our initial meeting at this rather "popular" eatery [something that I normally detest to even think of] and, despite the limited space area of the place and overly juvenile atmosphere, I was satisfied with the pleasantness of the young [primarily female] staff and, quite frankly, their espresso coffee was very good. This "new experience" would have been given thumbs up by me, had it not been by the very disappointing, tasteless, rude-vulgar and almost contemptuous behavior of their "kitchen crew/staff". Since I arrived at the place about one hour earlier than my scheduled meeting time, I could tell that shortly after 2:35 p.m. the regional Mexican music that was already playing in the background upon my arrival began to increase in volume to the point that customers were almost yelling out their orders to the sole young lady at the front. After realizing how perturbing the "music" and even louder "sing along" of the men in the back became, I voiced that concern to the young lady at the register and she only smiled at me doing nothing about it. When my potential new clients arrived, the first quasi-laughing comment they made was: "Is this Le Diplomate or El Charro?"; My response, in like fahion was: "... It was your idea, not mine". Any how, after a few minutes into our meeting, the noise (so-called music and the singing of the kitchen crew) got too unbearable and I simply got up to remind the same sole attendant at the register that the place was called "Le Dip-lomate", NOT "El Charro Borracho" Spanish for Drunken Mexican Cowboy]. She appeared to finally get the message, as my guests and I could notice a decrease in the volume of the music and the horrendous off-key singing. Shortly thereafter, we did see a character wearing a black shirt and cap coming out of the kitchen and staring at me/us with obvious anger and reproaching attitude. He didn't dare utter a word to me/us, but I could tell what his "gallito de pelea" [Spanish for "small fighting cock"] look was intended to convey to me/us. In sum, this is an experience that renders any eatery disliked and disgraceful in the eyes of any decent customer, be that a financially challenged college student or an affluent gastronomic adventurer. To conclude, I rate this place a two stars and hope that, 'IF' in fact the owner/management of this establishment cares about the opinions posted in this public forum, they will do something to remedy this situation and endeavor to insure that "Le Diplomate" begins to sound more like a "French Diplomat" rather than an obscene and disgusting "Drunk Mexican Cowboy". Thanks for reading. read more

Lucerito R.

100

7 years ago

This is an unobtrusive shop that's stashed away inside Univeristy Center. I never would have noticed it if my friend hadn't recommended that I stop by here to try one of their chicken garlic sandwiches. Tip: From 3pm to 6pm, they offer Happy Hour pricing on their sandwiches. That means you get a bag of chips and a beverage included for just the price of the sandwich. I didn't put all that much stock in my friend's recommendation, but tasting is believing - I tried one of these "legendary" sandwiches and I was totally hooked - they are nothing short of amazing!! Some facts to help you appreciate just how amazing these chicken garlic sandwiches are: - Le Diplomat bakes their own baguettes in-house in small batches throughout the day to guarantee that all of their sandwiches are fresh. - They pride themselves on their garlic sauce, and mix it up fresh daily. - There's quite an impressive assortment of sandwiches on the menu here, and the toasted chicken garlic sandwich is easily their most popular item. Exactly why is this sandwich so addictive? The interplay of the cheese and the garlic in their proprietary sauce is a match made in Heaven! The bread is crunchy with a truly great taste, and the value proposition simply can't be beat - $12 for a a 9 inch sandwich is about as good as it gets; you can't go away hungry. Don't take my word for it, stop by "Le Dip" and get one of these beauties for yourself - what's another addiction between friends! ;-) read more

Kelly W.

294

130

1 year ago

I first discovered Le Diplomat Cafe over a decade ago, and after countless visits, it's about time I gave this place the recognition it deserves. In a world where food trends come and go, Le Diplomat has stood the test of time with consistency, quality, and flavor. The sandwiches here are truly solid--hearty, flavorful, and reliably satisfying. My personal go-to favorites are the Chicken Cordon Blue and the Chicken Broccoli & Mushroom. Both are generously filled, well-balanced, and cooked to perfection. What really elevates them is the garlic sauce--rich, creamy, and downright addictive. I always ask for extra, and it never disappoints. Fresh ingredients are clearly a priority here, and you can taste the difference in every bite. The service is always warm, efficient, and friendly, which adds to the charm of this small, no-frills spot. I also appreciate the self-serve hot sauce station--it's a small touch, but one that shows they know and cater to their regulars. While the seating inside is limited, the café is located in a lively town center with plenty of shared outdoor tables. It's perfect for grabbing a quick, delicious bite on the go or enjoying a relaxed meal outside when the weather's nice. Le Diplomat Cafe may not be flashy, but has great food and good service. A true local staple that's earned its loyal following! read more

Lina Y.

13 years ago

The sandwiches here are delish and one-of-a-kind and the garlic sauce is awesome. However, my negative experience ruined Le Dip for me. I went in for the first time in half a year after being abroad, and my order was taken by an extremely rude employee. He took my order in a very unfriendly manner and just handed me my receipt without saying anything. Later I said "thank you" and was given a blank stare/sullen expression and no response. Ignored :(. So awkward. I've never been treated this way before by a cashier, and was completely caught off-guard. At first I thought maybe he was having a bad day at work, but there was no line, and there's really no excuse for being outright and purposely discourteous when you're working in the food service industry. The food is great, but his attitude was not. The experience totally ruined Le Dip for me and I don't think I'll be back, at least while he's taking orders there. It's pretty hard for something to bring what could have been a five star rating down to one, but he managed to do it. Let's just hope he doesn't 'manage' anything else. read more

Annie Y.

12 years ago

Ahhhh... soooooo goood!!!! I cannot stress enough how amazing this place is. The most simple sandwiches ever, and yet they taste exceptional. DEFINITELY the best place to get your sandwich in Irvine! And I'm not surprised they have a 4.5 star rating :) So I usually order with a call-in order (one of the best things about this place!) and do the usual: chicken, broccoli, and mushroom. Full size with garlic sauce (YOU HAVE TO GET GARLIC SAUCE...if you don't I don't know what you are doing??) Usually a long line during lunch which is why I place a call in order. My meal ended up being about $6, and it fed both me and my brother! They also have complimentary ice waters (if you ask for it). The service is very nice and the environment is casual. If you're planning on eating there there isn't much room inside. But since its Cali weather, sitting outside is just as relaxing! I love love love this place.. I literally squeal every time I get lunch from here! read more

Michelle X.

Elite 26

116

2 years ago

I've been coming to this sandwich shop on and off for years and it hits every time! Their chicken, broccoli, and mushroom sandwich with garlic sauce is incredible - it's something I've consistently craved over the years. Part of it may be nostalgia, but honestly, it's just that good. The flavors are spot on and the garlic sauce is a must! Plus, the bread is always fresh with that soft chew. I usually end up ordering extra sandwiches to go because one is never enough. They reheat well, but let's be real, they rarely make it that long before I start digging in. Service here is always fast and consistent and the cashier is friendly every time. It's the kind of spot that keeps me coming back, whether it's for a quick bite or to stock up on favorites. Best sandwich shop in Irvine, hands down! read more

Margaret B.

13 years ago

When I found myself in Irvine for lunch, I hit up a friend who had attended UCI for a suggestion and he said to go here. He specifically said to order the chicken, broccoli, mushroom, and garlic sandwich. Personally, I thought it sounded weird, but he's never led me wrong before. I was not disappointed this time either. The sandwich was amazing! Whoever thought of this sandwich deserves a medal, seriously. It was like a small bite of heaven. Plus the prices were great, easy on a college student budget. I had a half sandwich, which was plenty for me. The only downside was the wait, about 20 minutes or so. The next time I come, I'm going to aim for the "off" hours around mid-afternoon and see if the lines are any better. read more

Isiah R.

15 years ago

As I sit here and contemplate why I'm writing this review (because I'm aware that everybody near Le Dip is probably aware of this), I tell you that if you haven't tried it you're missing out! First of all, don't go to "Le Dip" if you're looking for a healthy meal. This is because the buttery garlic sauce is so rich and delicious that it leaves you with a sense of awe. I've found that sauce on my sandwiches to be so irresistible that my heart just drops every time I order it in conflict between health or a rich, delicious meal. Walk into Le Dip, if you know what you're about to order and if you know what you've tried before; you'll begin salivating when you walk into the shop. Eat, enjoy, and love. read more

Dan A.

Elite 16

198

368

119

15 years ago

Good place! It was a little hard to find for a non-local... but the weather in Irvine was nice so it wasn't a big deal wandering around looking for this place. I liked the banh mi sandwich here but it isn't exactly the most authentic banh mi around. It was still pretty good tasting though! As for the garlic chicken...well, it may come as heresy to some reviewers here but I thought it wasn't that great. It was just too heavy and creamy for my liking. But I have to say that the food came out fairly quickly, despite the long line. It was also quite fresh tasting. Prices were reasonable too. Definitely worth a visit. read more

Yuhan L.

13 years ago

I found this from Yelp, and then tried it. The sandwiches are better, for me, it's cheap, delicious, hot, quick. I bought three flavor for my friends, Chicken broccoli mushroom with garlic sauce, Chicken cordon bleu and Chicken eggplant. All of them how delicious it is each one!! Their bread was so toasty and good. There was the perfect balance of the toasted and buttered bread. The chicken broccoli mushroom was quite good, especially with the buttery garlic sauce. I think this place is much better than the Lee's nearby. I used to always go to lees, but from now, Le Diplomate Will replace lee's. read more

Donna J.

13 years ago

I went here for lunch while in the area for business. They start you out with a little basket of bread with a ramekin of bruschetta-like topping, which was light and very tasty. I chose the Rosemary Chicken Ravioli - you get seven raviolis stuffed with rosemary, chicken and provolone cheese in a creamy pesto sauce with chopped tomatoes, Prosciutto ham, and pine nuts. Honestly I think I ordered it because of the pine nuts, but regardless it was a nice meal. Too filling for lunch (at least for me), I only made it though about three of the raviolis. Service was quick and friendly. read more

Dan L.

691

9 years ago

Le Dip and In N out were basically the staples of my college diet when I wasn't eating homemade food, like cheap pasta, Ragu, and hot dogs haha. My go to order was the BCC or Bacon Chicken Club 9". I would eat half right away and save the other half for later, or if I was hungry I'd eat the whole thing. My number 2 would have to be the Chicken Cordon Bleu. The Garlic Chicken and Tuna Melt were amazing as well. I would always get extra hot sauce on the side and a big cup of water to go with it. Speaking of which, I'm really craving some Le Dip right now! read more

Francis H.

6 years ago

I asked an old friend of mine to help me with a nice restaurant since I was new to the area and he suggested me this place, I was curious to learn more about this spot so I searched for it in yelp and saw all those plus reviews, so decided to visit it and it was an amazing experience over all. Atmosphere here characterizes this restaurant. The staff is highly loyal and experienced. The service is absolutely rapid. Not to mention, the food you eat is magnificent. Highly recommended. read more

Brian H.

17 years ago

No kissing after eating here! The garlic sauce stays with you for the rest of the day, but boy, what a sauce it is. My favorites, as you may have guessed, are the garlic sauce chicken sandwiches. Dijon, garlic, eggplant, whichever, they all come on a hot french roll. Service is always fast and friendly, and the prices are good. They also make decent smoothies, and have the standard "combo" meal, which includes chips and a fountain drink. Try it, you'll get hooked like me. read more

Randall D.

7 years ago

Le Diplomate Cafe is the best place for lunch near the UCI marketplace. This small French/ Vietnamese cafe makes amazing sandwiches ranging from standards like chicken club, to more exotic items like the Vietnamese chicken sandwich (bánh mí). Every item on the menu is great, but the Vietnamese chicken sandwich is my personal favorite ( grilled chicken, garlic sauce, pickled vegetables, Swiss cheese and jalapeños). If your in the University Marketplace this is the place to go. read more

Ray L.

Elite 16

254

644

1424

10 years ago

This place is between 3 to 4 stars...I'll be nice.... It is simply a Vietnamese sandwich shop...there are better place in San Gabriel Valley...that place has three locations...for its name, read my other reviews.... I usually order the Vietnamese style chicken sandwich, but this time I ordered the 9 inch pastrami. It is ok...the bread was crunchy and hot, too much mayonaise and mustard.... This place is ok, but there are better place. Price is ok for Irvine. read more

Andrew L.

179

14 years ago

Of everything in Irvine, I think I miss this place the most from my time at UCI. Delicious and hot sandwiches just a walk away from campus, what else could you ask for? My default sandwich was always the chicken cordon bleu. Douse it with a few containers of sriracha and you got yourself a meal! Opt for the 9 inch because the 5 will just leaving you wanting more. Or go for the Combo #3 for an added drink. Pro tip: Call your order ahead to avoid lines :) read more

Lora H.

5 years ago

Love ordering the full size and having enough for 2 meals! My favorite is the chicken, broccoli & mushroom sandwich but I'm sure they're all great. I prefer getting the garlic sauce .. you can even ask for extra on the side. The veggies are always soft, chicken cooked perfectly and the bread not tough. The staff is always very friendly and orders are prepared quickly. I always call my order in and it's ready in 10 minutes or less read more

Albert Y.

12 years ago

I have been comin here for over 12 years since I was in high school at university high. This is definitely one of my favorite places at uci center.. Sandwiches are sooooooooo money.... From the garlic chicken to the French connection... I have tried almost everything and there hasn't been one i didn't like.. If you haven't been here and tried their sandwiches, you are truly missing out on some talented sandwiches. read more

Bijou B.

11 years ago

It is a good place to grab a quick lunch. They have pretty big choice of sandwiches and most of them are good. This place is rather small so it is not really good place to go and hang out with friends but rather to pick up a lunch. I came here few days ago to get a sandwich and it took them long time to have it ready which I didn't like. Other than that this place is good and inexpensive. read more

Le Diplomate Cafe - bakeries - Updated September 2026

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