Great garlic chicken sandwhich. Sauce is good. I just wish there was more than just chicken and garlic sauce in the sandwhich. I would recommend the place but it's not a place I would go out of my way for. read more

There breakfast croissants are the best. The Mushroom chicken sandwich is another favorite

The best sandwiches in the OC by far. Cheap and oh so yummy! I've been going here for oh... about 11 years and though there are others that are ranked high on my tastebuds, this place is the best and never disappoints. My faves are the chicken eggplant- toasted with feta and serious garlic butter sauce, vietnamese chicken- also toasted with I think it's mayo and jalapeno and pickled veggies and the chicken salad. The french bread is great, and the sandwiches fit perfectly in my hand and I can take a bite without trying to distort my mouth around it and getting lip gloss on my chin. Did I mention it's cheap. read more

There aren't very many places in Orange County where you can find a tasty, cheap, toasty hot sandwich with good bread and a lot of different options to choose from. (I am excluding Vietnamese sandwiches right now, because there are many top notch ones in Little Saigon, and I don't think you can compare them to this place anyway). Le Diplomate is definitely one of them. It is in University Plaza, right across from UC Irvine, and is a good accessible lunch location for a lot of people in Orange County (I was in Costa Mesa for about three years, and this was always a good lunch option at least once a week). It is the kind of place that I think should exist at every college campus (my two others being Diddy Riese ice cream sandwiches @ UCLA and Top Dog @ UCB). As for the sandwiches: a lot of reviewers have compared this place to Lee's Sandwiches. I don't think that is quite an accurate comparison, as it implies that Le Diplomate is a vietnamese sandwich place like Lee's. Although Le Diplomate does serve vietnamese sandwiches like Lee's, the specialty of Le Diplomate is their panini-style hot baguette sandwiches (you can have sandwiches hot or cold, but I think hot is the way to go). The bread they use for their hot sandwiches isn't a normal french baguette; it is flatter, but it has a similar chewier texture and taste like a baguette. Anyway, Le Diplomate offers a lot of different fillings for their sandwiches - my favorite tends to be the chicken brocolli mushroom sandwich, and a lot of people I know also like the eggplant or the chicken dijon. But there are two really special things about the sandwiches which make them stand apart: 1) Le Diplomate presses the sandwiches in a panini-style grill for a bit, which makes them toasty and crunchy. 2) they offer a garlic sauce option on the sandwiches, which anyone should ALWAYS ask for on the sandwich (it is flavorful and creamy though - if you are not a fan of more flavorful or creamy foods, you might not like it). This garlic sauce makes the sandwiches about as addictive as an illicit drug....but at least the sandwich comes cheaper, and it isn't a crime to purchase one. When you get one of these sandwiches, hot, crunchy, and chewy, with a delicious garlic flavor in them, there isn't much that is better out there. If you are reading this review, I highly suggest you give this place a try, it is a perfect lunch option. The only reason this place isn't a five-star in my book is because very few places in this world reach a five-star, unless they are a complete mind-blowing culinary experience, or it is just a sentimental favorite from my childhood. Just go, you won't be dissapointed. My main suggestion for this place is to call ahead, because when UC Irvine is in session, a lot of students frequent the place, which leads to the extremely long lines and wait times. (And, as you can see from the reviews, I think the UC Irvine students have fallen head over heels for this place, as well as they should). But, if you call about 15 minutes beforehand, you can at least cut down on the wait time, (menus can be found online, or you can always get one. The one negative about this place (if there is one) is that there is almost no indoor seating. In fact, there are only three tables, if I am remembering correctly: 2 two-person tables, and one four-person table. But, there is plenty of outdoor seating in the plaza, so seating usually isn't too much of a problem, unless you come during peak lunch time. Also, one last tip: eat the sandwich fresh!!! Do not wait until it cools down, especially if you get the garlic sauce with it. I have had the unplesant experience of waiting to eat it, and for some reason, when the sandwich cools down, the garlic sauce and cheese (if they put any in there) combine into this strange tasting mess that is nothing like what it should taste like. If you would like to look at additional photos/commentary about the sandwiches, you can look at it here: http://epicurious-eats.blogspot.com/ read more

When my friends that aren't from Irvine come to visit, I get excited to introduce them to this place. This is the first place I ate when I came to Irvine and I still love it to this day. Service=good.. and they're pretty quick. Definitely love the price for the amount of tastiness you get. Honestly, these sandwiches are BOMBBBBBB. Nom nom nom... Chicken dijon is my favorite, garlic chicken is good too. :D read more

We love this place. My family and I eat here about twice a week. Nab a cup of coffee at Peets and sit out and enjoy the beautiful weather. The pastries are all made fresh each morning, how can you beat that? I have eaten lunch here a couple times and enjoyed it, but breakfast is really the staple. read more

I have came here twice and both times have been nothing but satisfying. I ate the garlic chicken sandwich which was delicious!

I had a turkey sandwich, which was good. I'd probably eat here often if I went to UCI

Their sandwiches are not only delicious but I love their wide selection and better yet, they are all the same price. Gives me more time to find a new sandwich I haven't tried yet and less time worrying about additional costs. Its the perfect place to stop by every day if you love sandwiches but love the variety even more :) read more

I've been to this place at least 3 times in the past week. I can't get over how good the Garlic Chicken Sandwich is. Ask for extra garlic sauce in the sandwich or on the side. It's the best! This place is really all the hype. read more

Chicken garlic is great, service is friendly, appropriately priced for college students!

I have been coming to this place for over 20 years and for only one reason: CHICKEN GARLIC SANDWICH. I would give it 5 stars, but since this is the only item I eat at this place, I'm not sure how everything else fares. It's a garlicky, cheesy, gooey-goodness that I have to limit myself to once a month. If you suffer from heart-burn like me, take your Pepcid... you're gonna need it. But, I'll suffer through the pain for the Chicken Garlic Sandwich. Yumm, Yummmm, Yummmmmmmm... Chicken Garlic Sandwich... go eat one NOW!! read more

Nothing special. Poor customer service. Avg. sandwich taste. I told the guy it was my first time and asked what was good he replied with "hahaha everything". And began to help another customer. Then I asked what was the most popular, he then pointed out a couple things to get. NO free refills. There's no sign which states that you have to pay for refills or anything. I don't have a problem w this but at least state it on your menu where it shows $1.65 for soda but no price for refills. The cashier tells me "re-fills are like 50 cents". Yikes. Terrible service. I got the combo meal: 9" sandwich, soda and bag of chips for about $9. Sandwich was subpar. I ordered the chicken, broccoli and garlic sandwich along with my girlfriend who ordered the Italian Connection sandwich . Nothing special. I've had better sandwiches from subway...I really feel like the customer service killed it for me. I don't mind paying for refills or below avg. sandwiches but I do mind when I mention it's my first time at your business and the response I get is laughter... read more

as a college student at uci, i went here ALL the time! the staff are really nice as well. My favorite is the garlic chicken, but all their sandwiches are great. I even tried their vietnamese style sandwiches, amazing! their bread is super delicious as well! read more

Great sandwiches here. I used to come here quite frequently during college. Their french dip is delicious.

"i have died and gone to sandwich heaven" is what i thought when i took a bite into the cordon bleu sandwich. and i love sandwiches. like a lot. so this means something. read more

This is a pretty decent sandwich place, tasty sandwiches at a reasonable price. The selection is pretty good as well, had a hard time deciding what to get the first time I ate there. However, I must say that they do go a bit nuts with the condiments on the sandwiches to the point where it sometimes drowns out the flavors of the sandwich itself. Not my favorite place but I'll eat here if I happen to get outvoted by my group of friends haha. read more

Had an veggie sandwich on a fresh baget, it was really good and my friend had garlic chicken was he enjoyed very. Will go back for sure.

Good stuff. Probably one of the best chicken cordon blue sandwiches I've ever had. It came out steaming hot and the bread was a perfect combo of grilled crunch with inner softness. I got a full size sandwich and it was huge. read more

I've been to this sandwich shop countless times and always get the chicken bacon w/ added broccoli and garlic sauce. The garlic sauce works very well with the sriracha and le dip seems to have a unique flavor craving that can't be filled anywhere else. Chicken, bacon, broccoli and garlic sauce between two warm, toasted pieces of bread. How can that not be good? read more

i personally do think this place is a bit over hyped. It's essentially a hot pressed sandwich with three items in it, your typical, meat, veggie, and sauce. pro-tip: not all your sandwiches will even be warm and pressed so please make sure to take note and mention to the cashier that you want it to be pressed. yea sure, the mushroom garlic chicken/broccoli one is most popular and pretty decent if I must. Bad ventilation, again, why, just why. read more

One of my go-to spots to eat at when I attended school at UC Irvine. It's located right next to the school, so it's at a very convenient location to eat at when you have a break from class or you're walking back to your apartment. Get the garlic chicken, chicken broccoli mushroom, or the club sandwich! Sauce and cheese fill every bite. read more

Good food and high quality. Friendly people and staff. The one problem is that it's a bit overpriced.

Great sandwiches and they have been consistent for over ten years +! A UCI tradition.

I like Le Dip because it's across the street from UCI which makes it super convenient. I usually either get the Brie Melt or the breakfast croissant sandwiches. But if you want a croissant you'd have to get there early since they're usually sold out by the middle of the day. I'm giving it 3 stars because I feel like the food isn't bad, but it's not super amazing like some people make it out to be either read more

So good! Got the chicken bacon Swiss with garlic sauce. Definitely would recommend stopping in here.

Great chicken salad. Lots of veggies. And it hit the spot. Quick too. Good coffee. Prices are awesome!

This place is hands down a 5 star! It was my first time here and I fell head over heals for their Chicken and broccoli sandwich!! I chose the French baguette and had the garlic sauce which was such good combination. Service is great as well. I will definitely be coming back! :) read more

Best sandwiches ever. Has been my go to place for like roughly 8 years now. I'm never disappointed with the taste of the food and it's not over priced. Go here if you're looking for some good sandwiches! You won't regret it read more

Great Garlic Chicken. Ate two 9" sandwiches in one sitting. Love em with the hot sauce.

Also a place downstairs from my work. Very good sandwiches! I prefer the Tuna melt or Garlic Chicken with a gang of hot sauce. The place is always packed from the University but pretty good and worth the wait. read more

this place has some good sandwich! i really lyke it. luv there garlic chicken. this place the line gets pretty long.. the price is a lil pricey but its good. read more

This place has my favorite sandwich of all time: the chicken eggplant! I've tried to experiment by trying other things here, but the chicken eggplant reigns supreme. If you don't go to UCI it might be hard to find. Its kind of hidden away, tucked in the middle of UTC. Once, you find it though, you won't ever forget! It's a pretty odd looking place but the food more than makes up for it! They have a wide variety of sandwiches Beware, this place gets VERY crowded at lunch time! Try heading there a little earlier or it might take a while until your order is called! read more

I love this place. They have Lavazza espresso which is really yummy. The prices are great. I've never had a bad meal here. My favorite is the breakfast sandwich. I often get the BLT, but the garlic chicken sandwich rocks too! read more

I went here with a friend today and I got the usual: chicken broccoli mushroom with garlic sauce. I honestly never get tired of this sandwich because it is THAT good. But the garlic sauce is a bit too creamy for my taste sometimes, which is why it's good to have a drink handy. The bread is nicely toasted and sigh, what a delicious meal. A half is pretty filling, and if you're pretty hungry, a full will suffice. read more

this place makes sandwiches like no other. i have only tried 3 types of their sandwiches but all of them were superb. my most favorite is the eggplant one and i gotta get me that again before i leave irvine! the garlic chicken is also amazing. everyone there is really friendly and i love how they supply you with some free sriacha that goes great with the sandwich. wait time is a little long in my opinion but it's worth it for the yumminess. read more

A ok sandwich, nothing to remember.what's makes me not coming back here is 50 cent refill charge. Thats too much.come on yourcdrinks costs you 10 cents and you charge $1.65 plus 50 cent for the refill? read more

I've been lucky to eat here for about 6 years now. Every time I order a sandwich from Le Dip its as good as the last time. Their chicken bacon garlic sandwich is too good! Honestly haven't had anything better anywhere else. The staff is friendly and will do their best to get you your food as fast as possible without sacrificing quality. Their hot sandwiches are actually COOKED throughout, non of this quick toasting other places do. Best place to eat at the UTC. If your a UCI student and don't eat here on the regular than your doing something wrong. :D read more

Le Diplomat Cafe stands the test of time. I graduated from UCI nearly 10 years ago, and back then, I practically lived off of the Vietnamese Sandwich, Chicken Sandwich, and the hummus here. After graduating college and moving to LA, I still have not found a better sandwich place. Anytime I am in this area, I stop by to grab a warm Vietnamese sandwich! Simply the best! :) read more

I been going here for a long time and love it. Great sandwiches and services..try the chicken garlic w/ brocolii