Came in on a Tuesday morning and they weren't too busy. There are many tables inside and outside. As soon as you're seated it doesn't take long until your food arrives. I got a waffle and it was absolutely delicious. The fruits were fresh, the cream was sweet but not too sweet, and the waffle was crispy. My friend got the 2 egg breakfast (I think that's what it's called?) and she really enjoyed her food too! Definitely a pretty good breakfast spot and I'm glad I came in to try. read more

Poached Kitchen - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Poached is a solid breakfast/brunch spot I frequent often. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, but the indoor area has nicer decor to admire while you wait for your food. Even during rush hour, they manage to get the food out pretty quickly. I'm a creature of habit, so I always go for the chicken and waffles, which come with a delicious chicken gravy and syrup. If I want a sweet treat I'll order the fresh squeezed orange juice as well. Their hashbrowns are really yummy and crispy btw! Poached is also the type of place where you order at the register first, then find a seat. read more

Came here for a Sunday double date brunch and it did not disappoint! We came around 9:30 am and waited in line for about 20 min. The hostess will come up to you in line and ask for your party size, if you prefer first available or inside/outside, and approximate wait time. They will also hand you a menu to take a look at while you wait. We got the short rib omelette which was okay imo, nothing special and wouldn't get it again. There was nothing about the flavor of the short rib that stood up. We also got the blueberry lemon ricotta cakes which were surprisingly pretty good! The pancake was fluffy and a nice balance of the lemon blueberry and ricotta flavor. For drinks, we got a chai latte which just tasted like an average chai. Total was about $45 for three items which isn't terrible. My friends and I sat outside and it was pretty nice. The ambiance is 4/5 and the outside noice is comfortable enough to hold a conversation. Def a good sunday brunch recommendation! read more

See all

The Poached Kitchen in Irvine is a great breakfast spot with good ambiance and attentive service. The staff was lovely and the food was excellent. I went on a Sunday afternoon for a birthday brunch and waited for about 25 minutes as it was a busy early afternoon. They gave us menus so we knew what to order when our table was ready. We ordered at the counter and sat down; our food came to our table faster than expected. I ordered the iced vanilla latte with whole milk and it was quite good. It has a strong coffee and vanilla flavor, without overpowering one another. For my main dish, I ordered the chicken and waffles, which was delicious. The chicken was flavored well and the waffles were perfectly crispy. Additionally, it came with maple syrup and gravy. I have never had the dish with gravy before, and I thought it was okay. I think I'd prefer butter but another member of my party quite enjoyed the gravy with his waffles. Additionally, a staff member, I unfortunately do not remember his name, but he gave us an extra cup of to-go hot coffee as we were leaving, which was exceptionally kind. If you're a fan of breakfast/brunch, I'd highly recommend Poached Kitchen for birthdays, small gatherings, family time, dates, etc. I'd be aware that it gets busy, so try get there earlier if possible. Additionally, you can book reservations if your party is larger than 6, so I would also keep that in mind if you plan on having multiple guests. read more

Poached Kitchen - Vanilla latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

The waffles are great. Best I've ever had. My bacon and latte was good too but it was pricey

underrated breakfast spot if you ask me. i dream about their waffles every night, it's so light, fluffy and airy but also so crispy. seriously it so freaking good. the breakfast burrito, omelettes and eggs benedict's are also my favorites. once you order the food comes out so fast, i also think the portions are on the bigger side. if you're looking for a good breakfast spot this is my go to recommendation! read more

Poached Kitchen - salmon eggs benedict, chicken and waffles, breakfast burrito - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Love having breakfast here. Everything I've tried is great but my favorite item has to be the breakfast burrito! Great service as well every time we dine here at both Irvine and Anaheim locations. read more

We used to love to come here every weekend but the last few times we went were disappointing. The quality of the food just isn't the same. The eggs Benedict had the egg cooked all the way one day and we had to send it back. Another day we ordered the chilaquiles and the tostada was so hard you couldn't even bite or cut through it. They gave us our money back but that wasn't the point. The food just isn't the same and we aren't going to be going back anymore. read more

Really cozy spot in the corner of the shopping center. You order before you sit and they give you a number for your order. They have complimentary glass bottled water. Hand painted interior wall mural and lots of natural light. It looks like a Mexican fusion spot bc they offer chilaquiles and churro waffles and such. The chicken and waffles were so delicious, the waffle was buttery and soft but had a light crunch. The chicken was juicy but had a good crunch and paired fantastic with cholula and the gravy. The strawberry matcha was not amazing but I think it's bc I ordered it with oat milk. It was pretty good though still. The pancakes had a nice light flavor I thought they were ricotta pancakes but they were just your typical buttermilk pancakes but even without syrup they were good. Overall services was really good we were checked on throughout our meal. The tables are a bit close to each other but outside seating available with a bit more space. The food came out in a decent time. Very happy with my experience here! Thank you. read more

See all

Poached Kitchen is a clean & cozy brunch place that serves classic, hearty breakfast items! The variety here suits anyone's palette, and the flavors taste exceptional. The korean short rib eggs benedict is a popular, and it had such a warm feeling. Just by glancing at the tables around me, every dish looked beautiful, tasty, and nutritious. I would come back :) read more

Poached Kitchen - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Check out a few places to go on Yelp. So we decided to check this place out. It is a sit down but you have to place your order at the front counter and they will bring the food to you. I ordered my go to breakfast Eggs Benedict. The Eggs was just the way I like it not to over cook and the sauce and the ham was delicious. It came with this Crispy on the outside and soft in the inside hash browns. There were good. My friend ordered the Breakfast Burrito she enjoyed it. No complaints there. The place was cozy and family friendly. Overall I would go back again when I'm in the area. read more

See all

This restaurant delivers exactly what it promises: fast, efficient, and comforting breakfast fare. If your priority is speed and reliable classics, it does the job well. Arrival and Wait * Expect a visible line and an initial wait estimate of 40-45 minutes, but the queue moves much faster than it appears. * The line appears to be part of the restaurant's strategy to attract customers, so don't be alarmed by the crowd. Check‑in and Service * Check in with the attendant outside who takes names; she is efficient even if not especially warm. * Front‑of‑house service overall is functional rather than friendly, but speed compensates for the lack of hospitality. Ordering System and Pace * You order and pay at the counter, then proceed to a pre‑numbered table. * The workflow is streamlined and effective: orders are delivered very quickly. Ambience * The atmosphere is casual and lively, often populated by locals in workout attire. * It's a relaxed, no‑frills environment that matches the restaurant's focus on quick, satisfying breakfast food. Food -- Positives * The menu's carbohydrate dishes are excellent; waffles and pancakes are particularly well executed. * Portions and flavors deliver classic comfort-food satisfaction. Food -- Suggestions for Improvement * The Cobb salad is overly acidic and salty. The olives should be rinsed before use, and the vinaigrette should be applied more sparingly. * The dish currently includes a runny poached egg; replacing it with two fully boiled eggs would help balance acidity and saltiness. Conclusion Overall, the restaurant delivers what it promises: rapid service and reliably tasty breakfast classics. If you value speed and comfort food over formal service, this is a solid choice. read more

This breakfast was SO good! The best i've had in a while :) Got the classic waffle & shared a classic benedict & those were so bomb!! The hashbrowns were a 1000/10. Service was pretty fast and I was able to sit outside w my dog :) Overall highly recommend & i would absolutely come again read more

Poached Kitchen - Classic Benedict :) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Poached always seems packed and has a crazy line! We decided to go around noon on a Tuesday to ensure we'd get seating -- it still had a decent amount of people in it! The way that you order is like a fast casual order then seat yourself and we'll give you a number and bring it to you. Prices were okay. The food came out SO fast, but I'm not gonna lie it was a little too fast for my liking. My friend said her Benedict was amazing, she ate every bite! My scramble was okay, it definitely needed more seasoning on both the scramble and the potatoes, and the cheese they paired with it was just not right. The service was very fast and the staff are kind, they check up on you continuously and bring you a big carafe of water. Bathrooms were clean. read more

Poached Kitchen - Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Vegetarian review: Chilaquiles rojo (5/5): really good here! Nice crispy chips with a delicious sauce. Avocado was perfectly ripe too. Omelet a la crecque (3/5): Omelet was pretty tasteless but the hash brown side was really good. read more

Poached Kitchen - Chilaquiles rojo - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Service - 10/10 Even though you pay first and then find your seat, they have a great system to make sure they find a table for you before you order so you dont struggle with that. Matcha green tea latte - 5/10 I ordered with whole milk. The latte was good until half way it started to taste stale and a bit odd. Not the greatest Ive had Chicken n waffles - 8/10 The chicken portions are plentiful and all chicken breast tenders. The waffles were crispy and light. Im not exactly sure what the white sauce was. It tasted like gravy with a slight hint if ranch. A side of ranch or honey bbq sauce would have paired better. read more

Poached Kitchen - Chicken & waffles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Came here on a weekend and there was a bit of a wait. The line is out the door but it moves rather quickly. I got some poached pear French toast and was pleasantly surprised. It was delicious and no crumbs were left! read more

Poached Kitchen - Poached pear French toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Recommend this place for Brunch... Efficient service My favorite spot for the weekend read more

Poached Kitchen - Chicken and Waffles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Out of the ricotta pancakes, huevos rancheros and spinach/mushroom omelette, it's the omelette that wins. Coffee is refilled at a very sensible pace and there's plenty of employees to keep the line moving, the tables bussin' and the coffee flowing. No butter with the bread on the side but you do have Tabasco and cholula next to full bottles of ketchup on every table and the food comes out pretty fast and fresh. Great for local better than iHop's breakfast. I can't promise the same for the pancakes or waffles. read more

See all

Great quality breakfast! The coffee was really good too. The staff was very helpful. Clean restaurant.

I think I'm becoming a brunch head and the California area has SO many cool brunch restaurants. Let me tell you why I rated this one 5 stars. Food: I had the birria benedict and yummmm I would eat it again and again. I also had the white peach iced tea and definitely got a refill. So refreshing and light and NOT loaded with sugar yummm. Service: I didn't love the ordering setup but I will say the team is delightful. From standing in line all the way through to getting a to go box after enjoying my delicious food. It was a beautiful experience., Ambiance: It's family friendly without being too noisy and has both indoor and outdoor seating. Parking is decent. read more

Poached Kitchen - Birria benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Food was delicious and service was quick and friendly! I think these two menus are a great way I get sweet and savory in, but definitely need to share the food with someone else! read more

Poached Kitchen - Eggs Benedict and Blueberry Pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Approach the line at Poached Kitchen, it's not as long as you think. Countdown to the counter and you are introduced to some sweet and savory brunch and lunch with some coffee and mimosas, and celebrate a good brunch outing with some friendly staff, dining ambiance, and good people watching. Everyone has their imagination as to what they will eat and you and exercise yours. read more

Just got back from a pretty pleasant brunch here with my husband and two-year-old toddler. We got there on a Saturday at 9:30 AM and there was a line out the door. However, the wait wasn't too bad. we ended up waiting for about 15 to 20 minutes. Once we got called inside, we were led to their ordering counter. You place your order, pay, and then get directed to your table. We got seated in their outdoor patio. After about another 10 minute wait, we got our food. They gave us a kid friendly plastic cup, but they gave us a regular adult plate which can be scary for parents of toddlers. One drop of that plate and it's over so we had to keep a close eye. Everything was pretty good. I probably wouldn't get the Dulce de Leche latte again because it tasted just like a regular latte. The chicken and waffles were good though especially the crispy waffles. The chicken was OK; the best that it could be given that it was white meat, so the flavor was bland and some parts were dry. luckily that white gravy gave it more flavor. I enjoyed the smoked salmon Benedict. The hashbrowns were also bland, but they do give you salt and pepper at the table so you can season it to your taste. Overall, a decent brunch place. With tip, my total came out to about $54. Service was good and everyone was friendly. read more

See all

The food overall was slightly over average in looks and flavor. I loved the presentation of the food. Waiters were really nice and jolly people. The restaurant was really clean and had a fresh look to it too. read more

See all

Everything was solid! Probably a 4.5. The chilaquiles were the most disappointing because it just felt like not enough was going on, but the flavor wasn't bad. The sandwich was stuffed well and had good flavor. The churro waffles were great, I just wish they came with syrup because I've got a big sweet tooth. read more

Poached Kitchen - Churro waffles and egg sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

We went late morning and found they had a slightly different operation. I don't know if it's normal now, or if that's their procedure when it's busy. Before getting in line, the receptionist told us they only have patio seating and if that's ok. When we agreed, she put a number on a table and told us to go there after getting our food. No problem there, and I suppose it keeps people from wandering around looking for a place to sit after ordering. The chicken and waffles are so good that we don't often try other items, but I also enjoy the omelettes every once in a while. The service is always great!! read more

Poached Kitchen - 11/2023 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Great spot for breakfast! My favorite is the classic waffles. Everything was fresh and delicious. Lovely atmosphere and excellent service -- will definitely be coming back! read more

See all

We went to get breakfast here to see why it's very popular and always has a long line. We ordered Short rib omelet, Short rib Benedict, and Ube pancakes. Didn't disappoint. The short ribs were well seasoned and the Ube toppings on the pancakes were very tasty and filling. They served our order faster than expected considering their place is full. They have plenty of tables inside and outside the patio- we were seated right away when we arrived. Will definitely go back! read more

See all

I have lived like 2 minutes down the road from this spot for over a year and I'm disappointed it took me so long to try it because I have been missing out! We stopped by on a Sunday and I think we were in that weird spot where they hadn't yet cleared out the breakfast crew and there was a long line of brunch folks waiting already. Hostess said it would be a 20-25 minute wait and we probably waited about 20 so it wasn't too bad (there is an overhang and shade). They also gave us a menu to peruse while we waited. It's interesting for a brunch place, you order at the counter and they assign you a table. Once we sat, they had our coffee ready in about 5 and it was hot and fresh. It wasn't too crowded actually compared to what I had expected based on the line. There's plenty of space indoors and outdoor on the patio. It only took 10 minutes for our dishes to arrive: the chile verde Benedict (because I had to get a poached egg!), the cherry French toast (a seasonal item), and the al pastor tomahawk (another seasonal item). The chile verde Benedict was an easy 5 stars. The pork was so tender and the chile sauce paired perfect with the yolk. I think the English muffins were homemade too, they were so soft. I wasn't a huge fan of the hash browns only because they were a little salty but I liked the texture, they were very potato-y. The cherry French toast was good but mostly due to the toppings: stewed apples and candied walnuts! The bread itself was a little lackluster. My husband liked his al pastor tomahawk but did mention it could have been marinated longer to really retain the juicy flavor. Overall, I definitely get the hype here and will be back in the future! read more

See all

This place gets packed but the line is super quick. I loved my birria Benedict. The pancakes were also really good. My latte was just okay. Would try this again:) read more

Food is solid, definitely order the eggs Benedict, I tried my friends and it was much better than the sandwich. The sandwich was just okay, oatmeal was good though. The service is chill solid place for brunch. It's a chain so keep that In mind when managing expectations. read more

Poached Kitchen - Chicken sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

The ambiance at Poached is super neat and nice! There is a lot of seating but anticipate a wait if you are going at a peak time. In all honesty, I did not find anything on the menu super exciting but still gave it a try. The food was good, but nothing super notable. I recommend Poached for something that feels familiar and reliable, but not if you're specifically looking for a unique brunch spot. read more

See all

I've been coming to poached for a few years now. This spot is perfect for a family breakfast. Upon arriving you order at the register and are given a table number. Seating can be a bit difficult since this place gets so busy so you may have to wait a little for a table to clear up. We went on a Friday morning and it was a full house. There is seating both indoors and outdoors depending on your preference. We ordered the tiramisu waffle, short rib omelet and benedict, kids pancakes, and the egg sandwhich. The kids pancake was a huge portioning. Egg sandwhich was fluffy and had a thick bread to hold it. My favorite was the short rib benedict and omelet. Tiramisu waffle was good it had a marscapone type whip cream that was delicious. Great spot when you're looking for a breakfast spot that is family friendly and local. read more

See all

It was my first time here and I'm not sure if I'll be back! The whole sitting and checking in is kinda weird. You have to line up and order your food first and they assign you a table afterwards. We ordered the Korean short rib Benedict with house has browns , chile verde Benedict with house hash browns, desert pear lemonade and white peach tea. They weren't lying in the reviews when others said it was lacking flavors overall. The chile verde had little to no flavors, the meat itself was dry best part was the poached egg and the house hash browns. I did not like the Korean short rib one. Had such a weird aftertaste. Not what i was expecting. The lemonade was okay. Kinda more sour than anything. The peach was very subtle hardly any peach flavor though. Service was nonexistent. They don't offer you anything else, don't check up on the table, or maybe I'm missing the whole idea of this place? Def would not come back overhyped , overpriced and just not worth it. Total came out to $56 for some mid breakfast read more

Poached Kitchen - Chile verde Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

I've been to Poached Kitchen before for their awesome breakfast burrito, but decided to give them another try for OC Restaurant Week. For $25, I was able to enjoy their House Benedict, Blueberry French Toast, and Iced Vanilla Latte! House Benedict - well balanced flavors of salty ham, tangy hollandaise sauce, soft poached egg, and crunch English muffing accompanied by a crispy buttery side of hash browns. Definitely a winner! Blueberry French Toast - not too sweet with a cream cheese topping and blueberry jam but a little too soggy for my liking Iced Vanilla Latte - great tasting coffee with nice creaminess throughout I'm impressed yet again on my 2nd time here and I'm glad the wait wasn't that long for a Sunday morning brunch. Try to get there before 9AM if you really want to guarantee an easy seating! read more

See all

Came for breakfast with a friend and our two kids, and the front staff could not have been more rude. I was standing off to the side with a stroller, not in line yet, because I was waiting for my friend to arrive before ordering and getting seated. I stood there for about 15 minutes, clearly visible. The moment my friend arrived and we were about to place our order, the worker suddenly snapped at me in a very nasty tone, saying she couldn't seat us because of the stroller. Meanwhile, there were two other women in the restaurant with strollers. When I pointed that out, she claimed theirs "weren't blocking anyone." I asked to be seated somewhere we wouldn't be blocking anyone, but instead of helping, she caught an attitude and told us we'd have to wait "a while." I said that was fine. We waited--only to watch her let multiple groups order and get seated ahead of us. When I went back and explained that if she kept seating people before us, two tables would never open up to be pushed together, she continued pretending there were no open tables. I even pointed out available tables, and she seemed annoyed by that. The entire interaction was incredibly frustrating and unprofessional. I've never felt so unwelcome over something as simple as having a stroller. What is going on with people lately? read more

Very creative with their poached eggs!! I was not expecting this great breakfast place behind the shopping center. You order 1st and then get sited, and the food comes very fast. Love it! No line, no wait and great food. I tried the short-rib poached egg and oh my God, cant have any other type of poached egg again! Tasted so right. Not so heavy and the sauce was very tasteful! The have both indoor and outdoor sitting area! So many parking spots as well. Please go and give yourself a great treat! read more

Poached Kitchen - Short rib poached egg - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

This was a really cute brunch place. We had to wait about 10-15 mins for a patio table which wasnt bad. When you walk in you have to order at the front and pay then they deliver to your table number. We got the fried chicken wrap which was good, and the cubano sandwich which was interesting. I probably wouldnt get the sandwich again. The pear french toast was really good and i loved the bread they used. The service was great they noticed we were in the sun and asked if we wanted to move in the shade! Overall a simple and easy brunch place to go. read more

Poached Kitchen - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

Poached neighbor Kitchen 17595 Harvard Ave A, Irvine, CA 92614 Amazing brunch spot in Irvine Cali, we enjoyed the green Chilaquiles, short rib omelette, carne en Salsa Verde Benedict and waffles read more

See all