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85C Bakery Cafe
Categories: Food Bakeries Food Coffee & Tea Bakeries, Coffee & Tea
17170 Colima RdHacienda Heights, CA 91745
(626) 839-7889
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 7 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 7 am - 12 am
Sun 8 am - 10 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
531 reviews for 85C Bakery Cafe
Review Highlights
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"I still love love their creamy mochi egg tart." In 18 reviews -
"The smell of fresh bread filled my nostrils right away." In 57 reviews -
"Blueberry cream cheese is my new favorite." In 24 reviews
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531 reviews in English
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Review from HsingYi C.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 5/21/2012 2 photos
5 stars this time and heres why:
i bought 3 STRAWBERRY CADINA mini cakes yesterday.
ME: *puts one SC in the fridge*
MOMS via mandarin: dont put it in the fridge!!! it'll turn hard!!!
ME via mandarin: its not going to turn hard...*puts SC in the fridge*
this morning...
ME: *takes out SC from the fridge and touches with second finger* OMG!!! its SOFT!!!
(it was cold but it wasnt hard)
ME: *LOL in moms face* hahaha sucka~
im going to start out by saying i was never a fan of 85C BUT...that was because the auntie that would give us 85C bread always gave us the plain wheat breads with nuts and raisins. if you want to eat healthy, dont eat bread.
but when 85C opened up near me, i decided to see what all the hype is about. i've been addicted ever since and i use the word addiction lightly. its more than an addiction...
the motto of 85C is "High quality pastries at low prices". low prices??? i dont see it here. its truly low in taiwan but not here. its understandable...its america!!! we could afford BMWs and benz why not bread at $3+ a pop???
i've had some shitty (could i say that???) breads. i swear they put in too much yeast or whatever because some are hard as a rock!!! with taste like sandpaper and that was before putting them in the fridge (especially those cream ones ugh) but 85C breads and cakes dont seem to harden. that to me, is the best news ever.
im not one for chains but 85C just sits well with me.
LITTLE TIP: i toaster oven 85C bread wheather its the sweet ones, cream ones or salty ones in the toaster oven at 150 for 10 minutes. come out as good as new.
P.S. how dare some of you compare "high quality pastries at low prices" to to to...supermarket bread?!?!?! WTF is wrong with you...
"In all activities, one should stand firmly on ones own principles. Do not try to please everyone. Otherwise you will lose your own principles"1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/20/2012
in the mood to munch on mini cakes this morning so dropped by 85C for the STRAWBERRY CADINA. i… Read more »
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Review from Grace K.
West Covina, CA
5/25/2012
This place really isn't all the hype. Don't get me wrong, the breads and pastries are all delicious, but it's nothing you cannot get at JJ Bakery or other Asian bakeries. What it does offer it the atmosphere, which is very inviting if you want to sit down with friends and family to enjoy your baked goods and coffee.
The sea salt coffee isn't all that great either if you're a big coffee drinker. It is quite heavy because it comes with the whipped cream, and when I tried to ask for one without it, the guy said the sea salt flavor is the cream so that didn't make sense to me. They also do not offer soy milk for their plain coffee, which is odd because Asians love soy milk.
Everything is just a bit overpriced for what you can get at other places, especially in the Rowland/Hacienda Heights area, but if you like the atmosphere and don't mind paying extra then it's a fit. -
Review from Jenny H.
Los Angeles, CA
5/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is totally overrated!
Yes, their signature breads/pastries and drinks are good, but nothing worth waiting in a long line full of pushy Asian ladies. I would only come here if I was in the nearby area, but I definitely wouldn't go out of my way for it. You can honestly get the same stuff at JJ Bakery (Taiwanese breakfast too!) and not get into a fight over a tray of buns. -
Review from TriPpy T.
Walnut, CA
5/21/2012
This place has no love. Every item is made without love, and it really is quite sad. Employees announce "Fresh Bread!" throughout the day but do they really care? Not really.
Each item you eat and drink feels lifeless. The breads that hide behind all the grease and salt is just that, you don't feel a sense of "Ah-HA!" or that "tear-jerker" moment for eating such great novelties. As a baker, I put time and love into every item and it makes you just want to hug them all. I wouldn't hug any of these breads and pastries because I'll probably get acne.
I was pretty overwhelmed by the crowd, I don't see why though, perhaps people just like spending their money on loveless products. So, for the sake of trying and already in this overly chaotic place, my group and I bought a few items to share.
Garlic Cheese Bread (great when it's hot, not so much when it's just a pool of grease)
Cheese and Tomato on Danish Pastry (it's a bit oily, tastes just like the other)
Taro Bread (RAW! Dough was translucent in the middle and gooey! GROSS)
Hawaiian Pizza Bread (soggy to the max, no pineapple flavor, just fail)
"Calamari" Bread (black squid ink with cheese in the middle topped with garlic spread)
Coffee Bread with Red Bean Filling (weird)
The Taro Bread was the greatest failure of all, INEDIBLE! I've messed with a bit of dough in my lifetime, and it's almost as if they forgot to put it in the oven...
So there were a few edible items and a few not so tasty items. It's just not a place for me, I hate the chaos, the willynilly employees (they smooshed some of our breads when they put it in the bag!!), the get-out-of-the-way atmosphere, and the outrageously priced items. (I even witnessed grown men with trays full of breads fight with one another for ones right out of the oven!)
Loveless. -
Review from Shulie L.
Claremont, CA
5/18/2012
I have to admit that I really like this place.. I heard about the hype a while ago and I believe it. Not every single thing is delicious, but they do have something different that sets them apart from every other asian bakery. And.. my mom actually likes this place. A rarity that she likes anything at all, myself included.
Great:
Giant Brioche Bread
Mini Brioche Bread
Cinnamon Raisin Bread
Sea Salt Coffee
Berry Tale (Blueberry cream cheese filling)
Sweet Taro Bread (the one with crispy top)
Don't know the name of this one.. but it's just a simple, plain rectangle bread, with 4 sections in a row. Has paper wrapping. So simple but so delicious.
Good:
Marble Taro Bread: It's good, but kind of has the consistency as if it weren't baked long enough.
Mochi Egg Tart: Only really good when you eat one.. any more, too soon and I get sick of it.
Anything with a cream/sweet/cheese filling (except for Berry Tale)... You have to share these. If you eat one by yourself, it gets disgusting by the end.
Meh:
Milk green tea
Cream Puff: this was pretty terrible...
Cheesecake
I'm now pretty doubtful of anything in the refrigerated section...
Confession: Some of the employees recognize me... :( -
Review from Diana H.
Baldwin Park, CA
5/18/2012 1 Check-in Here
Awesome and fresh pastries. I know my first time experiencing 85 degrees was when I was last in Taiwan. That is about more than a decade ago though. Then my second time experiencing 85 was when in Irvine. I love the place and their goods. However, it was a huge hassel for me to either fly to Taiwan or drive to Irvine....just for their goods. So, finally, when I heard that 85 is coming to Hacienda Heights, I was estatic. I remember the long close-to-three-hour wait line outside of the bakery...it was MADNESS. Anyway, once the lines have died down [sort of] i'm able to get my 85 fix anytime and anyday, since I work so close to the location.
Now, the food, they have the most gorgeous-looking desserts and pastries. Geezus, the food...their drinks...awesome! They have fresh bread every ten to fifteen seconds. Oh yeah....they will announce when they have fresh bread coming out the door when you hear "FRESH BREAD!" You got to experience 85C yourself. It's WORTH IT! -
Review from Mary T.
There is something about Asian bakeries that hits home for me. This place is always busy with crazy long lines but lately it hasn't been that bad. Besides, the lines move pretty fast. When you pay for the breads, they will bag them up for you and ask you if you want it in a box or a bag. I usually come here to get some baked goods for breakfast or snack for the week.
This place serves breads, pastries, drinks, etc. It is very exciting to hear the workers scream out FRESH BREAD when they come out of the kitchen with a tray of breads. Is there a difference between 85C Bakery and other bakeries? Yes! The bread is very soft and yummy. My favorites are the berry tale, golden dollars, mushroom and garlic bread, their strawberry mooncakes, their taro bun... Wow the list just doesn't stop! I still need to try their pastries and drinks.
If I live close to here, I would come here for breakfast everyday, get a fresh bread and cup of joe to start the day! I am glad they finally opened one in Hacienda Heights and it isn't just all the way in the OC. -
Review from Christina V.
Hacienda Heights, CA
5/19/2012
Came here today to pick up some pastries and a cake though I think this place is over hyped and some pastries can be overly sweet but after my experience at Eat Cake Cafe, 85c started to seem more appealing. Also the lines seem to died down thankfully but still busy.
The cakes are actually really good here, I used to think they looked too sweet and kept myself devoted to Eat Cake Cafe but today I really needed a cake and my bad experience at Eat Cake force me to come here which did not disappoint. Also their savory pastries items are delicious but I cant say to much for the sweet pastries.
Strawberry Tiramisu (4/5) The family loved it and it was pretty good, light, and not overly sweet.
Hot dog bun with cheese and tomato sauce (5/5) Best savory bun I've had so far.
Tomato and cheese bread (4/5) good
Overall not bad. -
Review from James C.
Berkeley, CA
5/20/2012
Imagine if somebody merged your local boba shop and bakery and decorated the interior up a bit. You get 85C Bakery.
The bread is good and has great variety, but I don't see the quality being better than your local bakery near 99 Ranch. Same goes for the drinks, although I'm a fan of their 85C coffee- it's somewhere between Lollicup and Ten Ren's in terms of quality, with the price to match.
I'd give it three and a half stars, except I think the Asian drivers at that parking lot are going to kill me someday. So three stars it is. -
Review from Joanna T.
Redondo Beach, CA
5/18/2012
OMG SO GOOD. Ok, so I'm not a huge fan of the line, and I tend to be skeptical of places that have a lot of hype. Lucky for me, I did not realize how popular this place was before I decided to go. My boyfriend and I headed here to pick up some breakfast pastries for our camping trip - our intention was just to get one or two things...and we walked out with at least 5 different pastries, two of which we scarfed down right away. The fresh bread here is amazing - when it just comes out of the oven and is all warm and toasty and melts in your mouth...it's awesome.
My favorite is by far the "pineapple bun" (in Chinese "bo lo mian bao"). We also bought their cranberry walnut bread, which is extremely tasty considering it's not one of those super flaky buttery pastries. The blueberry danish looking thing was amazing as well - not something that I would normally try (especially since I bought it thinking it was an apple thing). Overall a great experience, as long as you're willing to wait! I would literally drive 1.5 hours every weekend to get bread from here. so good!! -
Review from John O.
Honolulu, HI
5/24/2012
Always worth the trip from Glendale. But timing is very important. Since their pastries and breads are to die for when fresh, you got the customers waiting in line outside, also waiting in line inside for the fresh goods. Lil annoying, but hey, when Im first, I aint arguing. Bread is top notch, and drinks are top notch as well.
Jasmine Green milk Tea is niiiiiiiice. And their sea salt iced coffee, mMmmMmMm...
This place is solid.
Staff always smiling and willing to be friendly, despite the traffic of customers. -
Review from Tammy L.
Updated - 5/8/2012 28 Check-ins Here
When will the line ever die down? Im keeping these 5 stars from my last review is because they have MORE taro bread now. Well at least thats what i think. Everytime i go in, I either see them in the glass cabinets or on the counter near the cashiers.
Im going to get a cake this weekend for mother's day. I wil try it and let you guys know how it is.
Parking still sucks. Way too many unwanted old drivers here.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/5/2012
Fresh Taro Bread!
Came here on a weekend around noon and it was packed. Terrible parking spaces,… Read more »
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Review from Kristin T.
San Gabriel, CA
4/26/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I don't understand why its always so crowded! Asian moms and grandmas pushing and trying to grab the last bread before you! Sheesh. There's a bunch of other asian bread places that are just as good! Just not all hyped up like 85.
Bread is good at 85, can't lie about that but I don't think its like superb. The taste and quality is inconsistent. Sometimes I'll get my milk pudding bun and it tastes amazing! But, other times I'll get it and it's under baked and stringy/doughy still, yuck. Another drawback is they don't have all their breads all the time. I like the cheese bread but they don't seem to have it on weekdays when I go in, same with the milk pudding buns and brioche sometimes. Andd since the brioche is so popular they run out and have a 30 minute wait for it, this is the same for the marble taro, usually a wait for it and you have to ask for these in the front of the line while paying.
Another thing I don't like is they put waaay too much ice in their drinks. I ordered a large and barely took a nice sip and almost half of it was gone! Cup full of ice...
If you do go here's what I recommend:
-Milk Pudding Bun
-Cheese Bread
-Brioche
-Taro Marble Swirl
-Rose bread?
-CAKES their cakes are delicious and pretty. Strawberry Cream and the Chocolate cake were really good.
These have been my favorites so far, I'd steer clear from their I think coffee espresso one? was like a wheat bread but it was super dry, also I didn't care for their green tea red bean bread, was also very dry and lacked flavor.
Overall 85 is pretty good but they're just way too crowded and hectic, have inconsistent bread and not a full selection all the time.Listed in: Sweet Treat
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Review from Nina M.
5/5/2012
Overrated.
Came here multiple times last year before I had a yelp account since it just opened and I'd wait in line to buy some bread. Now that the hype has died down slightly, I'm going to review it. There is no line anymore.
We came in today and bought some bread. We tried their drinks and also got their cakes a while back.
The bread is slightly expensive, as compared to JJ, but they do have more assortments and variety. I always get the Pineapple bun and be more adventurous and try a new combo flavor I've never seen before. Today was some custard filled bread thingy. Pineapple bun is better than JJ, but also more expensive.
Their drinks are good - sea salt green tea is good, though slightly on the sweet side. Advise you ask for it with half sugar. Also I've tried their grapefruit tea drink. That one is good for a summer day.
Cakes are very pretty looking, but taste-wise, it's EH. Nothing special. Save your money.
I don't get why people buy boxloads of this bread, unless it's for a large family or some large gathering, because to me, the bread doesn't taste as good after a day or two. Besides, I think it's kind of pricey bread to be eating everyday and it probably isn't the healthiest. -
Review from Imran K.
Walnut, CA
4/20/2012
I got a gift from my neighbors from the Eighty five Degree bakery for helping them.
The cakes were awesome, tasty and sweet. Exotic type of treats are sold in this bakery. The baked good were fresh and with tea the treat was enhanced.
Seems like these Asian bakeries are making super high quality treats. -
Review from Henry C.
Torrance, CA
4/18/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Ok.. now this is really overdue.....
I totally 85C! Ask me why ask me why...........
It's a Bakery! I love love love Bakeries! With the awesome smell of butter and bread, and visual of various creations by these bakers, and the happening atmosphere here at 85C, how could you not love this place?
Lots of bread to choose from varying from savory flavors to the traditional sweet treats! What they are more known for are their Asian bread creations with hotdogs, milk powder fillings, pork song toppings, and more! Just give any one of them a try and you will be hooked!
As you make your way around the bakery you will notice a large open cold display filled with delectable desserts of your dreams.... taro, cheese, strawberries, mango, tiramisu... you name it, it should be in there! Sizes ranging from individual pieces to one that can feed a whole family! (Or by yourself if you are like me!)
Then as you pass the cold counter you will finally come to the drink area... many of the drinks were pretty good but the stand outs were the sea salt flavored drinks... my fave is the Jasmine Sea Salt Green Tea with special cream and green topping of some sort.... heavenly! Some of other favorites by other yelpers were the Sea Salt Coffee! Never had that yet but very well I may give it a try soon when I'm in the area....
Now WTH? A line outside to get into the bakery? Yesiree! That's how popular they are! They must implement a Black Friday like line and let people in slowly at a time... once you are in, make sure you get all that you want otherwise it will be back to the line for you mister!
Another bad thing is that I don't live anywhere remotely near any 85C... In Taiwan there are so many 85C almost to the likes of Coffee Bean.... (I didn't say Starbucks because it's not that readily available but there are quite a few within each other for sure) So I'm totally sad that I can't indulge in my bakery dreams on a daily basis...
So when you get a chance while you are in the area... drop on by and experience 85C for yourself! Just remember... you are lucky if there are no lines... and a great tip... once you are at the counter, you can also order drinks as you pay then pick it up on the otherside so you don't need to get into another potential line! Enjoy!
P.S. Yell the following phrase when the crew comes out with new baked goods from the kitchen! "FRESH BREAD~~~~~" -
Review from Phuc Q.
Los Angeles, CA
4/19/2012
Guess what I got? Freeeeesh bread! Fucking stupid.
This place is overrated. It's not that good, you think you like it because everyone thinks they like it. It's edible in my opinion. Nothing special or different from any other bakery. Just way too crowded. Packed with Asians that talk loud. I don't know why older Asian women like to yell to their friend all the way on the other side? WTF? You're scaring children. Oh but you don't care, do you! You own the world because you drive a Mercedes and carry an LV. Ohhhh you can yell anywhere you want. Bullshit! Anyways, totally off topic now.
Way overrated. I only go because the girlfriend likes it a lot. -
Review from Amy L.
Fort Wayne, IN
5/20/2012
Always crowded and for good reason. I come for the breads, not for coffee, which is nothing special, just good coffee. The garlic rolls, danishes, coffee cakes, and taro buns are delicious. Brioches are outstanding but will slowly kill you with its suffused egg and butter. This chain needs to branch out to the Midwest...please.
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Review from Spencer H.
Rowland Heights, CA
5/7/2012
This place smells so incredibly good... so, so good...
...but it can get LOUD, and crowded.
Picture this, you are walking and a scent seduces your nose holes, teasing you with its deliciousness. You follow the smell like a puppy follows his/her master into the store. To your right, you see your prize... the bread! You get a tray and a pair of tongs and you patiently wait in line behind the auntie who can't decide what bread she wants to get. You don't mind since you take in the intoxicating smell of bread when...
"FRESH BREAD!!!!"
Yes, the workers announce (very loudly) that there is a person with a tray of fresh breads. Sometimes, that battlecry is like blood in the water for sharks and at that point, it's Darwin's law. Other times, the worker who bellowed it looks around (a little awkwardly) before proceeding to put that fresh bread into one of the display cases.
Waiting in line is usually not too bad, but sometimes it is like waiting in line at the DMV, but less painful. You'll have others look over at your tray and mentally tsk you if you have a miniature Mt. Kilimanjaro on your tray. ...but you know what? Eff it, because once you make your wallet skinnier (or your credit card bill fatter, whichevs), you have in your possession some very tasty delights! -
Review from Rachael K.
Saratoga, CA
4/21/2012
Occasion: Dessert with girlfriends
What I Had:
Blueberry pie-filling muffin
Walnut moca pastry
Cream cheese pastry
Taro (?) sweet loaf
Food Review: Not the best Asian pastries I've ever had, but not below the mark either. My favorites were the blueberry pie-filling muffin (shaped much like a pot pie) and the taro sweet loaf, which was so...plush! Airy and chewy at the same time.
Service Review: My friend picked these up for us, so no note on the service.
Venue Review: My friend picked these up for us, so no note on the venue.
Overall Impression: Just judging from the breads alone, I like this bakery. They also have adorable branding for all of their paper bags, which I know I'm susceptible to. Hopefully I'll get to visit this place in person!Listed in: Best Sweet Breads, Cookies, &…
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Review from Jasmine C.
Alhambra, CA
4/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
I am a sucker for Taiwanese bakeries, and I know 85 degrees is just kind of whatever in Taiwan, but I'm still glad they're out here at all. I like that the bakery in Hacienda Heights is nowhere as ridiculous as the one in Irvine and the line moves pretty fast even if there is one. Don't be alarmed by the calls for "FRESH BREAD" but do be ready to bolt and jump on it when they come out, especially if there is brioche involved.
MM BRIOCHE. The giant brioche is pretty good too! I love the brioches like no other because they're quite heavenly, fluffy, and kind of just disappear in seconds and I end up hating myself for eating all those calories. But OH WELL, at least I'm happy while I'm doing it.
The kinds of bread sort of vary on the day you go as well. But if you can find it, try the rose cream cheese. It's huge and puffy and fluffy and delicioussssss. I also really like the blueberry cream cheese one...I forgot the name, but you can't miss it. It has a glob of blueberry in the middle of it. They have a "hawaiian pizza" one that is pretty good if you want something savory, albeit a bit oily. And pretty much anything you want to try will be good.
They also have cute little fruit tarts and cakes! People tend to miss over that section because they're so focused on the bread, but I managed to snag a mango blossom and fruit tart the other day. So fresh and good! And pretty too! :) The sea salt coffee is just okay...I didn't think it was super special. But in any case, I can never pass up a trip to 85 degrees if I'm in that area. It's like...analogous to Portos. I just HAVE to stop by and pick up something! A little piece of Taiwan away from Taiwan :) -
Review from Craig R.
When I visited this location of 85C (both times), the line was super short, which was awesome.
What was not awesome was the patrons were pushy and rude (also both visits). WTF is up with that?
On my first visit I swear a tiny, well dressed, sunglasses indoor wearing old Asian hag literally shoulder checked me out of the way so she could snag the last couple of egg tarts. Good thing they brought out more within a few seconds, otherwise I might have backhanded her across the mouth for being so mean.
Then, that same nasty witch cut in front of me in the line to pay. I'm not joking, either. What's up with the people in Hacienda Heights? If I wasn't such a gentleman, I would have powerbombed that broad through a table.
Even though I got punked multiple times by a 95 pound Yoko Ono lookalike, I would definitely come back to this 85C.
I love their Berrytale's, marble taro bread and mochi eggs tarts.
And I'm super addicted to their sea salt iced coffee. SO GOOD -
Review from Michelle H.
San Diego, CA
4/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Decent. Just like the one in Irvine. I dont ever find myself craving 85 but the bread and pastries aren't bad and they're priced right so if you want a quick bite, they'll do the job.
Milk teas are alright... probably wouldn't reorder. Tried the sea salt green tea also and didn't like it at all. Not my taste I suppose. Tastes like I spilled my drink in the ocean and tried to recover it in a cup lol. -
Review from Frank S.
I hated on this place before I even tried it because all I would hear about it were the crazy lines. When I finally gave it a try, it wasn't so bad; the lines move really fast even though the it was outside the door when I got there. The only real wait was for the drinks.
I'm not a fan of sweet breads/pastries really, so out of the 5-6 that I tried, I only liked the garlic cheese bread. If anyone knows other yummy non-sweet ones, please tell me!
As for the sea salt coffee... I liked it at first then realized it didn't taste salty. Then my friend told me to taste the cream on top. Gross! I didn't like it at all, but the coffee itself was good, so maybe I'll just get the 85C iced coffee next time.
The good thing about this bakery is that I can hike from my house through Powder Canyon and Schabarum Park and end up at the bakery. The hiking trail literally ends right across the street from the bakery (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). It's nice to reward myself and grab something to eat here and before heading back.
It's quite affordable and I was impressed by their efficient operation. And even though I'm not a bread/pastry person, I appreciated the quality of their baked goods. -
Review from Kassidy C.
Los Angeles, CA
4/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Sea Salt Jasmine Tea and brioche are a must!
The line might seen long but goes by pretty fast. -
Review from Rachel L.
Arcadia, CA
4/17/2012
4 stars:
Marble Taro Bread
Rose cheese - really light and not too heavy on the cream cheese
Berry tale
Marble taro bread
Mochi egg tart bread
Mochi egg tart
Raisin milk butter
3 stars:
Milk pudding bun - not a huge fan of the custard inside, too much
Not a fan of:
Calamari (squid ink bread):doesn't taste very squid-like, a little disappointing
Peanut butter - tastes a lot like a peanut butter cookie -
Review from joanna y.
Brea, CA
5/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Love the one in irvine, but this location is eh.
Came here a couple of times since it opened due to this location being a lot closer than the Irvine location. Needless to say, this location disappoints.
For the first visit, I got my typical breads and my typical order of sea salt coffee. The bread tasted fine, but the coffee was dreadful! It tasted like it was 95% cream and 5% coffee. I know the cream they put in is this special "sea salt cream" (the workers said something like that). I'm a BIG fan of consistency, and this location just doesn't seem to be very consistent. I got my boyfriend the same drink, and his tasted normal.
The second time I went in the morning (around 9:30), and they barely had any breads out! I realize they were cooking, but seriously!? The breads should be out when they bakery opens. I like having a selection of breads to choose from. They didn't have out any of the ones I typically get, and overall, they only had about five different types of breads out, all scattered throughout the bread section.
One added star for the ample parking available! (wayy better than the Irvine shopping plaza) -
Review from Karen K.
Monterey Park, CA
Updated - 4/11/2012
I tried their Sea Salt Coffee, so I'm adding that to my review.
It was delicious. Make sure, if you like creamy, to mix your coffee completely before drinking. The coffee is sweet and creamy with a bit of saltiness that enhances the flavor. The sea salt coffee here is way better than Starbucks, for sure. If you like coffee, I highly recommend it.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/6/2011
This is the best place to buy bread in the area.
The problem with a lot of the local Asian bakeries… Read more »
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Review from Ivan W.
Rosemead, CA
Finally, I had the chance to witness what the hype was of this place on a Sunday afternoon. Saw a line of customers waiting outside even before I found a parking spot. Because of the amount of people lining up, for a second I thought that they were giving out free breads! As walking closer to the cafe, I realized the line inside was even longer. I was shaking my head but yet, excited to see what they had to offer.
It was a good idea that they had a greeter at the door to coordinate the waiting customers. Staff greeted everyone with a smile as they were walking inside when more space became available. The line was mainly for breads. If you just want drinks and cakes, you could use the other entrance. Although, a shorter waiting time is not guaranteed.
Pick up a tray and a bread clamp, you are free to pick whatever you want. Not many selections were available probably because it was 4 o'clock in the afternoon. I picked from the half empty trays, knowing that those were the popular ones. Staffs brought out some more freshly baked breads at times, yelling "fresh breads!!". Another staff would put each of your breads into small individual plastic bags. Picked up a strawberry half moon, boroh danish, cream danish, cranberry danish, garlic cheese, red bean bread, blueberry cheese, iced passion fruit green tea, and iced sea salt coffee. $16 for all the items above?! Less than I expected. Good prices!
The whole visit took us about 30 minutes, including the 10 minutes wait for the drinks at the end. I tried the iced sea salt coffee and thought it was pretty good. Just make sure you stir it thoroughly so the sea salt doesn't concentrate on the top. I liked the boroh Danish and iced passion fruit green tea the most. Tapioca were really chewy.
A few suggestions:
- I am sure the trays get cleaned very often, but adding a sheet or cover for the trays makes it more sanitary
- Saw a little boy almost slipped. Sweeping the excessive bread crumbs off the floor could prevent unwanted accidents
- One of my friends suggested to have nutrition fact labels for people who are curious about the nutritional values
Friendly employees, good prices for bread, and tasty drinks. I would always drop by if I am in that area. Just not the weekends if possible though. Still haven't tried the Taro bread and the cakes yet! -
Review from Gissel G.
Anaheim, CA
4/18/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I love this place because there is always something new to try. It's pastries galore, but Korean style. The Taro bread is great, but I ate too much of it and don't like it now. The garlic cheesy bread is awesome and fluffy soft. The spongy cakes with fruit are dreamy and the toast is fun.
One complaint though, they use to sell a little loaf of honey cake (I think that's what it's called) and now they don't offer it. I use to buy these to give as gifts... so yummy. Boo -- 85C. Why? Why get me hooked on yummy bread and then stop selling it! :(
The iced sea foam coffee is awesome. Love it! -
Review from Janet E.
3/23/2012
I've only tried two things here and they were both delicious! The chocolate croissant pastry was every crispy and flaky. The chocolate inside was also very creamy. It is best eaten toasted (you can zap it in the toaster oven).
I also tried the iced coffee. SUPER GOOD. I don't know what they put in it, but definitely better than Starbucks. It was very creamy and stronger than the usual coffee I have, but not so strong that it was bitter. It has a good ratio of coffee to cream to sugar. Yum!!!!!
There are a lot of freshly made pastries here, but most had some sort of cream, or cream cheese, or cheese. Not very lactose intolerant friendly! Of the pastries that I could eat, they were covered with powdered sugar. Not very travel friendly! The powdered sugar would have got on me everywhere so it prevented me from buying more pastries.
I really like how they wrap each pastry individually. But I wish they could conserve all that plastic by consolidating some pastries, or just using the paper box they give you with the order. It just seemed like a waste of resources!!
Service was good and fast, although I really could not understand the girl speaking to me. I don't know if it was her accent or if the music was too loud.
I'd definitely be back for the croissant and coffee! -
Review from Anthony P.
Antelope, CA
4/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
You'll be greeted with warm, fresh scent of baked goods here! There's a lot to choose from, and they bring out fresh goods regularly. My favorite was the French cheese roll! It was very garlicky and with lots of flavor. Another good roll was the raisin milk butter. All their bread has a nice, buttery smell to it, which makes you want to eat it ALL. Best thing is, everything is inexpensive! So go wild and pick up all sorts of stuff.
The most interesting thing I ordered was the sea salt jasmine green tea. Remember to order it with a lid, NOT sealed, so you can poke around and look at it, taste it, then mix it. It pretty much comes in two layers: the tea and a salty milk foam. At first, the foam is quite salty, hence the name. But once you start drinking the tea and mix in some of that foam, it becomes one of the most unique drinks. A little salty, but refreshing.
Next time I want to try more pastries and probably the sea salt coffee! -
Review from Princess M, A.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
4/5/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Delicious and "FRESH BREAD"s! LOL When you hear someone yell "fresh bread"..be ready..cuz you might get pushed down by those bread-hungry people around you or if you are strong like me..you might be the one to take home that fresh bread of tray haha. Let's see..I recommend the snowflake, brioche (ps. Brioche isn't $1 anymore..I think it used to be a dollar and people fight over it..I picked up $3 last time I was here...it came out to $5.something) [still worth it ;D] , of course the hotdog, rectangle chocolate cheesecake thingy. I've never tried the sea salt coffee ); maybe next time and then I'll do an update rev.
4 stars for the yummy-fresh bread
-1 for the extremely long lines and the sucky parking -
Review from Tara L.
Holly, MI
3/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
Not really my cup of tea. I do enjoy the occasional Taiwanese pastry, but this place uses way too much butter in everything, and it is awfully sweet. I picked up a few things to sample, with the intent to bring some home to share with the family.
They were:
- 2 Mochi Egg Tart: Had a nice flaky crust, but just too much butter. The filling was a smooth texture, just too sweet.
- 1 Green Matcha Tea Red Bean Cream Roll: I cut it in sections and had one piece. The sponge cake part of it was nice and fluffy and not dense, but the filling had too much cream and not enough red bean or green tea taste.
- 2 Cream Custard Puff: Probably the best out of the 3 pastries that I tried. I had a quarter of one and the balance in the puff pastry to the custard filing was great. It was borderline too sweet, but still pretty good. I'd probably get this again.
This place was bustling when I came (around 4:30pm on a Friday afternoon). The pastry chefs and bakers were hard at work and the wait staff was consistently coming out with fresh breads and pastries. I admire the speed the cashiers go to accommodate the volume of customers and their attitudes were pretty pleasant. I just wish they were a little more eco-friendly in that they didn't use so much plastic to bag these pastries.
Bottom line, I'd come back if somebody else wanted to sample their product, but I wouldn't come back here on my own initiative. I still much prefer JJ Bakery to these guys.Listed in: Culinary Delights and Useful…
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Review from Subrosa I.
Palo Alto, CA
3/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
Based on a random sampling of various bakeries throughout a dozen countries, it is my opinion (purely subjective) that the bakeries in Formosa stand head and shoulders above the rest.
Luckily for us, we don't have to travel all the way to that sovereign island nation to experience her ambrosial delights, because 85C has two stores in California. The following review is for the Hacienda Heights branch.
The baked goods at this 85C are fresh, fluffy, and utterly scrumptious. This bakery offers a wide variety of buns, pastries, and cakes with diverse flavors (Formosan, Japanese, Danish, etc.) to satiate your carb cravings. The servers here are friendly and helpful. The store is immaculate. The price is very fair. Parking is a cinch. And credit cards are accepted. -
Review from Kathy N.
Santa Ana, CA
5/6/2012
I'm sad that this place is a far drive from home. However, the drive is sometimes worth it! i love all of their baked goods. i really don't know the names of their baked goods but really, i have no complaints! Also, their milk tea with jelly is really delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!1
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Review from Christina K.
Los Angeles, CA
I have an aversion to waiting in long lines so I've been avoiding this place.
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Interesting facts about this cafe from Wikipedia in response to receiving a comment from a fellow Elite:
The name "85C" refers to Wu's (president/founder) belief that 85 °C (185 °F) is the optimal temperature to serve coffee.
85°C Bakery Cafe is a Taiwanese chain of coffee shops run by Gourmet Master Co., Ltd. The company, with an estimated yearly revenue of $200 million, was founded in 2004 by tea shop owner Wu Cheng-Hsueh and currently has over 325 branches located within Taiwan and Australia. Known as the "Starbucks of Taiwan", in 2008, the company opened its first US location in Irvine, California.
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No lines the night I went. The concept was good. You grab a tray and a pair of tongs then meander through the aisle gazing into small compartments displaying breads, pastries, custards, etc. You lift the clear cover all the way up and it'll hold itself freeing your hands to grab the pastry/bread...which I didn't realize until I was about finished. Here I was trying to fumble with my tray and not drop everything on the floor. =/
I wanted to like this place more, but it was not memorable for me. I tried the taro bread, chocolate chip bun, custard, and lemon pastry. Also had the sea salt coffee. It was just okay. Out of everything the coffee was the stand out for me.
Probably won't return to try anything else. Kind of overrated. Maybe I just don't get it.
Parking: large private lot.
(P.S. Just noticed how awesome the photos appear...I agree that the baked goods LOOK incredible, but I'm more about the textures and flavor.) -
Review from Ticha B.
I've never heard of 85C till just recently. My brother totally loves this place and brings home their pastries (NICE). We finally stopped into this Hacienda Heights location wondering if the lines would take forever since I was a bit strapped on time.
Parking situation in their big lot is pretty crappy. Come on...Asian drivers. Period. It took 5 mins just to get out of our parking stall because the guy didn't want to back up for us to get out of the way because he didn't want to lose the spot. What the!!!! The parking lot is big, but unfortunately they have tons of other shops utilizing the parking lot too.
FRESH BREAD is their calling here. Every time you hear that, some sort of bread or pastry tray is coming out to the floor from the kitchen. I didn't really want to bother with the crowd so I made my choices quick and simple (grab a tray and tongs and go at it, self serve). Bring your pastries to the long line for the cashier (the wait wasn't too bad though since 85C hires a lot of cashiers and employees).
Look for the Taro pastry up front behind the cashiers to deter the hoarding of those pastries when the FRESH BREAD comes out. Get out quick and don't linger and take up space. Grab and go! Thanks!
Pastries were super good and fresh (great turn around since they're always busy). Affordable. Friendly service even though they're super busy. Minimal tables to sit in...so be prepared to take it togo! -
Review from Zoe B.
San Gabriel, CA
3/20/2012
I TOTALLY get what the hype is with this place now ! I was only able to stick around for all of 15 minutes, but that was more than enough time for me to fall head over heels for this bakery. Every time a worker came out with a new tray of goodies yelling, "FRESH BREAD !" (which was literally every 2 minutes while I was in there) my brain would go into an orgasm overload with thoughts of what I was going to do to every bun on my tray the second I got stepped foot out the door ! I could practically taste the flavors of every bun through the sweet aroma that was radiating through the kitchen doors.
I wanted to get one of each flavor, but I'd have gained 15 pounds stuffing all that yummy bread into my fat mouth ! I finally decided on choosing just 4 different varieties to try.
- Taro Bun
- Milk Bun
- Rose Cream Cheese Bun
- Blueberry Cream Cheese Bun
I stuffed the Milk Bun into my saliva filled mouth as soon as I got into my car. My nose and brain had gone through so many orgasmic frenzies in the store that I just had to let my taste buds in on the action as well ! Let me tell you, they were certainly not disappointed ! The bun was still HOT and oh so delicious. The warm creamy center filled my mouth with the most amazing flavors and even after it slid down my throat and into my unbelievably happy tummy, the sweet sweet taste lingered on my tongue yearning for more. I was one happy camper. I shared the Taro Bun and the Blueberry Cream Cheese Bun with the little brothers after dinner, and they also did not disappoint. I saved the Rose one for today and let me tell you, I am SO READY to slurp up every last drip of goodness ! Happy eating (;Listed in: Dining in the 626, Dessert before dinner ?! So…
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Review from Sindie Y.
Los Angeles, CA
I had been here 3 times now and I do have to say, they are better then JJ's. I actually had stuff from here and JJ's within two days apart. I had mango mousse from JJ's and mango blossom from here..... And the winner is mango blossom.
I had sea-salt coffee, cakes, and pastries so far..... Will tried more stuff as I visit here.
