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Azucar
Categories: Food Bakeries Food Coffee & Tea Bakeries, Coffee & Tea [Edit]
4820 Newport Ave(between Sunset Cliffs Blvd & Cable St)
Ocean Beach, CA 92107
Neighborhoods: Point Loma, Ocean Beach
(619) 523-2020
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 am - 6 pm
Sun 8 am - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
308 reviews for Azucar
Review Highlights
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"The mojito cookie is absolutely divine." In 43 reviews -
"red velvet cupcake, yum yum yum." In 15 reviews -
"Guava & Cream Cheese pastry ($1.50): YUM." In 6 reviews
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308 reviews in English
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Review from Erwin M.
Escondido, CA
3/17/2012 7 Check-ins Here
This place is good as it gets.
My friend suggested this place during a break between a wedding ceremony and reception. Since May 2011, I've never stopped coming when I'm in the area.
Its a Cuban style bakery, so a lot of the menu items and desserts have a little bit of Caribbean feel to it. Fried plantains as a side to sandwiches, Cuban style sweetened coffee, 5 leches cake, lime bars, mango cheesecake, well I hope you get the idea now.
My favorite thing to eat here is the Havana sandwich. Save for being diabetic, how can you say no to turkey, cream cheese, and guava jam. The flavor mixes and if you've never had a Cuban sandwich like I had before trying, holy shit I felt like smoking with Fidel.
If you choose to go the dessert route, check out the 5 leches paired with the Cafe con Leche. Perfecto.
Start your fix, and then you'll want to come back.
Pros:
+ great food, great dessert, great coffee
+ home like atmosphere
+ creative items
Cons
- parking
- compared to Extraordinary or Heaven Sent, this place has a tinier selection of desserts
- price for a cheese roll.Listed in: Best SD Spots
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Review from Stephanie H.
San Diego, CA
5/6/2012
Chris V. is right, this place is "Consistently inconsistent."
On a good day - 5 star; bad day - 3 star.
Best items on the menu are the artisan pastries inside the first case on the right when you walk in. These are all carefully crafted cakes. I love chocolate, but this is one place where I go for the fruity variations instead. Very high quality.
As for the coffees and other foods, they are so-so depending on who is working.
The brew is definitely a good one. I like to get the cuban half-sweet. I have a sweet tooth but cuban is just a little too much. I've had a straight espresso here as well and enjoyed it.
Unfortunately, I don't think the owner maintains a presence in the store and the workers don't seem super intent on providing world-class hospitality. I know, this is OB.. I'm delusional to think that might be feasible here. But they could work a little harder to make sure the tables are clean on busy days. Overall I think there could be a little more bustling on the service side of things.
Its the sweet things that keep me coming back!Listed in: GREAT Coffee!
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Review from Chris V.
4/25/2012
2 words...Consistently inconsistent.
When I lived in OB full-time and now only part-time, I will still patronize Azucar when the craving hits. The sweet baked items are always wonderful...it is unfortunate that I do not feel the same way about the coffee beverages and Cubano sandwich.
I greatly enjoy the experience of Cuban coffee. This is not the place to go if you want a "quick" coffee on the way to work...unless you are OK with drip. For any specialty coffee, the service is not as fast. It is not "incredibly slow" as some have expressed but it will take longer to get a cup than stopping at a drive-through coffee stop. It is also because each cup is crafted that there is variation. Depending on who is behind the counter, I will order different beverages.
The Cubano sandwich is also an unpredictable. There have been instances where the meat was tender but the spice used inadequate...and the other end of the spectrum, where the spice was perfect but the meat either dry or tough. The spring greens on the side are a great addition on the sandwich regardless.
The service is always friendly and welcoming...I have just become OK with variety in how certain items are going to be served. -
Review from Lynn A.
San Diego, CA
4/6/2012
Azucar used to be my favorite coffee shop in OB. I'm not angry about it, but I've noticed some really inconsistent service, and after a while I've just stopped going.
The drinks never taste the same (cafe con leche), and they're incredibly slow. Forget stopping before work.
I would go again if the drinks were better, faster and for one of those guava pastries. Other than that, I'm good - no thanks.
Also, I checked "yes" to outdoor seating'.. Technically they have two or three plastic tables and some chairs ... -
Review from Sophie H.
San Diego, CA
5/21/2012
Heaven. No wait...exotic heaven!
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Review from Paul G.
San Diego, CA
5/22/2012
Doesn't get much better than this. Chocolate chunk cookies are a must. The cafe con leche is mighty tasty.
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Review from Angie A.
San Diego, CA
5/10/2012
YUMMMY!!!
Great atmosphere, and good coffee. I have never had anything i did not enjoy from here and the staff is always friendly -
Review from Babak L.
San Diego, CA
Excellent place for baked goods! I'd venture to say that Azucar is one of the better bakeries in town. It was my first time sampling a Cuban bakery, and I was impressed. I took away a star for the slightly tacky décor and the cramped setting, but overall a great option for pastries, cakes, and coffee.
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Review from Chriss C.
San Diego, CA
4/29/2012
A must visit everytime I'm in OB. I stop in for one of their individual sized squash quiches and some chocolate chunk cookies. The chocolate chunk cookies are soft and gooey and so tasty. And they'll warm anything up for you if you like.
The little tiramisu with the cocoa cookie on top shaped like a spoon? OM NOM NOM. Tasty and rich in a sneaky sort of way. I was half way through before I realized it was rich and I was full. Took it home with me and had the second half for dessert with dinner.
The cubano sandwiches are also yummy. And they're served with plaintain chips.
There's also hot sauce available it you like. No ketchup, though, as this is a Cuban style joint and not a corner burger shop.
The coffee choices are just okay, though, if like me your preference is for the froofruey type drinks.
I just noticed their tea selection last time I was there, which seems surprisingly varied outside the "it says tea on the paper bag" variety most coffee houses have when they 'bother' with the brew of the camelia siensis. So next time I'm down on Newport for a day of antiquing and strolling the beach and I stop into Azucar I'll have to try a cup of green tea with my chocolate chunk cookies. Of maybe I'll finally try the Diablo. -
Review from Alexis W.
Lakeside, CA
4/26/2012
I cannot express how much i loved this place. I went there recently with a friend for the first time and we both ordered a little pastry. I ordered a banana cheesecake with banana nut bread for the crust, banana slices in between the cheesecake and crust and topped with caramel and bits of toffee. It was the most amazing dessert that has touched my mouth. It had so many different layers of flavor and had such and original concept. The best part about my experience is that you could tell someone had put their heart and soul into the each dessert. My friend ordered a chocolate tierramasu that was unlike anything i have ever tasted. Its so different i cant even describe what it tasted like but it was amazing. I will definitely be going back :)
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Review from Marlou A.
San Diego, CA
3/17/2012
I was under the impression that Azucar rivaled Porto's in their quality of baked goods, but a few things fell short. We were there on a weekday afternoon and they didn't have much selection. I REALLY wanted to try their cheese rolls, but they didn't have any. They didn't have any pastries that I really wanted, so I just went with the Havana panini, which was quite good. The guava marmalade really added a lot to the richness of the cream cheese.
Overall, a pretty good place to check out if you're in the area, but personally, I don't plan to drive out of my way to go there again. -
Review from Brittany R.
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
2/29/2012
I came here for lunch yesterday and absolutely loved it! I've tried their meat pies before when a coworker brought them to the office, but had never been to the actual storefront. (The meat pies are to die for, by the way.) The bakery itself is adorable, and I love the simple and clean decor. Everything behind the case looked absolutely delicious. The little cakes and pastries are all beautiful, and the staff was so nice and friendly.
I decided to get the Cuban in Paris sandwich, which I found to be so delicious. My friend ordered the Cubano. She is a conessiour of Cuban sandwiches, and she said it wasn't the best she's had but still quite good. The plaintain chips that accompanied the sandwiches were tasty, but the mojo sauce was AMAZING. Garlicky and so flavorful.
To go, we picked a small Artesmia cake. It is a rum cake with coconut cream and toasted coconut and pineapple...incredible. The cake is dense but I love it that way. The coconut cream was light and airy. I can't wait to try more of what they have to offer here. -
Review from Diana C.
Boston, MA
4/22/2012
Oh gosh, came here for the first time yesterday.
Two words, MEAT PIES.
I rest my case. -
Review from Lauren R.
San Diego, CA
2/28/2012
I've never had anything good here....everything has been EXCELLENT or above.
This is kind of a hole-in-the-wall place but if you're in OB and close to Newport, you've gotta check this place out! -
Review from Elles T.
San Diego, CA
Cubano sandwich was perfect.
Mojito cookie was interesting and bomb. -
Review from Katja J.
Palo Alto, CA
4/25/2012
Nice stop. We just had the España Sandwich (Spanish style potato & onion omelet) which was good. All the pastries looked very good. It's probably a bit like the Cocola Bakery Chain.
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Review from Emilia H.
San Diego, CA
2/24/2012
This place is great, Word of mouth got around and I had heard that the guava and cheese pastry was the best. Went in there last Saturday and the vibe in there was great! My boyfriend and u ordered the meat pie, guava and cheese pastry, coconut macadamia florentine, the honeybun and the ham and cheese quiche! We wanted to try it all, everything was so unique and customer service was great.
I highly recommend Azucar while ur down in OB. -
Review from Jon K.
San Diego, CA
5/10/2012
OMG the best bakery for desserts in San Diego. Great scones, cookies, and homemade caramels. wow. Cafe con leche also super yummy
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Review from Melissa W.
San Diego, CA
3/27/2012
This place is SO GOOD. Great service & super friendly staff. The baked goods are beyond heavenly. I'm not even a scone person, but the passionfruit raspberry scones are the best I've ever had. They've made me a believer that scones can be moist, flavorful, and totally awesome!
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Review from Karolyn K.
Glendale, CA
4/2/2012
Loooved their passion fruit pistachio macaroon...sandwiches were pretty good, but their mint pea soup, not a fan.
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Review from a c.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 3/29/2012
Stopped by on Saturday after a stroll through the antique shops. I finally ventured out of my cookie daze and tried the Red Velvet cupcake and a lemon bar. The cupcake was perfect. It's cake was fluffy not dense and when i was finished it did not weigh me down. I also loved the frosting wich is often a point of contention for me-not so here. The frosting was not too thick and overly cream cheesey and was not so sweet to make me have a sugar headache! I loved it and I went and got two more for dessert tonight. On to the lemo bar-so amazing. I loved it.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/1/2011
Mojito cookie. Thats all I've got for you. It is awesome and you should get as many as your wallet… Read more »
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Review from Rae S.
Milpitas, CA
3/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Only been here once. Really liked the Cuban coffee and the guava pastry wasn't overpowering in sweetness. It was a great combo. Will definitely come back whenever I'm in the area for an early morning jog.
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Review from Borneo G.
San Diego, CA
10/29/2011
I was very pleasantly surprised with the desserts here. I didn't think I would like it, truthfully! The teeny cakes, pistachio macarons, and mousses were all very scrumptious. They're a little on the pricey side, but seriously, most independent baked goods usually are (and I'll pay the extra $$ if it means not eating a stale muffin from Starbucks). I haven't tried the coffee nor the entrees, but I'll make note of that the next time I go there. :)
Seating is very limited. But you can take you food out to go! -
Review from Crystal N.
Irvine, CA
9/20/2011 2 photos
This tiny bakery sits on a busy street next to a gas station in Ocean Beach. It took my about 15 minutes to find a parking spot...luckily right across from the street. Minutes earlier I was contemplating parking about 4 blocks away...that's how much I wanted to try this place.
Don't let their broken, green sign outside and the 1 or 2 bums hanging out scare you away....their desserts are one of a kind and just yummy! The only other Cuban bakery I can compare this to is Porto's.. and we all know that place gets packed like a mofo.
Their cold case showcased a myriad of beautifully decorated desserts such as tiramisu, cheesecakes and other yummy goodness. Price ranged from $2ish to $6 for most of the desserts that could easily feed 2 people. In another section they had other baked goods such as donut muffins, cookies, cupcakes and pastries. They also have a selection of hot and cold beverages.
I finally decided on:
Pistachio with Passionfruit cream GIANT macaron
The famous Mojito Cookie
A Cheese Roll
Guava Cheese Pastry
I've never had a macaron before...I think they are overly priced for a couple bites (i've seen places sell 1 macaron for $2.75! And it was the size of an oreo!) But Azucar's macaron ($2.75 I think)....this was the size of bread plate. It was a lovely green color filled with a yellow cream. Crispy on the outside, crumbly and creamy towards the finish. Very, VERY yummy and I would definitely get this again!
Mojito cookie looked like a snickerdoodle with a hint of green. I guess I would say it even tasted like one, with a hint of salty mint. Not bad, but I would go for the macaron instead.
Cheese roll was definitely larger than the ones they have at Porto's. They tasted the same, in my opinion, except Azucar's cheese roll definitely had a lot more caramelization and was stickier.
Guava Cheese pastry....hmmm. I think this is better than Porto's in that it was flakier and buttery, almost like a croissant. It separated the guava and cheese...sweet, pink guava creme on the left, salty cream cheese on the right. The perfect bite would be straight down the middle.
Can't wait to go back to try our some more sweet yummy things! -
Review from John J.
San Diego, CA
10/6/2011
I'm seriously considering moving to OB just to be closer to this place...
The pastel de guyaba y queso is the most amazing thing I've tasted in a decade. It's best if you get it before 8 in the morning while still warm form the oven. The Coffee...superb. I'm not the hugest fan of the cookies, but they're better than most, and have some stiff competition in their own bakery case. If you're thinking of getting a salted chocolate caramel, get five, as you'll be craving them for the rest of the week. The croquetas are rich and tasty, and make me wish I had a Cuban mom to make them for me at home.
If I had a car I'd be there right now. -
Review from Vera G.
La Mesa, CA
3/15/2012
When I lived in OB I used to walk a mile just to get the Guava Pastry from Azucar - it is sooooo good! Love their coffees too, especially the special they used to have for holiday season - pumpkin latte - yum!! I don't live in OB anymore and I sure do miss Azucar. Maybe I'll drive down there this weekend just to get something from them :) Love this place!!
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Review from Jessica L.
San Diego, CA
11/8/2011
Azucar is the greatest! It is a cute little Cuban bakery in the heart of OB. Everything I tried here is amazing and the staff that work here are very nice and very patient. The cafe con leche is really delicious. Normally, I like to drink my coffee black but I will have it con leche and sugar if its the way Azucar does it!
Their sandwiches are the perfect combination of sweet and savory. I had the Havana and Berto sandwiches and I recommend them both. Also, their corn curry soup is to die for. The only sweets I've had here are the mojito cookies, which were also delicious.
If you're heading to the beach one day. I would recommend buying some pastries and a coffee and then walking down to the beach or the cliffs. Azucar is the perfect complement to a beach walk morning! -
Review from Elisa T.
Chula Vista, CA
9/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Its about time someone thought to bring Miami and the Florida Keys to the SO-CAL!
As a native of Key West, I can honestly say the Guava and Cream Cheese Pastry is BETTER than the Cuban shops in Key West (KW is 90 miles from CUBA)
We also had the cafe con leche which was really good but not as authentic as the pastry!
My mom a 6th generation conch (a key west native is called a conch) went to Azucar 5 times while vacationing here!
WE LOVE AZUCAR!
I also had the salted caramels and they were so good!
This 7th generation conch knows good guava pastries! TRY it! it takes me back to little havana! -
Review from Christina d.
San Diego, CA
10/14/2011
A Miami Cuban friend's SO brought him some pastelitos de guayaba and pastelitos de queso, and he said they were just as good if not better than the ones he grew up eating. (And his family can COOK.)
I was in love with their more French-type pastries (mojito cookies, napoleons, etc.), but after that stamp of approval I had to go back in and have the Cuban ones, too.
I ordered a pastelito de queso and a cafe con leche. The pastelito melted in my mouth, the coarse sugar topping melting into the flaky crust, then mingling with the sweet cream cheese, then soaking into my increasingly ravenous taste buds. After all the times I've been here, why had I not discovered these sooner?
While the cafe con leche was not as sweet nor as creamy as the stuff my friend makes (using his mom's recipe), the espresso bitterness took the cloying edge off the pure sugar on the pastelito. Next time I will get a cafe cubano insteads. (They brew the espresso and sugar together, so it has a more caramelly aspect.)
Out of curiosity, I also got the Cuban toast, which is Cuban bread, toasted and buttered, soft, steaming, delicious.
I think I have a new regular order. -
Review from Deborah M.
El Cajon, CA
I bought four deserts and two cookies. Let's just say, the cookies are the best I have ever had. They are worth the price, which isn't steep. The deserts are pricey but they were all super delicious. If you have anyone you want to impress, buy desert here and bring it with you!!
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Review from Criselle O.
San Diego, CA
9/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I had high expectations with this place but unfortunately I really didn't like the desserts here at all ):
My boyfriend's sis has been talking about these cheese sticks she tried awhile back so she wanted to get some. She bought a couple and they were kinda stale which sucks because that's why we drove all the way to Azucar. We also got a chocolate chip cookie, the salted chocolate, and a dulce de leche drink. The chocolate chip cookie wasn't special, the salted chocolate was okay, and the dulce de leche drink was horrible. When i took my first sip it was super strong. It tasted more like coffee than dulce de leche. I even asked the girl who worked there how it tasted before ordering it and she said it was sweet and delicious. Nope, tasted gross. I tried drinking it but I couldn't. That's how bad it was... Ugh. Idk. I really wanted to like this place but my experience here was awful.
So not worth the drive. -
Review from Kirina C.
San Diego, CA
7/21/2011
Wepa! Absolutely yummy! I'm writing this as I scarf down a Havana sandwich and a cafe con leche. The pastries are delicious and the craftsmanship rivals Extraordinary Desserts just in mini versions. If they have biscocho cookies available you have to try one. The Divina mini cake is my fave. The Cuban coffee is delicious and it's just the cutest little shop in OB. I've been visiting this place since they opened and always walk out happy.
FYI- real meal selections are limited and the space is tiny but stop by, grab some goodies and head to the beach...you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Bailey Z.
7/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
After three years, I finally got to try Azúcar. I kept making the same mistake of eating at Hodad's first and by the time I finished, Azúcar was always closed. I was close once when I came within five minutes of them closing. Not this time; I made sure to go in the middle of the day.
At first glance, Azúcar looks like a typical bakery, but they do have some unique Cuban style baked goods. The mojito cookie was as good as advertised. The lime and mint flavors were strong, yet left a refreshing aftertaste. But, I could have done without the teaspoon of granulated sugar sprinkled on top of the cookie. The other cookie I tried was the Tiger Butter, which was a peanut butter cookie with white chocolate. It was a little too sweet for my liking.
I preferred their Florentine bar to their cookies. The shortbread crust on the bottom was buttery and I am a sucker for anything with coconut and macadamia nut. On a hot summer day, the café con leche was great as an iced coffee. It was not as strong as a Vietnamese iced coffee, but the Cuban version of this sweetened latte was still pretty good. -
Review from M R.
Belmont, CA
4/13/2012
FANTASTIC! HOt damn that coffee was perfect and the turron de havana was so good I stabbed my husband with the fork to get the last bite.
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Review from Emily C.
San Diego, CA
11/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yum! Cute, little Cuban bakery in OB. I love their pastries! Especially this croissant looking thing with cream cheese and guava jelly (haha, I cannot remember the name of it). The potato balls and sandwiches are tasty too! And if you like salted chocolate/caramel, you must try their salted chocolate caramel - it's this chewy chocolate with a salty bite to it - delicious. I still need to try their coffee drinks. There's always next time...
*I think there is a $4 minimum to use your debit/credit card. -
Review from Trina A.
Hayward, CA
This place is just as good as I remember it being. This time around we had the key lime tart, tiramisu, banana caramel cheesecake and the divina...oh and the mojito cookie and the dulce de leche latte. ...and two cookies for the pups.
Key Lime tart - yummy, and tart, with a nutty crust. the fresh berries made a nice addition and enhanced the tart.
Bannoffe Cheesecake - OMFG this thing is amazing. I want it now. Banana, toffee, caramel, cheesecake, shortbread...need i say more?
Divina - White chocoalte cake with a passionfruit raspberry filling and marshmallow frosting. It was a lightly sweet and deliciously tart treat...party in my mouth!
Tiramisu - didnt really taste like tiramisu, it was too rich and cake was mushy. I'll pass.
Mojito cookie was ok too...i was hoping for more lime in there.
As you can see, I love this place...check it out!Listed in: Places Pasta [My Dog] Prefers
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/26/2009
Just thinking about this place puts me in a food coma. First, the white chocolate mocha I had was… Read more »
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Review from Mireya V.
8/14/2011 1 photo
After several attempts of not making it in time due to Azucar closing insanely early, I can FINALLY say that I've tried this place!
Still being in vacation mode, I called up Gina and Carlos and proposed another food crawl. We were hungry but we opted for having dessert first since Azucar was closing at 4pm.
We went with a few desserts:
The Mojito Cookie
Really moist and a delightful summertime cookie! I love chewy cookies! These would be better with a little rum glaze!
The Divina: Moist white chocolate cake, passion fruit curd, raspberries, finished with toasted marshmallow frosting.
This was delicious! I love all things toasted marshmallow so this was right up my alley! I loved the tartness of the passion fruit and raspberries.
The Carrot Cake: Carrot cake soaked in cinnamon syrup, cream cheese mousse, topped with orange chocolate bubbles and choco puffs.
The choco puffs were a little random but the cake was moist and that's what matters. There is nothing worse than a dry cake! The cream cheese mousse was really light and good!
The Cinco Leches: Almond cake soaked in five different milks, topped with a dulce de leche glaze and sugar crusted almonds.
This was really good and surprisingly, not too sweet. The almonds on top were a nice touch!
A minor observation I made: the desserts could use some TLC presentation wise. When I look at a display case, I want to see each dessert shine like little pieces of art and I want them to be consistent. The desserts kind of looked thrown together and somewhat messy. The baker(s) should take some time to clean them up and make them look polished before they are displayed. Other than that, I'm a fan! -
Review from Eric O.
San Diego, CA
2/15/2012
The best deserts in town!!! I love their tiramisu...it's simply delish!
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Review from Susie R.
San Diego, CA
2/1/2012
I had a few hours to kill in OB last weekend (car at mechanic) and I tried Azucar for the first time. I ordered a large mocha coffee and parked myself in the seating area. My coffee was delicious and it was hard not to notice how many regular customers frequented this place. I'm dieting, so I didn't try the food, but it looked fantastic. I will be back to Azucar to try a pastry post-diet. My only complaint is the chairs they provide are a little uncomfortable. Not a big deal.
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Review from Amy S.
5/10/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I received an Azucar gift card from my coworker as an anniversary present for my husband and I and upon arrival we found a generous amount to indulge ourselves with. How very sweet.
Their case of goodies looked fantastic, triple chocolate espresso cookies, key lime bars, tirimisu, carrot cake, etc. etc.
The tirimisu was delicious and definitely large enough to split! And the triple espresso cookies that were meant for the "road" didn't last long in our to go bag either.
The only bummer about this place is that they close up at 6. Who heard of a dessert place closing at 6 PM? Every time my husband and I think of cruising down to indulge ourselves in their delicious treats it's always far past their closing hour. Looks like our hefty gift card will just have to be used on weekends.... Frustrating.
