Gourmet Waffle Sandwich Restaurant Opens

The open air feel creates a positive vibe, and the gourmet waffle sandwiches offered by Bruxie should do wonders for a location that has struggled with tenants.

But if the dry run on Monday night was any indication, Bruxie might become the most happenin' place this side of the not-yet-built In-N-Out.

Owners Kelly Mullarney and Dean and Cindy Simon opened their doors officially on Tuesday, letting the open-air feel of the garage door windows do their part to attract a strong walkup.

"Dean had the waffle mix and I had the fold concept," said Mullarney, who fancies the waffle sandwiches as gourmet street food. He said the buttermilk fried chicken and waffle sandwich is the most popular sandwich.

Among the sandwiches on the menu are smoked salmon and dill cream cheese, a hot pastrami, and a turkey club, but there are also sweet concoctions as well featuring lemon cream and berries, s'mores, and a creme brulee with seasonal fruit.

Other offerings include custard, hand-crafted "pure cane sugar" sodas, and salads.

There are daily specials at each of the three stores, with the schedule of specials located on the Bruxie website. The other restaurants are located in Orange and Brea.

The restaurant employs about 50, many of them students. It is located at the corner of El Paseo and El Portal in the storefront previously occupied by O.C. Burger.

Bruxie is open Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.