‘Starbucks of Taiwan’ set to open first U.S. cafe in O.C.
September 15th, 2008, 5:00 am · 21 Comments · posted by Nancy Luna, Staff Writer
85 C Cafe
85 C Bakery Café, the “Starbucks of Taiwan,” is expected to open its first United States bakery later this month in Irvine.
The cafe and bakery specializes in coffee, cakes, and breads and uses premium Guatemalan coffee beans. “Each cup of coffee is brewed individually with grounded beans,” according to the company’s Web site.
If that’s the case, then this might make 85 C a step up from Starbucks.
In fact, attorney Jimmy Chen of Pepper Hamilton — an Irvine law firm that helped coordinate the bakery’s move to the U.S. — said the Starbucks analogy is only in reference to the chain’s brand recognition in Taiwan, where it operates more than 200 cafes.
Mixed Nuts Cake
“85 is a huge operation in Taiwan and is really known for its gourmet cakes and desserts sold at reasonable prices,” said Chen.
According to the 85 C website, gourmet pastry chefs bake food on site — from milk toast to black forest sponge cakes. I can hardly wait.
The cafe-bakery is expected to open Sept. 26 at the Diamond Jamboree Shopping Center, a new Asian-themed retail and food center in Irvine. Chen said the center is expected to open that same week.
List and map of other retail stores slated for the Diamond Jamboree site.
Stay tuned for more details and photos as we get closer to the opening.
Attention teachers: Don’t forget FREE coffee TODAY at Starbucks. Find out more
Japan Cheesecake (top) & Milk Chocolate Truffle Cake (bottom)
85 C serves coffee, espresso & iced drinks
Vitality Toast
September 15th, 2008 at 6:50 am
Doesn’t this look good!
September 15th, 2008 at 7:43 am
How interesting. Well, it’s almost certain I will never set foot in the place, and it seems a rather inopportune time to open such a place in OC. We shall see, I guess.
September 15th, 2008 at 7:56 am
No thanks. I’d rather support a US company, especially in this time of economic downturn.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:44 am
It does not matter starbucks will always be starrobbers world’s worst coffee no matter who sell’s it. maybe free today but the robberey will start soon.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Melanie and Christina
Are you both just fearful or isolationists? You think it’s okay for Starbucks and McDonalds to open restaurants in other countries, but foreign companies can’t open businesses here? If you’re that worried about the economy, then look at the economic policy that you’re espousing.
(they’ll be hiring staff, paying rent and taxes here, you know!)
It’s understandable if you don’t have a preference on the coffee/food they offer - but it’s just plain out right ignorant if you’re shooting from the hip. This kind of attitude hurts our economy and hurts our once respected position in the world.
September 15th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Everything looks delish. I can’t wait to try their coffee…and I can’t wait for all of Diamond Jamboree to open!
September 15th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Christina…..go ahead and support a US company, but if this place have good coffee and food I will definitely support their business. Hey, the employees are locals, doesn’t that mean anything?
I don’t like Starbucks or whatever other “American” coffee houses because they are just overpriced coffee with pretentious servers whom call themselves “baristas”. A fancy name for order taker and drink mixers.
September 15th, 2008 at 9:42 am
I cant wait to try this place! It is right across from my office and will be a good alternative to the everyday starbucks. This may not be a US company, but that doesn’t mean it wont bring grown the the US economy.
September 15th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I don’t quite get this post. There’s already 85 Deg C in San Gabriel Valley on Valley Blvd..
September 15th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Thank you John for your comments. Its nice to know people can still think logically.
September 15th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
John: What in the world are you talking about? Being rather presumptuous, yes?
I really have no interest in the place, and with the economy being what it is, it’s a difficult time to be opening a business of this type. If they do well more power to ‘em, but it will definitely be a challenge.
September 16th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
To TonyC:
According to my sources, “I can confirm that the 85 Degrees café in San Gabriel is NOT in any way affiliated with 85 C Bakery & Café. ”
So, apparently the one you mentioned is a knockoff…
September 16th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Christina…define a US Company? Is GM a US company when they make cars in Europe and ship them back here and sell them as Saturns? Is Honda or BMW considered a foreign company when they build their cars in the US with US employees? It is the simplistic reasoning you illustrated that has the US in the financial mess that it is in now.
We are almost $10 trillion in debt and we have largely spent the last 8 years selling houses to each other instead of increasing our incomes.
BTW, what TV do you watch? What computer do you use? Do you have an IPOD? Check the origin of all the stuff in your house and then tell us how much “Made in the USA” you really have.
September 17th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Ok people,…calm down..
September 17th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
It’s going to be great! I can’t wait.
September 18th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Sidney - take a bow! Nicely stated.
September 19th, 2008 at 1:52 am
i have a feeling this place is going to explode with business, considering the geography and demographics of the new shopping plaza. 85oC’s quality (something that the local starbucks franchises can’t even touch because they have a tendency to hire the densest of dense local teens) and above all, affordability opens up a far larger market than starbucks ever would. yes, the economy’s bad, and that’s precisely why 85c is going to get business. simple as that– offer people a cheaper, alternative substitute for something they can no longer afford (i.e. starbucks.) if anything, it’s just a different type of business tactic. essentially, american monopolies tend to charge extortionate prices for just about everything, simply because they can get away with it and make delightful profits all the while; however, this is something like ‘the higher you climb, the harder you fall’. since we’re on the subject of starbucks, just look at their current state. there have been some nasty rumors circulating the business world, in regards to their desperation to keep their place in the fortune 500. funding terrorist weapons, anyone? the taiwanese seem to favor a slower but probably smarter approach–keeping prices low from day one, which in turn attracts a large and static consumer base. simple economics.
melanie and christina– basically everything you’ve said is just painfully ignorant. really, you should seriously consider taking a global econ course at your local community college sometime.. really, even my kid sister in high school is more informed than you seem to be.
on a lighter note, staff training at 85oC is rigorous and precise. from day one, they’re trained to follow five-star restaurant quality formulas to the hair. as a result, everything at this shop will be uncommonly good. the pastries and drinks, in particular. quality–again, a very simple but invaluable business tactic. it’s just too bad that we, as americans, just don’t seem to place as big an emphasis on that anymore. laziness? indifference? denial? perhaps all of those. it’s sad to see how much our nation as a whole has gradually diminished over the past few decades. if anything, we would do very well to step up our game– we need that badly.
September 19th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Please get real … seems to me that its several levels better than a Starbuck’s!
November 19th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Hi! I am a little late stumbling upon this post (I am an expat, living in Taiwan — searching for the 85C website). I visit 85C a few times each week here in Taipei (another decent local shop is eCoffee). The coffee at 85C is approximately 50% of the price of Starbucks and, in my opinion, the flavor is good.
On the other hand, their cakes and deserts are beautifully decorated but have practically no flavor (much like eating air). I have found many deserts is Asia to be similar, so hopefully they change their recipes for the U.S. market.
Hmm… I think I am now in the mood for a vanilla latte and a scone — time for a walk to 85C and Starbucks!
November 20th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Wow. I’m honored Greg that you found time to tap my site from Taiwan. Thanks for weighing in. You make a good note about the sweetness of the desserts. They said Americans love sweeter flavors, so they have tweaked the Irvine 85C to have more sugar.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I’ve been to Taiwan many times-family there, we go every year- and 85C is ok, but Diamond Bakery and Ranch 99 here in the USA probably has better tasting food. The coffee is OK, but most people that live in Taiwan order milk tea or juice smoothies.
The fruit tarts are probably the best thing that they make. Try it if you like asian sweets.