Specialty’s Cafe and Bakery is on the 1st floor of an office building located in a business park–clearly meant for the surrounding business towers. They even have little Point of Sales screens inside where you can punch in your massive order for takeout. These guys seem to be big on catering.

This place is ridiculously Irvine-clean, and full of business people on their lunch. If you want to come to a place that makes you feel underdressed look no further.

Make sure you park on the side lot and not directly in front of the store (I found out the hard way–that’s emergency parking only=O ). They’ll validate your parking for about an hour.

I have tried and loved the Chairman, Hot Italian and the BLT sandwiches. Fresh bread baked on-site makes ALL the difference. Specialty’s Cafe and Bakery understands that quality sandwich ingredients is just as important as the bread.

I’ve had one off-day at this place (the bread wasn’t toasted right, or was slightly old), but otherwise it has been excellent. These sandwiches are sometimes dripping with water. I’m not sure if it’s from washed lettuce, the pickle or what, but I could see this buggin some folks. Also, the mustard can be a bit strong, or heavily slathered. Just ask for it on the side if you are timid.

Despite my nitpicking I can’t think of a place that combats the quality here on these types of sandwiches. If you know of some, let me know.

The Chairman:
Sprouts, Herb, Mayonnaise, Stone Ground Mustard, Roasted Turkey Breast, Swiss, Green Leaf Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Cucumber, Dill Pickle, Avocado, Italian Vinaigrette, Ranch Dressing, Black Pepper.

Hot Italian:
Toasted Thyme Focaccia, Mayonnaise, Stone Ground Mustard, Salami, Bologna, Mortadella, Swiss, Provolone, Green Leaf Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Dill Pickle, Mixed Bell Peppers, Pepperoncini, Italian Vinaigrette, Black Pepper.

Hoooly smokes. The Hot Italian hit the spot! It had a tad too much salt on top of the bread, so I just scraped it off. Still, the bread remains incredible. Pairing with quality ingredients sets this one off.

This puts my bread baking to shame. To the kitchen!

Specialty’s Cafe and Bakery
20 Pacifica
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 453-0137