Very creative with their poached eggs!! I was not expecting this great breakfast place behind the shopping center. You order 1st and then get sited, and the food comes very fast. Love it! No line, no wait and great food. I tried the short-rib poached egg and oh my God, cant have any other type of poached egg again! Tasted so right. Not so heavy and the sauce was very tasteful! The have both indoor and outdoor sitting area! So many parking spots as well. Please go and give yourself a great treat! read more

Poached Kitchen - Short rib poached egg - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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Came here on a weekend and there was a bit of a wait. The line is out the door but it moves rather quickly. I got some poached pear French toast and was pleasantly surprised. It was delicious and no crumbs were left! read more

Poached Kitchen - Poached pear French toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Recommend this place for Brunch... Efficient service My favorite spot for the weekend read more

Poached Kitchen - Chicken and Waffles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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Poached neighbor Kitchen 17595 Harvard Ave A, Irvine, CA 92614 Amazing brunch spot in Irvine Cali, we enjoyed the green Chilaquiles, short rib omelette, carne en Salsa Verde Benedict and waffles read more

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Poached Kitchen is a super popular place for brunch, with a line out the door on the weekends. I arrived at around 10am on a Sunday and waited about 15-20 minutes until I made it to the front of the line. It's kind of an unusual set up because you line up and then are let inside to order at the counter once a table is available. They have both indoor and outdoor seating available (there are headlamps outdoors). The food came out pretty quickly, considering it was a busy Sunday morning. I usually agonize over which protein to select for my breakfast burrito ($16) but at Poached Kitchen, you'll get all three (bacon, sausage and chorizo) so you don't need to choose! It's filled with eggs, meat, hash browns, pico de gallo, white cheddar and serrano aioli and comes with a side of salsa roja. Sometimes breakfast burritos are complete belly busters, but this one was easy for me to devour. My friends got the breakfast tacos and said they were delicious! The other dishes like French Toast and waffles that we spied on neighboring tables looked amazing so I'll be back for those! They also have an alcohol license so you can enjoy a mimosa or sangria with your meal. If it's cold outside, you may want to sit indoors. We weren't able to get a heat lamp initially because they were all being used, so it was a bit chilly. Parking may be a bit tough right next to the restaurant, but there is plenty of parking over in the lot by the Ralph's. read more

Poached Kitchen - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Food was delicious and service was quick and friendly! I think these two menus are a great way I get sweet and savory in, but definitely need to share the food with someone else! read more

Poached Kitchen - Eggs Benedict and Blueberry Pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

We needed something to eat before hitting the road and this place was opened early enough for us to sit down and dine. We arrived around 9-9:30 am and it was already crowded but no line. We hadn't been here before and so we quickly ordered at the register where the menu is. They should have the menu outside or somewhere else so people can decide before reaching the register where the menu is located on the wall. You order your food, pay then sit wherever. They give you a number to place on your table so the waiter knows where you are. I ordered the huevos rancheros with hash browns. It comes with chorizo but since I don't eat pork I was able to sub it with chicken sausage. It was ok. The tortillas seemed made in-house. I liked how thick and crunchy they were. The flavor was decent. The hash browns were terrible, they could do without that option all together. Breakfast is pricer than it should be. A bowl of granola is $10. My meal was over $15. Wild times. The staff was super nice. By the time we left there was a line of people waiting to order. Glad we got there as early as we did! read more

Poached Kitchen - Water - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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underrated breakfast spot if you ask me. i dream about their waffles every night, it's so light, fluffy and airy but also so crispy. seriously it so freaking good. the breakfast burrito, omelettes and eggs benedict's are also my favorites. once you order the food comes out so fast, i also think the portions are on the bigger side. if you're looking for a good breakfast spot this is my go to recommendation! read more

Poached Kitchen - salmon eggs benedict, chicken and waffles, breakfast burrito - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Came to Poached, ordered a chicken sandwich.. not the best idea as they specialize in eggs as their name says :') portion was huge, chicken was juicy and tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, but it lacked in the flavor department. We came in at around 11am and although it was busy, we only had to wait around 15-20 mins. You order first then sit down. I would definitely be back again and order something with eggs instead!! read more

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Approach the line at Poached Kitchen, it's not as long as you think. Countdown to the counter and you are introduced to some sweet and savory brunch and lunch with some coffee and mimosas, and celebrate a good brunch outing with some friendly staff, dining ambiance, and good people watching. Everyone has their imagination as to what they will eat and you and exercise yours. read more

Came here on the way home from Costa Mesa and this place totally satisfied our brunch craving. We split the Ricotta Cakes and Chilaquiles Verde between two people and it was more than enough. The ricotta cakes were fluffy and the blueberry topping was sooo good. Would definitely get again when we're in the area. The chilaquiles were good but I prefer the pancakes over them, but my mom thought the chilaquiles were yummy -- but we both agreed that we would come back for the pancakes. They have a decent selection of seating indoor and outdoor so we didn't have to worry about that at all! read more

Poached Kitchen - Chilaquiles Verde + Ricotta Cakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

The food overall was slightly over average in looks and flavor. I loved the presentation of the food. Waiters were really nice and jolly people. The restaurant was really clean and had a fresh look to it too. read more

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We went late morning and found they had a slightly different operation. I don't know if it's normal now, or if that's their procedure when it's busy. Before getting in line, the receptionist told us they only have patio seating and if that's ok. When we agreed, she put a number on a table and told us to go there after getting our food. No problem there, and I suppose it keeps people from wandering around looking for a place to sit after ordering. The chicken and waffles are so good that we don't often try other items, but I also enjoy the omelettes every once in a while. The service is always great!! read more

Poached Kitchen - 11/2023 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Everything was solid! Probably a 4.5. The chilaquiles were the most disappointing because it just felt like not enough was going on, but the flavor wasn't bad. The sandwich was stuffed well and had good flavor. The churro waffles were great, I just wish they came with syrup because I've got a big sweet tooth. read more

Poached Kitchen - Churro waffles and egg sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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Great spot for breakfast! My favorite is the classic waffles. Everything was fresh and delicious. Lovely atmosphere and excellent service -- will definitely be coming back! read more

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We went to get breakfast here to see why it's very popular and always has a long line. We ordered Short rib omelet, Short rib Benedict, and Ube pancakes. Didn't disappoint. The short ribs were well seasoned and the Ube toppings on the pancakes were very tasty and filling. They served our order faster than expected considering their place is full. They have plenty of tables inside and outside the patio- we were seated right away when we arrived. Will definitely go back! read more

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It was meh... not bad at all but definitely not amazing. I only had the oatmeal and wasn't feeling good so I cannot really complain BUT my husband, son & GF all were not impressed. And they are not easily disappointed at all. Side note... 1 carafe of ok is enough for 3. We ordered 2 because we love fresh oj and it was super fresh and not overly sweet. It was perfect. Service was nice even tho it is self ordering & seating. The server who brought the meals out was pretty funny, making many people giggle while giving them their food. read more

Poached Kitchen - Breakfast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

This is one of the best brunch spots in OC. It's my personal favorite and I'll tell you why. What truly sets Poached apart is the quality of ingredients and the creative twists they bring to classic brunch dishes. Each item on the menu feels like a carefully curated experience. Service: The staff's friendly and attentive service enhances the overall dining experience. Whether you're enjoying a leisurely brunch with friends or grabbing a quick bite, Poached consistently delivers on taste and atmosphere. Food Consensus: The menu has so many options and everyone should be able to find something they like. My favorite is the Chilaquiles Verde. It is the bomb!!!! I even recommended it to a classmate once and the person sitting across us said yeah poached does have a good chilaquiles. I mean, even a stranger said I was telling the truth. I have tried many of the dishes on the menu including the breakfast burrito, churro waffle, eggs Benedict, pancakes, steak and eggs, and so far, all of them have great. Get their orange juice, it's fresh and just perfect. I love that they also offer have seasonal specials. Value for Money: The prices are average considering that you're in Irvine. Spend the money and enjoy that nice brunch. It's worth it. The lines get quite long on the weekends so just anticipate for that. read more

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I came on Valentine's Day for breakfast hoping to skip the dinner rushes. They had a valentines menu that looked good but I opted to order off the regular menu. The restaurant is interesting in that you walk in to order and then find your seat. Instead of waiters they have bus boys that help you with what you need. My hubby and I ordered the breakfast burrito and, short rib Benedict, churro waffle and a hot Vietnamese coffee. Everything was delicious and what surprised us was how the waffle had just the right amount of sweetness. It wasn't overly done. The short rib also had a kick to it which we didn't expect, nonetheless was still good. Even though we went early, the place was still packed. But as we left, there was a line already waiting outside. It's a good thing they have seating outside. Would def come back to try other things on their menu. read more

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Love having breakfast here. Everything I've tried is great but my favorite item has to be the breakfast burrito! Great service as well every time we dine here at both Irvine and Anaheim locations. read more

I have lived like 2 minutes down the road from this spot for over a year and I'm disappointed it took me so long to try it because I have been missing out! We stopped by on a Sunday and I think we were in that weird spot where they hadn't yet cleared out the breakfast crew and there was a long line of brunch folks waiting already. Hostess said it would be a 20-25 minute wait and we probably waited about 20 so it wasn't too bad (there is an overhang and shade). They also gave us a menu to peruse while we waited. It's interesting for a brunch place, you order at the counter and they assign you a table. Once we sat, they had our coffee ready in about 5 and it was hot and fresh. It wasn't too crowded actually compared to what I had expected based on the line. There's plenty of space indoors and outdoor on the patio. It only took 10 minutes for our dishes to arrive: the chile verde Benedict (because I had to get a poached egg!), the cherry French toast (a seasonal item), and the al pastor tomahawk (another seasonal item). The chile verde Benedict was an easy 5 stars. The pork was so tender and the chile sauce paired perfect with the yolk. I think the English muffins were homemade too, they were so soft. I wasn't a huge fan of the hash browns only because they were a little salty but I liked the texture, they were very potato-y. The cherry French toast was good but mostly due to the toppings: stewed apples and candied walnuts! The bread itself was a little lackluster. My husband liked his al pastor tomahawk but did mention it could have been marinated longer to really retain the juicy flavor. Overall, I definitely get the hype here and will be back in the future! read more

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This place gets packed but the line is super quick. I loved my birria Benedict. The pancakes were also really good. My latte was just okay. Would try this again:) read more

One thing that can say for Poached kitchen is that the service was friendly and fast. The food wasn't bad either. BUT, some stars have to be eliminated for the cockroach on the dirty dirty patio. Pressure wash the patio so it's sanitary. Also, the lavender latte tasted like a sugar bomb. Cut back on the sucre. read more

With so many brunch places in Orange County, many of which have a name with an Egg theme as well, how has Poached Kitchen differentiated itself? It all starts at the seating, my partner arrived for a Sunday brunch at 10am, there was already a line forming outside, which is a good sign that the place is good. Here you order your food first and pay, then are given a table to sit at. I see some reviews mentioning the service as poor, but I didn't experience this at all, the cashiers and wait staff were quite nice. We even had one of our drinks re-made and there were no issues. Drinks: Matcha Latte - had better matcha lattes, we could tell that this wasn't ceremonial grade matcha, or it could have been a blend but didnt't quite taste right. Desert Pear Lemonade: Nice pink color but couldn't really taste the desert pear, was mostly just a lemonade. Food: Breakfast Burrito: Good size burrito and was extremely satisfying, only bad thing I can say about this dish is that I wish they provided more salsa! Chile Verde Benedict: Poached egg was perfect, this was a nice Mexican twist on an eggs Benedict. Make sure you eat this quickly or the Chile verde sauce will make the English muffins soggy! I love that the menu features classic brunch items with influences with Mexican cuisine, the interior was also nice and bright. Though it didn't leave me with a lasting impression. Overall decent place for brunch. read more

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We've found on weekends, if we get to any restaurant by 8:30am, there is never a wait. Here, you order off a menu on the wall and they bring you your food. The fresh squeezed orange juice was delicious. It was fun to see the machine turn fresh oranges into the perfect cup of orange juice. Not too tart, not too sweet. Just perfect! I ordered the chorizo breakfast burrito and the hubby ordered a chile verde omelette. He liked his omelette, but I think we both agreed my burrito was better! I can attest to the fact that the brekkie burrito is just as delicious the next day! read more

Poached Kitchen - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

So my wife and I visited this location for the very first time and from a customer service standpoint it was very disappointing. First and foremost, there is an employee by the name of Anna that should not be employed by any company if they are looking for quality employees. She was very rude and condescending and ruined the experience or opportunity for us to ever return to this establishment. The food was average and the atmosphere was cute, but she truly made the experience a disaster. We were hoping for a better experience but it didn't happen. We won't be returning. read more

Poached Kitchen - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

Sorry but this was another review that was stuck in my drafts from our staycation in Irvine back in Feb 2023. That would explain why the menu price was lower then compared to current. I've bookmarked Poached Neighborhood Kitchen a while ago but a couple of times I tried on the weekends, the wait was too long. Anyhoo, we came here for brekkie around 8:45 on a Friday morning. Parking was not an issue and the line was not bad. There were 3 people ahead of us and a few tables were available. We placed and paid for our order at the counter and we were directed where to sit. Food came out fairly quickly. Hubby ordered Classic Breakfast with Ham and I opted for an item from their seasonal menu - Fosters French Toast with caramelized bananas and pecans. Overall, decent breakfast options that you should try at least once read more

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Food was great, service terrific clean restaurant but on the pricey side compared to others in Irvine!

The classic eggs benedict had beautifully cooked eggs and a rich hollandaise sauce. I paired my morning brunch with a cold glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. read more

Came for breakfast with a friend and our two kids, and the front staff could not have been more rude. I was standing off to the side with a stroller, not in line yet, because I was waiting for my friend to arrive before ordering and getting seated. I stood there for about 15 minutes, clearly visible. The moment my friend arrived and we were about to place our order, the worker suddenly snapped at me in a very nasty tone, saying she couldn't seat us because of the stroller. Meanwhile, there were two other women in the restaurant with strollers. When I pointed that out, she claimed theirs "weren't blocking anyone." I asked to be seated somewhere we wouldn't be blocking anyone, but instead of helping, she caught an attitude and told us we'd have to wait "a while." I said that was fine. We waited--only to watch her let multiple groups order and get seated ahead of us. When I went back and explained that if she kept seating people before us, two tables would never open up to be pushed together, she continued pretending there were no open tables. I even pointed out available tables, and she seemed annoyed by that. The entire interaction was incredibly frustrating and unprofessional. I've never felt so unwelcome over something as simple as having a stroller. What is going on with people lately? read more

Very good food and a great selection - they had a good amount of healthy options as well - the service was fantastic and patient helping me with two orders - a very comfortable location with easy seating - I would recommend for anyone looking for brunch options or breakfast read more

Epic culinary journey starts with a knowledgeable friendly and organized team taking our order, bringing utensils, water pitcher, and glasses, while constantly cleaning tables to keep up with the flow of travelers. Art wall encompasses all that makes Irvine and Poached Kitchen special. Salmon Benedict- perfectly poached eggs, flavorful light Hollandaise sauce, fresh Dill herbs, slivers of pickled and fresh red onions, greens, and yummy fresh Salmon. Went with a side of hash browns that rank in the best ever category- CRISPY on the outside with thick tender potatoes inside. Chicken & Waffles- Allowed a taste of the crispy delicious waffle, but not the chicken... described as AMAZING! Toast with cream cheese topped w/ fresh figs and green olives would not have been my choice. I managed a bite and this too was DELICIOUS. read more

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16$ sourdough toast with goat cheese/yogurt with figs and olives. I think what set this dish apart was the thick toast and nice touches such as pistachio and honey. Being a flexitarian and someone who can't have eggs they have nice options. The staff was friendly and patience. It was a nice space with inside and outside sitting. They get busy, we came in at 8:30 and got a table without issue, but it gets a line. I'd come Back! read more

Poached Kitchen - Oat milk lavender latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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Great quality breakfast! The coffee was really good too. The staff was very helpful. Clean restaurant.

We used to love to come here every weekend but the last few times we went were disappointing. The quality of the food just isn't the same. The eggs Benedict had the egg cooked all the way one day and we had to send it back. Another day we ordered the chilaquiles and the tostada was so hard you couldn't even bite or cut through it. They gave us our money back but that wasn't the point. The food just isn't the same and we aren't going to be going back anymore. read more

This was a really cute brunch place. We had to wait about 10-15 mins for a patio table which wasnt bad. When you walk in you have to order at the front and pay then they deliver to your table number. We got the fried chicken wrap which was good, and the cubano sandwich which was interesting. I probably wouldnt get the sandwich again. The pear french toast was really good and i loved the bread they used. The service was great they noticed we were in the sun and asked if we wanted to move in the shade! Overall a simple and easy brunch place to go. read more

Poached Kitchen - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Irvine, California

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This is my second time at Poached Kitchen and the food, service, and ambiance is top tier! Bravo . Let's talk food! I had the classic waffles and my spouse had the classic breakfast on our second visit. We took the salmon toast home which was also delicious after a quick oven reheat. Our drink of choice was a latte with oat milk. Everything... I mean everything was DELICIOUS. The waffles were crisp, the fruit fresh, the latte was latte-ing, the eggs were egg-ing...I think you get the point, the meal was excellent. Now unto the customer service. Major shouts to Edgar for making us feel at home . The GM Sotiri was also very pleasant and kind on the eyes (ladies you're welcome). Everyone from the cashier to the folks that brought our food was also kind and friendly. Thank you so much for the hospitality. Lastly, we came close to closing and we did not feel rushed. The restaurant was also packed (ya'll the food is that good). We sat at the counter and were very comfy. This place is whole vibe. In fact we tried to go the day before and were disappointed we missed them before closing so we came back the next day . Enjoy! read more

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This place is always so busy but my family & I always order for pick up anyway which has always been more efficient for us. If you don't mind waiting in line to eat in, then by all means go for it. Ample parking since they're in a plaza. The interior is a cute little cafe style with moderate amount of seating. You're able to sit at the counter too if you're dining in solo or with someone. My family & I always order their chilaquiles rojas with the eggs sunny side up & it has always been consistent with the flavors & how it's cooked. We also tried their French toast which was so good! It really satisfies my sweet tooth without being overly sweet. On my most recent visit, I also ordered their iced dulce de leche latte with oat milk & it was a good amount of sweetness & coffee flavor in my personal opinion. The staff have always been nice & professional with every visit. My family & I will continue to be regulars as long as they keep up the great customer service & quality of food! read more

Love the food and atmosphere here! One of my favorite brunch in Irivne Only thing is that there is always a wait line here read more

Overall rating: 3.5 stars We recently tried Poached Kitchen on a Sunday morning. We arrived at about 8:45am and there was already a decent crowd seated. It's an order at register then find a seat type of place which is kinda nice. Makes sure you've ordered your food before trying to camp out at a table. Food: I ordered the omelet a la Grecque which I felt like it lacked a little flavor. I love feta but I felt like that's all I could taste which is a shame because I want a well seasoned omelet. I left more than half of it. The hash-brown though was DELICIOUS! It's nice and thick and so flavorful. My plate also came with some toast and jam which was yummy. My husband got the machaca scramble which he said was good. He also really enjoyed the hash-brown. We got the classic waffle to share and it was good. Nothing special though. It's pretty in presentation. Drinks: we have mixed reviews here. I got the strawberry matcha to drink which was good. My husband wanted a cappuccino but they only have whole milk or oat milk as options for your drink and he can't do either so he resorted to an Americano which he wasn't a total fan of. Staff was quick to bring our food and attentive. Overall, it's a good place. It isn't a place I would put at the top of list to revisit when in town though. The line was sooo long when we left so definitely show up early unless you're up for waiting a good while in a long line. read more

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