Breakfast Republic — Restaurant in Irvine

Ever take a bite of something and instantly know you’re in the right place? That’s what happened to me at Breakfast Republic in Irvine.

Let’s start with the Steak Chimichurri. This thing came out like it had something to prove. The steak was a perfect medium, juicy and rich—one of those cuts you don’t even need a sauce for. But then you get hit with the chimichurri… and yeah, it was different. More of a pesto style drizzle than the chunky garlicky kind I expected. Still packed with flavor, just a curveball. I respect the remix.

Now the Eggs Benedict? No notes. Creamy hollandaise, runny yolks, crisp English muffin—it was textbook, and then some. I get why people keep hyping this one up. Add to that the egg scramble, which was so fluffy it felt like biting into a cloud that knew how to season itself. Total comfort dish.

And if you’re a coffee person, do not skip the cold brew. Smooth, strong, and it tastes like they actually care about what’s in the cup. It’s not some afterthought. It’s part of the experience.

But I didn’t stop there. I had to check out what other people were losing their minds over and trust me, the hype is real. The Mr. Presley French Toast gets love from just about everyone and I can see why. Stuffed with peanut butter and topped with bacon and bananas foster? That’s dessert disguised as breakfast and I’m not mad about it. Also, their Pancake Flight is a favorite—Oreo Cookie, Strawberry Cheesecake, even monthly specials like Tres Leches. It’s a sugar rush worth the crash. And don’t sleep on the Portuguese Linguisa Sausage Scramble—people swear by the spicy kick and fresh veggie mix.

Atmosphere wise? It’s got that laid back bright energy. Feels like somewhere you could roll into half awake and still feel welcome. And the staff? Genuinely nice. Not fake nice. Like they actually want you to have a good time.

Pro tip: This place fills up fast, especially on weekends. If patience isn’t your thing, get here early or expect a bit of a wait. It’s brunch. Worth it.

Q: What should you order at Breakfast Republic? A: If you want flavor and comfort, go for the Eggs Benedict or the Steak Chimichurri. Sweet tooth? Mr. Presley’s calling. Feeling indecisive? The Pancake Flight’s got you covered.

Final thoughts: Breakfast Republic is easily one of the best brunch spots in Irvine. Whether you’re posted up at UCI or just in the area wondering where to eat in University Center, this place is your move. Don’t overthink it. Just go.

Now go get yourself that brunch. You’ve earned it.

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We went on a Sunday morning around 10:30 am. The place was very busy and our wait time for a party of 7 was an hour--which we were prepared for given it was memorial day weekend. They do take your name and phone number down to message you once your table is ready which is great because it gives you time to walk around the shopping center to kill some time. The breakfast/brunch menu had some great options and it all sounded so delicious, to start off we ordered the fresh squeezed orange juice, oj mimosa, and Mexican mocha, the drinks were very good. They do only serve you a glass of mimosa instead of leaving you either the mini champagne bottle like most places so it is easy to just gulp down the mimosa in one sip just FYI.

I ordered the steak and eggs that comes with hashbrowns with bacon and your choice of bread. I ordered my steak medium and came out perfectly cooked albeit cold compared to the rest of my food, The chimichurri sauce was very tasty but the hashbrown with bacon was too salty. The only thing I didn't enjoy about my meal was the eggs, it wasn't cooked the way I ordered them but I didn't want to send them back. Overall my meal was okay. I do wish they provided other hot sauce options instead of only their own which just tasted like watered down tomato juice.

The rest of my family ordered: breakfast burger which I was told was not so tasty, the only thing that stood out was the thousand island dressing. -the chilaquiles that comes with rice and beans and according to my cousin tasted like spaghetti sauce thrown on some chips -the Pb French toast, I was told it was just okay. -Oreo pancakes were not good and were very dry! The side of regular buttermilk pancake we ordered was also very dry. I do not recommend getting pancakes at this location. -the gluten free cinnamon French toast was very good, it comes with strawberries and whipped cream.

I was disappointed since the menu items described all sounded delicious but they really failed to deliver in flavor for a lot of dishes. Our server was just ok. We only saw him when he delivered the drinks/food and when he dropped off the check. No spectacular service was given.

In the end we all left feeling hungry still and not satisfied with the...

This is a gluten free review.

Gluten free menu: No, but GF items clearly marked

What I ordered: American breakfast (three eggs with bacon, house potatoes and gluten free toast)

Gluten free options: 2/5 Not a ton of options, but enough to make this place one that I would re-visit. They also have gluten free cinnamon raisin French toast, which sounds delicious. I wasn’t in the mood for dessert for breakfast this time around.

Food: 4/5 Food was hot. I was especially impressed with the quality. My only gripe is the last two times I have visited, I asked for extra crispy bacon and received flimsy partially-cooked bacon. Not sure if the chefs don’t know what crispy bacon is or they just don’t want to make it, but that’s how I like it and it never seems to arrive that way, even though I ask. The potatoes are excellent though! Also, the orange juice is fresh squeezed with a machine that even squeezes the peel. It’s some of the best OJ you can find, anywhere! Tip: ask for regular ketchup if you don’t want their house made ketchup. I did because the house ketchup has a lot of sugar and anchovies (which I’m not a fan of).

Service: 3/5 Our server was okay. Kind of slow. She could clearly see that we were finished eating, but she took orders from the two tables to the left and right of us without asking if we needed anything else or if we were ready for the bill. I had to flag her down. Not very attentive.

Location: 3/5 This place can get really busy, especially on weekend morning around 10AM. Lots of college students eating here! Expect a wait. I try to be there around 8-8:30 to avoid waiting on a table. At that time, parking is ample.

Ambiance: 4/5 I really like the decor here, from the egg shaped seats at the entrance, to the farmhouse feel inside. Rustic furniture and egg details are abundant (see my photo of the salt and pepper shakers). I love how they really do stick to the theme. It’s a comfortable place to be and apparently can be rented out for special events in the evenings, since the restaurant closes at 3pm daily.

Price: 3/5 $40 for two people. Not cheap, but felt worth it based on food quality and portion...