Le Diplomate Bakery Cafe

I got the chicken broccoli mushrooms sandwich! The sandwich is pretty good, but not spectacular. Definitely something I would recommend if you’re looking for something to fill you up and on the go. Service was great, but they do not take American Express.

Simple tasty sandwich and nice outdoor seating. The 9" is about $10. Italian soda was $3.50. My only complaint is that their "Vietnamese coffee" is just a regular coffee and not that strong. Good bread.

We ordered the NY Liason and the Chicken Garlic. We used to love Le Diplomate Cafe but we aren’t sure if it’s under new management now. Either way, avoid ordering from here. Subway seems like a 5 star restaurant in comparison to this place. The chicken in the garlic chicken sandwich must have been days old bc it was so dry to the point of being inedible. For the pastrami sandwich, the 2 slices of pastrami (seriously, only 2 small pieces of pastrami were thrown in the sandwich - as shown in the pictures) had that rainbow borderline rotten color to it - that I didn’t want to touch it. Also, the lettuce was wilted and just nothing, unfortunately was fresh. The mayonnaise was just randomly thrown in there as well and we don’t want to find out if these sandwiches taste as bad as they look…but we are hungry so we do taste it and realize that no, it tastes even worse…. We spent about $40 for delivery of two sandwiches that sadly can’t be eaten…

From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by the comforting aroma of freshly baked pastries and the warm, inviting atmosphere. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to offer recommendations. I tried their croissants and pain au chocolat—both were buttery, flaky perfection. The coffee was rich and smooth, the perfect companion to their artisan baked goods. You can tell everything is made with care and high-quality ingredients. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or sitting down for a relaxing brunch, Le Diplomate delivers a fantastic experience every time. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates authentic French baking and cozy café vibes!

I got the chicken mushroom sandwich, it is filled with mayo and cheese. Its pretty filling due to that combination, but I'm curious to try the other sandwiches this place offers.

I use to be a huge fan when I was a UCI student. I was having nostalgia today and decided to revisit the campus. Also came to Le Dip as it was my favorite thing to eat near campus back in the day. I must’ve ordered this sandwich over 50 times in my lifetime but I will no longer be ordering from here. The chicken is dry and old. I estimate it’s been sitting for at least 4+ days. Literally picked out all the chicken and ate bread, broccoli, sriracha instead. This experience ruined my memory of this establishment Please use fresh chicken again

I think there's new ownership. Visited this sandwich shop for a long time. Has been on the downhill for a minute. Quality of the baguette used in the sandwich seems to have gone down. Ordered an expensive pork banh mi which seemingly came on possibly slightly stale bread. That or the great original baguette recipe has been altered. It was also rather small for the price.

The sandwich I got was great! I got the chicken bacon club. Although it was good, it had very little bacon. The Vietnamese coffee is pretty good too, comparable to authentic vietnamese restaurants. A little pricey but pretty worth it.

I had Le Diplomate for the first time in 2007 when I was a student at UCI and boy oh boy, was that a life changer! Writing this review in 2025 to say that this place still slaps! The UTC has had a pretty high turnover of food joints, but Le Diplomate has been a solid staple for many years. It's been 18 years since I've first had Le Diplomate (my friends and I would call it Le Dip for short). I hope Le Diplomate will still be around in the next 18 years! My go-to is the bacon chicken club with extra garlic sauce and sriracha on the side. The garlic chicken is essentially the same thing without the tomato and bacon. Don't skimp out on that garlic sauce. Trust.

Came here from a recommendation and wanted to see what the hype was all about. I came here on my lunch break and, if you've ever been to UTC, you know it's a mess when it comes to parking during lunch rush. Parking wasn't terrible but it was far from great. Parked near the Trader Joe's and walked towards the restaurant. I was recommended to try the chicken cordon bleu and I also grabbed a Vietnamese iced coffee. The chicken was okay, it was flavorful from the sauce they used but the sandwich overall was super chewy. My mouth got tired of chewing by the end of it, and I don't know if it's the bread or the chicken. If it wasn't for the chewiness I would've liked it a lot more, because the sauce was pretty good. The coffee is not for the weak. It's got the signature Vietnamese hazelnut bitter flavor, so don't expect it to be super sweet. It wasn't terrible, but wasn't the best I've had either. It was okay - I don't know if I'd get it again though. The service was good at least - I told the worker that it was my first visit and they were quick to explain how everything worked. They were also realistic with their wait times so I wasn't stuck sitting around wondering when I'd get my food. Be advised that there is no seating inside, but since this is at UTC there are plenty of outdoor seats and tables to eat at. It's also an easy spot to pick up and go - which is exactly what I did because I was on my lunch break. Overall, I can see why it's a popular spot among students - it's across the street from the school, prices seem pretty fair, and their food has potential. If I were to come back I'd try something totally different because I believe that they have good ratings for a reason and I don't want to give up on them just yet. I'll likely come back in the near future as I still have high hopes, but as of right now, I wasn't too impressed.

HAPPY HOUR: 9" chicken garlic with chips/drink I've been wanting to go in for happy hour (3-6pm) for the longestt time. Their happy hour is just one menu item (chicken garlic sandwich with chips/drink) and it's CASH ONLY ($7.40). I was so underwhelmed and disappointed though... I thought it would come with more ingredients but it was basically just bread, cheese and chicken. Overall, the sandwich was just kinda dry and definitely needed the tobasco sauce.

Le Dip holds the keyyyy tooooo myyyy heartttttttt. I was back at the UCI Homecoming event and couldn't help but stop by the University Center, across the bridge. There I saw Le Dip and my heart was fluttering once more for their garlic chicken sandwich. My boyfriend and I had recently eaten lunch so we weren't ready for a full meal... but I figured I would order it for laters. We were pleasantly surprised that Le Dip had a 3-6pm happy hour DAILY deal for the 9" chicken garlic with your choice of the bag of chips or small drink for only $7.40 CASH ONLY deal. Whoaaa now that's good eats!! I was definitely happpyyyyyy. I asked staff if they can cut the sandwich up for me and they said they could in either 2 pieces or 4 pieces... Mhmmm... I opted for 4 pieces so I can snack on 25% of that sandwich haha and I got my bf to snack with me too. Mhmmmmmm the taste of the creamy garlic sauce. Yummmm!! Definitely lives up to my memories of my youth. I'm glad they have an affordable options for college students to enjoy near the UCI campus. With inflation these days, It's hard to find a meal under $10. Highlyyyy recommended and will definitely be coming back whenever I'm nearby.

The Garlic Chicken Sandwiches are so delicious. You can add teriyaki sauce, broccoli, or mushrooms to preference. I prefer it plain. The garlic sauce is creamy and savory and so flavorful. The chicken is tender and the bread is buttery and soft with a delicate crunch. Love love LOVE these sandwiches and will continue to buy one every time i go to this center.

Chicken broccoli mushroom sandwich with extra garlic sauce in the side. Get some sriracha on there. HEAVENLY. I always come back for this sandwich, it's that good. Service is quick. Not much seating inside so I always take my sandwich and eat at the tables outside. What is better than enjoying a delicious sandwich outside in beautiful Irvine weather? NOTHING. I love this sandwich so much, it's my ultimate comfort food.

Glad to see Le Dip is still in business since I graduated 10 years ago! Today I ordered the bacon chicken club, which was great. I typically gravitate to any of the chicken sandwiches that have their famous garlic sauce like the chicken dijon, chicken/broccoli/mushroom, and chicken garlic. I also enjoy their BLT. Along with the garlic sauce I really enjoy their bread. It strikes a good balance between crispy and chewy. Off to the side they have a bottle of siracha which I like putting on my sandwich as well. The service is quick, and the workers have always been friendly here. There isn't much seating inside which is fine because Le Dip is located at the heart of University Town Center (UTC) where there is an abundant amount of outdoor seating you can use to enjoy your food. Whenever I am back in the area and need a bite to eat, Le Dip is always on the list of places I consider.

Great spot for a quick lunch! I love their broccoli chicken sandwich. It's so hearty and filling. It's a small place, but there's plenty of seating outdoors. It's great for when the weather is nice and warm. I do miss their previous interior. It feels kind of cold and not as home-y as it used to be. However, the food is still great & service is quick!

The garlic chicken sandwich is in town from la wanted a quick bite this place has two of my favorites French bakery and smoothies

First stop here! Pretty good smoothies taste kind of like candy! A small wait but not bad considering one working doing it all. We got the raspberry and watermelon smoothies and kids were happy

I'm not in the area often after graduating years ago. During college I'd enjoy the local popular CBM (chicken broccoli mushroom) sandwich. Scrumptious! Every now and then the CBM's still a nice nostalgic revisit. . Very limited indoor seating. But plenty of outdoor seating. . UTC parking is often crowded. Can be a bit of a walk.

First time I tried this place with my best friend and it was pretty good. We both ordered the chicken broccoli mushroom sandwich with chips, and a side of hot sauce. It was a great location with plenty of seating outside. The ONLY reason I'm giving this place 3 stars is because the cashier girl was rude, unfriendly, unhelpful, unwelcoming... ugh. Latina I believe, with glasses... management should probably have a chat with her. Other than the horrible customer service experience today, I'd come back!

Stopped by based on Yelp reviews. Not sure what the hype is, but the bread was hard and the sandwich was meh. Garlic sauce ok, but nothing out of this world.

what the heck i thought i wrote a review here!! this place is special to my heart and even after graduating sooooo many years later, i still just love it! chicken garlic is the go to!!! the oozing cheese and garlic combo just makes this simple sandwich soooo soooo delicious!!!!!!

Le Dip does a great job at providing delicious and filling sandwiches at a reasonable price. My personal favorites are the chicken broccoli and chicken eggplant.

Definitely a staple for UCI students! I think they have some of the best sandwiches I've ever had, and their garlic sauce is amazing. Although their prices have definitely gone up throughout the years, the quality and taste of their sandwiches has remained consistent. Plus, they still have their cash-only deal where you can get a chicken garlic sandwich with chips and a drink during happy hour. The service is great, the workers are quick to take your order and there isn't much of a wait time. I don't think I've ever waited more than 15 minutes even when it's busy. The restaurant itself is pretty small. There's only a few tables inside so seating is very limited, but there's a lot of tables outside. Parking can get difficult around lunchtime, but it's manageable. Overall, I love how the sandwiches have remained the same quality throughout the years. I enjoyed coming here when I was a student at UCI and I still enjoy it now. It's definitely worth a try if you're in the area!

==FOOD== The love of my life since I was attended school at UC Irvine. I will never ever forget the special taste of Le Dip's garlic sauce. When the server asks "Garlic or Ranch?" I want to reply, "WHO WOULD EVER ASK FOR RANCH?!" But I'm a normal person, so I just reply with "Garlic, please!" X) I've been getting the Chicken Mushroom Broccoli for as long as I could remember. It is the food of GODS!!! ==SERVICE== Seems like Le Dip is still employing students from UC Irvine. They're usually very polite and super nice. I always asks for a knife so I can cut the whole sandwich into even smaller sections. The workers are always happy to find a knife for me. ==AMBIANCE== I usually don't eat inside Le Dip. The whole UTC has lots of outdoor seating with umbrellas. However, the interior of Le Dip has not changed since 2010 when I started at UC Irvine. But as long as they never change their food, I could care less about how it looks inside.

I got a BBQ chicken sandwich and a Vietnamese sandwich with pate. The sandwiches were average and pretty good. It's located at UTC so it's convenient if you want a quick bite. There aren't many seats available but plenty of seats outdoors.

And again it's been nine years since I last came here, and everything looks so different! But guess what? Everything still tastes the same. Chicken garlic sandwich with broccoli (age demands healthier life choices) this time around, which the chicken is still tender and slathered with the same garlic aioli with perfectly toasted, pressed, bread that holds the superbly oozy cheese. It still has that crunch on the outside, and still the ratios are perfect. So again, if you like garlic and paninis, then this is a must-visit place.

Mmmm... have been wanting to try this place forever and finally did on a lazy Sunday morning.. on the one hand I love and respect that this place has been around for as long as I've been alive, even a lil' before maybe, but from what I understand since new owners, the breads are no longer the same. Everything that goes in seem to remain on par with what used to be but the croissants look and taste more spongy than flaky. The baguettes are not as crispy or flavorful. It was a fine fine breakfast when you're hungry but I.. don't think I'll be returning nor want to return. Sorry Le Diplomat, better bread next time!!

This is a small little sandwich place inside utc. It doesn't have much seating inside but there's a lot of seating outside! I ordered the chicken garlic sandwich after hearing about how good their garlic sauce was and tbh I was not impressed. The sandwich was just okay. There was a good amount of cheese and chicken and the garlic sauce tasted the same as the sauce you get at dominos for your pizza. There wasn't much flavor since it's just chicken and cheese. Next time I'll try their chicken broccoli and mushroom to see if it has more flavor. 4/10, would skip it.

Located in University Center, this classic French and Vietnamese inspired sandwich shop has been around for many many years, and it's one of the few remaining shops that has been there to withstand a few decades of ever changing landscape within the area. The small little cafe has only a few seatings inside, so most of the orders are typically just order at the counter to go, there's a few more extra outdoor seating located nearby for all the shops. The sandwiches are absolutely delicious and there's some special hot sauce that you can get to go in a small little container. Service is fairly quick too, as it's meant to be ordered and ready to eat right away. Overall, this is definitely a repeat favorite to return and try again. There are some deals too and free drink upgrade to large if you pay in cash. Definitely a pleasant place to come back again time and time.

I ordered a mushroom, broccoli, and chicken sandwich online with some extra garlic spread on the side. My bf hyped up this sandwich so much, so I w as quite eager to try it. Please note that the online ordering prices are about $4+ than if you go in person. That was my mistake. But once I got the sandwich, I was really pleasantly surprised. Everything inside it was cooked really well. I really enjoyed that garlic spread. It really added to the sandwich. Highly recommend this as a quick lunch!

Chicken, broccolli, mushroom sandwich with garlic sauce. 10/10 Garlic breath will definitely happen. Add some sriracha and it SHHMACKS. Front cashier is alwaaays super nice. Been here on and off for about 10 years. Still so good. Sometimes I'd be craving it and when I do get it, they never fail me.

Le dip is a classic! I've been coming here for over 10 years and it is still such a unique and different sandwich than any other place has to offer. Highly recommend!

Whoever the girl is working right now has a major attitude problem when I just wanted to order a sandwich to go.

Garlic. Sauce. Is. Everything. Order the garlic sauce and you'll know why. This garlic aioli is the star and makes any sandwich delectable. Plain garlic chicken to mushroom broccoli chicken to eggplant chicken, you can't go wrong. Quick service, order and it's ready within ten minutes. Located in UTC across from UCI, Le Dip is a staple that has been around for a long time. There is plenty of parking but beware during peak hours like lunch rush, it fills up. Parking is heavily enforced. Le Dip is my favorite spot in UTC!

A UC Irvine college staple and a pleasure to visit again whenever we're in town. As usual, service is quick and the interior is quiet with limited seating inside but plenty of outdoor seating right outside in the shared courtyard. My go to is their Tuna Melt subbed with Swiss instead of cheddar but I've heard wonderful things about their garlic sauce on standard chicken sandwiches. It's also nice they let you order half sandwiches so you're able to try without feeling too full. It's almost as good as I remember but this time the bread wasn't crunchy and toasted enough and felt soggy combined with the tuna. In the past, it had always been the bread that made the sandwich stand out as a star so hopefully it'll be as good next time when we come back!

Chicken garlic sandwich is amazing!! Sometimes I get it with bacon and sometimes I don't. Lucky for me, my favorite sandwich is part of their HH promotion from 3-6pm. For $6.49 you get a 9inch chicken garlic sandwich and your choice of chips or drink. Don't forget to ask for extra garlic sauce on the side (free)! Cash only for the HH special.

Best panini sandwich in town - very popular with picnic or Duffy boat trip ! Our favourites are chicken garlic and the French connection (beef and cheese). The shop looks a bit shabby but the staff are by-in-large friendly.. This is one of the longest standing shop in the UTC area. Worth a visit when you're in need of a quick sandwich.

Former UCI students know how much of a gem this place is. Been coming here for over a decade now and the sandwiches are delicious! Any of their chicken garlic sandwiches are great, and there is plenty of variety as well with what you can include in your sandwich. My favorites are the original chicken garlic and the chicken broccoli mushroom. I hope to be able to keep coming back for many more years to come!

Le dip has remained a classic throughout the years. They manage to keep the quality of their sandwiches and their prices as well. Shoutout to the 2 waitresses for letting our dog sit inside with us on an extremely windy and cold day.

I ordered the VN chicken sandwich and it was horrible! Ton of greasy mayo garlic sauce and two narrow sliced of chicken breast. And it was $10.50! Definitely not worth the money. Do not order it! The Asian lady at the counter was kind enough to give me my money back bc I didn't even want another sandwich her. She knows the bad quality, heavy mayo and lack of meat.

I've been coming here for 25 years and it's just as good as when I first had it back in the last millennium. The chicken garlic is great but I've been especially drawn to the chicken Dijon sandwich over the last couple decades. Pretty incredible to have this level of consistency. They use fantastically soft and fresh baguettes here. Make sure to get some hot sauce!

Sandwich had the wrong sauce, could not eat it. Latte's quality was poor. They need to pay more attention to what customers order.

Very good food and croissants are my favorite, but lately they do not have any when I get there so it's been disappointing. I wish that they opened earlier and had more to offer in the display case. The coffee is really good too and the garlic chicken sandwich is garlicky and delicious!

Le Diplomate - IYKYK!!! This place should be illegal! This sandwich shop is a local favorite for all UC Irvine students and I miss coming here so much. Their sandwiches are served on fresh baguettes and are best eaten freshly served with a generous glob of sriracha if you love some spice! The Chicken Broccoli and Mushroom sandwich is and always will be my go to favorite from this place. It is a hot sandwich with baked chicken breast, garlic sauce or ranch sauce, broccoli, mushroom and Swiss cheese on a soft and toasted baguette. Hot tip: Always go with the garlic sauce! Instagram: @jessgoeat

I've been coming here ever since I was an undergrad at UCI. There's a reason this place has stood the test of time while others have come and gone at UTC. Their sandwiches are amazing especially the bacon chicken club or the chicken broccoli mushroom with their garlic sauce. For anyone new to the area, those sandwiches are a must try at least once.

This is one of the UCI staples in UTC. I came here pretty often for a quick and easy lunch. My favorite thing on the menu is their chicken broccoli mushroom sandwich. I was skeptical at first because of the combination of ingredients but it's delicious. The real star of the show is that garlic sauce though, make sure to ask for some on the side. Also check out the happy hour deal on the weekdays!

This place has AMAZING sandwiches! If you have any doubts, my personal favorite is the Chicken Dijon. A friend of mine loves their Garlic Chicken. We always consider trying other sandwiches, but our go-to's are so good, we just stick to it every time

Came to Le Dip at the recommendation of our friends and the Hot Chicken Bacon Club did not disappoint. The garlic sauce is what makes the sandwich. It's even better when you ask for extra garlic sauce and sriracha! This was the only menu item we tried but it was delicious!

Came by for lunch on the weekend and was pleasantly surprised by how tasty the sandwiches are. I got the combo cordon bleu sandwich which also came with a drink and a bag of chips. The sandwich was grilled which gave the bread the perfect amount of crunch and toastiness. The sandwich filling was also not too creamy and was the perfect ratio of sauce to chicken/veggies. Lots of seating space outside, and they finish making the sandwiches pretty quickly.

How have I not written a review this place yet? I've been a fan for over 20 years. I used to get chicken garlic sandwich and now it's chicken , broccoli, mushroom with garlic. Sometimes a banh mi dac biet, but chicken garlic is a must! My husband gets the chicken, bacon, garlic and he used to get the cordon bleu.

I love their sandwiches! And you will too. This isn't your normal sandwich shoppe. Don't come expecting Quiznos or Subway... These are well thought out, warm and feel like something you'd want to make at home but wouldn't want to go through all the steps required. Imagine a cordon bleu trained sandwich environment. That's what this place reminds me of. Sandwiches that fill you with joy. They're SO good.

It's the garlic sauce!!! I've only had their famous chicken and eggplant sandwich and it's amazing. I ordered the same thing today but I added broccoli, mushrooms and artichoke with extra garlic sauce and it was amazing. My meal was $15 with all the extras and it was huge and filling. Do yourself a favor and order ahead to avoid the wait. The shop is small but there's plenty of seating available outside.

I've been going here for over decade and realize I've never reviewed here! I love their chicken garlic broccoli sandwich and crave it. The flavors are never off but they can be hit or miss with the amount of sauce they use - so I always say extra garlic sauce, just to be on the safe side. That's what makes them unique - this sauce! No sandwich like it anywhere else. Definitely not a high end sandwich or place, but a warm comforting sandwich that easily hits the spot for something fast and satisfying

Their Dijon masters chicken is great!!! Bread is crispy and warm. This is one of the best sandwiches shop in OC.

The best sandwiches!!! Almost two decades later and they are still great - my favorite is the chicken, mushroom, and broccoli, extra toasted, less garlic sauce :)

Remember to always check your receipt. Came here 4x and 3 out of 4 they have charged me regular price instead of happy hours price when I specifically ordered the happy hour special. The girl behind the counter is always on her phone and never pay attention to your order. Remember ALWAYS check your total before you pay. I didn't check mine again n didn't realized until I got home.