Cafe Lucca

Like my friend t0rin0, I’m a bit lost as to why this is listed...perhaps it was different 5-6 years ago?

This is more of just a little cafe where you can eat breakfast or have a cup of coffee or get some gelato or something. They have some bottles, but nothing that you can’t really find anywhere else around. Seemed to be more imports with the US micro stuff being the big name brands.

A fine enough place on its own, but not for beer. Scroll past if that’s what you want.

Visited October 13, 2013.

Not quite sure why this is even in the database but I guess they do have a few bottles to choose from. I saw St Bernardus 12 and a few other good imports. No locals and not even any nationally distributed stuff like Sierra Nevada. Just imports. Or maybe they do have things like Sierra Nevada but they were just out at the time. Who knows. The sandwiches looked OK and the ice cream looked really good. I could imagine hanging out with a cup of gelato and a bottle of St Bernardus 12. Probably wont happen though.

I have been here at least a dozen times now if not two dozen, days where I am the only person in there, others when dozens of homebrewers are doing their thing, and even holiday celebrations where the place is packed to the brim, I will start off by saying that Patrick is one of the most inviting and friendliest brewers you will ever meet, the brewery is located in a little industrial area right off the 57 Freeway, you walk in and are greeted by numerous oak barrels, the tasting room is right in the middle of the brewery, there are places to sit down other than at the bar, they serve some kind of nuts or pretzels at each table, you can order flights that are very fairly priced, the first Friday of every month, they have a special cask offering, and the majority of these have been outstanding, especially the Melange series, their St. Veronous celebration a few months back was amazing with chocolate salted waffles and their newest beers Cuvee Juene and White Zin, their beers are some of the most unique in the industry and they are only a year old, actually going to their first anniversary celebration tomorrow morning, this place is awesome and by far my favorite stop in all of Orange County and Los Angeles, there are many perks to this establishment and some are that I always bring a growler home, usually get to try a new beer every time, and get to talk beer with the staff, do yourself a favor and get out to The Bruery, you will not regret it!

Cafe Lucca is a rare jewel in Old Town Orange. The food is above average and usually very enjoyable. The real star for most people is the gellato, which I must admit is very good. They even make an Arrogant bastard flavored gellato, at times (which is amazing). But, just recently, they have added a very good craft beer selection. Bottles, that is. And by very good, I mean very good for old town orange. You can’t find these kinds of beers anywhere in old town. They have multiple brews from stone, pizza port, st. bernardus, Unibroue, and others. The service is ok, lots of young kids who aren’t really that interested in helping you (unless you get to know them). The ambiance is great for studying. A nice big table at the back to spread out and free wireless internet! Overall: a place I will be frequenting more often, and you should too!