An Orange County eatery specializing in gourmet waffle sandwiches has been named one of the most popular restaurants in the U.S., according to Yelp.

Bruxie, which has earned rave reviews since opening its first location in Old Towne Orange in 2010, ranked as Yelp’s No. 2 most popular restaurant in the country in 2011. A Yelp rep in Orange County said the ranking is based on how many people have bookmarked the business in 2011, average star rating, total review count, and total check-ins.

With Yelp having massive influence in the food community, the ranking will certainly impact the already long lines at Bruxie.

“It’s amazing. It’s hard to put into words,” Bruxie co-founder and managing partner Dean Simon said of the ranking. “We are very, very proud of it.”

For those unfamiliar, Bruxie’s “bold fold” menu includes savory waffles stuffed with gourmet ingredients – from Angus burger patties to braised short-rib meat. The waffle stand also sells dessert waffles and soft serve custard. Snaking lines are common at Bruxie, which opened a second restaurant in downtown Brea late last year.

In another interesting twist, a majority of the Top 10 Yelp restaurants in the U.S. are from the West Coast. “East Coast may have reigned in 2010, but now it’s West Coast’s time to shine with — of all places — a pizza joint taking the crown!” according to Yelp. Specifically, five of the 10 restaurants are from Los Angeles, including Wurstküche and Bottega Louie.

CLICK HERE to view the complete Yelp Top 10 list.

CLICK HERE to read The Register’s latest food review of Bruxie.

Bruxie Locations: 292 North Glassell Street, Orange, Ca. | 215 W. Birch Street, Brea, Ca.

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