Sophie LeBourgeois | A&E Editor
November 22, 2024
For a typical San Clemente local, Chaupain Bakery on Del Mar Street makes the perfect place for a Sunday brunch. Their wide selection of unique French pastries, seasonal drinks, and house-made meals, makes the variety of iconic flavors Chaupain has to offer an SC staple across town.
Everyone I’ve talked with has nothing bad to say about the small French bakery except that the line is often out the door due to its popularity. Dylan Nelson, an SCHS Junior and employee at Chaupain Bakery SC said that “Saturday and Sunday mornings are their most busy times and the line usually wraps throughout the stoor and down the sidewalk.” Nestled between two other small businesses, the bakery’s iconic orange and navy blue pinstripe color scheme works hard to draw the attention of hungry pedestrians and, with Christmas approaching, holiday shoppers.
A unique aspect of their business that draws even more attention from customers is their participation in the local San Clemente Farmers Market each Sunday on Del Mar Street. The sweet aroma of their freshly baked pastries makes it impossible to pass by without taking a look. An unexpected hit is their kefir stand, where they sell and offer samples of a very peculiar form of yogurt that tastes absolutely delicious (the lavender honey flavor being one of my personal favorites). Because their restaurant is right across the street from their Farmers Market stands, a large crowd is often drawn in on Sunday mornings for a yummy French breakfast.
To put the so-called “best bakery in SC” to the test, I visited and ordered fan favorites off the menu. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. I have had Chaupain before but have never known what to order. This time around I got an iced matcha latte with honey, the eggs benedict, and a pistachio croissant. As someone who is very specific about my matcha, this one was perfect. The sweetness was just right and it was not grainy at all. The eggs benedict had a house-made hollandaise sauce that complemented the toasted French baguette and over-easy eggs perfectly, and the side salad had a tangy lemon vinaigrette that was very refreshing. Paired with the incredible customer service, I’d rate the experience a 10/10.
From the branding to the products, it is without a doubt that Chaupian Bakery has got it down and deserves the title of “best SC bakery.”
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