Help a long-time hounder who is stuck in an early A.M. breakfast rut: OC

[meltedcheese]

So my treat to myself for working every day is to get breakfast for myself every Monday and Tuesday. I really like it when I can also pick up a lunch item for later at the same place.

My problem is that I need to pick something up around 6am 6:20 at the latest.

I live in the westside of Costa Mesa and drive to work in Fountain Valley. Places I've gone for the past twelve years:

Donut Shop by the Newport Pier for ham and cheese croissant (what I wouldn't give for a real breakfast croissant like at Tartine Bakery in S.F.)
Donuts at the Donut shop on Brookhurst and Hamilton (based on co-workers comments these are the best in the area)
Shirley's Bagels and Big City Bagels
Panera
Banh Mi shops like Che Cali; Tip Top; and Top Baguette
Pierre's Boulangerie on Brookhurst and Hazard
Lily's Bakery for Bignets; Lee's for those Almond Croissants
Alerto's for breakfast burritos and Macha burrito (I ate a macha burrito almost every time for about a year)
Rockin Crepes in Huntington
Magnolia Cafe on Magnolia
Of course I've hit fast food places (hangs head in shame)

I'm willing to drive to: Newport, Huntington, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Westminster and maybe just maybe a little farther.

Help. and Thanks.

[Wonginator]

I was gonna suggest French's Pastry Bakery on Baker St in Costa Mesa, but they open at 7AM. Cream Pan in Tustin is in the wrong direction, and they open at 7AM also.

[Philly]

Dick Church's in CM opens at 6am. Pauls in FV does not open until 7am.

[janetms383]

There are two coffee shops in Fountain Valley that have hearty breakfasts and you could also order your lunch. Both are at the intersection of Warner and Bushard.
Mel's Diner and Paul's Coffee Shop. I know that Mel's opens at 6:00 AM and I would think Paul's does as well.
There is also Champion Food Company at Warner & Magnolia. Again, don't know what time they open, but they serve traditional Chinese breakfasts and you can get lunch to go.

Also, may I disagree with your co-workers for best doughnuts..... Try Richards Cookie Jar at Brookhurst and Warner across from Mile Square Park.

[meltedcheese]

I love Champion's (don't tell anyone- I like it uncrowded) but they only serve on the weekends.

[I got nothin]

I like the croissants at Banh Mi Cho Cu Bakery. I didn't see it on your list and I'm pretty sure they are open that early. I've had both the ham&cheese and the strawberry/cream.

There's Champion Food Co. for a chinese breakfast. Also not sure if they open early enough for you. Here's a good review from elmomonster
http://elmomonster.blogspot.com/2008/...

In the same center as Champion (Magnolia/Warner), there's a bagel shop too, Izzy's?

-----
Banh Mi Cho Cu Bakery
14520 Magnolia St, Westminster, CA 92683

[meltedcheese]

You know how hard it is to find places in Saigon so can you tell me...

If I'm going north on Magnolia towards the 22 is Cho Cu on the right or left and is it near anything that I'll see easily.

[I got nothin]

It will be on your right side in a tiny little strip mall just before the intersection of Magnolia and Hazard. IIRC, It's next to a liquor store, a dry cleaners and some sort of immigration office. Across Hazard is a big park. So if you are passing the park on your right side after Hazard, you went too far.

[Das Ubergeek]

I don't know what time it opens but the egg banh mi at Zon Baguette is worth the little extra time on the 55. (The one at Nhu Lan in Garden Grove is OK too but you need to ask for it "op la" -- sunny-side up, and maybe hold the pickles, which don't work well with it.)