85°C Bakery Café Opens This Month in Tukwila

Ultra-popular Taiwanese-based chain 85°C Bakery Café finally lands in the Pacific Northwest this month, with a Tukwila flagship holding its grand opening February 24 at 1341 Southcenter Mall, slightly later than hoped. 85°C is named for the temperature at which the company brews its coffee; another nickname is “Starbucks of Taiwan,” for the hundreds of stores selling signature iced sea salt coffees and teas throughout China.

The U.S. has a more modest two-dozen or so locations, mostly in California, which are every bit as much bakery as beverage shop. Employees shout to announce the arrival of fresh breads and pastries, and even walk down long lines offering up trays of hot baked goods so customers can grab their favorites. The dozens of selections range from sweet to savory and from common western treats like macarons and apple pies to inventive fusions like the “calamari stick,” which is a (decidedly non-stick-like) squid ink-based bread roll with Swiss cheese inside and garlic spread on top.

On February 24, customers can get a medium iced sea salt coffee for 10 cents. There will be an as-yet unspecified soft opening period for the store, as well. Aside from that deal, a representative for the company told Eater to expect a similar experience to the company’s other eateries: “Returning or even new guests can expect the uncompromising quality of products at affordable prices while performing the utmost in customer service.”