Beard Papa’s Sweets Cafe Coming to L.A. (late-July/August!)
Thursday, June 2, 2005 11:01
The prospect of a Beard Papa’s Sweets Cafe opening in Los Angeles has me all choux’d up (heh). I originally read that it would be close to a year before opening in L.A., but after doing a little research, it turns out that a Beard Papa’s is opening at Hollywood & Highland in a matter of weeks.
I’ve only been to one Beard Papa’s, off Astor Place in Manhattan, but I can’t get the cream puffs out of my mind. Beard Papa’s is a tiny store-front shop that bakes fresh cream puffs on the premises then fills them with whipped custard cream. Flavors range from vanilla to chocolate, green tea, coffee, caramel, strawberry, black sesame and milk tea.
According to a story on “growth chains” by Erica Duecy, in Nation’s Restaurant News, “two separate franchisees in California are scheduled to open 20 Beard Papa’s units by next April in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose.”
There are two in Manhattan that sell upward of 2,000 cream puffs on weekdays and more than 4,000 on weekends, according to Duecy. It’s got a cultish and loyal following, as you can imagine. In Japan, the shops are typically located in train stations, but in the U.S., they tend to open along shopping corridors.
UPDATE: A tipster emailed me with word that one Beard Papa’s is destined for Hollywood & Highland and another at Pacific Square in Gardena. No info as to when, only “soon.”
UPDATE REDUX (6/3): According to a spokesman at Muginoho USA headquarters in NY, the pending Hollywood & Highland location is “dealing with permitting issues right now, but it is scheduled to open in late-July (!!) next to the Express clothing store in the entranceway right off the red carpet.”
See more Beard Papa’s photos on flickr.
Lori says:
June 2nd, 2005 at 8:15 pm
There are a few Beard Papas here in Manila, Philippines where I live. I have to admit that I was a bit amused with the name. I’m also not at all fond of cream puffs. But when a friend of mine and I ate one, I became a cream puff convert — but only for Beard Papa’s cream puffs! :)
lori
SoCalorie says:
June 2nd, 2005 at 8:26 pm
What flavor do you like and which seems to be most popular there? (Does Beard Papa’s make regional specialties?) I’ve heard only so-so things about the green tea.
Holy crap! You have a zillion cook books.
Why We Type says:
June 2nd, 2005 at 9:07 pm
My question is…does this mean I should buy the stock NOW?
SoCalorie says:
June 2nd, 2005 at 9:20 pm
We’re going to be having a BeardPapa’s meets Willa’sPapa party in no time.
The stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame don’t know foot traffic until they’ve seen me blazing a path between Skooby’s and Beard Papa’s at HoHi every day.
Hot dogs with bacon, powdered sugar dusted cream puffs and fading Hollywood stars… Can it get any more bedazzling?
Gabebc says:
June 3rd, 2005 at 12:58 am
BeardPapa’s is great…walking into one kind of reminds me of entering The Chocolate Factory…Willy Wonka’s you know. Everyone is always so happy and bright and colorful and there is a creepy old sailor man winking at you! I have pictures I will put up here but flickr is being a bitch. Soon you will see the wonder that is beardpapa!
-gabe
Cream Puff Lover says:
June 4th, 2005 at 12:34 pm
I ate their cream puffs in Japan and I just love it. The cream is so so so great!!! It’s not only the taste but also the smell and the feeling of eating it.
I am ready to stand in line. I want them right now…
Cream Puff Lover says:
June 4th, 2005 at 7:49 pm
Anybody knows where is in LA? I am ready to line up.
SoCalorie says:
June 4th, 2005 at 7:53 pm
It is scheduled to open in the Hollywood and Highland Complex. Have you been there before?
Robert says:
June 4th, 2005 at 7:54 pm
I think it will be at the Kodak Theater complex. I can’t wait.
LA boy says:
June 5th, 2005 at 12:05 am
I tried Beard Papa cream puff in NY and it was so good I can’t wait for the Hollywood one. I hope they have all favors. Anybody know when?
AndyL says:
June 5th, 2005 at 9:30 am
I was in line a couple months ago at Shirokiya in Ala Moana Center in Hawaii for Beard Papa cream puff. I have to wait for over half an hour for a five pack (maximum of 5 per person). All I can say is it’s worth the wait. It was absolutely delicious. Finally, my dream comes true… here comes Beard Papa.
Gabebc says:
June 5th, 2005 at 3:07 pm
LA boy says:
June 6th, 2005 at 7:17 pm
Does anybody know if they have green tea favor in LA?
Nakashima says:
July 5th, 2005 at 1:18 pm
I had my first Beard Papa in Tokyo and could not believe the taste of puff could be this good!! Came back to USA and accidently found Beard Papa in NYC and bought a dozen puff and finished in 2 days!! :P
Now, I am in LA for vacation and could not believe that Beard Papa doesn’t have a brench at CA until late July this year since here are TONS of Japanese live in CA!! Anyhow, for those live in CA, go line up early. It is really worthy for a long line waiting!!
Joe Navarro says:
August 10th, 2005 at 8:09 pm
I am very interested in Franchise opportunities.
PLease mail me information with point of contact.
Thank you,
Joe Navarro
LA boy says:
October 9th, 2005 at 1:27 pm
I just had my very first cream puff at Hollywood and Highland location and it’s just so so so so so so good… I will tonight to get more.
LA boy says:
December 1st, 2005 at 10:34 pm
This is a very good review about Beard Papa in Hollywood from LA Times
http://www.calendarlive.com/dining/cl-wk-critic24nov24,2,4535711.story
T-Ray says:
January 31st, 2006 at 1:16 am
Just came back from Oahu, and there is a beard papas in Waikiki right behind Kalakaua ave on Kuhio st. inside the Food Pantry Grocery store. These puffs are gonna give the local malasada a run for its money. These were so good I asked them what the filing was, it’s whipped creme mixed with custard to give it the light creamy consistency that make these to die for, they only had 2 flavors (orignal vanilla and the weekly rotaing premium flavor currently was choclate. For locations check out the website http://www.muhingohousa.com or http://www.beardpapahawaii.com!
T-Ray says:
January 31st, 2006 at 1:19 am
Sorry it’s http://www.muginohousa.com not the above URL
YL Lui says:
June 29th, 2006 at 6:08 am
I tried it in NYC and it was soooo good. I became a believer and want to buy the stock on the company, wish I had enough money for franchise so more people would have a chance to taste it. Anybody knows where to go for the company’s stock??
bulavinaka says:
October 8th, 2006 at 2:10 pm
Beard Papa does make a very good cream puff, but if you want the ultimate in cream puffs, try out Chantilly in Lomita. They truly take the cream puff to a higher level. Your cream puffs are baked and filled to order - that’s right - you order your cream puffs and they will bake the pastry, then fill it with either a cream of vanilla or sesame - both are outstanding. Yes, it takes a little longer, but the wait is well worth enduring for these scrumptious orbs of ecstacy!
doug dalziell says:
October 11th, 2006 at 9:41 am
how can i getfranchises info