California's First Hello Kitty Cafe

I haven't yet been to my first ever character themed restaurant, but it looks like I am going to have my first experience right here in Orange County, California.

Yes, you heard right. A Hello Kitty Cafe is opening sometime late this year in Southern California. There hasn't been an exact date or month announced for when this restaurant will open it's doors. Maybe it's still in the early stages of being built or constructed as we speak because I haven't seen any teasers. And, you know that if there was a single preview of the restaurant itself-- those pictures would be shared through social media around the world in a millisecond. Well, within the Sanrio community of course.

There has only been one Sanrio Cafe that has opened in USA and that was in Hawaii. The only difference between the cafe in Hawaii and the L.A. cafe are their names. One is called Sanrio and the other is Hello Kitty. Maybe Hello Kitty Cafe will be different and live up to people's expectations. 

Unfortunately, Sanrio Cafe didn't make any impact in Hawaii with just 3 stars on Yelp. Last year, it was 1 or 2 stars. From the reviews, it seemed like it was a fast-food type cafe on overpriced desserts that looks cute but taste "bland" or horrible. 

Theme cafes are all about their gimmicks. Why else would anyone consider opening one? Money, of course! And, we all know that Hello Kitty sells millions. It's up to the individual fan to part with his or her money for just a cute face. 

One can hope with the new cafe in California that it will be different in taste.  What can be learned about the new cafe is to not expect anything different from other Hello Kitty themed restaurants opened in Asia or Hawaii.  According to the LAist, the "main focus" is a cafe-style food that serves like salads, sandwiches, sliders and desserts. 

Picture by Daily Pilot

As for me, I am what Sanrio is counting me to be -- an obsessed fan. I will be there in line to buy those adorably cute foods to brag about through my social media apps. More likely, when the fanfare has died down. You won't catch me waiting hours in line at a themed cafe. For a Sanrio Convention, yes. For a cafe, no way. 

So FYI - the review for this cafe will be late. I'll be the one watching and reading other fans' excitement when it's officially open for business.