Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Bao Bar – San Diego
Bao Bar - San Diego
Photo from Bao Bar
Bao Bar at a glance
San Diego Midway District
- 🍜 Asian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 15 of the guests
#510 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#5 Asian Restaurant out of 5 in San Diego
Good
6.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
64
Reviews
65.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Friendly service
- Flavorful bao
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent food
- Poor atmosphere
The restaurant Bao Bar invites you to experience a delightful Asian culinary journey right in the heart of San Diego’s vibrant Midway District. This casual Asian restaurant is your go-to spot for a quick bite or a relaxed meal, offering an array of tempting small plates perfect for sharing.
Whether you’re looking for lunch or dinner, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere and delicious options to satisfy your cravings.
Overview: Introducting Bao Bar
Bao Bar offers a mixed experience, with many appreciating the friendly staff and flavorful food, particularly the BBQ bao. However, some find the food quality inconsistent, with concerns about items being reheated or undercooked.
The overall atmosphere also receives varied feedback. While the service often stands out for being courteous and fast, there are isolated reports of less welcoming interactions.
The value is generally seen as fair, though the selection of items might not meet everyone’s expectations.
Good
6.7
out of 10
64
Reviews
65.6%
Satisfaction
18
negative
4
neutral
42
positive
Bao Bar generally earns a respectable overall score of 6.7, placing it in the good category. This is supported by a mixed customer satisfaction rate of 65.6%, indicating that while many leave content, there’s still room for improvement for some.
These insights are drawn from 64 customer comments, with 42 positive remarks outweighing 18 negative ones. Looking closer, Service stands out with a good score of (7.4), often described as friendly and efficient.
The Food also performs well at (6.5), though it’s a point of contention for some. Value is considered average at (6.5), while the Ambience receives a slightly lower, average score of (5.7), suggesting it’s not a primary draw for patrons.
What people like
- Friendly, fast service
- Delicious BBQ bao
- Fair pricing
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Rude service incidents
- Unimpressive atmosphere
Bao Bar presents a compelling option if you prioritize attentive service and flavorful bao, reflected in its 6.9 recommendation score. While the staff often goes above and beyond, be mindful that the overall food quality can be a bit of a gamble, and the dining environment is rather functional.
If you’re seeking a quick, satisfying meal with a focus on specific bao dishes and don’t mind a straightforward setting, it’s worth a visit. However, those expecting a consistently stellar culinary experience or a vibrant atmosphere might find it falls short in certain areas.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Bao Bar
Food (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
With 27 positive remarks out of 43 total, many customers rave about the food here! You'll find delicious options like the popular bao buns, especially the BBQ and tofu varieties, and the highly recommended fresh spring rolls. Drinks like the lychee ice tea and purple taro milk tea also get a lot of love, often described as fresh and bursting with flavor.
The overall score for food sits at an average 6.5. However, there are 13 negative comments that highlight some areas for improvement. Some diners were disappointed with items like the sticky rice and mango, while others found issues with undercooked chicken skewers or subpar bao with bad texture and little flavor.
There were also complaints about dry chicken and food being microwaved, contributing to the mixed 62.8% customer satisfaction.
Food
43
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
13
negative
3
neutral
27
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh spring rolls
- Delicious bao buns
- Flavorful drinks
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Undercooked chicken
- Subpar sticky rice
Often praised
- foodThe food is fresh, healthy and bursting with flavor!
- fresh spring rollsdefinitely get the fresh spring rolls
- BBQ baoThe BBQ bao is absolutely delicious
- BBQ bao bunThe bun was really full and soft and came with a lot of toppings
- Shrimp SaladMy favorite is the Shrimp Salad
- Thai teathe Thai tea was good
- bahn mi sandwichesand the bahn mi sandwiches!
- bao bunbest bao bun we have ever eaten
- bao bunsTheir bao buns are great
- bunthe bun was light and fluffy
Frequently criticized
- foodPretty sure these were bought at Costco and just heated up.
- baoSubpar bao (bad texture, not much flavor)
- chicken gyozaChicken was dry from the micro and lost all flavor
- chicken skewersChicken was dry from the micro and lost all flavor
- mangoIt's not the same mango that I always get
- rice platefood was horrible, I had to throw it away
- selection of bunsexpecting a larger selection of buns
- sticky riceSo disappointed on their sticky rice.
- undercooked chicken skewersReceived two undercooked chicken skewers
If you're craving fresh bao buns or spring rolls, this spot could be a hit, especially with their tasty drinks. However, be mindful that some dishes, like the sticky rice or chicken skewers, might be inconsistent, so choose wisely to avoid disappointment.
Service (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 61% of the guests
When it comes to service, youre looking at a pretty good experience overall! With a solid score of 7.4 and customer satisfaction at 75%, its clear most people walk away happy. Many of the 12 positive remarks praise the friendly and courteous staff, with special shout-outs to the owner for being awesome and generous.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. Out of 16 total comments, 4 negative experiences describe some less-than-stellar moments. A few customers encountered an older lady who was reportedly rude and even shooed someone away while on the phone, which definitely put a damper on their customer service' impression.
Service
16
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, courteous staff
- Generous owner
- Amazing, fast service
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Unprofessional shooing away
Often praised
- serviceThe service is always friendly and fast
- staffThe staff is truly wonderful.
- SamanthaSamantha is the Best!!!
- courteousfriendly, courteous and go out of their way
- customer serviceCostumer service was good tho
- filled those bunsfilled those buns to overflow
- friendlyThey are always so friendly, courteous
- ownerThe owner is awesome and she even through in an extra bao bun for free!!
- people who work hereMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The BBQ bao was absolutely delicious, and the people who work here are extremely friendly. I'll definitely be back.
Frequently criticized
- serviceShe got upset I wanted to see the screen before using my card.
- customer servicesuper rude and definitely not how you treat anyone
- older ladythe older lady was on the phone... she shooed me away
Most folks rave about the friendly and courteous service, making it a solid choice. While a few isolated incidents mention rudeness, the overall vibe is positive. Go for it; you'll likely enjoy the warm welcome!
Ambience (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag, with a customer satisfaction rating of 66.7% and an overall score of 5.7, placing it squarely in the average range. Based on 2 positive reports, guests really appreciate the opened area for enjoying drinks and find the Parking super easy, making your arrival a breeze. However, the general atmosphere seems to be where things could use a little polish.
With 1 piece of feedback specifically mentioning the atmosphere negatively, it suggests that while some aspects are great, the overall feel might not hit the mark for everyone.
Ambience
3
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Opened area to sit
- Easy parking
What people don't like
- Atmosphere needs work
Often praised
- ParkingI highly recommend going to this location. Parking is easy, and Bao Buns is located to your left as you enter the door.
- opened areahave an opened area to sit and enjoy the drinks
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereAtmosphere:2
If easy parking and an outdoor seating option are high on your list, this place could be worth a visit. Just be aware that the general atmosphere might not be its strongest suit, so manage your expectations on the overall vibe.
Value (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 11% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems like your wallet might be pleasantly surprised! Based on the feedback, with one person noting, Prices were great, too, it sounds like theyre hitting a good note. The overall score for value is a 6.5, which is pretty decent, suggesting youll find the prices quite fair.
However, it's worth noting that this insight comes from a very small pool of just 2 pieces of feedback, with no negative comments specifically about value. Customer satisfaction for value sits at a 50%, which is a mixed bag, indicating that while prices are generally liked, not everyone is completely wowed.
Value
2
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
0
negative
1
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great prices
What people don't like
Often praised
- pricesPrices were great, too.
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a place where your money goes a decent way, this spot seems to offer pretty fair prices. Just keep in mind that with limited feedback, its a bit of a mixed bag for some, so manage your expectations on overall value.
How are the prices at Bao Bar?
You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 15 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For an Asian Restaurant in San Diego, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what folks are spending, most diners find themselves in that $11–$20 sweet spot, though there are some great budget-friendly options under 10 $ too. Only a couple of guests venture into the slightly higher $21–$30 range, showing a nice balance of affordable and mid-tier choices.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 15 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for an Asian spot in San Diego. You get good value without breaking the bank, offering options for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Bao Bar
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Samantha is the Best!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! Samantha is the best, and her food is delicious. The drinks were also amazing.
My favorite dish was the Shrimp Salad. I will definitely be coming back.
- Samantha10
- food10
- drinks10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
6
Bao Buns Great, Chicken Skewers Undercooked
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. The bao buns were great, but the chicken rice bowls were not as stellar. I received two undercooked chicken skewers.
- bao buns9
- chicken rice bowls5
- undercooked chicken skewers2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
2
Rude Service, Go Next Door
I visited this restaurant on Monday, September 15th, just five minutes before closing. I only intended to purchase a bottle of water. However, the older lady working there was on the phone and when I asked if I could buy a water, she simply shooed me away without even answering my question.
This was incredibly rude and not how anyone should be treated. I immediately went to the popcorn shop next door and received excellent service. I urge the staff to please fix their customer service!
- water5
- customer service1
- older lady1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
2
Microwaved Food, Good Tea
My experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing regarding the food. I ordered a rice plate with chicken skewers and chicken gyoza. To my surprise, as soon as I finished paying, the staff took the food directly from the fridge, placed it in a bowl, and then put it in the microwave.
This process was not good at all; the food did not seem fresh. It came out steaming but was instantly cold. The chicken was dry from the microwave and had lost all its original flavor.
I was shocked to see them microwave the food right in front of customers. On a positive note, the customer service was good, and the Thai tea was also good. However, the food was horrible, and I had to throw it away.
- customer service5
- Thai tea5
- rice plate1
- chicken skewers1
- chicken gyoza1
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Colleagues
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Best Bao Buns Ever!
My experience at this Bao Bar in Liberty Market Place, San Diego, was exceptional. They make the best bao bun we have ever eaten. We were attending a 3-day conference nearby and ended up getting buns every day.
The buns are incredibly fresh. We chose the pork filling, which also included a little cabbage, as seen in the photo. The service was excellent!
The staff were friendly, open to suggestions, and generously filled the buns to overflow. One bun is truly a meal! I highly recommend going to this location.
Parking is easy, and Bao Buns is located to your left as you enter the door.
- bao bun10
- buns10
- pork filling8
What Bao Bar offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Solo dining
- Lunch
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at Bao Bar?
At Bao Bar, you can enjoy a variety of dining experiences. You have the choice of a comfortable dine-in experience for lunch or dinner, or if you’re on the go, convenient takeout options are also available. Don’t forget to explore their dessert offerings too!
Is Bao Bar accessible and what are the parking options?
Yes, Bao Bar is fully wheelchair accessible, featuring an accessible entrance, parking lot, and seating to ensure comfort for all guests. You’ll also appreciate the free parking lot, which usually has plenty of space available for your convenience.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Bao Bar?
Bao Bar receives a good overall score of 6.7, with customer satisfaction at 65.6%, indicating a generally positive but mixed experience. The Service is highly rated (7.4), while Food (6.5) and Value (6.5) are average, and Ambience (5.7) is slightly lower.
What do customers particularly enjoy at Bao Bar?
Many customers praise the friendly and fast service, with staff often described as wonderful and courteous. The BBQ bao and fresh spring rolls are frequently highlighted as delicious and flavorful.
Are there any common complaints about Bao Bar?
Some customers have noted inconsistencies in food quality, mentioning dry chicken or subpar bao texture. There have also been isolated reports of less friendly service interactions and a generally unimpressive atmosphere.