Ordered "the catch" banh mi for delivery, which was tasty and had lots of freshly fried white fish with a creamy cabbage slaw. It would have definitely tasted better fresh, and I think I would've given 4 stars if I had gone in person. However, the delivery time was very long (we ordered at 5:15pm and had the food arrive at 7:15pm though we're only a 10min drive away), and the price is extremely overpriced for a bao version ($5 for a tiny snack). Worth trying if you love Vietnamese sandwiches and you're in the area. read more

Going to Bao Sandwich bar is like a warm hug on a cold day. My favourite admittedly is the deep fried ice cream bao which is a guilty pleasure. The dynasty duck and fried fish are other favourites. In fact - I don't think I've ever ordered anything I didn't like. Highly recommend. read more

The food was so good. I have tried their fried avocado BAO, Peking duck one, the five spice pork belly one, the friend pork belly one and Seoul beef one. They were all delicious and the spicy sauce is a MUST. The Seoul beef is the best! The kimchi adds so much flavor to it! I love it. read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Five spice belly and Seoul beef BAO - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

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Gave this place another try, and it will be the last time I visit this place. Ordered the following: 5 spice pork belly banh mi - small pork belly portion, tasteless meat Duck dynasty Banh mi - nothing special Corn cookies - nothing special. Momofuku corn cookies blast these out of the water Thai tea - nothing special Remember: Mean Bao or Banh mi boys for BAO Banh mi boys for BANH MI Momofuku for CORN COOKIES WILL NOT BE BACK read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Proof I went there ... Lol - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

The food is good! The difficulty with Bao is the location. It's not easy to find, parking is non-existent, and there's these disgusting smelling garbage bins out front. It's bad all the time but the warm weather is really bad for the smell. If you're doing Bao, I recommend getting delivery! read more

As everyone has already mentioned, this place was difficult to find and involved asking some passerby carrying takeout boxes where this place was. I originally ordered a Dynasty Duck baguette but that was so good, I was tempted to order the Crackle Belly bao. The bao was my favourite mainly because the ratio of bao to meat was better than the baguette, which could have used more sauce. One bao would be sufficient for a snack but definitely not enough to fill me up for a meal - I would suggest at least two for lunch. When I made my second purchase of the bao, I was unable to use debit / visa since my purchase was less than $5. I went in the summer so I was able to find seats outside without a problem, however I can see the restaurant getting very busy in the fall and winter as it gets colder. read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Crackle belly bao - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

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Came here today, and it's amazing! It was really busy when we came in for lunch and I completely understand why. We got the beef and chicken bao, and everything about t was perfect. The meat was seasoned and cooked perfectly and the bun was so soft. We also got the fries, and also were very good. You must try the Thai tea! So refreshing. The staff were super friendly and helpful with choosing. Just be aware the place is kind of hidden. You have to go down the stairs in a parking lot off of larch st. Overall a great lunch spot, we will be back again for sure to try all the other selections. read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

My boyfriend and I came her for lunch today, and we were less than impressed for a number of reasons. In this review, I'm going to break down my ratings based on the food, the atmosphere, the service, and the cost. For reference, we ordered 2 bao specials. Special 1: Great Chicken Bao + Chicken Katsu Bao with a side of fries and Purple Lemonade to drink Special 2: Duck Dynasty + Chicken Katsu Bao with a side of fries and Purple Lemonade to drink Food (3/5): The Great Chicken and Duck Dynasty were both extremely dry, which was surprising since both item descriptions make them sound like they'll be quite saucy. The duck meat was burnt in several places, it was GREY, barely tasted of Peking duck at all, and the skin had a very unpleasant texture. The Katsu baos were moist, flavourful, and the sauce was delicious, but the tips of the chicken pieces were quite burnt. I would not get the duck or great chicken baos again, and would avoid getting a bao that did not specifically say it had a sauce or mayo with the filling. The bao themselves were moist and fluffy, so your experience will really depend on the filling. The fries were crispy, though some of my fries had flecks of burnt stuff on them - though they were still delicious. The Purple Lemonade tastes like Brisk lemonade, so I don't think it's worth the cost. Atmosphere (2/5): The restaurant has the potential to be a nice place on the inside, but there was garbage all over the floor under every table, and there was a mountain of trays and bao baskets on top of the garbage can. There were no tables dining in when we went, so it was surprising to see that nothing had been cleaned up. Service (2/5): There were 4 people working in the kitchen, 2 at the front of house, and 1 person who showed up to clock in and then sat on her phone for the 30 minutes we were waiting for our food. The kitchen staff do a very good job of pushing food out in a timely manner, but the staff at the front of the house are lacking. They left our food dying in the window for 15 minutes, even after pointing out that that was our order and it looked complete. They mix up tickets, and because they talk to each other and lose track of time, orders get mixed up and then patrons get their food cold. They are very nice people, but considering the restaurant was dirty, our food got cold, and we were waiting 15 minutes longer than we had to for no reason, I would say the service here is mediocre at best unfortunately. If the restaurant had been extremely busy and orders were being bagged to catch up, this rating would be different, but this was not the case. There was a lovely young man who gets a 5, but because of the other FOH staff leaving our food to die in the window when they refused to clean the tables, forcing the man to do it, the overall rating has to be a 2. Cost (2/5): Our meal cost about $40. Coming from Toronto, I think this cost is a bit ridiculous considering the bao are not that big and you don't get a lot of filling for what you pay for. The Purple Lemonades are not worth the price whatsoever, and you're better off buying a soda. Considering our food was lukewarm at best when we received it, and taking into account the size of the bao themselves and the quality of some of the food items, I can't give this place a high rating on value. read more

Probably jumped to one of the best food places in the area of Waterloo, especially around the University of Waterloo. The food is great, the people are nice, and the vibe is awesome. 1. Food (5/5) The food is great for what you can get in the area for around the same price. Most of the baos that you can get here are around ~$4.50, so it is not expensive at all. My personal favourite is the 5-spice pork, but in all honesty, I have yet been disappointed in any of their selection. A notable bao is the fried avocado, it is simply amazing and pretty damn unique if you ask me. The kimchi fries are also stellar. I was blown away at the sheer amount that they give you too. This is for sure something you share with a group of people. You can have this yourself, but you might be so overwhelm and the itis will hit you also hard. Also, the thai milk tea is a must! Just try it! I like it more than the Chatime milk tea. 2. Service (5/5) The people are really friendly and nice. When we were eating in the restaurant, one of the staff members came up to ask and asked us to help taste one of their new creations - a deep fried bao with ice cream inside. It was soooooo blessss. All in all, 5/5 service. 3. Wait (4/5) The wait times here aren't bad at all. Not only do they move quickly but there are also not that many people here (in the summer anyway). Though there are times when everyone is working so much that they don't notice there is a line forming in the front of the store. Overall (4.5/5) Just one comment: Do it!! You know you want to. I will definitely be back. :D read more

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A very good lunch spot. Food is unique and delicious. Service is usually pretty quick if you can get there early as there usually is a pretty big lunch rush. A smaller venue so would recommend either doing take out or going in a smaller group. read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

Really cool interior, excellent hipstery vibe. Servers are ridiculously helpful. Really good bao - delicious housemade sauces, and each menu item feels like the ingredients were carefully curated to go great together. Definitely try the Duck Dynasty! The roasted duck and crunchies went great with the house-made spicy mayo, love the texture and flavor combination between the soft bao. I also liked the 5 spice pork belly - kind of fatty, but in the best way! Don't bother with the spring rolls. Every review mentioned it, but it's painfully true - the place is hard to find, in the middle of an apartment complex. One tip - you have to walk past some apartment buildings to get to it, you will not be able to see it by walking down the street. read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Spring rolls, duck dynasty, crackle belly - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

I feel so mixed about Bao! I've come here three times in total, and clearly I enjoy it enough that I've come back - so it's really hard for me to rate it. I think it falls right at that 3.5/5 range. The place itself (as people have mentioned) is tucked away behind a condo, there is limited parking, and it's often packed with people waiting for their orders. However, a lot of people are just grabbing take out and I've never had an issue getting a seat inside. The yummy: definitely their bao itself is fluffy and tasty and I'm always glad to be eating it. My favourite eats there so far have been the Baja Fish and the 5 spice belly pork. The meh: their kimchi fries have been a hit or miss for me - the last time I got them it was kind of cold and disappointing, I guess they had been sitting out for some time. I recently had their pulled pork and really didn't think much of it either. Honestly, I want to love this place - that's why I keep coming back. But each time I'm just a little bit disappointed. I probably need to just stick to the baos I know and love. read more

Unlike the other reviews, I think it isn't too hard to find if you are walking there. The first time I went, I saw a lot of people walking through the apartment buildings, so I just followed along and found it! The ambience is modern, clean, and unique. The line up was super long (I think it was a really nice day out) but went by relatively fast, but the wait for food was maybe around 15 - 20 minutes. Price-wise is kind of on the expensive side for a combo, but I think is reasonable for the portion size. I ordered 5 spice pork belly bao two separate times, and it was a really generous piece of meat and the flavours combined together were very savoury. However, it depends on the cut, because the second time, almost half of it was fat. The time I got the duck dynasty bao, I believe they forgot the Hoisin sauce and it didn't come together although it was packed with meat. The baos are soft and moist though. To make it a combo, I get the Kimchi fries with bulgogi. The fries are on the salty side but the toppings are delicious. The garlic mayo was like the substitute for gravy. I love the Thai tea ~ it tastes like milk tea but sweeter with condensed milk? Better than an iced coffee from Tim Hortons imo. I think this will be my go-to on the way back from my summer walks ~ read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Pork Belly Bao - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

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Other than the smell that is constantly staining my clothes, this place is an hidden gem in the tiny city of Waterloo. I love how they incorporate foods from different cultures into the filling of their "bao". My faves are the dynasty duck and the 5 spice belly. The pork belly is cooked to perfection by being seasoned and juicy. The dynasty duck is also delicious and well seasoned. Come check this place out, it's entrance is facing the inside plaza of condos. read more

A warning to first time visitors, the location of this restaurant is hard to find as it is hidden away and there aren't any clear signs set up. When I visited, I had to park on Balsam St then walk trough a small path beside the building to find the restaurant located in the back. There is parking behind the building but I'm not sure if it's parking for the residences or for businesses as well. Despite having a hard time finding the location, the food was great. I had the Seoul Pork and the Chicken Katsu bao combo. My boyfriend had the Seoul Beef and the Chicken Katsu bao combo. We both had the Kimchi Fries as our side which was delicious. In my opinion, Seoul Pork was delicious but extremely spicy and this is coming from someone who handles spicy food very well. I had the Chicken Katsu with sriracha on the side and this was great as well - it's not bad on its own but I preferred it with sriracha. My boyfriend enjoyed his Seoul Beef as well but he found it too sweet for his liking. The portions are pretty big although it may not seem like it. I would definitely return in the near future! read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Chicken Katsu bao, Seoul Pork bao, and kimchi fries - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

Ordered a few baos (chicken katsu, duck, pork belly) which were really good. The duck dynasty poutine was good too but I found the seoul kimchi fries to be better so I'd order the latter on my next order. Overall, great place but overly expensive, hence the 4 star. read more

This was such a cute little place. I had the duck and crackle pork belly bao, and although many of my friends like the prior, I think it tastes a bit dry and prefer the latter. They also have a discount if you order 2 bao/ 1 sandwich, a side, and a drink. read more

Food is very good. Ordered the duck bao and the chicken katsu. The food was tasty and interesting flavours. The place is hard to find and there is no parking inside. My friend ordered a Babette but the price is similar to 2 Baos - so I would recommend getting 2 baos instead. read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

As a relatively new addition to the Waterloo restaurant scene. While it does sell speciality food, it could become one of the hidden gems of the city (I mean the entrance is pretty hard to find). Located at in the northeast corner of balsam and larch streets, the entrance is off larch tucked inside a parking lot for a few apartment complexes. The bao is very light and just sinks into your teeth. The duck dynasty bao was full of flavour - the the crispy duck skin gives it a distinct texture and the hoisen mayo is a lot milder than reqgukar hoisen sauce (an added bonus because it complements everything quite nicely). The braised pork belly is very tender and overall very enjoyable. The bao's softness and light flavour encapsulates everything, counteracting the heaviness of the ingredients. Also, if you want to spice things up a bit, ask for their house made chilli sauce - you will not be disappointed! The kimchi frites were good too but I found the beef a bit salty; mixed in with the fries (which tasted unseasoned) helped minimize the saltiness. The food was great but the highlight of the meal was the Thai Iced Tea. This beautiful concoction made of black tea and condensed milk has a complicated but oddly satisfying flavour. If you've ever had Hong Kong-style milk tea, it tastes similar but smoother, creamier even. Another thing I really liked about it is that it's not "iced", it's just chilled in the fridge which is great given how the ice will eventually melt and dilute the drink. Overall I found it very satisfying. Pricing is decent and you can also get a free drink for getting a baguette or 2 baos. The only catch is the location - difficult to find, but a great find! read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Thai Iced Tea, Kimchi Fries, 5 Spices Babe Bao, Dynasty Duck Bao - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

Cute place with a nice atmosphere. It's small but worth a try. Their bulgogi beef is great, making their kimchi fries that much better! There duck bao didn't have as much flavour as I would have liked but I definitely would go back to try more of the different flavours! read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

Went here today, nothing impressive about the food and the customer service is the worst I have seen in Waterloo.

Third time at Bao and I love it each time!! I've tried almost all the Baos on their menu but my favourites are chicken little and dynasty duck. So full of flavour and so delicious! Each Bao comes with a good portion of its main meat/fish/avocado and very flavourful dressings and garnishes of vegetables/ sauces. The other times I went I've had their Thai tea which was quite good and the triple cooked kimchi fries which were pretty delicious as well. Always looking forward to eating at Bao! read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Chicken little and dynasty duck Bao - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

Bao is located at such a hidden place near Waterloo. The Bao I had was decent, however the sauce would not stop dripping onto the table. The flavor was definitely there but it just felt like something was missing. The menu is really complicated, I wasn't sure how the combo works or how to order any of the side. I think they needed more people working, cause it took forever for them to call our numbers when the food is already ready. The cashier lady also gave my friend and I the wrong receipt. read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - So bao - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

The food was amazing. This was my second time here and I really enjoyed my meal. A few problems though: 1. I walked in and all I could smell was gas which was concerning enough for me to eat outside, 2. While the music choice was good, it was way too loud. Not ideal for conversation during the meal 3. I found a hair in my fries and another in my bao which was really off-putting. 4. The wait is fine for sit-down, but it's quite long for take-out. I'd recommend ordering ahead on Kik if you're doing take-out read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

Came to Waterloo to visit friends and was expecting to be eating McDonald's and Tims the whole time I was here, boy was I wrong. My friends brought me to this dope spot hidden in a parking lot on a side street and i was pretty sketched out at first. I ordered the Crackle Belly and the Seoul Beef. Also to go with them I got some babe rolls and Thai Tea. The Crackle Belly had an amazing soft and spongy Bao with a fatty and juicy piece of pork Belly. The sauce and the vegetables helped to bring the Bao together and helped to mask the fattiness of the belly. The Seoul beef was again served in the spongy bao and had a very delicious Garlic Mayo sauce. The Beef was tender and flavourful and packed a strong flavour with the bulgogi sauce. The Babe rolls were served hot and fresh off the fryer and were steamy and crisp to the bite. The Thai Tea was done perfectly too! Sweet and creamy and so refreshing; the beverage brought the whole meal together! Would highly recommend this cool little spot for their delicious Baos and Thai Tea! Definitely coming back again when I reach Waterloo in the future. read more

This place is an absolute gem. I went for the first time a few days ago and had to go back again today with my wife for her to try it ASAP. I've eaten five different bao, the Kim chi fries, and the spring rolls and everything has been great. It's very clean and the atmosphere is just right. They seem to do a ton of takeout orders so it was packed around noon (not nearly so bad at 11 am). Pro tip: the entrance is not on Balsam. It's around the back on the building. There is an apartment complex on Larch st and the entrance is on their parking lot. It is worth the effort! read more

I had the Pork Belly Bao and the Kimchi Fries! They were both awesome and so well made. The Bao bun is so puffy, the pork belly is so tender, and the kimchi fries have a very distinct sweet/spicy taste. This is the best tasting meal I've had in a long time - and also my first time having a bao or kimchi (you can tell how white I am). Cant wait to try more from here. A friend said that the fried chicken bao was awesome and he picky af read more

Update ... fries went to crap, some weird coated fry now that's prob frozen, kinda like Burger King ... not like my early review.. bao's are still good not like at beginning but success does that I guess .. still way better then rest of choices around kw .. read more

This place is AMAZING. Great value for the ​price, the staff are always so happy and helpful. New things on the menu, special, ​ and catering. You can tell the staff is passionate about creating dishes they would serve at home to company, with innovative takes on tradition. The​ Seoul​ beef is insane, the duck poutine is amazing value for the price and always a tasty treat. I buy extra Bao's to take home and eat for a day or two because I​ cannot get enough! Would suggest they look at reviewing their map directions but with all hidden treasures, it's​ worth looking for. You wont be dissapointed! read more

One of my favourite spots in Waterloo. Nice, unique, little spot tucked away between some residential buildings. This place is a little bit hard to find as you have to walk in past the garbage disposal bins (which can sometimes s smell but don't let that put you off!) and find the restaurant tucked in the basement of one of the apartment buildings. The inside decor is very industrial and modern with TVs and music blasting. My favourites are the 5 Spice Belly and the Avocado Banger. I personally find the Baos are tastier but the Banh Mis are much more filing. I quick like the Thai iced tea and iced green tea as well but they are both quite sweet. You can also get a 10% discount at a number of local spots (including settlement!) with a receipt from here :) This place is a must visit if you're in Waterloo! read more

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One of the best places in Waterloo. their avocado banger Bao is delicious. Good environment and good drinks. read more

This place is super chill, but with not the most convenient location. I had the fish bao and the veggie bao. Both were good, the fish was definitely a bit greasy. I was not feeling too well after eating it. I also had the thai coffee, AMAZING. Pricing is okay, not cheap. read more

Good food located at the back of the building so you have to enter off of Larch Street. Had the Chicken Katsu, Great Chicken and Kim Chi Fries $7.95 for the meal total bill including drinks $30.00. I would recommend a visit read more

Delicious sandwiches with a nice variety of fillings. Vegan and omnivore friendly. The bao buns are amazing !

best bao, their sauce and flavours are excellent! they have a nice atmosphere- fun music. their location is in such a random area but if you can find it it's a true hidden gem! read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario

Great service and great food. Finally have parking for 30mins down the newly renovated street. Wish it was cheaper but worth it.

Amazing bao. Every flavour I have ever tried has been awesome. Expect to spend some time looking for parking as the restaurant is in a very awkward spot. Duck poutine also worth trying. read more

Was so excited to have something here in the region and not having to travel to Toronto for this I have their duck and katsu chicken it was really good. Also their fries. Look forward to going back and trying the pork belly read more

Tucked away in the basement of an apartment block on a dark street, this place is a great find. The chicken in the Katsu bao I had was juicy and fried to perfection. There was a good combination of accompaniments in the bao, best of which was the sauce, which I believe is homemade. Definitely a place I would recommend. read more

Nice sandwich place in the neighborhood. Tried their duck poutine. It's great. The baos are super soft and goes perfectly with the sauce. Will definitely come back and try different baos. read more

Bao Sandwich Bar - Vietnamese Near Me - Waterloo, Ontario