This place is a super cute little restaurant with unique bao options. They had a buffalo chicken dip bao bun and Mac and cheese egg roll that I wish I had gotten to try. I also loved that their menu rotates regularly. Such a cool concept The inside out grilled cheese brisket bao buns were perfect. If they have them when you're there, you want to try them read more

The Irritable Bao - Chicken skewer - Chinese Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

See all

The name of this place is great -- lol! But, seriously, these are really good Bao buns. If you are hungry for a quick snack, they offer single Bao buns for a reasonable price (a few dollars). I had the beef Bao and it was really delicious. I could've easily have eaten several of them. The menu also features some other Asian inspired entrees if you want a full meal. Since this is near Auburn and clearly a college-oriented place, it's affordable and quick. Excellent quality too. So, if you are in the area, this is worth a stop. read more

The Irritable Bao - Chinese Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

The main traditional beef bun was worth $3.50. After the first bite, the soup slowly leaked out of the bun, very juicy desperate the thick cloud of bread. I didn't like the more western take of the bao, the buffalo chicken dip bao. It came piping hot in thin cardboard takeout boxes. There's a long line to order and a hallway for you to wait for your pickup order. There's a decent number of tables and a few window seats. Very busy though. There's a few paid street parking right out front and free if you can find any. If not there's some nearby cheap paid parking garages. read more

The Irritable Bao - Chinese Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

See all

Great local spot. They fuse traditional and modern flavors well. Lots of options for vegetarian/vegan. Very busy but worth the wait!

The beef bao buns were filled with unseasoned browned ground beef floating in hot grease. I bit into one and grease shot out and ruined my shirt. I also ordered a miso salad that was discolored and most likely from a bag. I only gave this place 2 stars because the staff were so nice. read more

The Irritable Bao - Greasy beef bao buns - Chinese Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

Came in after a swim meet and was not disappointed! Ordered a Cracked Chicken sauce bai bun and the Inside out grilled cheese hot honey brisket buns and enjoyed both so much i was tempted to go back for more! Owner was the most friendly person I have ever met in a restaurant. From sitting down to chat with us and even getting my picture taken for their first time customer insta page, he was just as friendly as could be. 10/10 would recommend to everyone! read more

The Irritable Bao - Cracked chicken sauce bao bun and inside out grilled cheese hot honey brisket buns - Chinese Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

Beef brisket buns were amazing along with the buffalo chicken bao and the service was amazing.

5 stars The Irritable Bao is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, the energy is vibrant, the staff is welcoming, and the food--wow, the food is next level. Every bao is a flavor explosion--perfectly steamed, generously filled, and made with obvious care and creativity. The rotating menu keeps things exciting, and they're never afraid to experiment with bold, global flavors. From the traditional Bao, themed Bao, or even Chinese street food you will not be disappointed. What really sets Irritable Bao apart, though, is the heart behind the business. You can tell the owners are passionate about what they do and about giving back to the community. It's more than a restaurant--it's an experience, and one you'll want to come back to again and again. Highly recommend to anyone in Auburn who loves incredible food, great vibes, and supporting local businesses that genuinely care. read more

Another place I wish was around when I was at Auburn. Both types of baos I ordered were pretty true to traditional baos. Pork (brisket in one of them? I cant remember), soy, sugar, sesame, fluffy and warm bun, sesame seeds. Those were the vibes. And those alone are enough. I understand they have some untraditional baos, like Nashville hot chicken or hot tofu. Would definitely like to try those at some point, and I applaud the creativity. I'm not opposed to different combos of meat and flavor inside a bun as long as the more traditional stuff keeps its place on the menu. Also great name and purpose in their contributions of some of their profit to nonprofit organizations. read more

See all

Stopped in for a quick bite and honestly didn't expect much beyond good food--but shoutout to whoever hired Hampton. It's a counter-service place, so you order at the window and wait, but while we were hanging out, Hampton came out from the back just doing a lobby check or something... and dude was awesome. Super chill, really friendly, cracked a joke, and made sure everyone was doing okay--even though that's clearly not part of his usual job. Just felt like he actually cared, and you don't see that a lot these days. The food hit, but the vibe? That was all Hampton. You can tell he's the kind of person who makes a place better just by being there. Hope management knows they've got a real one. read more

Limited menu and not many options for folks who aren't into spicy food. Very disappointed. Portions are good, customer service is fair, and their peach tea was refreshing which is why I'm giving it two stars. Other than that as I stated limited options and we arrived as soon as they opened and they were "out of bang bang shrimp" already...... Well maybe it shouldn't be offered on the menu if it's not going to be an available option and possibly substitute it with something else. Not a place I'd recommend read more

The Irritable Bao - Chinese Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

One of my favorite spots in Auburn. They have unique food you will not find anywhere else... besides their newest spot in Seaside. Their menu changes every day so be sure to check out their instagram for what's being served that day. Some favorites of mine are the Buffalo Chicken Bao, Bang Bang Shrimp Buns and Bang Bang Shrimp Bowl. They also have Brussels that are TO DIE FOR! If you're wondering if it's worth the long line... yes absolutely it is. Their staff is amazing and have a great sense of humor. read more

The best in Auburn! Excellent service, great prices delicious food! Always busy, but for good reason.

I had the shrimp dish, it's like a taco, but it's not a taco. It was very crunchy, spicy, and mega delicious. I highly recommend it. The only downside is that it's very small. read more

Came to visit my cousin from LA, and he would not stop talking about how good this spot was. Tried it today and not just good but probably one of the best foods I've ever had! Please if you are in the area, you need to try this. The customer service and atmosphere provided by the owner and workers are unbelievably great. Please come here!!! read more

I could eat here everyday for the rest of my life. The chicken on a stick is absolutely incredible. The best seasoning ever?? The beef mini bao are what dreams are made of. Licked the bowl clean and drenched each one in the sauce. The brussel sprouts?? I die for them. The dessert menu?? Original. Doesn't get more original. The best service in the world probably. The workers are adorable + happy and helpful! The Manager was actually doing her job and was insanely kind. The vibes are pure. It has such cute little Knick knacks to look at, fun merch, and a clean bathroom. Not sure what else you could ask for. Also you can do online ordering now which is major!! Cannot wait to come back read more

See all

Next stop on the Opelika-Auburn, AL food tour is @dumpslikeatruck_irritablebao, an East-meets-West Chinese Fusion Street food joint, specializing in handheld eats of the bao and dumpling variety. I love a great food truck success story. This place started as a food truck called "Dumps Like a Truck" and after finding success and a cult following, expanded into a brick-and-mortar spot called "The Irritable Bao." I love a good pun in a restaurant's name. Pictured here is the Zucchini, Egg, and Glass Noodle Bao. Crunchy zucchini strips with hard-boiled egg yolk pieces and tender glass noodles all wrapped in a steamy, warm, and pillowy soft bao. Next is the Pork Belly Buns. Beneath the pile of porky prestidigitation is a plethora of pickled produce: cucumber, red onions, and matchstick carrots. And it's all lovingly nestled in a Chinese lotus leaf buns. A definite recommend! You'll have a harder time finding a parking spot on College and Magnolia streets than you will choosing a new favorite bao bun. read more

The Irritable Bao - Chinese Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

Too 3 restaurants in Auburn, come early, hop in line and enjoy their incredible menu of bao buns and more. The menu changes often, but never had a single item I done crave more of. Owners and operators are super sweet, and always around with a smile and welcome. Love the inside decorations with steam covers. There are front and back doors so don't worry about parking behind the building. read more

The wait times are getting out of hand. It took me 35 minutes to get one bowl today. That just doesn't add up to me. Food was ok. The chicken was drenched in sauce. Also got a salad and the lettuce was half wilted. Sad to see what this place is becoming. It almost feels like the owner is more focused on the new beach location. read more

Irritable Bao, despite the less-than-appetizing name, is a great spot to pick up lunch if you are in Auburn, and it is something a little different in a town overrun with chicken tender restaurants. A definite win. Here's how my visits have unfolded. The place is small, so it gets busy seeming quickly. Despite that, the line moves pretty fast. I always anticipate a line. You should too. I usually check their Instagram ahead of time to see what the baos/rolls of the day are. I appreciate that they have an ever-changing menu, but I also admit that I find that asset to also be one of its biggest liabilities. I have wanted the tofu curry bao again since I got it in October, but, alas, it hasn't been in the menu on a day I can go since then. Another con, they have very limited days/hours. I get in line usually knowing what I am going to get. Recently, I was dining with a friend, which was perfect. This allowed us to split the pork belly buns (they come in a set of 2) and get a bao each. We also decided to try the dessert (cheesecake egg rolls). The buns were both our favorite of the items we have had there so far. Great flavor. The pickled veggies provided the perfect extra tang. We got a bao with egg and glass noodles. Too earthy for our taste. We also go the Buffalo chicken. Good, but I wouldn't say it was a showstopper. We both enjoyed the egg rolls a lot. As previously mentioned, my favorite bao was the tofu curry. Great flavor and the sauce balanced out the doughy-ness of the bao. Pros: Creative options Something different in chicken tender land Quick line even when busy Cons: The limited hours and space The new surcharge for using a credit card read more

See all

Great food. Love the variety. Never get bored. Went with the whole family on game weekend. Super busy but still worth the wait. It wasn't that bad. read more

We ate there yesterday and it was awesome. Packed house the owner is awesome and the food was great. And it was nice and cool inside.

Their menu changes all the time so there's usually something new to try! I had the Philly cheesesteak bao and they were delicious, especially with the chili oil! Very filling. It was even busy at 10 am on a Friday right at opening with a line (that moved pretty quickly!). Highly recommend for some tasty Asian fusion. read more

The Irritable Bao - Philly Cheesesteak Boa - Chinese Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

See all

Nice restaurant with excellent food. Owner/manager very nice. Easy and quick to place order and ready within minutes. Definitely someplace we will come back to as their options change every day. read more

See all

Food is amazing especially when you are looking for something different. Service is friendly and quick. They do an amazing job of getting people in and out quickly. The atmosphere is the best! Friendly employees with the best owner in town. He is there to greet everyone and gives back to his community. Follow on instagram, you might see yourself there! read more

Since writing my original review, they have since moved to a new location, about five minutes from their original building and conveniently in downtown Auburn. This new building is much more expanded on the inside, with actual seating to make those long lines much more comfortable. Plus, even getting to the restaurant is much easier with the expanded options for parking that come with the location swap. Overall, this only improves my opinion of Irritable Bao (their only name going forward) as any issues I had were all location related and have been solved. read more

First time Dumpster here and I am a Stan! I have been following their Instagram Page "dumpslikeatruck_irritablebao" since May and watching in envy until I had a day to drive down and indulge. Today was a special day because it was their first day back in business since their vacation. To celebrate, DLAT collabed with some local chefs and offered a special stuffed bao with one of their normal offerings. Each were delicious but the service was even better! You can tell Whitley, his wife and staff enjoy what they do. Whitley says "Bye" to everyone who leaves and comes around to make sure the food exceeds expectations! Okay, let's talk about these Bao's The Braised Beef Short Rib Bao was tender, savory, and hot to the touch (be careful! These baos are freshly made and stored). When paired with the spicy cilantro slaw and the braised peanut sauce, the flavor and crunch sent me in a wave of "yum"! I could taste the ginger, garlic and peppers in the sauce, it complimented the braised beef and enhanced the savory flavor. I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't spicy but I love spicy so I didn't sense it. The Green, Egg and Sam was delicious as well! I've never paired Zucchini and egg but I think I will from now on. The Bao reminded me of a savory quiche, simple flavors but warm and reminds you of home. The Mango Sago definitely finished my meal! It was a sweet end to my experience, it was sweet, creamy and vegan! Lastly, the wood-ear, cucumber and tofu curd.....this was an interesting combo but I liked it! The tofu curd gave the salad an extra crunch and the wood-ear mushrooms were soft and easy to chew! When I think of it, the salad and the sago were refreshing and cleansed my palette so I was ready for more Bao! Cool Tips: The menu changes daily and DLAT always finds a creative way expand the Bao menu with new collabs and flavors. DLAT is located in a college town so the prices are going to be affordable. For 6 bao's, and 2 cool treats I paid $34 and left full! Check out their Instagram and give them a try!! read more

See all

The name is what brought me here but the food is what will bring me back. I got the chicken skewers (hot, fresh, spiced perfectly), the jersey bao (savory), and the cauliflower bowl (crispy, umami) and everything was awesome. The mission of the place is amazing and the logo is flipping adorable. read more

Irritable Bao is one of the best restaurants I've been to in my 2 years as an Auburn student. I've yet to have a Bao that wasn't good and they've got a new flavor everyday. It's alsways quick despite the long line, and the staff is nice. I especially LOVE the owner. He is a kind person who cares about the community and he's sometimes in the restaurant with his kids. I personally can't think of anything negative to say abt Bao, other than I wish their hours were longer so I could have dinner there lol. I would implore everyone to get Bao at least once. You won't be disappointed. read more

Every menu is delicious and I love how you can expect something different every day from Irritable Bao/ Dumps Like a Truck. They're flavors are creative and well executed. The baos can be a little pricey but they are worth it, I think everything else on the menu is fairly priced. Love this Auburn gem. read more

See all

The food was amazing, and the customer service is second to no other small business. Even when there's a line, the food is pretty prompt and the manager makes you feel important. Thanks, and hope to see you again soon! read more

The Irritable Bao - The cheesecake egg rolls were also great. - Chinese Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

See all

i love dumps like a truck i have been going since their old location and i miss the shorter lines they had before but i'm happy their business is booming! every time i go i always think this must be some of the best food i've ever eaten and in auburn? it's wild i also take everyone who comes to visit here and they always rave about it after i do wish they had more vegetarian/vegan options like they used to though it seems like they go weeks with only pork, beef and chicken on their menu the owners are the nicest people ever and you just HAVE to eat here if you only have one meal in auburn make it this it's worth it read more

The Irritable Bao - Chinese Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

See all

Food is not bad. I understand businesses are having a hard time trying to make a buck during the pandemic as most of us, but Auburn is a college town, and charging college students on a budget a 3% credit/debit convenience fee and not offering complimentary water does not sit well with me. read more

I love this restaurant, the food is incredible and everyone is very friendly. It's exciting how the menu changes constantly and not knowing until day before what they are serving. Anything with the Nashville hot chicken and bang bang shrimp are my favorite. read more

The Baos are so yummy! The menu changes daily and is very vegetarian/vegan friendly! The owners are always there (usually with their new baby) and are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet! This was my first experience with Baos and they were much larger than I was expecting so I'm confident you won't leave here hungry! read more

The food wasn't bad at all. I'll just never accept the name irritable bowel. Seems like it mocks people with IBS. Real ableist attitude IMO. I pray to my deity that they don't open a bakery called piearrhea. I just have no tolerance for BM humor when it comes to food. Shame shame shame. read more

The owner is a super nice guy and makes a connection with every customer that comes through the door. Staff has always been knowledgeable on the menu and the line goes by quick. A constantly changing menu that can stay consistently good. Been eating there for a year now and the food only gets better. Also in response to another review the name is great and their social media presence is unchallenged in the auburn area. read more

My favorite place to eat in Auburn. Brussels are just amazing. The friendly service is over the top. Molly is a complete rock star. Great atmosphere and food. I always make Irritable Bao a lunch stop when visiting Auburn read more

This place is an absolutely fantastic local option for people looking to try traditional Chinese style bao in Auburn Alabama! I had never eaten bao before my wife convinced me to try this place, and I am so glad I did! While the braised pork is my favorite, their buffalo chicken is also excellent and a nice American spin on Chinese cooking. Also, you have to get the dipping sauce, because it adds SO much to the dish. This place is very much a local business; they are only now going to expand to have dine in seating at all, and when I would go by the old storefront for lunch the line was always crazy long(that's how you know its good though honestly, and they made it thru the line relatively quick). Lastly, the employees, especially the owners, always bring an incredible energy to the restaurant, and make it a delight to drop by. I highly encourage everyone to give this hidden gem a try. read more

This was some of the best food I've had in a LONG time! The chorizo bao and brisket bao were full of flavor, and the Nashville hot chicken bun was out of this world. I didn't have to wait long at all, and the owner is so kind! We will be repeat customers! read more

The Irritable Bao - Nashville hot chicken bun - Chinese Near Me - Auburn, Alabama

See all