Bao Down Snack Bar - Vancouver, British Columbia

We went here during the happy hour for Baos and draught beer. The service I got was great, prompt, offered suggestions and knew the menu. I recommend YVR, 2 Worlds Collide, Kare Bear and Big Bang Baos. Unfortunately, if our visit was not during happy hour; I would find this ... place to be overpriced. The place is unique and grungy, so I appreciated it. Overall, I would only go there during happy hour. Read more

The sign for this place is a little set back which makes it easy to miss. The staff are extremely friendly here and willing to have a chat. I went in at happy hour and I have to say the food was fantastic! I had the Golden Boy which is a ... big chunk of slow roasted crispy pork belly and the roasted Brussel sprouts. A great combination and plenty of food for one. I also had a couple of beers hour beers and a high ball; both on happy hour. Some of the food options are reduced a buck or so during happy hour too! This place is wheelchair accessible but the doors are quite heavy and awkward so bear that in mind. The decor looks a little west coast grungy but it works for what they are going for. All in all a great option for a reasonably priced drink and snack with a welcoming atmosphere and very welcoming staff! Read more

We had the chance to visit Bao Down on Powell St and below is my review. Food: 4 out of 5 We ordered two steamed boo’s (Bao Chicka Bao Bao and the braised beef bao) along with the Japayoki fries for our meal. Both bao’s were absolutely delicious. Both had ... fresh ingredients and the texture of the bao was perfect. The star of our meal was definitely the fries, it was a nice mound of fries, sprouts, peppers sauce and chicken mixed in between. My only criticism was that the food could have been hotter when served, they came out warm to the touch rather that hot. Decor: 2 out of 5 Although they made the restaurant very unique with graphics, movie posters and other knick, knacks, it could use a thorough cleaning. Our table upstairs wasn’t wiped down properly. A big regret was how cold it was in there. They had portable heaters but it was definitely cold, we had to keep our jackets on the entire time, not sure if this was a one off or if they need a new HVAC system. Service: 3 out of 5 When we walked in we noticed two staff members on their phones by the place to order and we were confused if the restaurant was still open or if they were closing. Anyhow, we met our other friends who were already upstairs and then came back down to order. You order the food, pay and then it is brought out to you. I brought my food back upstairs to enjoy the meal. Once done we headed back downstairs then noticed the staff huddled around the portable heaters on their phones. It was cold and secondly not busy but someone could have come upstairs to check on us if there was nothing to do. All in all, the food was great but they could do some work on cleaning the restaurant a bit and catering to their customers a bit more. Not a horrible experience by any means. Read more

Service staff is friendly and food came out at a reasonable time. Unlike the other restaurants, the bao was cold. The tostada was stale/crunchy. Would recommend sticking with the snacks. Fries and pork belly are must haves! The mango cocktail is also quite good.

Small portions but lots of flavour and texture. We paired our Bao Chika Bao Baos with a large order of Japayoki fries and they filled up our tummies nicely. They were excellent choices! (I would have given it five stars, but staff ignored us for minutes at the counter even ... though the place was empty.) Read more