Bao Sandwich Bar — Restaurant in Waterloo

There aren't many characters as relatable as Joey Tribbiani - I mean, why would anyone ever share a sandwich? Channeling my inner Joey, I visited Bao Sandwich Bar (62 Balsam St B106, Waterloo, ON N2L 3H2) with my friends. A stylish sandwich bar with Asian fusion creations served atop a baguette or steamed bun, this eatery is known for its filling sandwiches that feature a variety of meats (including halal options). Hoping to try this variety, we ordered a selection of different meats on our sandwiches. The Catch (featuring a crispy fried pollock, with chipotle mayo, and pickled cabbage) was quite tasty, featuring succulent and flavorful fish meat. Despite the fish batter being on the heavier end, it did make for an enjoyable sandwich. The Dynasty Duck was even better tender, thinly sliced Peking duck, rich hoisin garlic mayo, fresh cucumbers, and subtle green onions provided a refreshing contrast that paired well with the Asian sauces. Finally, the chicken katsu - a Japanese-style fried chicken sandwich, boasting a crispy, juicy cut of perfectly cooked chicken topped with the umami richness of tonkatsu sauce and the creamy kick of garlic mayo, and complemented by fresh lettuce and green onions, along with the slightly spicy togarashi flakes featured a crispy bao that went incredibly well with the condiments. Just like Joey, the experience at Bao Sandwich Bar emphasized the pure joy of savoring an unapologetically delicious meal, reaffirming that some things are just too good to share. However, I'm definitely going to share this recommendation with all of you - highly recommend a visit!

To hear more about this review, follow us @eatinontario on Instagram, TikTok, &...

Great food, chill atmosphere! Love the pricing The staff really is amazing both times I've been here. I don't eat beef, but I've heard such great things about the kimchi fries, and they were super accommodating about replacing the beef with pork. P.S. it was worth it.

The second time we went, we had a friend who had quite a few allergies (no eggs, no fresh vegetables, it was rough). We felt really bad about imposing so many restrictions on the staff, but they really did go above and beyond ensuring she would be able to eat there. Our cashier/hostess went through every single ingredient of the items we were considering to ensure that it'd be safe for her. When we finally got an option for her ordered, we saw the same waitress inform all the chefs of the allergy, and double-checked to make sure they were making it correctly during and when it was ready to serve. Super awesome, great to see they genuinely care about their customers.

We tried the chicken katsu, chicken little, avocado banger, the nemo, and the crackle belly. Honestly, we thought all of them were great, our peronal favourite was the chicken katsu (but we're partial...

Fairly unique sandwiches, with a neat concept and consistently delicious offerings. Bao is always a popular place to get a snack or a meal. They have a variety of fillings that can be served in two different ways: open faced steamed buns, or bahn mi-esque subs that are about twice as large, and cost as much. Sides are also offered, with a variety of triple fried fries, or long spring rolls filled primarily with meat. There is also Thai style milk tea to drink, as well as the usual sodas. Buying two smaller bao/one banh mi and a side will give you a modest discount on your drink, usually ~$1.

The venue is small, and dimly lit - music can be loud, and service is a mixed bag. It seats around ~20 people, and can be very busy in the evenings. They do pickup and delivery through onelocal as well.

Overall, very tasty sandwiches, with interesting choices, and a fun vibe. Can possibly be tricky to find, as it is not street facing. Would recommend 'the catch' (fish), 'chicken katsu', and the spring rolls as personal favourites. The thai tea is just alright, and for lovers of spicy, the jeow chili sauce goes great with...