Mr. K and I went to check out Bao’s Awesome Burgers & Sandwiches (“BABS”) this weekend. It’s located inside the Convoy plaza with the horrible parking that also houses the popular RakiRaki and many other restaurants.
I noticed the store awhile back but had my doubts. I knew it was Asian-run and while I love Asian food, I’ve never quite associated a good burger with Asian cuisine. In all my visits to Taiwan, the rare times we had burgers, they were from McDonald’s. But there was a groupon deal (which is still available), so I decided to buy one and go check it out.
There are two main focuses on the menu: super stacked sandwiches and burgers cooked with cheese in the center of the patties. We decided to try one of each.
B-B-Beast
This is their most popular sandwich. The sandwich is piled high with three kinds of meat: pastrami, roast beef, and corned beef, along with a layer of crunchy thin-cut fries and cole-slaw. It’s served on oversized thick toast slices.
I had read about how big this sandwich is, but I still wasn’t prepared. This was really gigantic. The picture doesn’t do it justice. I didn’t’ think there would be any way I could finish it. It was so thick that I had a hard time taking a bite with all the layers at once.
Being originally from New York, I like my sandwiches stuffed with meats, so this sandwich really appealed to me. I do wish they chose a better bread for the sandwich rather than regular toast. I also found the cole slaw a little odd. The top of the sandwich was warm from the hot meats but the bottom was cold because of the cole slaw. Feeling both the hot and cold simultaneously when holding the sandwich was a little strange.
Still this sandwich was quite tasty and I can definitely understand the appeal.
Roast Beef Cheddar Burger
The signature burgers here are cooked with cheddar cheese stuffed inside the meat patty. The result is a glorious melted gooey cheese center. The burger patty is also very juicy, with the meat juices spilling out along with the cheese when I sliced the burger in half. I did find the bun was over toasted, with the edges bordering on hard.
But I found myself enjoying the burger more than I thought I would. Mr. K really loved it.
The fries also could have been better. They were extra crunchy but lacking in potato flavor.
Overall though, we left pretty satisfied and ridiculously full. Despite how busy it was, the staff and owner were very nice and attentive. They made sure to ask every single table how they were enjoying the food and the drink glasses were consistently being refilled — a welcome change from the usual customer service found along Convoy Street. One of the owners even chatted with me about my feelings on the cole slaw in the burger.
The website for the restaurant is squeal-worthy cute. I was surprised the little characters are not anywhere to be found in the decor of the physical store. The menu on the website is a little out of date so I’ve attached photos of the menu when we visited.
Bao’s Awesome Burgers & Sandwiches
4646 Convoy St.
Suite 103
San Diego, California 92111
Dennis and I have been patrons since before it was renamed BABS. It used to be the B Spot until that name was copyrighted. Heck, we went here when it was still Green Tea House and I miss their kiwi strawberry boba drink (don’t know where to get one like that anymore).
I usually order the beast. Mmmm pastrami. I introduced it to my coworkers too and we’ll go here 1-2 times a year cuz yea, that thing really is a monster in size and calories! =)
I used to go to Green Tea House but I didn’t know about BABS until after it became BABS. I want to go back and try some other stuff.
S and I are actually at Bab’s right now, your post made me crave it!!
haha, nice!
I have seen this place pop up on Groupon quite a bit and have wanted to try it. Those sandwiches look really great! The picture of the cheddar cheese inside the burger….ohhhh man!
Yeah I kept seeing it pop up on groupon. I’m glad I gave it a try!
I *almost* went here this weekend, but we ended up getting breakfast instead because it was too early (I have that same deal). It looks good – the cheese stuffed burgers is what piqued my interest, I’m happy to see it didn’t disappoint! Maybe I’ll have to ask for lightly toasted bun/bread though.
I actually hadn’t planned on going this weekend, especially after eating a million cookies. But I was shopping at Zion and Mr. K wanted lunch and most of the food court was closed because it was 3pm and I remembered I bought a groupon so after all those cookies we ended up here. Definitely a really indulgent day of eating. hehe