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    The Irritable Bao

    4.6 (57 reviews)
    Open 10:30 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    THE IRRITABLE BAO ATMOSPHERE

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    Greasy beef bao buns
    Tracy C.

    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.

    Cracked chicken sauce bao bun and inside out grilled cheese hot honey brisket buns
    Jackson R.

    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!

    Benjamin C.

    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.

    Jazmin B.

    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

    Rich H.

    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.

    Mozz and cream cheese mini bao - buff and ranch drizzle (like fried cheese bites)

    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

    Two pork belly buns, 2 baos and the cheesecake egg rolls made for a fun lunch to share with a friend recently
    Andrea H.

    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

    Philly Cheesesteak Boa

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    5 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Amazing food and great staff! Check their Instagram page as their menu changes daily! Normally open Wednesday-Saturday!

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Delicious and interesting flavors, great location. A little on the spicy side for me, but I'm sure that's a positive for most people.

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    4 years ago

    I absolutely love this spot. The food is spectacular and the customer service is amazing.

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    6 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Kind owners! Great Dumplings! The atmosphere is full of positivity! Gotta love it definitely will b back.

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    6 years ago

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    Page 2 of 2

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    The Depot - scallops and shrimp and grits

    The Depot

    4.4(330 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    My family appreciates the consistent wonderful customer service and delicious food! The Depot…read morealways tries to accommodate my party size and reservation time preference. The food, drinks and customer service are always exceptional!!

    I've been wanting to try The Depot ever since I've been in Auburn. Finally on my last night I was…read moreable to try it and boy did it deliver. At each point, the valet, the host, the server, the food runner--everyone greeted us with a smile and kindness. The welcoming environment was definitely not lost one me. Now, to get to the food: I love that the oysters rotate and I tried a Blue point (my favorite), Love Shucks, and a queen's cup. Next, we went for the blue crab dip. It's served in a great for sharing cast iron skillet. The dip was delicious, and although the dill chips were nice and crunchy, they were overall way to salty and really detracted from the crab dip. For entrees we opted for the stuffed trout and the grouper bites. The grouper bites were fried perfectly and the succotash that it came on really brought out the flavors. I wasn't a fan of the hash but my mom loved it. Now the star of the meal was the pickled onions on my trout. Wow! Truly elevated the dish in a way I hadn't expected and sounds so basic but was a genius choice. Another standout was our server Christian who was attentive, enthusiastic, and helpful. It's so cool because he's also the voice on ESPN so go check him out!

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    The Depot - Inside restaurant seating, packed by 6pm

    Inside restaurant seating, packed by 6pm

    The Depot - Crispy fried Oysters Asian sauce & sesame seeds.

    Crispy fried Oysters Asian sauce & sesame seeds.

    The Depot - Inside dining seating kind of open around 5pm weeknight

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    Inside dining seating kind of open around 5pm weeknight

    Acre - Meatloaf is spectacular!

    Acre

    4.3(567 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Gorgeous place! The staff is incredible…read more We all loved our meals. They use fresh farm to table ingredients and you can really taste it. We had the oysters... yum. Fried green tomatoes- wasn't the biggest fan of pimento cheese, but if that's your thing I'm sure it would have been delicious. I had the strawberry / spinach salad. It was decent but a little too much dressing on parts and a bit dry in others. The biscuits were a star of the other meal. Sadly, no lattes... the only other bummer was that the waiter forgot my cocktail. He apologized when I asked for it... I know accidents happen

    The water has an earthy, funky flavor that is somewhat concerning. Nobody got ill. But I consider…read moreoffering people gross water a little inhospitable. I believe it effected some of the flavors of foods that were boiled in it, too. Gnocchi had some of the same off flavor. In addition, some of the flavors just feel way out of whack for totally unrelated reasons. Sauce that the duck came in was thin and overwhelmed by honey. The risotto it was served with seems like it should be rich and homey. But despite a crazy amount of added dairy still tasted thin and flat. Can't tell you why. Wonky seasoning? None of the dishes reflected any familiarity with acid to lighten or balance a dish. Fried green tomatoes were pretty mid despite a quality remoulade and a bunch of pimento cheese. Ingredients seem like they're decent quality. Desserts are legitimately top notch. Everyone recommends the peanut butter pie. And it is excellent, though pretty obviously not long out of the freezer. The affogato Is legitimately fantastic. And I'm not even talking about the pageantry of dumping the espresso on the salt ice cream. The combo is legitimately satisfying, like a well-rounded creamy candy. The plates are funky and cool and beautiful. The staff all seem like they're 19, attractive, and gregarious.

    Photos
    Acre - Some of the wine selection

    Some of the wine selection

    Acre - "CHICKEN FRIED" BACON

    "CHICKEN FRIED" BACON

    Acre - Pompano

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    Pompano

    Lucy's - Ribeye

    Lucy's

    4.0(208 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    Lucy's literally never disappoints. We came from Columbus, GA and it's 100% worth the drive. We had…read moreMonica as our server this time around, and she's a fantastic server and with great energy! She made sure we were taken care of, was very clear and knowledgeable about the menu, gave incredible recommendations, and was also thoughtful in celebrating my boyfriend's promotion to Captain in the Army! The ambiance is really sweet. Whether you're here on a date, catching up with friends over a nice meal, in the mood to watch some sports, or celebrating a special occasion, this is your place! There's a sweet vibe going on with some music in the back, but it's not too loud where you can't hear your own conversations at the table. The food? Chef's kiss. They have a rotating menu, I think depending on the season/time of year, but they have some consistent all-year-round items on the menu. I first came here on Valentine's weekend with my boyfriend, and absolutely loved it. Couldn't stop thinking about their truffle parm fries, nor their milk and cookies- finger licking good. This time around, we got the Farmer's Daughter (which made my usually anti-veggie boyfriend absolutely love btw), half-dozen Gulf Coast oysters, and fall-off-the-bone lamb shanks. This is the kind of place you go to where you won't be able to find these dishes just anywhere. It's uniquely delicious, and I genuinely think you can't go wrong with what you choose! My boyfriend, a coffee connoisseur, also loves their French Press Coffee! Thank you Lucy's, for always such a great experience and for fantastic food.

    Took my wife here for a date night. We don't get to go out much so I figured that it would be…read morespecial for us to try something new. Let me start by saying the building is beautiful and the atmosphere feels like a nice restaurant. Also, the cocktail menu was definitely curated by someone who knows what they are doing. The appetizer Barrotta cheese was the best part of the evening. With that being said, the entrees were lackluster and small. Our food came out lukewarm at best and honestly seemed like not a lot of thought went into them. I know that this restaurant is supposed to be upscale, but I don't think I should pay 55$ per persons meal and still leave hungry. Also, the staff needs training. The whole time it felt like they were concerned with fast turn over and nothing else. Part of upscale dining is that the price of food and quality of service is more important than turn over time. Generally speaking I will not be back to eat here again.

    Photos
    Lucy's - The vibe at Lucy's

    The vibe at Lucy's

    Lucy's - Oysters

    Oysters

    Lucy's

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    Venditori's - Lasagna

    Venditori's

    3.7(166 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    Venditoris is the kind of place that's getting harder to find--a real local Italian joint that…read morestill has that old school restaurant feel chains and modern spots just can't replicate. I've been dining here for years, worked my way through a good chunk of the menu, and they knock it all out of the park. The food is the real deal: old school Italian and American Italian classics like veal parmigiana and chicken Marsala--dishes you're not finding at Olive Garden or any chain. Portions are generous for the price and the flavor is fantastic across the board. Do not skip the salad, it's outstanding. The rolls are good and come coated in garlic, though I'll admit I wish they had a little more body and bite--I think that would pair even better with all that garlic. Minor gripe on an otherwise great meal. It gets packed on weekends, but hitting it during the week is still a great experience. Family friendly and kid friendly, with a staff that's awesome and unbothered by anything. The vibe alone keeps me coming back, and the food more than seals the deal. Highly recommend.

    Venditori's is a cozy, intimate Italian spot with a welcoming atmosphere and an excellent…read moreteam--from the host to the staff, everyone made the experience smooth and enjoyable. Their menu offers a solid variety of pasta dishes, from the classics to creative twists. Every meal comes with unlimited garlic dinner rolls and a house salad, which is always a nice touch. For the main course, I went with the Pasta Lover's Special--a mix of different pasta noodles topped with red meat sauce and mushrooms, paired with a meatball and sausage link. The sauce really carried the dish, but next time, I would try something else on the menu. What truly stood out? The service. Our waiter was outstanding--attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience even better. Overall, a warm and welcoming spot with great food and even better service! Definitely worth a visit.

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    Venditori's - Spumoni

    Spumoni

    Venditori's - Snapper Francese

    Snapper Francese

    Venditori's - Rice pudding

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    Rice pudding

    The Irritable Bao - chinese - Updated September 2026

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