It was last location standing of what was once a solid mini-empire in Vancouver, but now Bao Down in Olympic Village is no more.
Located at 115 W 2nd Ave, Bao Down opened in 2015, on the heels of the original in Gastown. The Olympic Village outpost was styled as a "Gastropub and Raw Bar," at the onset, focused on tropical pan-Asian vibes in a modern, urban space complete with vibrant grafitti-style art-covered walls.
By early 2018, there were four Bao Downs in Vancouver, each with a slightly different concept. That February, Bao Down's original Powell Street restaurant shuttered, as operators said they planned to focus on the remaining three venues: Olympic Village, Commercial Drive, and Carrall Street. The brand even added an outpost at UBC.
However, over the past few years, the Bao Down portfolio had dwindled to just the one on West 2nd.
The Commercial Drive space became Harbour, Gastown has been Robba da Matti, and The Greek continues to operate on Carrall Street (also in Gastown) where Bao Down had been one of a few businesses that turned over quickly in the brick-walled space.
Bao Down OV, as it eventually became known, offered a mixed bag menu of casual Asian eats, from Pad Thai to spring rolls, loaded fries and burgers, and their loaded bao (fluffy steamed bun) sandwiches.
The restaurant has also hosted pop-ups and ghost kitchen concepts, ranging from Mr Beast Burger to a stint by an indie effort called The Ramen Club.
Bao Down OV had been listed for sale, and in late July, an Instagram post by Restaurant Agents (a realty group) declared the business had accepted an offer of purchase.
In mid-August, Bao Down teased on its own IG account that people could have a "last bite."
Now, at the end of August, Google lists Bao Down in Olympic Village as "permanently closed" and the restaurant's Instagram bio reads: "Currently close[d] thank you for the 10 years."
No word yet on what will be moving in at 115 W 2nd Ave as Bao Down exits.
🍽 Find more delicious Metro Vancouver food and drink video stories by following V.I.A's Forking Awesome on TikTok and Instagram, and signing up for our Forking Awesome newsletter 📬 delivered fresh to your inbox every Thursday.
