I am leaving this review here because Stadler's food quality policy at ZaoZe Cafe certainly applies to Bao Bao too. Be careful if you go here.
After being a customer for many years at Portland’s Bao Bao Dumpling, Brunswick's Tao, Brunswick's ZaoZe, and then Brunswick's Bao Bao, we will never return. I had three bites of my entree today, I found it dismally below the usual standard, and the owner would not refund my money or even let me switch out the food for another because I had tasted it. I would have to buy a new dish if I wanted more food. I asked how I was supposed to know if the food is good if I can’t taste, and the employee just kept repeating that he was sorry and that this was the policy. I confirmed that the owner was there and that this is her position. No one told me this when I brought the food back, and I would have at least eaten the doctored up rice had I known that I would go hungry instead.
I first had gotten the slaw and found the vinegar aside so bland that I used their black vinegar and house chili paste to dress it up (at which point it was very good). Then I received the pork chop fried rice, which was not fried rice at all. It was steamed white rice with some allium underneath about 8 slices of fried pork chop. Fried rice itself is fried with seasoning and mixed with its other components, but this wasn’t mixed at all. The pork looked desiccated from being over-fried, and every piece had large amounts of fat and gristle. The rice was so bland that I added more black vinegar and chili paste, and then it was fine but still only steamed and kind of mushy. I gave my husband one slice of pork to try and I took one small bite of one piece, tugging at it with my teeth because it was so tough. Grease spilled into my mouth.
Enough was enough and I knew I had to bring it back, so I went up to the counter. The man took it and said he would be at my table in a few minutes. When he came over, I said that I would have the dumplings instead, and then he explained that I would have to buy them.
I have never had an experience like this in a restaurant and certainly not at Stadler’s restaurants, at least the way they used to be. Now, the food is disappointing, and they won’t stand by their product, instead having an outrageous policy requiring patrons to assess the quality of a dish without tasting it. I told the people in line that they had better choose wisely because it will be on them if the food falls short. We will never go to one of Stadler’s restaurants again, which is a real shame.
Food: 1
Service: 1
Derek Wilcox
Pot-stickers where great! The clay pot chicken and rice was amazing.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Michael A Jacobson
Best dumplings we have eaten. Food is outstanding..
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adam Tinkle
Everything was above and beyond. Our server got one of our dishes wrong, but the dumplings we got instead were great. If you’ve never had enoki mushroom “nest”, try it! It tastes shocking similar to the best fried clams. Light crispy breading, briny umami taste, delightfully greasy. Watermelon tartare in tigers milk was so unique! Never had anything like it. My son said some of the top dumplings he’s ever had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Dim Sum
Daisie Warner
It's incredible how good the food is here. Quality ingredients, carefully and artfully prepared. There's a passion for their craft here that is clear.
Tracy Rurak-Salierno
Found this place on our way home from a camping trip and we were very happy with our visit. We tried many dishes, drinks and dessert and all was delicious! The kitchen and our server, Naomi, were super accommodating our friend's shellfish allergy. She was so excited to be able to try some new things she is not typically able to try.
Absolutely great service, we will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Melissa Morse
My guest, the birthday celebrant, got really bad food poisoning there. Nothing was good enough to share fortunately for the rest of the party, except dessert.
I called twice and no one returned my call, hence the review.
Atmosphere is clean, plain. Service was excellent. Desserts were good.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Maurice Libner
Too expensive, menu limited to dumplings, all pretty much look & taste alike. Wait staff encourages excessive orders.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
M L
Great food and great service! The chefs blind tasting is also a must have, it is a bit pricey but totally worth it!
Bill B
Our first visit and we were not disappointed. The dishes are served family style and meant to share. A variety of cold and hot dishes along with some nice dim sum offerings. We did not have dessert. It’s worth a visit.
Hands down the best food I have eaten since moving to Maine in 2020. My partner is vegan and I am vegetarian and their selection is awesome - the vegan dumplings were amazing, and my personal favorite was the Tea Tofu - out of this world! They even had a vegan chocolate mousse that was creative and delicious. I had the pavlova which was a little chewier than I am used to but still scrumptious. Our server was a delight. Will be going back frequently!
P R
Everything in the restaurant is very good, the atmosphere, the taste of the food, the staff, except for the shrimps which are a bit small.
Maz Lennon (Maz)
No notes. Staff was brilliant. Atmosphere was cozy, inviting, and casually elegant. Smart menu. The bite of pork I had here was the best of my life.
Deborah Fahy
One of our absolute favorite Maine restaurants, and now it's closer to us! The dumplings are always excellent and fun to share. This visit we tried beef bulgogi dumplings for the first time, and they were SO GOOD!!
I am leaving this review here because Stadler's food quality policy at ZaoZe Cafe certainly applies to Bao Bao too. Be careful if you go here.
After being a customer for many years at Portland’s Bao Bao Dumpling, Brunswick's Tao, Brunswick's ZaoZe, and then Brunswick's Bao Bao, we will never return. I had three bites of my entree today, I found it dismally below the usual standard, and the owner would not refund my money or even let me switch out the food for another because I had tasted it. I would have to buy a new dish if I wanted more food. I asked how I was supposed to know if the food is good if I can’t taste, and the employee just kept repeating that he was sorry and that this was the policy. I confirmed that the owner was there and that this is her position. No one told me this when I brought the food back, and I would have at least eaten the doctored up rice had I known that I would go hungry instead.
I first had gotten the slaw and found the vinegar aside so bland that I used their black vinegar and house chili paste to dress it up (at which point it was very good). Then I received the pork chop fried rice, which was not fried rice at all. It was steamed white rice with some allium underneath about 8 slices of fried pork chop. Fried rice itself is fried with seasoning and mixed with its other components, but this wasn’t mixed at all. The pork looked desiccated from being over-fried, and every piece had large amounts of fat and gristle. The rice was so bland that I added more black vinegar and chili paste, and then it was fine but still only steamed and kind of mushy. I gave my husband one slice of pork to try and I took one small bite of one piece, tugging at it with my teeth because it was so tough. Grease spilled into my mouth.
Enough was enough and I knew I had to bring it back, so I went up to the counter. The man took it and said he would be at my table in a few minutes. When he came over, I said that I would have the dumplings instead, and then he explained that I would have to buy them.
I have never had an experience like this in a restaurant and certainly not at Stadler’s restaurants, at least the way they used to be. Now, the food is disappointing, and they won’t stand by their product, instead having an outrageous policy requiring patrons to assess the quality of a dish without tasting it. I told the people in line that they had better choose wisely because it will be on them if the food falls short. We will never go to one of Stadler’s restaurants again, which is a real shame.
Food: 1
Service: 1
Pot-stickers where great! The clay pot chicken and rice was amazing.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Best dumplings we have eaten. Food is outstanding..
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything was above and beyond. Our server got one of our dishes wrong, but the dumplings we got instead were great. If you’ve never had enoki mushroom “nest”, try it! It tastes shocking similar to the best fried clams. Light crispy breading, briny umami taste, delightfully greasy. Watermelon tartare in tigers milk was so unique! Never had anything like it. My son said some of the top dumplings he’s ever had.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Dim Sum
It's incredible how good the food is here. Quality ingredients, carefully and artfully prepared. There's a passion for their craft here that is clear.
Found this place on our way home from a camping trip and we were very happy with our visit. We tried many dishes, drinks and dessert and all was delicious! The kitchen and our server, Naomi, were super accommodating our friend's shellfish allergy. She was so excited to be able to try some new things she is not typically able to try.
Absolutely great service, we will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My guest, the birthday celebrant, got really bad food poisoning there. Nothing was good enough to share fortunately for the rest of the party, except dessert.
I called twice and no one returned my call, hence the review.
Atmosphere is clean, plain. Service was excellent. Desserts were good.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Too expensive, menu limited to dumplings, all pretty much look & taste alike. Wait staff encourages excessive orders.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Great food and great service! The chefs blind tasting is also a must have, it is a bit pricey but totally worth it!
Our first visit and we were not disappointed.
The dishes are served family style and meant to share. A variety of cold and hot dishes along with some nice dim sum offerings.
We did not have dessert. It’s worth a visit.
Restaurantji Recommends
Hands down the best food I have eaten since moving to Maine in 2020. My partner is vegan and I am vegetarian and their selection is awesome - the vegan dumplings were amazing, and my personal favorite was the Tea Tofu - out of this world! They even had a vegan chocolate mousse that was creative and delicious. I had the pavlova which was a little chewier than I am used to but still scrumptious. Our server was a delight. Will be going back frequently!
Everything in the restaurant is very good, the atmosphere, the taste of the food, the staff, except for the shrimps which are a bit small.
No notes. Staff was brilliant. Atmosphere was cozy, inviting, and casually elegant. Smart menu. The bite of pork I had here was the best of my life.
One of our absolute favorite Maine restaurants, and now it's closer to us! The dumplings are always excellent and fun to share. This visit we tried beef bulgogi dumplings for the first time, and they were SO GOOD!!
Love this place... who doesn't love dumplings?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Loading...