What Happened to Bao's Awesome Burgers and Sandwiches?

There once existed a restaurant whose burgers I could say were the best in San Diego. That honor belonged to Bao's Awesome Burgers and Sandwiches, or Babs for short. Unfortunately, the year of 2016 was not a good one for Babs as they officially closed down on March 14, 2016. Every moment I pass by what was once a magnificent burger joint brings about a wave of disappointment. The view of the now empty restaurant is a stark contrast to the neighboring ramen and boba tea establishments filled with bustling customers.

Exactly how great were the burgers at Babs? Well, let me ask you a question. How would you like an incredible melt-in-your-mouth sensation that would temporarily send you to a dream land? If you answered "yes" to that question, then Babs' burgers would have rocked your world. The burgers at Babs were incredibly rich and succulent, completely brimming with flavor. My preferred burger was called a "White Hot Burger". Unsurprisingly, this burger was "an extremely hot burger". If there's something spicy on the menu, it's really hard to resist. That's particularly the case if there's a spicy burger. This burger was topped with a sauce called "monster blood sauce", possibly to scare potential eaters, and sauteed habaneros. Now, the superb thing about the burgers at Babs' was how all of their burger patties were injected with melted cheese. When I first ate their burger, it was as if a cheese-filled dynamite went off. A torrent of rich and savory flavors had engulfed me. The combination of a perfectly juicy patty and melted pepper jack cheese injected inside of the patty exuded an amazingly succulent flavor.

In addition to their regular offerings, Babs actually had a food challenge that I regret not trying to this day. This challenge involved eating a burger called the "Number 11". This burger was even spicier than the White Hot Burger. My own cousin told me his entire body perspired when he had attempted the challenge. I could just imagine the extraordinary burning session this burger could have given me. I'm confident that I could have beaten the Number 11, especially after surviving through the Carolina Reaper. Unfortunately, I will never have the opportunity to conquer this challenge.

Overshadowed in a domain ruled by Asian cuisine, it's easy to say that Babs could not be as successful as its neighbors. Yet, it's hard to suggest that to be the real reason why Babs permanently closed down. The burgers were simply too good for Babs to close down for a reason like that. I won't dwell too much on the reasons. However, it is a crying shame that I may never experience this aspect of my childhood ever again.

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Does Rocky's Crown Pub Have The Best Burger In San Diego?

My old high school teacher once told me of a fabled burger that he heralded as the best burger in all of San Diego. This burger belonged Rocky's Crown Pub in Pacific Beach. The story of that burger was so significant to me that I still remembered it to this day! With every daydream of this burger, the saliva in my mouth quickly accumulated. Back then, there was one caveat that prevented me from eating that burger. Unfortunately, I had to be in the twenty-one-and-up club. Oh, how that fifteen year old anguished over every single realization of that fact. For over six years, I had to wait for the opportunity to try this legendary burger. And after six years, the opportunity had finally arrived.

On one fine evening after one fine beach party, I needed some food to alleviate my buzz. Sometime before the day of the party, I had already planned to go to Rocky's Crown Pub after the party ended. After all, it was only minutes away from the location of the beach party. I couldn't let the chance pass by. Thus, several of my friends and I trekked to Rocky's in order to try their famous burgers. The moment I was granted access to the pub by the doorman, I was barraged by thoughts. This is it. This is the moment of truth. i finally get to taste this burger that has been in my dreams for a very long time. Now, this small dream of mine becomes a reality.

Inside was a casual bar loaded with people. I could tell at first glance that this was a popular spot among the locals. Despite the bar table being completely filled, I was able to order my half-pound hamburger with a surprising amount of ease. After a few minutes of waiting, what came to me was a modest hamburger with tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and mayo with sliced pickles on the side. What I had imagined long ago was a spectacular-looking burger that shined from every angle. However, this burger was a very no-frills burger. No special sauce, no special bun, no special toppings. Just a plain, old hamburger. After fully inspecting the burger, I had assumed that Rocky's must have utmost confidence in their burger.

So was it a good burger? Yes, it was. It was decent portion and the patty had an acceptable amount of juices spewing out. With the addition of some sriracha sauce, the burger gained a little bit of spiciness that complemented the burger well. While I can say that it was satisfying, it left me wanting more. There was nothing striking to me about the burger, like something was missing. It was not as rich with flavor as I had expected it to be. I felt that I could make a similar quality burger myself. As a result of this, I was left slightly disappointed. Perhaps some bacon could have done it some justice.

Now on to the question of the century: does Rocky's Crown Pub have the best burger in San Diego? The answer to that question is an honest no. I feel that I have had at least two or three burgers in San Diego that were better than the one I had at Rocky's Crown Pub. Maybe it wasn't a good day. Maybe it was better way back when. Maybe I should have gotten the cheeseburger instead. Still, I was expecting more. Unfortunately, the burger at Rocky's Crown Pub is not the burger I had dreamed about for so many years.

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