/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69803825/WowBao_Resources_Images_Photoshoot_2020_02_17WowBao2_22.0.jpg)
Prompted by pandemic times, the ongoing proliferation of ghost kitchens is continuing at a clip with both local and national concepts developing delivery-only restaurants in San Diego. Among them is Wow Bao, which currently runs ‘dark kitchen’ locations on Mira Mesa Boulevard, Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, and Imperial Avenue. Founded in 2003, the company, which has several fast-casual restaurants in the Chicago area as well as airport concession stands and a grocery line, designed this offshoot to help businesses make the most of their kitchens during slow periods: think ice cream shops during cold months or catering outfits when events are few and far between.
The virtual version of Wow Bao was launched last April and already has locations across 239 cites and 39 states in the U.S. Besides the three existing kitchens in San Diego, CEO Geoff Alexander says there are three additional locations in the pipeline and maybe more to come.
Delivered via UberEats, Grubhub and DoorDash, the menu is made up of Wow Bao’s most popular items, ranging from steamed buns filled with barbecued Berkshire pork, teriyaki chicken, and spicy Mongolian beef to fried potstickers and rice and noodle bowls.