Citing ‘predatory’ contract, Boise restaurant closes and buys food truck instead
Local Asian concept Bao Boi has been on a journey the past couple of years.
Keeping up has been sort of a trip, too.
Next, faithful customers will be chasing a food truck. Because the tasty steamed buns and rice bowl restaurant has closed and hit the road again.
The zig-zagging trek started in 2024 when Bao Boi exited The Warehouse Food Hall in Boise, transitioning to a brick-and-mortar location at Garden City’s Boardwalk Apartments. The restaurant abruptly closed there in late 2025, posting on Instagram that it was “illegally forced out” by management. (Boardwalk developer Vida Properties said Bao Boi was evicted.)
Bao Boi quickly reopened at West End Food Co, a ghost-kitchen collective at 1744 W. Main St. in Boise focused on takeout and delivery. Now that brief endeavor has ended, too.
The latest twist? Bao Boi has acquired a food truck.
“Thank you for your incredible support!” Bao Boi posted Jan. 16 on Instagram. “Due to tech and operational hurdles, the unfair and predatory contract at West End Kitchen, we’re hitting the road with our very own food truck. Conversion is underway — look for us this spring! We can’t wait to see you again.”
An email to West End Food Co operator CloudKitchens of Los Angeles was not returned.
West End Food Co, which describes itself as a “Boise food hall with 15+ kitchens,” currently offers three restaurant concepts, according to its website: Mai Thai, Pho Tay Vietnamese Cuisine and Uncle Chai Bento Box Kitchen.
A fourth, Toros Tacos, is listed as “temporarily closed.” In early January, Toros Tacos opened a brick-and-mortar spot in the basement of Boise concert venue Shrine Social Club, 1118 W. Idaho St. Toros Tacos also operates a Nampa food trailer.
This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 1:25 PM.