Panda Express

Great when i want chinese food. That’s what i was craving. Veggie Spring Rolls and Cheese Rangoons that are slightly warm. Better off going somewhere else.

I’ve eaten at several Pandas in various states. The menu is pretty much the same in every one of them — BUT – and that’s a big BUT — some of them seem to be much higher quality. It seems that those that are busy seem to be better. Or maybe it’s because they’re busy that they are better. Anyway – I hit this one at about 11:30 AM. Typical 2 entre plate of noodles, orange chicken, bbq chicken and an egg roll and water to drink. Almost $ 10.00. It would seem to me that if they just opened the noodles would be fresh and hot. Not. Noodles were tough and only warm. Could they possibly be left over from last night and placed in the coldbox overnight. The orange chicken was lukewarm and possibly spent the night in the coldbox also. BBQ chicken was good and tender. Egg roll (chicken) was barely warm. Is the steam table working here??? On another note: the water was good. I see many people walking by on their way to the taco place next door. Ya don’t need to ask why. I suspect this place will be closing soon. Oh — one more thing — -texting while you’re working should be a no no. Do it on your own time – not mine.

Satisfies when I want my quick Chinese fix. Fan of the kung pao chicken, chicken and green beans. Never been disappointed. 3 stars for team members not being extremely engaged and food is very greasy.

7÷8÷15 Was there yesterday
and have been horribly sick ever since. Stay away from the blackened chicken. Better yet, just pass Panda Express right up

Yummy! And glad there’s no MSG.

I like Panda Express. As a fast food option, it is healthier than most. But I am generally disappointed in the store on William Cannon. They have undercooked the brown rice, twice. Also, they do not refresh their entrees. I walked in and the chicken teriyaki was old and dry. I asked the attendant if they were making a fresh batch? (it was an hour before closing). He said, «No, we are closing soon.» BTW, the dried chicken was not enough to make one serving. I would have waited. Hint — don’t go to this store late in the evening — they just don’t care to serve you a fresh meal. The store on Slaughter (Southpark Meadows), is far better and I have never had a complaint at that store.

So I went to Panda to get some food before I went to work as I’m walking up I see a really heavy guy sweeping the floors he goes by the food reaches his hand in and picks up a piece of food and eats it! No gloves nothing broom still in hand I can’t believe what goes on in some of these restaurants! I asked to speak to the manager and some young kid said he was the manager I knew clearly that he wasn’t. then he said Diana was the manager but she was not there he asked if he could help me with anything I said no because I knew it wouldn’t get resolved

Compared to other panda locations this place is bad. The teriyaki chicken was burnt & dry. I asked the lady for teriyaki sauce for the chicken and she gave me a small goop of sauce. Even the sauce was horrible. Management really needs to step up at this location. I will not be back.

The food was alright but super expensive for what it’s worth. Not really interested in coming back.
Better off paying the same amount of money for Chinese food at an actual restaurant.

I get it, kid. You needed a job and you got one at Panda Express. It’s not your career. It’s not your dream job. But seriously there’s no need for sarcasm and attitude.
I usually like Panda Express. I went to this location for the very first time Thursday night and was met by the Kid. You know the type. Thoroughly unhappy that he’s working there. Wished he had his phone in hand to check his texts or emails.
I ordered a 3-​entrée meal — in particular, Panda Express’ current special — spare ribs. The Kid told me — and I quote — «We have to make those special. It’ll take 15 minutes. Next time, why don’t you try ordering online?»
Well, I was starving, so I told him I didn’t mind waiting 15 minutes. I looked at their selection and noticed that almost every entrée pan was empty. I asked the Kid, «Do you have any vegetables?»
No response. He’s looking away, looking irritated.
«Excuse me?» I repeat. «Any vegetables?»
Finally he looks at me and says, «Do you see any?»
«No, that’s why I asked you if you have any.»
I get this huff, this sound as if I’ve asked him to make something from scratch.
«Whatever we have here,» he replies.
When I checked out, the young lady there gave me a free drink because I had to wait for the ribs. My other 2 entrees (shrimp with walnut, mushroom chicken) were fine, but the white rice was crunchy from being dry and overcooked.
15 minutes later, she brought over a plate of ribs — cold. Where they came from, I don’t know. Why were they cold? Who knows.

Panda Express is an awesome fast food Chinese. Sometimes is all you need. My whole family enjoys it, specially my children since they were very small.

My family ate here last night for the first time since moving to Austin. I’d driven by the place a thousand times, but never thought to eat there, until last night. I bought the «family feast» thing. (I think that’s what it was called) and that gave us three entrees and two sides. That was AMPLE food for my family of five and with generous portions! The kids loved that they could try three different entrees compared to like when we go to other places and just order off the menu giving you just the one item. Everything was very good! I wish they had chicken and broccoli (my fave!) but they did have chicken with green beans and onions and that was DELICIOUS! Also very loved was the orange chicken (a bit spicy for me, though! LOL) and the sweet and sour chicken. Their fried rice was THE closest to true New York City style fried rice I have come across in Austin! I’m eager to go back and try different entrees this time. well, except for the chicken/​green bean/​onion thing. That’s a keeper! ;-)

it’s okay. the angus steak was great.

It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents;
I was hungry and tired after a long day selling. Sure, fast food Chinese WHY NOT?
I hadn’t had a chance to jump on the Panda bandwagon when they rolled into town so I thought I’d give em a try… it was my first time, what could go wrong?
Everything over cooked and mushy to go with the clumpy rice. I was about half way through my meal someone comes along to sweep the floor (it needed it) so he comes my way with the broom and stops in front of me and I have to lift my feet up so he can continue his task… odd to say the least. Back to the food. I had buyers remorse and just kinda walked away from my plate too ashamed to claim it as I wondered why I hadn’t just tried a TV frozen dinner instead. If only the wind had been stronger that night.
except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.”

Cheap and good chicken bowl

I love Panda Express — but not THIS one.
I have been to many, and have had delightful food at some. This is the only one near my home, so I have tried them many times. Regardless of the time of day, the majority of the food is consistently wilted, dried-​out, lukewarm — in short, OLD.
The optional veggie side dish is highly unpredictable and through the years it has contained various types of mushrooms, carrots, onions, celery, zucchini and other veggies. The only consistent ingredient is a large percentage of cabbage. When they are hot and crisp and you actually receive a bit of the sauce with them, the veggies can be delicious. This has never been the case at this location.
On my last visit the veggie tray was down to a few shriveled bits. When I asked whether they were going to cook more, I was told I could wait for a batch. Instead I took the «chow mein» (lo mein noodles) and that was a mistake. They were dried-​out and chewy, and bland. The orange chicken was leathery from sitting in the steam tray and required a LOT of chewing. The chicken egg roll was cold and boring.
I have never had an entrée or side dish here that tasted fresh, hot and delicious. But if you’ve just got to have some vaguely Asian flavors on your dinner plate, the food here is edible. There are plenty of packets of soy sauce and chili sauce available. You’ll need them.

This will bring great shame to my family, but I occasionally come here for the mixed vegetables with a side of steamed rice. Sometimes I question the validity of said vegetables (am I really eating panda?), but I eat them nonetheless. Especially since they have an extra large glass door refrigerator full of veggies that advertise ‘FRESH’. That refrigerator cannot lie.
The vegetables don’t taste Chinese in any way. Perhaps Canadian.

Yuck. Old, stale nasty food. First and last time here. Driving customers away already? What a shame for them since they just opened.

Pros:
Fast
Friendly
Large Portion Sizes
Asian-​esque food
Cons:
Lukewarm
Oily
Asian-​esque food
Sounds like a resounding meh.

Panda Express has reopened after recovering from a bad case of short bus soccer mom driving Suburban from passenger seat. It was raining, and this Circle C genius thought it prudent to edge the ‘burb a few feet closer so the person she sent in for to go wouldn’t get a couple more raindrops. Well, she succeeded in putting the ‘burb through the plate glass window and inside the week-​old restaurant, which then was shuttered with Plywood for a few weeks.
I’d been so anxious and hopeful that this place would have reasonable Asian food because it’s so much closer to my house. Understand that I saved my PE virginity for this store, so they held it in their hands to impress or depress.
The layout:
After figuring out that this was basically a reverse buffet (or Asian Luby’s) I ordered fried rice, orange chicken, and kung pao chicken with a side of cheese rangoons and a small fountain drink. Total damage was $ 9.31 with TT&L. I thought that a bit expensive relative to regular buffets where the amount of food is not predetermined and you’re not locked into just the two entrees you picked.
The food:
Food is served on undersized paper plates that are then filled heaping high so you think you’re getting a lot of food. What you get mostly is the side order, in my case, fried rice. The entrée portions are reasonable, and some couples might find that a two-​portion entrée can be shared, which would make for a cheap meal.
The taste of the food left a lot to be desired. The best of the lot was the orange chicken, but it should be as this is one of their signature entrees. I was impressed by the quality of the chicken in both dishes; I didn’t taste any dark meat, stringy meat, or bones.
The kung pao chicken was well prepared, and I was very impressed with the vegetables that were included. However, the flavor was rather blasé.
The fried rice I also found to be fairly flavorless. I was longing for a packet or two of soy sauce to improve the flavor and raise my blood pressure.
The rangoons were OK, but just OK, and I wouldn’t add them again.
The service.
There is no service after the cash register. I even had to beg for napkins; I was issued three. The tables are barren of even so much as a salt shaker. Chinese gets messy with all the sauces, and it took exactly three napkins to make it through the meal. The staff is typical fast food; they could seemingly care less about your experience.
The atmosphere:
There are tables and trash cans and you. You’re expected to pick up after yourself when you leave. It was quiet because there are few customers at the time I went there (around 5 PM on a Saturday).
Other Notes:
One thing I did note about Panda Express that is an issue for many is that they use no MSG in the preparation of their dishes. Perhaps that’s why the flavor was lacking and why I don’t feel hyped or dropped after eating there. I feel normal.
Summary:
All through the meal, I felt like I was cheating on my favorite Asian, Firebowl Café. The food was almost as expensive and it wasn’t nearly as good. It didn’t seem as artery clogging, but it wasn’t what I had in mind, either. The place wasn’t as crowded and I didn’t feel like I was about to rub elbows with the entire restaurant as I was eating. But there was no friendliness, no welcoming, and no enthusiasm. You’d think there would be more of that since this store was resurrected, but nope.
Two stars. I left full, but not satisfied. I see no point in going back with Firebowl so close and so much better. The only way they could even tempt me is by adding a drive through, and that’s already been tried once with disastrous results.