Panda Express Gourmet Chinese

They got better! Glad it was just a matter of time before they worked out the awful kinks.

I love their food! Tastes great, usually in and out pretty quickly, and the staff is always so courteous. My only complaint which is becoming a big one is that almost every time I order to go, I get home and something is missing from my order that I have paid for and is on my receipt. I live twenty minutes away so I can’t just drive back for it. So I have to dig through and check my bag before I leave now.

I entered the drive thru just before 7 on a Sunday night. When I pulled in there were 4 vehicles in front so I figured the wait would not be that bad. About 25 minutes later I was placing my order. The staff were very pleasant. I got up to the window to pay about 10 minutes later and the staff asked if I wanted the walnut shrimp I had ordered, it would take 6 minutes longer. I answered yes, but inside I thought really 6 minutes??? I have been waiting over 30 minutes, what’s another 6 minutes. Well after 10 more minutes the staff gave me a free pop and had me pull around and wait in front of the restaurant. While waiting there I saw 4 more cars get there food and head home. I ended up waiting 55 minutes to get from the drive thru line to getting my food.
I do have to say that the food was really tasty! And the staff were really nice, but I am not going to wait that long for it again!

Super delicious food! Descent seating, even the chairs have cushions. Food is very reasonably priced for what you get. ($ 17 for my wife and I) The only downside is that it took about 20 minutes standing in line before we got to order. Nonetheless the employees were friendly, the cooks were having a fun time cooking and everyone was working hard getting the orders out.

Food taste is good considering it is a fast food Chinese restaurant. It isn’t gourmet and we don’t intend it to be, however, you can have the best food but if the service sucks then the experience is in the toilet! This has been the case the last 3 times we have been there! The family feast is 3 entrees and 2 sides in the larger red pagoda boxes. It’s great for the nights you are running late and just want to grab food to go. However, when you order and pick from what is available in the line then they put the boxes back to the back for the «chef to make fresh». What is in the line??? Isn’t that fresh? The past 3 times we have patiently waited for 20 – 45 minutes while countless others walk in behind us and order the bowls and are served immediately and apparently are getting «not fresh» food. Each time the manager is going to be notified to rectify the situation without any call or acknowledgement.
Recommendation, order the «not fresh» because the «fresh» isn’t fast food just mediocre food that could have been replaced by great Jade Garden across the street for only a couple dollars more.

AN UPDATE
It’s been a while since I ate here and the experience was horrible (I gave them just one star). I was in this area again, hungry and had cravings for Chinese, so decided to give them a chance to rehabilitate. WOW, big change. I could not believe. They IMPROVED a lot.
The Shanghai steak, tender and juicy, just delicious. Veggies looked and tasted fresh. Just out off the steamer. Pot stickers were perfect. Everything tasted like HOME COOKED and not a fast food at all. The portions were very GENEROUS.
Customer service was exceptional. Even though it was a lunch time and there was a line (moved fast), it took a blink of an eye to order the meal and pay. I really enjoy it today. Thank you guys very much.
The only reason I’m giving 4 stars is the previous experience (1 star)

Unbelievably slow service. There was a line of approximately ten people and in fifteen minutes four people’s orders were taken. The word «Express «should be taken with a grain of salt. If you are on a tight schedule, forget about this place!

Stopped here for dinner and it was pretty busy with sports teams. It seems new. Food stations were ample, service and dining area setup were ok. They could be a bit quicker on the cleanup but it was pretty busy. Parking area is ok.

Amazing service. I fell in love with the great service and people there. Would absolutely visit there again

If you hate your guts and enjoy frequent trips to the toilet then this is the spot for you. They never have what’s on the menu, the noodles are undercooked, and the egg roles are soggy.

The food is fine. Not expecting gourmet, and they deliver fresh, well prepared oriental/​American fast food as advertised. But seriously, the manager needs to pay attention to the dining area. It’s a pigsty. This isn’t a single instance, but what I’ve seen over several visits at different times of the day. The drink stand is usually out of essentials like napkins. These would be handy to clean the dirty tables if you’re dining in.

I’m tired of Panda Express not having the right amount of food ready for lunch and dinner crowds. There is no reason to be out of rice and chow mien consistently. The food is decent for fast-​food Chinese, but the service is slow, causing for the line to snake throughout the restaurant. The restaurant is a mess with trash bins overflowing and trash piled on tables. Their seating is limited, and the trash covered tables only make the situation worse. I’ll think twice before returning.

I’ve eaten here a bunch of times since opening and it’s always delicious. Have always used the drive thru. Tonight went inside with my mom and after ordering discovered we had no money or payment method with us (uggh) The couple in front of us without missing a beat said «We’ll pay for them» Before we could say anything the Manager came over and paid for our meal and gave the couple 20% off and free drinks for being so kind. Not very many places (or people) in Helena would do that. Many many thanks! And, again the food was delicious. Best Chinese in town by far.

We don’t have a very good selection of Chinese restaurants in town. This has become the best Chinese food in all of Helena in my opinion. EDIT ADDED JULY 21 2014: I should add that I’ve eaten Chinese food all over the country. Southern California, Chicago, Memphis, Nashville, Portland… You get the idea. This is not great Chinese BUT compared to the alternative in this town it’s practically a 5 star establishment. The foods fresh and tasty and the service is good. I just hope the locals give this place a chance so it doesn’t eventually close down which is what usually happens.

OK I waited a couple of weeks to let the opening work out the kinks. went through drive in at 4:20 Friday. not busy ordered 3 entrée and side of fried rice. I got nothing I ordered. so I guess they don’t have the kinks worked out. called 800 # they are sending voucher. holding my breath!!!

Helena now has a drive thru Chinese Restaurant! They seem to be off to a great start. Very busy when I stopped by, but not too long of a wait. The crew was really hustling in the kitchen.
The service is cafeteria style with a limited menu. (12 different entrees) I got a Family Feast; 3 entrees and 2 sides for $ 30. Fried Rice and Chow Mein were my side choices.
For entrees, We had the Beef Broccoli, which was tasty. The grilled Teriyaki Chicken was good, and was a nice amount for an entrée. A tad dry, but it came with a sauce. Also I had a 20 mile drive before we ate, so the food had cooled off some. The Orange Chicken wasn’t the best I have had, but it was better than the usual Montana fare.
I liked the Chow Mein but did not try the rice.
Over all, a decent meal for less than $ 10 per serving.
Next time, I want to try the shrimp and steak dishes, which cost a bit more, but looked really delicious.