Panda Express

Ok so I figured I’d have to write another review on this because of my experience today. I got there at about 11:35 AM and left at 12:09 PM… yes, I checked because it seemed like an eternity. When I got there, there was a bit of a line. Maybe 7 – 8 people or so waiting… no biggie. This is pretty common here. When it was my turn to order, I asked for double teriyaki chicken like always, and they didn’t have any ready. In fact, they didn’t have any cooking at all. I decided to wait the 10 minutes, and I was the only person waiting initially. After that, a few more customers came in for Teriyaki Chicken and also decided to wait. There were 3 total waiting, 4 including me. I was the first one in. It took about 12 – 13 minutes for it to be ready to serve. The problem is that the lady filled the other customers plates before mine even though I had been waiting. This normally doesn’t happen, normally they will do first come first serve. So I had to wait for her to fill 3 other plates and charge them until it was my turn. I finally got my chicken and rice and she rung me up and I left 34 minutes later…
Yes, 34 minutes. It seems crazy to think that it took that long for me to get my food. Some sit down restaurants work quicker than that. I could tell the lady was stressed, and it was busier than usual. I actually really like the lady working, and I’ve been a regular here for years. The problem is that there was only one worker serving the food/​charging and one worker cooking. I don’t think 2 people should be managing a lunch rush like that. It led to long wait times, and people having to wait for them to cook more food. While this isn’t the norm here, I do have to say that I’ve had to wait many times for them to cook Teriyaki Chicken here. Normally it’s a 10 minute wait, but today was a little extreme. I can imagine it would really be a pain for someone who is on their lunch break to wait 35 minutes to get food.
All things considered, it would have been faster to drive to the Carmel Mountain Panda Express. They’re always snappy with their service and pretty much always have enough of each food to serve you. I guess I learned my lesson though. If the line is too long or they don’t have or haven’t started cooking the entrée I want, I’ll just go to Submarina instead :)

Been coming here for years and never left a review?!
The food is always fresh and delicious. The staff are friendly and work fast!
My favorite is the orange chicken.
Remember to tip!

If you go after 8pm, there will be no choices. The choices available will be too small for an entre

Bejing Beef from wok to Styrofoam container couldn’t be much fresher right? Wrong. This aint Chinese food and barely qualifies as food. You know how they say you are hungry again an hour after eating Chinese food, well its simply not true. After eating here you will want to lay down for hours and probably go to bed without dinner hoping you will feel better in the morning.

It’s Panda express, what do you expect? The quality of food varies depending on how long things have sat on the steam table. I usually take a look to see what’s freshest and go from there.
$ 6.25 for the two item meal (no drink, that’s extra). It’s good and exactly what you expect it to be.

Yum.
GOOD STUFF: They give plenty of samples if you ask. Tasty and fresh. Its convenient too being in Vons. Its cheap.
THE NOT SO GOOD STUFF: It seems they are always making more fried rice or chow mein. I guess cuz so many people frequent this Panda… but come on… look alive…

I’ve developed a relationship with the employees here. Great staff, super nice and really helpful.

This Panda sits inside the Vons store, next to its (over-​priced) produce, that I never care to look at. Step in, turn right and pick up a party tray menu at the Panda counter; the front of the menu says — «EXPERIENCE PANDAMONIUM.» Yes! if you step into any of the aisle of this Vons, you will step into isles that are no bigger than the Italian Streets filled with hummer-​like carts being pushed into from either end by grumpy meat-​n-​bread hunter-​gatherers. Fortunately, you will never have to experience this sort of pandemonium at the Panda counter.
I thought, I would go for a 2-​entrée plate. The smiling girl looks at me, «What can I get you.» The label read «String Bean Chicken», my! my! What I saw (and what I had) had no-​strings-​whatsoever attached, but had plenty of celery… I liked (!) what I saw, I love celery, so, I made no fuss; I pointed. (
) NEXT. I like Kung Pao Shrimp (but its almost gone.) The girl said, «We’ll make for you in 3 minutes.» «Ok! I will be back.» I experience some aisle-​jostling; its good for the waist. I come back and get my combo with white rice, its not oily or like. All this and spring rolls was just $ 7. I come home. I eat half for lunch, the other for dinner the next day. I am happy. Will go it again!

I used to eat out once a week at Panda Express, but grew out of it. Panda food is appealing, colorful, cheap and plentiful: all attractive attributes. But it’s oily, not really authentic and has nasty after-​effects. I know many Chinese who publicly berate it, secretly love Panda. I would eat Panda if I have to, but I don’t crave it. I make a mean Kung Pao myself at home: with only 10% of the oil and organic ingredients.
This joint sucks because of the high-​attitude Mexican workers here. They skimp on your portion, don’t smile and make you wait for no reason. Food is oilier than usual, and other than Kung Pao chicken and Orange Chicken — old and flavorless. I haven’t been here in more than a year. I prefer driving out to the one in Scripps Ranch, where the staff is far friendlier.