Panda Express

Yesterday I got lunch from the 804 Montana Avenue Panda Express in Santa Monica. Listen, this is cheap food, so my expectations are low. I normally get mixed veggies instead of rice or noodles for more fiber and fewer carbs. However, yesterday (Saturday, March 05, 2016), I examined a pretty near full (i.e., freshly cooked) tray of mixed veggies. The predominant vegetable, broccoli, had started to turn yellow and there were a few brown buds as well. Now, eating broccoli in this condition will not harm you. However, broccoli in this condition has started to lose nutritional value and does not taste particularly good. I am aghast that the Panda Express kitchen would serve such a degraded product. That broccoli should have been discarded. If the kitchen was short on broccoli, well, Pavilions Place market about 25 steps away.
I was also disappointed in the response I received from the two workers behind the counter. I pointed out to both of them that the broccoli was «past its sell by date.» They had absolutely no response. They did not even tell the kitchen that a customer complained about the broccoli!
I do not know if this is typical of Panda Express stores in general or if the 804 Montana Avenue store is particularly poorly managed. I know that this store does run out of food quite a bit. I rarely go when Panda Express is busy. I want fast food, not wait in line for 15 minutes food. I go at slower times, so there is no excuse for not having trays full of food. Again, I want fast food not wait 5 minutes (which is usually 10 or 15 minutes, anyway.) Yesterday, there was no fried rice (my second choice after veggies) and there was barely enough steamed brown rice. Really, there is no excuse for running out of rice.
Every time I have a bad experience at Panda Express, I stop going for a few months. For the prices Panda charges, I only expect mediocre food, but at the same time it should be fresh (really fresh!) and ready to go. After all, isn’t that what Panda is offering?

I won’t eat here. The lo mein had a distinctive burned aroma. Then I found a short black wavy hair in my food (wasn’t mine!).

Before I write a review I always check out other reviews. I would like to start by saying, so many millennials with better than attitudes have no idea how to review a business. Guess it makes them feel good to over dramatize petty things in life.
This restaurant is just like the other pandas. They get very busy and sometimes run out of things. So if that does occur you’ll have to choose something else or wait for the next batch. That’s just the way it’s done at all of the pandas.
As far as food quality, just like the other pandas. It’s good in a pinch. In fact I would say it’s better than PF Changs at a fraction of the cost.
As with any fast food place, the workers are young. So they can be a bit introverted. Don’t mistake their quietness/​shyness as being rude. They’re just young.
It’s Chinese fast food like McDonald’s is for burgers. It’s a minimum wage job, what do you expect as far as service goes. Nothing wrong with the service they give. It’s with in line with all the other fast food places.
They now have online ordering. So if you don’t want to wait online download the app and order from there. It will be one less thing you can complain about.
As far as pandas go, this one is good, just like the rest. So many stuck up people come here because of the location. That’s the reason for their low rating is because the people that live in this neighborhood thinks their shit don’t stink.
The restaurant is good. The people of Montana are the real issue. Lives in this area for 5 years. Definitely different from what I am use to as a living in a community of people that genuinely care for each other and not about what clothes, car or how big your house is.
The restaurant is good. The people that walk around in the good with their noses in the air, not so much.
I use to find the people actions amusing. Laugh at their stupidity. Now I just find them irritating. Plan on moving. Don’t want my family to be exposed to a classless society of pretentiousness.

This is one of the worst Panda locations. Mostly lettuce in chow mein, old beef jerky that they try to pass as Beijing beef, left over chicken parts that still add up to 5% ratio to vegetables. Nothing fresh or appetizing. Oh and my fortune cookies was missing the fortune.

I am writing this review while I wait for my orange chicken to be made. I love Panda Express and love that this location is so close to work. I don’t come here for any reason other than convenience. The service is so awful. I walked into this location with 5 people standing around. I was curious as to what they were standing there for. After not being helped for 10 minutes one of the employees walked out of the back with a tray of orange chicken and everyone walked up to the counter to retrieve their food. The most popular dish they make wasn’t prepared for customers to order. The person in front of me asked if they had any steak left since there was none out. She said yes but they would only make it if he ordered it because they’re closing. This was at 8:15. They don’t close until 9:30. At this point I’ve waited 15 minutes to order and of course, they’re out of orange chicken again. I ask the girl helping me, how long it is going to take to make it, she says 10 – 15 minutes. So I have spent 30 minutes in Panda Express for orange chicken. Then after the 15 minutes waiting for my chicken, she walks over to me and says you’re waiting on the shrimp right? Here you go! And hands me to shrimp. Nope, still waiting on the chicken. This is not express. Save yourself some time and go somewhere else. Anywhere else! The employees are rude, and the service is slow and terrible. If I could give zero stars I would.

If it wasn’t so dang convenient, we’d probably never find ourselves at Panda E (as it’s lovingly referred to within our friend group).
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— The only things that really keep us coming back here are Panda’s sheer value and easy availability. You pop in, grab some food, and head on out. You don’t come here expecting to be wowed.
Case-​in-​point: the Orange Chicken.
For as much mediocrity as Panda has been drowning in lately, I always regarded its trademark Orange Chicken as a serviceable lunch/​dinner option if I was either really lazy or in a big hurry. While it may not have been as appealing to Adult Mark’s palate as it had been when I was younger, this stuff still somehow managed to do the trick whenever I was in a bind.
…Funny how things change.
It’s a lot harder to be excited about Panda’s Orange Chicken after you’ve cut into a piece and discovered that it’s pretty much nothing but batter, coating, and globs of dark meat held together by what looks like some glue…
Things don’t really get that much better from there.
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While the Orange Chicken is passable in dire circumstances, the same can’t really be said of any other entrée that’s available here:
— The new Sesame Chicken is downright awful. I sampled a piece during a recent visit and honestly had to choke the food down. The piece that was toothpicked for me was grainy, dry, and tasted nothing like actual chicken. It was like biting into undercooked pasta.
— I learned during a past visit that every serving of Honey Walnut Shrimp is specifically capped at eight pieces. No more, possibly less. Not that that should really matter in this case, as Panda’s Honey Walnut Shrimp are 90% batter, and that same 90% tastes like clay that’s been dipped in some sugar.
— Everyone’s frustrations about Panda E’s fried rice are well deserved. First, it’s peculiar to see specks of corn in fried rice to begin with. Second, who on Earth would actually consider corn to be a worthy substitute for egg? The texture, flavor, and overall quality of the fried rice definitely suffer as a result of this change in recipe.
— Like many others parts of the Panda E Experience, the Chow Mein proves to be pretty far off the mark. There’s not really any flavor to speak of here, just the texture of grease-​soaked noodles.
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For as bad as the food is, you’d figure that Panda could compensate via injecting some extra oomph into the service.
Just kidding. That would be setting the bar much too high.
— This Panda E could really use a self-​checkout kiosk; it would be infinitely more convenient and far less painfully awkward than the forced, stiff interactions with the staff here — some of whom may or may not be robots in disguise. I mean, at the very least, they could work on keeping consistent eye contact with their customers…
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You’d be hard pressed to find food around the Montana area that isn’t overpriced (or an outright rip-​off!). At around $ 7.50 for a two-​entrée plate, it’s hard to beat Panda E when the need for cheap eats arises and you find yourself situated in tourist-​trap Santa Monica.
It is for that reason and that reason alone that Panda E earns its second star. After all, non-​Range Rover & Cayenne Turbo-​driving members of the Santa Monica community (such as ourselves) have to eat, too!
We keep telling ourselves that Panda E is bad for us on multiple levels — and yet somehow, we keep finding our way back into their clutches. Why do we keep doing this to ourselves!!!
Don’t be masochists like us. Proceed here with caution!

Great store, but can you please try harder? And buy some eggs.
I’ve been coming to this Panda for over 20 years, it’s been great. I love Panda Express in general and although their dishes are a little limited and same-​y after a while it’s usually good and always a great value.
However, recently it’s gone downhill, at least for me. Last couple of times the food has been extremely bland — last week there was no hint of chii or spices in the Kung Pao Chicken or the Black Pepper Chicken. And without being a conspiracy theorist (I’m not) has anyone else out there wondered if the take-​out box has gotten just a little bit smaller in recent months?
But my real beef is that they’ve replaced egg in the rice with corn. I know this is all over the internet and folks have analysed it more than I have. However, the idea of a restaurant chain not serving eggs is just too ludicrous to be true (they discontinued hot & sour soup as well with the same excuse). The idea of replacing egg with corn isn’t just stupid it’s wrong and tastes awful. Panda fried rice is now just wrong. Here’s what’s worse: everyone in California knows that egg prices went up a lot recently because of new laws, fine. But for a restaurant to pretend they’ve changed the menu because of some «shortage» as Panda did is dumb and transparent. Sure, some shops were out of eggs for a few days while suppliers cottoned on, but that was back to normal within a week or two. That was months ago and Panda is still skimping on eggs.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU GUYS??? — GO AND BUY SOME EGGS, FOR PETE’S SAKE!
AND PLEASE SPICE UP THE FOOD AGAIN ALREADY!

Sometimes I wonder if the people who work here walk around with their hands in their pants all day. I’ve got food poisoning not once but TWICE eating here over the past 4 years I’ve lived on Montana.
Usually I head here as a last resort when everything is closed (did I really think this was gonna be a better choice over Taco Bell?), or when I’m oddly craving orange chicken. If you come here around 9 you will receive nothing but dirty looks and gross stale food that’s been sittings for hours. I’ve walked out a few times.
I’m a fool for going back after the first time I was food poisoned but, Grumpy cat as my witness, I promise I will never return.
If Horchata is open across the way, just eat there. Their tacos are sadly the most authentic thing you’re gonna get on fake ass Montana Ave.

When I arrived at Panda Express, I had to wait about 5-​minutes for 2 entrees that I wanted to be made. When I went back into the store to check on my order, I was told it was ready, so I paid for my food and went home. When I got home, I noticed that I was missing an item. Up until now, I was relatively calm. What made me upset was when I went back to the store and pointed out the mistake no reparations whatsoever were made. I got a quick apology and a tiny portion at that. I received no extras, no coupons– what kind of customer service is this?!

Other locations are better but this one is horrible! Stay away! This place does not care about your time. I called to make sure they opened at 10am and they said they do. I was there 10:20 and they didn’t serve because they apparently were opening late. Seriously! You’re better off at the Mexican place right across, and the people are much friendlier!

Portion was small, food was stale and I was charged $ 2 for tap water. Never again.

Its panda express of course its yummy but theirs a guy that works here that looks like he got attacked by a Vampire he had hickies allll over his neck smh. also Parking is really Hard to find :-|

Food was OK customer service was horrid! We paid for portions and gave it to us in a plate and the portions we paid for weren’t actually portions. they just slapped a couple of pieces of chicken and the rest veggies. The girl Steph had an attitude. So rude. Unbelievable! Never again will we go to that panda. No wonder why this location only has 3 stars. they need to step it up on their customer service.

Just to start, Panda will never get five stars from me because their food is overpriced for the small portions they give you. When they first started out in the late eighties and early nineties, they were a refreshing walk up. This location is unique in that it has plenty of seating, a restroom, and shares space with a bakery and Mexican eatery. The staff aren’t unfriendly but they aren’t exactly chipper either. They’re all pretty robotic. It’d be a step up if they did care about customer service rather than just go through the motions. Food is good. Haven’t gotten sick once and have eaten here a little over a half dozen times. Bring back the orange chicken with bacon, just don’t charge the extra .50 cents because it has luscious bacon. Nobody wants to pay extra for anything at Panda when they’re already paying you $ 6.00 for a small pint of rice.

Great place to go if you want to be in an out right away! I only have 30 minute lunches and they always are so friendly and kind to me and fast service too. Rosario usually makes my plate all the time and she’s just so lovely and generous and Lily checked me out today and they both are gems :-)) I really love going to this place!

This afternoon I had the brilliant idea of making a Panda Run for lunch today. This was for about 7 people in the office, we decided to order online ahead of time to avoid the line. This was my first time using the online ordering service. The online ordering is a great idea! I placed 7 different orders, named every single order to avoid confusing and employees at Panda Express did an amazing job at labeling every single item. I was beyond pleased by the staff taking the time to put names on every single plate. I will definitely use the online ordering service and come to this panda more often. i recommend it

Unique restaurant setting… Panda Express shares building with a bakery. The restaurant is very clean. Lots of seating. Excellent neighborhood. Ample parking. Friendly staff. Quick service. Your May sample any item. And the bakery located inside makes it easy to get dessert or pick up last minute bake goods

It’s Panda Express… The food wasn’t bad at all! There’s plenty of parking and the staff was friendly. Orange chicken is always my go to.
Don’t be scurrd!

It’s Panda Express people! Going in, you’ve got to know that it’s a fast food Chinese place. Get real.
This is a GREAT location. The staff are actually all very helpful, patient, and good at their jobs.
It can be pretty busy here (as it’s one of the few fast food places in Santa Monica), but that just means the food its turned over more often — so you’re always getting something fresh!
One of the best Panda’s I’ve been to. It also shares a common entrance with a bakery and a Mexican food place, so if you need a tart or taco, you’re set.

Wasn’t expecting much when I stopped in to pick up our large dinner takeout order.
Stopped by for the first time on Tuesday to turn in our order and got a little nervous as the gal working couldn’t grasp the fact that I wanted 4 orders of their Catering Meal for 32 people. They were not able to give me a total either as it needed to be rung in and we were not going to pay until pick up today. So she told me each order was $ 150 and I added it up and figured out the tax.
So for $ 150 for a 32per Panda Catering order you get the following…
4 Entrée party trays of your choice
2 Side party trays of your choice (mixed veg, fried rice, steamed rice or chow mein)
Fortune cookies
For our entrée choices we went for the Broccoli Beef, Mushroom Chicken and Eggplant-​Tofu Stir Fry. Sides we ordered a few of each.
Order was to be picked up at 5pm and the last of it was surprisingly being packaged as we walked in at 5pm. Pretty cool as I expected to have to wait a bit. Order was correct and marked for easy distinguishing.
Taste wise… well it’s Panda made in large quantities. For what it was it was good, still warm by the time it was to be served. Edible was all I hoped for and it was.
BUT…a big two star BOO to them forgetting the fortune cookies. What the hey??? Guess they already knew it was my lucky night being the last day at the g and all. Well if I got a cookie I bet my fortune would have went something like this…
«I see much binging and yahooing in your immediate future»
Peace out g! Won’t miss ya. (=