Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Panda Express – San Francisco
Panda Express - San Francisco
Photo from Panda Express
Panda Express at a glance
San Francisco Alamo Square
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 52 of the guests
#2353 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#273 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Average
4.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
310
Reviews
34.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Orange chicken
- Generous portions
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- No dine-in
- Service issues
- Sketchy area
The restaurant, a popular Chinese restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Alamo Square neighborhood, offers you a convenient and delicious quick bite. When you’re craving flavorful Asian-inspired dishes, Panda Express provides a casual dining experience perfect for any time of day.
You’ll find it an ideal spot for a satisfying meal whether you’re dining in or grabbing something to go.
Overview: Introducting Panda Express
Panda Express offers a quick-service experience where the focus often lands squarely on the plate. Many appreciate the reliable taste of their orange chicken and the generous portion size that can stretch into multiple meals.
However, the dining environment can be a point of contention, with frequent mentions of no indoor dining options. While the friendly staff often receives praise, some experiences suggest inconsistencies in service and the surrounding area can feel less than ideal.
Average
4.4
out of 10
310
Reviews
34.5%
Satisfaction
180
negative
23
neutral
107
positive
Looking at the numbers, Panda Express holds an overall Restaurant Score of 4.4, placing it in the average category. However, customer sentiment tells a different story, with Customer Satisfaction at a poor 34.5%.
This notable divergence suggests that while some aspects are acceptable, a significant portion of patrons leave feeling disappointed. Delving deeper, Food scores an average (5.6), often highlighted for specific items.
Service (3.7) and Ambience (3.2) both fall into the poor range, indicating areas needing considerable attention. Value (4.4) is considered average.
These insights are drawn from 310 customer remarks, with 107 positive observations overshadowed by 180 negative ones.
What people like
- Orange chicken flavor
- Generous portion sizes
- Friendly service staff
What people don't like
- No indoor dining
- Inconsistent service quality
- Unpleasant surrounding area
Given the mixed feedback, Panda Express presents a somewhat uneven experience. While the Recommendation Score of 4.7 suggests it’s not entirely without merit, the significant customer dissatisfaction points to areas that could certainly improve.
If you’re seeking a quick, familiar meal with generous portions and don’t mind a takeout-only setup, it might suffice. However, for a more consistent dining experience or if ambience and reliable service are priorities, you might find other options more satisfying.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Panda Express
Food (5.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, it's a bit of a mixed bag, with an average score of 5.6 and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 47.6%. Many of the 60 positive comments highlight delicious options like the orange chicken, flavorful dishes, and generous portion sizes. Customers often praise the freshly made food, noting the tender chicken and beef, making for a satisfying meal.
However, the 50 negative comments reveal some significant concerns. Issues like uncooked food, blandness, and rubbery meat are mentioned, along with complaints about inconsistent portion sizes. Some experiences even point to food safety issues and old or dry items, suggesting that the quality can be quite variable.
Food
126
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
50
negative
16
neutral
60
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Orange chicken praised
- Generous portion sizes
- Flavorful dish options
What people don't like
- Uncooked food concerns
- Food safety issues
- Inconsistent food quality
Often praised
- foodfood, which I found to be some of the best Americanized-Chinese
- orange chickenthe orange chicken was good
- Orange Chickengot the orange chicken beijing beef and chow mein i literally came in my underwear
- chow meinchow mein wasn't overly greasy
- portion sizegreat portion size that can provide multiple meals
- BPI compostable traysused BPI compostable trays (no PFAS)
- Beijing Beefgot the orange chicken beijing beef and chow mein i literally came in my underwear
- Beyond Orange ChickenGlad they have the Beyond Orange Chicken
- Chow Meingot the orange chicken beijing beef and chow mein i literally came in my underwear
- FoodFood:5
Frequently criticized
- foodHowever, the atmosphere was a significant letdown, rated at a 1, because there was nowhere to sit, neither inside nor outside. This meant that by the time I got home, my food was cold. It's important to note that this location is takeout only.
- chow meinMy experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing due to both the service and the food. With over 80 minutes left until closing, a staff member refused to make more chow mein for me and another customer. I was told I had to have rice instead, which is unacceptable.
- noodlesThere was a time when I used to praise establishments with a friendly bear logo, as they seemed like places where one could eat chicken in tasty breading cheaply, like teriyaki. The factor that changed my mind was the noodles. Fried, coated in grease, and flavorless.
- fried ricethe only thing we ate in common was fried rice
- riceTold me I had to have rice
- Beijing beeftiny fried white worms from the Beijing beef
- Bejin beefBejin beef I ordered was also old and hard
- Chinese foodNot my idea of really good Chinese food
- Eggplant and tofu entreeEggplant and tofu entree (also had red pepper) - oof very disappointing
- FoodFood:1
If you're craving specific items like the orange chicken and are prepared for potentially inconsistent quality, it might be worth a try. However, be mindful of the reported issues with uncooked food and blandness, as your experience could vary.
Service (3.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
When it comes to service, some customers have found bright spots amidst the challenges. There are positive remarks about friendly staff and fast service, with some even praising outstanding customer service and a personalized experience where preferences are remembered. These positive sentiments come from 32 individual comments, suggesting that good interactions do happen.
However, the overall picture for service is quite concerning, with a poor score of 3.7 and a very low customer satisfaction of 28.8%. A significant 77 negative comments frequently mention excessive wait times, poor staff attitude, and issues with dining in. Many also point to a lack of system and general inefficiency, making for a frustrating experience.
Service
111
Reviews
28%
Satisfaction
77
negative
2
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Personalized experience
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Rude staff
- No dining-in
Often praised
- serviceit's always been 5 stars all the way around
- staffLove the staff, they're very friendly
- customer serviceThe staff, particularly 'The Panda' team, are incredibly attentive and remember my preferences without me having to repeat them. They consistently provide excellent customer service and are always extremely nice.
- ServiceService:5
- Wheelchair accessibilitythey were very kind
- cateringOrdered catering from them and it turned out great
- delivery serviceThe delivery service was also efficient
- fast serviceFast service and all the food was fresh made
- ice waterfill up my thermos with ice water for my next work and she did it nicely
- lady taking ordersVery friendly lady taking orders at the door
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience was extremely negative due to the service. The staff made the driver take the wrong order. When I refused the delivery, nobody from the store location could be bothered to answer the phone.
- staffThen they pretend they don’t speak English if you ask subverting and don’t understand what you said
- customer serviceDuring peak hours (6 pm and 7 pm), when they need the most help, 1 or 2 employees take an hour-long break. This suggests awful management that doesn't prioritize efficiency or customer service.
- waiting timeA significant issue I encountered is with mobile orders; they are never on time. Last week, I waited at least 20-25 minutes longer than the expected ready time. I believe they should offer a little something extra if orders are over 20 minutes late, but they never do.
- online orderOrdered online. It said it would be ready at 8.
- DoorDash ordergave my DoorDash order to someone random
- JorgeHowever, the customer service was a significant letdown. I encountered an issue with a staff member named Jorge, who was passive-aggressive and ignored a simple request. This aspect of the service was rated a 1.
- ServiceService:2
- UbereatsUbereats has already charged you $15 plus tip
- attitude towards visitorsI have traveled all over the world and have never seen such a bad cafe and attitude towards visitors. An employee named Vincent simply kicked me out of the establishment and said that it was impossible to eat here.
If youre considering this place, be prepared for a potentially challenging service experience. While some find the staff friendly and service fast, the overwhelming feedback points to significant issues like long waits and poor customer interactions. It might be best for quick takeout, but dont expect a smooth or welcoming dine-in experience.
Ambience (3.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
While the overall vibe might be a bit rough, a few folks did appreciate the practical side of things. There are 11 positive remarks noting convenient parking and good wheelchair accessibility. Some even found the atmosphere not too crowded, which can be a plus for a quick grab-and-go.
However, the ambience here is clearly a major sticking point, reflected in a poor score of 3.2 and very low customer satisfaction at 18.6%. With 45 negative comments, the overwhelming sentiment points to a lack of in-store dining, no restrooms, and a generally poor atmosphere. Many found the dining area non-existent or the surrounding area quite sketchy.
Ambience
59
Reviews
18%
Satisfaction
45
negative
3
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Easy parking
- Wheelchair accessible
What people don't like
- No dine-in option
- No restrooms available
- Sketchy surrounding area
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere was also highly rated
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ParkingThe parking is part of Safeway's lot so there's always a place to park.
- childrenI have seen children going there with there parents wonderful location
- crowdednot that crowded
- parkingParking options:Free parking lot
- parking spaceParking space:Plenty of parking
- wheelchair accessibilityThere's a ramp going into the store ADA.
Frequently criticized
- atmospherea better atmosphere you'd be wrong. The old Safeway there is permanently closed and so is the parking lot. This has led to a cesspool of homeless and criminal types. This is all about the atmosphere around this restaurant.
- areaarea is pretty scketch
- chairsIt's impossible to want to order food to eat at the same place. There are no chairs, so you can't eat there, only take away. So, you order the food and have to eat it at the metrobus stop, sitting down.
- dine-inThis is the best Panda Express I've been to, specifically the one on Fillmore, when it comes to taste. However, you can't dine in, and I don't know why. Everyone should be vaccinated by now!
- dining areala salle était vide et pas très chaleureuse
- eat insideImpossible to eat inside there for some reason?
- indoor diningno indoor dining in 2024 is simply ridiculous and unacceptable
- restroomseat, or even restrooms
- tablesspend the extra 1k to throw away the tables
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
If youre looking for a place to sit down and enjoy a meal, this isnt it. This spot is strictly for takeout, so plan accordingly. Don't expect any amenities like restrooms or a comfortable dining space.
Value (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 13% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems theres a bit of a mixed bag here. Based on 14 opinions, some guests found the price to be good and definitely worth it, with mentions of a reasonable price per person. However, with a score of just 4.4, it lands in the average range, and customer satisfaction is quite poor at 28.6%, indicating many arent feeling the love.
On the flip side, a significant number of experiences, totaling 8 negative opinions, point to concerns about value. Guests felt they didn't get what they paid for, encountered additional service fees, and found the overall price pretty expensive, especially for fast food. The vegan food premium was also a sore point for some, suggesting that while some find the price okay, many are quite unhappy.
Value
14
Reviews
28%
Satisfaction
8
negative
2
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good value for money
- Reasonable per person
What people don't like
- Hidden service fees
- Expensive for fast food
- Vegan premium price
- Value not delivered
Often praised
- priceMy experience was great! The food was delicious and the price was good. The delivery service was also efficient.
- Price per personThe restaurant is also wheelchair accessible with a ramp. For lunch, the price is very reasonable, around $10–20 per person.
- price per personPrice per person:$10–20
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was mixed. While it's kind of expensive for fast food, the portion size was great and could provide multiple meals. I was glad they have the Beyond Orange Chicken, but it sucks that they add a vegan food premium to the price.
- additional service feesbe aware of potential additional service fees
- money on foodAfter spending all this money on food, I was kicked out because I’m not allowed to eat standing at one of the tables inside. I was told to sit on the cold concrete instead 😡.
- paid forDidn’t get what i paid for
- refundlooking to get a refund don’t even want a credit
- something extrathey should give u a little something extra
- vegan food premiumWhile it's kind of expensive for fast food, the portion size was great and could provide multiple meals. I was glad they have the Beyond Orange Chicken, but it sucks that they add a vegan food premium to the price.
If youre looking for a budget-friendly option, this place might be a gamble. While some find the prices reasonable, be prepared for potential extra fees and consider if the cost aligns with your expectations for fast food, especially if youre opting for vegan choices.
How are the prices at Panda Express?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 52 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests find their sweet spot in this range, but there’s also a good mix of options for those looking for a quicker, cheaper bite or a more premium experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 52 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, offering good value for what you get.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Panda Express
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Great Food, Poor Customer Service
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was excellent, receiving a perfect score of 5. Similarly, the atmosphere was also highly rated at 5.
However, the customer service was a significant letdown. I encountered an issue with a staff member named Jorge, who was passive-aggressive and ignored a simple request. This aspect of the service was rated a 1.
- food10
- atmosphere10
- customer service1
- Jorge1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Terrible experience, no dine-in option
My experience was very bad, really bad. It's impossible to want to order food to eat at the same place. There are no chairs, so you can't eat there, only take away.
So, you order the food and have to eat it at the metrobus stop, sitting down. It makes no sense.
- take away5
- chairs1
- dine-in option1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Fresh and Delicious Panda Express!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The food was very fresh and delicious 🥘. I can honestly say it was the best Panda 🐼 I have ever eaten at 👍.
- food9
- best Panda10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Food, Worth the Price
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I absolutely loved the food, and the service was good. The price was definitely worth it, as everything was delicious.
- food10
- service8
- price9
1
No Dining, No Restrooms - Avoid!
My experience at this establishment was extremely disappointing. The pictures shown online are completely inaccurate, as there is no dining area, no restrooms, and no outside dining. The surrounding area also felt quite sketchy.
I would strongly advise others to avoid this place.
- dining area1
- restrooms1
- outside dining1
What Panda Express offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Catering
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What parking options are available when you visit Panda Express in Alamo Square?
When you visit Panda Express at 1480 Fillmore St, you’ll find convenient parking options. You can utilize free street parking or the free parking lot, where there is usually plenty of parking available for your ease.
Does Panda Express offer accessible facilities and options for families with children?
Yes, Panda Express is designed to be accessible for everyone, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom. For families, you’ll appreciate the kids’ menu, high chairs, and the overall good-for-kids atmosphere.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Panda Express?
Panda Express has an overall Restaurant Score of 4.4, which is average, but customer satisfaction is poor at 34.5%. While Food scores average (5.6), Service (3.7) and Ambience (3.2) are rated poorly, with Value at an average (4.4).
What do customers generally appreciate about Panda Express?
Customers often praise the taste of specific items like the orange chicken and appreciate the generous portion sizes. Many also highlight the friendly and attentive nature of the staff.
Are there any common complaints regarding the dining experience at Panda Express?
A frequent concern is the lack of indoor dining options, leading to issues like food getting cold. Some customers also report inconsistencies in service and express discomfort with the surrounding area’s atmosphere.