Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Panda Express – San Diego
Panda Express - San Diego
Photo from Panda Express
Panda Express at a glance
San Diego Egger Highlands
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 49 of the guests
#709 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#29 Chinese Restaurant out of 34 in San Diego
Average
4.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
318
Reviews
34%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh food
- Friendly staff
- Fair pricing
Frequently criticized
- Rude service
- Small portions
- Unpleasant atmosphere
The restaurant Panda Express in San Diego’s Egger Highlands neighborhood is your go-to spot for a satisfying Chinese meal. This casual Chinese restaurant offers a perfect solution when you’re craving a quick bite or delicious small plates.
You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere whether you’re dining in or grabbing food to go, making it an ideal choice for any day of the week.
Overview: Introducting Panda Express
Panda Express offers a quick-service experience where the food often receives praise for its freshness and flavor, with many appreciating the effort to provide quality dishes. You’ll frequently encounter a friendly staff eager to assist, contributing positively to your visit.
However, some experiences reveal inconsistencies, particularly with service interactions that can feel rushed or even rude. While the atmosphere is generally clean, certain locations face challenges with their immediate surroundings, impacting the overall dining comfort.
Average
4.5
out of 10
318
Reviews
34%
Satisfaction
190
negative
20
neutral
108
positive
Panda Express holds an overall restaurant score of 4.5, placing it in the average category. This is reflected in a customer satisfaction rate of 34%, which indicates a poor overall sentiment among a significant portion of the 318 customer observations.
Looking closer, Food scores an average (4.7), with many positive comments on freshness, though some note inconsistent portions. Service also lands in the average range (4.1), despite numerous positive remarks about helpful staff, it’s frequently offset by reports of rushed or less-than-ideal interactions.
The Ambience (5.2) is average, often described as clean but sometimes affected by external factors, while Value (7.2) stands out as good, frequently highlighted for fair pricing and deals.
What people like
- Fresh food options
- Friendly staff
- Fair pricing
What people don't like
- Rude service encounters
- Inconsistent portions
- Unpleasant atmosphere
If you’re seeking a quick meal with generally fresh options and appreciate good value, Panda Express can be a suitable choice. The positive feedback on food quality and pricing suggests it delivers on its core promise for many diners.
However, be prepared for potential variability in service and portion sizes, and consider the specific location’s atmosphere. With a recommendation score of 4.5, it’s a place that might satisfy your craving but isn’t consistently outstanding.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Panda Express
Food (4.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 81% of the guests
It seems the food here can be quite a treat for many! With 45 positive remarks, customers often rave about the flavor and freshness, especially for popular items like Orange Chicken and teriyaki chicken. Many also appreciate the good portion sizes and that their dishes are served hot, making for a satisfying meal.
However, the overall food experience is a bit of a gamble, reflected in an average score of 4.7 and poor customer satisfaction at 34.1%. A higher number of negative comments, 74 out of 132 total, highlight concerns about poor food quality, dishes being cold or bland, and inconsistent portion sizes. Some even reported issues with food freshness or items tasting like they were recooked from the day before.
Food
132
Reviews
34%
Satisfaction
74
negative
13
neutral
45
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good flavor
- Fresh, hot food
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Poor food quality
- Cold, bland food
- Inconsistent portions
Often praised
- foodI believe it was from yesterday because they hadn't even made today's food yet. The service is good at the Chula Vista location, where everything is always freshly made and the service is good. I hope they improve at making good food at the Panda Express on Saturation Palm Ave.
- food qualityThe staff was great and went above and beyond by cooking new super greens because the current dish looked like it had been sitting out for a while. The food quality was clearly a priority, ensuring freshness and good presentation.
- FoodFood:5
- Orange Chickenen especial el Orange Chicken
- Vegetarian optionsI highly recommend this place !
- dishesvery well reportados los platos
- flavorsigue el mismo sabor
- food portionsI don’t usually eat Panda Express, but I had a coupon for a BOGO free bowl. The service was quick, food portions are good, and the workers were all very polite. Also the food is great.
- food tasteFood tasted good as always
- freshnessThe situation was worsened by the lack of apologies or explanations for the delay until I inquired. I'm giving 2 stars because the food was fresh and tasty.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe service is good at the Chula Vista location, where everything is always freshly made and the service is good. I hope they improve at making good food at the Panda Express on Saturation Palm Ave. I don't think I'll visit again, not even for free.
- portionslas porciones de la comida son más pequeñas de lo normal
- chickenThis isn't the first time this has happened at this location. I understand that everything has its cooking time, but perhaps this chicken needs less time so it can be enjoyed better. Thank you for your attention.
- portion sizesirviendo media cucharada de cada comida que uno pide
- broccolithey gave me mostly broccoli
- broccoli beefIt may as well be called double broccoli with a hint of beef.
- chow meinthis location always has burnt chow mein
- qualityMy experience at this restaurant has been disappointing. The quality has fallen so fast since opening a year ago, it is an F for me. I will not be returning and advise others not to waste their money and time.
- Beijing beefpedà honey sesame y Beijing beef, pero muy caciques
- Chao meinthe Chao mein was burned
When it comes to the food, you might get a delicious, fresh, and hot meal with generous portions, but theres a significant chance of disappointment. If youre feeling lucky, give it a try, but be prepared for potential issues with quality, temperature, or portion consistency.
Service (4.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 85% of the guests
While the overall service experience hovers around an average score of 4.1 and a poor customer satisfaction of 29.9%, there are bright spots! Many customers, accounting for 46 positive remarks, rave about the friendly staff and fast service, especially highlighting quick pickups and the teams professional approach. However, the journey isnt always smooth.
With 103 negative comments among 154 total, significant concerns arise around long waiting times, rude staff attitude, and persistent order accuracy issues. It seems the pickup process, in particular, often falls short of expectations.
Service
154
Reviews
29%
Satisfaction
103
negative
5
neutral
46
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Quick pickups
What people don't like
- Long waiting times
- Rude staff attitude
- Order accuracy issues
Often praised
- serviceexcellent service of part of giovanni
- staffWhile it can get busy, the overall atmosphere was great. I really love the staff.
- friendly staffClaudia and Sara were super friendly!!
- ServiceService:5
- MayaMaya was great. Greeted everyone. She was pleasent
- attentionTienen muy buena atención
- awesome employeesThank you panda express and awesome employees
- cashierthe cashier he was very friendly and polite
- cook smileeven the cook good morning with a smile!!
- cooks are quickcooks are quick enough
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was one of being rushed and spoken to disrespectfully. The manager working the register was so high, she could barely function.
- waiting timeMy experience at this restaurant was a mix of delicious food 😋 as always 😋 and a service that was as fast as they can 😊. Sometimes, we have to wait for the food to be cooked 😊, and the programming of the cooking could be improved 😊 so as not to make people wait too long for their orders 😊. This place will always be one of my favorite places to get food 😀.
- orderorder was ready (and I could see it sitting behind the counter)
- staffthe guy snatched it from me and asked for the order number. ... he snatched it and was very rude.
- customer serviceterrible customer service from the cashier, Mayari
- managermanager last night running the register was so f@&king high
- ServiceService is rushed here
- cashier attitudeI finally received my order at 5: 10 PM, 25 minutes late. When I asked for Sriracha, she gave me only three small packets, and when I mentioned I was buying six orders, she became annoyed. I ordered two small shrimp with walnut orders, and when they were placed in small boxes, I commented that they should be included with my main order.
- chefsee how the chef checks back and still in denial says no
- employeeswait until one of the employees took the time to look at me
If youre lucky, you might encounter friendly, efficient service and quick order pickups. However, be prepared for potential long waits, staff attitude issues, and order mix-ups, especially if youre relying on online orders. It's a bit of a gamble, so manage your expectations.
Ambience (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, there are some definite upsides! Many guests appreciate the cleanliness and spacious feel, often calling it a nice place with good seating options, including outside tables. With 12 positive remarks, it seems the atmosphere can be quite pleasant, contributing to a generally average score of 5.2.
However, the experience isn't always smooth sailing. There are 12 negative comments highlighting a negative vibe and concerns about the area, with mentions of homeless people causing discomfort. Some also noted issues with cleanliness like unwiped tables and dirty floors, and even long lines, leading to a mixed customer satisfaction of 46.2%.
Ambience
26
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
12
negative
2
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean interior
- Spacious area
- Good seating
What people don't like
- Sketchy area
- Negative vibe
- Homeless people approach
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere on this place is grate
- cleanlinessThe place is clean and spacious
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- insideThe inside is really nice, very clean
- locationThe location makes it convenient
- nice placeNice place
- placeThe place was very clean
- seatingThe seating is good, outside tables
- spaciousThe place is clean and spacious
Frequently criticized
- areaTo my surprise, the only sides available were orange chicken and kung pao. This Panda Express is located in a bad and sketchy area, and it simply sucks. It needs new management and a complete retraining of its staff.
- atmosphereAtmosphere:2
- cleanlinessvery happy with the cleanliness
- experiencemakes the experience poor
- floorthe floor and looks dirty
- homeless peoplehomeless people walk up to you while you are eating and linger
- line out the doorthere was a line out the door
- miserable facessaddest most miserable face
- negative vibethere's a very negative vibe
- places to eatno hay suficientes lugares para comer dentro del lugar
Overall, the ambience is a bit of a mixed bag. If you prioritize a clean and spacious interior with outdoor seating, you might find it pleasant. However, be prepared for potential issues with the surrounding area and occasional cleanliness concerns that could detract from your experience.
Value (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 7% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.2 and customer satisfaction sitting pretty at 83.3%, its clear most folks feel theyre getting a good deal. Many positive comments, like the 5 expressions we saw, highlighted prices, 25% discount, and even a BOGO free bowl, making it feel like a real win for your wallet.
However, its not entirely perfect, as one negative comment out of 6 total did mention feeling like it was a "waste of time and money. " While this sentiment is rare, its worth noting that not every experience aligns with the generally positive feedback on value. Overall, the consensus leans heavily towards finding the prices quite reasonable prices.
Value
6
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great discounts
- BOGO deals
What people don't like
- Perceived waste of money
Often praised
- pricesand fair prices
- 25% discountgot 25%off my order
- BOGO free bowlcoupon for a BOGO free bowl
- reasonable pricesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I find myself visiting far more often than I should because of the great food, fast service, and reasonable prices. It's a place I truly love.
Frequently criticized
- time and moneywhat a waste of time and money
If youre looking for a place where your money goes further, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Most customers rave about the reasonable prices and great deals, so youre likely to leave feeling satisfied. Just be mindful that a very small minority felt it wasn't worth it, but the overwhelming sentiment is positive.
How are the prices at Panda Express?
You’re looking at roughly 20 per person – reported by 49 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.
Looking at what people actually spend, most diners stick to this $11–$20 sweet spot, though there are a few who go for a cheaper bite and a handful who splurge a bit more.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 49 reviews.
How this Chinese Restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Given it’s a Chinese Restaurant in San Diego, and the pricing clusters around the mid-range, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It offers good value without breaking the bank for a casual meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Panda Express
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Consistently Well-Run and Professional
My experience at this restaurant was consistently positive. The orders are usually ready on time, and the staff stay organized and courteous even when it’s busy. I appreciate how welcoming and professional the team is, which makes pickups quick and stress-free.
- orders ready on time9
- staff organized9
- staff courteous9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Excellent Service and Delicious Food!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The service from Giovanni was excellent. The food was incredibly delicious and served hot, with the dishes being very well presented.
This is why I love coming to this Panda.
- service10
- food10
- dishes9
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Top-notch service, always!
My experience at this restaurant has consistently been top-notch. I have never come to this location and received bad service. The people are always kind, responsive, and quick.
They all deserve a raise!
- service10
- people10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
2
Online Order Nightmare: Long Wait Despite Confirmation
My experience at this restaurant was frustrating. I placed an order online, expecting to avoid a wait, but that wasn't the case. I received a text message confirming my order was ready, yet when I arrived, the cashier informed me they had barely received the order.
To make matters worse, seven people who arrived after me were served before my order was even started. It was a ridiculous situation.
- waiting1
- order2
- wait time1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
6
Disappointing Late-Night Service
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing. Although the food received a high rating (4/4), the service was significantly impacted by the restaurant starting to close down early. Despite the official closing time being 10: 30 PM, they began closing at 8: 45 PM.
This led to them making orders from scratch, resulting in a 30-minute wait for my teriyaki chicken. The atmosphere was rated a 2, likely due to the early closing and the resulting service issues.
- food10
- atmosphere4
- teriyaki chicken10
- service2
- 30-minute wait2
What Panda Express offers
Crowd
- 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
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Catering
Service Options
- Delivery
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Outdoor seating
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What service options are available at Panda Express in Egger Highlands?
At Panda Express, you have a variety of convenient service options. You can enjoy your meal with dine-in seating or opt for takeout. For added convenience, delivery, no-contact delivery, and curbside pickup are also available, ensuring you can get your favorite Chinese dishes however you prefer.
Is parking available and is Panda Express wheelchair accessible?
Yes, parking is hassle-free at Panda Express, with free street parking and a free parking lot that usually has plenty of space. The restaurant is also fully wheelchair accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom, ensuring comfort for all guests.
How does Panda Express generally perform?
Panda Express holds an overall score of 4.5. While Food (4.7) and Value (7.2) are noted as average to good, Service (4.1) is average, and Ambience (5.2) is also average, indicating areas for improvement.
What do customers appreciate most about Panda Express?
Many customers highlight the freshness and taste of the food, particularly the Orange Chicken, along with the generally friendly and polite staff. The reasonable prices and occasional discounts also receive positive remarks.
What are some common complaints about Panda Express?
Recurring issues include inconsistent and sometimes rude service, smaller or inconsistent food portions, and concerns about the cleanliness or overall atmosphere in some locations.