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 Darnall
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 59 of the guests
#706 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#28 Chinese Restaurant out of 34 in San Diego
Average
4.6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
284
Reviews
36.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Cleanliness
- Friendly staff
- Dish variety
Frequently criticized
- Small portions
- Low value
- Freshness issues
The restaurant Panda Express in San Diego’s Darnall neighborhood is your go-to spot for a quick and satisfying Chinese meal. Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch or a convenient dinner, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere here.
You can easily grab a quick bite, enjoy small plates, or settle in for a relaxed dining experience. With options for dine-in, takeout, and delivery, it’s designed for your convenience.
Overview: Introducting Panda Express
Panda Express often delivers a quick and consistent experience, with many appreciating the friendly staff and general cleanliness of the dining areas. The aroma of the food as you walk in often sets a pleasant tone for your visit.
However, some diners have noted concerns regarding portion sizes, which can feel inconsistent or small. There are also occasional reports of longer waiting times and issues with food freshness, suggesting a mixed bag for overall satisfaction.
Average
4.6
out of 10
284
Reviews
36.6%
Satisfaction
165
negative
15
neutral
104
positive
Looking at the overall picture, Panda Express registers a Restaurant Score of 4.6 out of 10, placing it in the average range. This is further reflected in a Customer Satisfaction of 36.6%, which falls into the poor category.
This divergence suggests that while some aspects are acceptable, a significant portion of patrons leave less than satisfied. These insights are drawn from 284 customer comments, with 104 positive remarks against 165 negative ones.
Delving deeper, Ambience stands out as a relative strength with a score of (6.5), indicating a generally pleasant environment. However, Food (4.6) and Service (4.3) both land in the average range, with many comments about inconsistent quality and efficiency.
The Value (3.4) aspect appears to be a notable area for improvement, often perceived as poor by customers.
What people like
- Clean dining area
- Friendly staff
- Specific dishes praised
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Poor perceived value
- Food freshness issues
With a Recommendation Score of 4.9, Panda Express presents a mixed proposition. If you’re seeking a quick meal in a generally clean setting with friendly service, it might suffice.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in food freshness and portion sizes, which can impact your overall experience. Ultimately, whether Panda Express is worth a visit depends on your priorities.
While some specific dishes receive praise, the perceived value and occasional service hiccups mean it might not consistently deliver a satisfying experience for everyone. Manage your expectations accordingly.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Panda Express
Food (4.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 81% of the guests
When it comes to the food, there's a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 4.6 indicating an average experience, and customer satisfaction at a rather poor 36.7%. Many appreciate the fresh food, especially popular items like Eggplant Tofu and honey walnut shrimp, noting a good variety of choices. Out of 109 customer remarks, 40 were positive about the culinary offerings.
However, the food also faces significant criticism, with 64 negative comments. Common complaints revolve around inconsistent portion sizes, particularly for items like Orange Chicken, and issues with food quality, such as cold, dry, or undercooked dishes. Some even reported finding hair in their food, which is definitely a dealbreaker for many.
Food
109
Reviews
36%
Satisfaction
64
negative
5
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Food is fresh
- Good variety
- Tasty Eggplant Tofu
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Cold, dry food
- Hair in food
Often praised
- foodAs a loyal customer of Panda Express, I usually purchase food from your restaurants about 3–4 times a week. I love the food—it’s always delicious—but I’ve noticed a frustrating issue at this particular location. The portion sizes here are significantly smaller compared to other Panda Express restaurants.
- Asian cuisinegood enough to satisfy your Asian cuisine craving
- BroccoliRecommended dishes:Broccoli
- Cantonese beef brisketthe Cantonese beef brisket which the best I've had
- Eggplant Tofuso glad that this place now serves the much missed 🍆 Eggplant Tofu
- Panda ExpressLove Panda Express! Very consistent and always a good experience!
- chow meinThe chow mein and rice are always good here.
- cook some freshBut they cooked some fresh for me
- food orderWe've visited this restaurant a few times now, and each experience has been consistently positive. We've always received good service and have had no issues with our food order. The quality of both the food and the service has been reliable.
- free drinkI was even given a free drink
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was not ideal. The food had a little more oil than I like, and there was a certain burnt smoke smell to it, especially the chicken mushroom. I prefer the Fairmount/University ave location.
- portion sizesSometimes they give you smaller portions. ... one small scoop for each item is ridiculous
- Orange Chickenhadn't given him the Orange Chicken he had ordered
- chickenthere was no chicken and all string beans
- food portionsthe food portions are getting smaller and smaller
- food qualityfood quality and service is not the same
- orange chickenI ordered from Panda Express at 7: 10 pm via DoorDash. To my surprise, Panda Express called me at 8: 02 pm to inform me they were "out of orange chicken" and closing, asking if I wanted something else. It's baffling that they had 50 minutes to prepare the food, yet they decided not to make it because they wanted to close and go home.
- portion sizepanda portion size has gone down tremendously
- portionsLets not get into that!!!!
- teriyaki chickenextremely stingy with portions. Watching him cut the teriyaki chicken
If youre looking for a quick meal with some fresh options and dont mind potentially inconsistent portion sizes, you might find something you like. However, be aware that food quality and serving consistency are common concerns, so it might be a hit-or-miss experience.
Service (4.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 88% of the guests
When it comes to service, it's a bit of a mixed bag here. While the overall score sits at an average 4.3, customer satisfaction is quite low at just 33.8%. Many customers appreciate the friendly staff, great service, and quick attention, with specific shout-outs to individuals like Gabriela, Zai, and Yuliana, making for some genuinely positive experiences.
However, the high number of negative feedback (92 out of 148 comments) points to significant issues. Customers frequently mention rude staff, long waiting times, wrong orders, and poor management behavior, which can lead to a truly disappointing experience and a lack of hospitality.
Service
148
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
92
negative
6
neutral
50
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, kind staff
- Fast, quick service
- Great customer service
What people don't like
- Rude staff behavior
- Long waiting times
- Poor management
Often praised
- servicethey’re always quick and friendly with their service
- staffMy experience at this restaurant was great! The staff are so friendly and kind, I couldn’t leave without leaving a review. Gabriela (or staff called her Gabby!) is super friendly and sweet!
- customer serviceI recently visited the restaurant and experienced great customer service. However, the food was not fresh at all when I got home, which is only 5 minutes away.
- Asian ladythe Asian lady is sooo sweet
- GabrielaThe staff are so friendly and kind, I couldn’t leave without leaving a review. Gabriela (or staff called her Gabby!) is super friendly and sweet!
- ServiceService:5
- YulianaYuliana is amazing, super friend and kind to customers
- ZaiZai is a great manager and always greets me very kindly
- big orderI had a big order today, but the staff handled it like pros. Keep up the good work.
- cashierella fue muy buena con su servicio
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe reason why I gave the one service star it's because
- customer serviceYou're better off going in because by the time you get your food or get acknowledged, it will be cold and saugy. F this place, their customer service sux.
- employeesthe employees started to ask me over and over if I wanted to download the app.
- managerthe manager... told me that the plate should weigh between 1.5 lbr up to 1.8lbr, but I was not satisfied
- staffThe staff doesnt know how to describe food. They shout at you.
- waiting timeThis place used to be okay, but I'm not sure if it's the new staff or something else. After making us wait as usual, they got our order wrong. To make matters worse, they dumped out part of my plate and gave it back to me instead of replacing it, then blamed us for their mistake.
- cookNormally I like Panda Express, however, while the lady was putting my food into the tray, I watched one of the cooks consistently reach down and scratch his privates. I don't know what his personal issues are, but he should go to the bathroom and handle it.
- managementTerrible management. AMANDA!! the manager on duty, was completely unprofessional.
- managerstell others to remove food if they are seen putting to much food on serving
- rudeUpon further inspection, I found hair in my food. I will never be coming back; it was gross and rude.
If you catch them on a good day, you might experience friendly and fast service. But be prepared for potential frustrations like long waits or rude interactions, as customer satisfaction is notably low.
Ambience (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, many guests appreciate the restaurants cleanliness and pleasant atmosphere. With 13 positive remarks out of 22 total, people often mention feeling good there, noting its one of the cleanest theyve seen and that the food smell is inviting. The busyness is even seen as a good sign, contributing to a lively environment.
However, not all experiences are rosy. 5 negative comments highlight concerns about a hostile environment and dirty tables, which can lead to a very negative dining experience. ' This contributes to an average score of 6.5 and a customer satisfaction of 59.1%, indicating a mixed bag where some aspects clearly need attention.
Ambience
22
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
5
negative
4
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean environment
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Inviting food smell
What people don't like
- Hostile environment
- Dirty tables
Often praised
- atmospherethe atmosphere is pleasant
- cleanlinessMy experience at this restaurant was positive, primarily because it was always clean and always busy. For me, a busy restaurant is a good sign, especially when I'm trying a place I know nothing about.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Noise levelit was quiet
- busynessalways busy which is a good sign
- cleanvery clean
- environmentClean enough environment.
- establishmentrelatively clean in the establishment
- food smellthe food smell so good as you walk in
Frequently criticized
- dining experiencemade for a very negative dining experience
- dirty tablesDirty tables
- environmentIt created such a tense and hostile environment that even customers were visibly uncomfortable.
- hostile environmentit seems like a hostile environment
- working environmentunhealthy working environment for not only workers but also customers
If a clean, busy spot with a good food aroma is what you're after, you might find the ambience here acceptable. However, be mindful that some guests have encountered issues like dirty tables or a less-than-welcoming atmosphere, which could impact your overall dining experience.
Value (3.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 6% of the guests
Lets talk value! While the overall picture has some bumps, its worth noting a positive point: they offer a military discount. This thoughtful gesture was mentioned in the 1 positive comment, showing appreciation for those who serve.
However, the overall sentiment around value is quite challenging. With a score of just 3.4, placing it in the lower average range, and customer satisfaction at a poor 20%, its clear theres significant room for improvement. Many felt it was overpriced for vegetables and not worth what you are being charged, with 4 comments even calling it a waste of money, even if pre paid.
Value
5
Reviews
20%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Military discount offered
What people don't like
- Overpriced for vegetables
- Waste of money
- Not worth charge
Often praised
- military discountThey also offer military discount
Frequently criticized
- overpriced for vegetablesOver price for vegetables!
- pre paidEven tho it was pre paid
- priceNot worth what you are being charged
- waste of moneyI don't need anything free; I just want to ensure the items you sell are fresh and hot. It felt like a waste of money.
If value is a top priority, you might find this spot disappointing, as many customers felt it was overpriced and a waste of money. While a military discount is a small perk, the overall sentiment suggests you might not get the bang for your buck you're hoping for.
How are the prices at Panda Express?
On average, you’ll spend around $21 per person – based on 59 guests. That places this Chinese Restaurant in the $21–$30 category. For a Chinese spot, that’s a solid mid-range offering.
Interestingly, while the average is $21, many diners actually spend less, with a big cluster of prices in the $11–$20 range and even some budget-friendly $1–$10 options. This suggests a good spread, offering both quick, cheaper bites and more substantial mid-range meals.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 59 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese Restaurant, especially with the variety of price points available. It seems like you can find good value here whether you’re looking for a quick, affordable meal or something a bit more substantial.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Panda Express
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Denied Restroom Code, Lost Customer
My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. I asked for the code for the restroom, but they denied it, even though I was intending to buy food. This is unacceptable customer service.
I used to buy food here often, but I will never be coming back to this place. The service, particularly from what I believe is the manager, is inconsistent; sometimes she is in the mood, and sometimes she is not. This bad customer service has lost a loyal customer.
- manager5
- restroom code1
- customer service2
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
2
Smaller Portions, Poor Service
Every time I come to this Panda Express, the food portions seem to get smaller, the serving size is limited. The service is terrible for the quantity. The manager who was here this afternoon, when I commented on the portion size, told me the plate should weigh between 1.
5 lbs and 1. 8 lbs, but I was not satisfied, nor convinced. I do not recommend this place to anyone.
- food portion2
- serving size2
- service1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Great Food and Service!
My experience at this restaurant was great. The food is always really good and fresh. I also experienced really good customer service.
- food9
- customer service9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Busy Restaurant, Good Sign!
My experience at this restaurant was positive, primarily because it was always clean and always busy. For me, a busy restaurant is a good sign, especially when I'm trying a place I know nothing about. This indicates popularity and likely good quality.
The food, service, and atmosphere all received a perfect score of 5, suggesting a consistently excellent experience across the board.
- cleanliness10
- busyness9
- food10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Service Intent
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
2
Frustrating Delivery with Missing Items
I rarely write reviews, but my experience with ordering delivery has been incredibly frustrating. This is the third time an item has been missing from my order. When I went to the store, the manager only agreed to give me the chow mein that was forgotten and paid for, stating it was a one-time exception.
It's ridiculous to have to drive to the store, despite paying for a delivery service, to retrieve items they failed to include. I called, and a staff member offered two large chow mein for the inconvenience if I came to the store. However, upon arrival, no one was aware of this offer.
They did provide the two chow mein, again, 'only for this time, ' leaving me to wonder if future missing items will go unaddressed even after payment.
- missing item1
- chow mein2
- delivery service2
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
- 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
- Quiet
FAQs
What dining options and service features does Panda Express offer?
At Panda Express, you can enjoy a variety of dining options including lunch, dinner, and seating for your meal. For your convenience, the restaurant provides dine-in, takeout, and delivery services, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite Chinese dishes however you prefer.
Is Panda Express in San Diego a good choice for families, and what are the parking facilities like?
Yes, Panda Express is good for kids, offering a dedicated kids’ menu and high chairs for younger guests. When you visit, you’ll find free street parking and a free parking lot, usually with plenty of spaces available, making your visit hassle-free.
How does Panda Express generally score with customers?
Panda Express has an overall **Restaurant Score** of **4.6** and a **Customer Satisfaction** of **36.6%**. While **Ambience** scores (6.5) relatively well, **Food** (4.6) and **Service** (4.3) are average, and **Value** (3.4) is often seen as poor.
What do customers appreciate most about Panda Express?
Many customers appreciate the generally clean and pleasant atmosphere, often noting it’s busy which they see as a good sign. The staff are frequently described as friendly, quick, and kind, handling orders efficiently.
What are the common complaints about Panda Express?
Frequent concerns include inconsistent and often small portion sizes, leading to a perception of poor value. Customers also report issues with food freshness, oiliness, and occasional unavailability of popular items like Orange Chicken.