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
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 16 of the guests
#710 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#31 Chinese Restaurant out of 34 in San Diego
Average
4.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
138
Reviews
31.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Efficient Service
- Cleanliness
- Family Portions
Frequently criticized
- Small Portions
- Billing Errors
- Rude Service
The restaurant, a popular Chinese Restaurant in San Diego, offers you a casual and inviting atmosphere perfect for a quick bite. When you step into Panda Express, you’ll find a welcoming spot where you can enjoy delicious Chinese cuisine.
Whether you’re looking for lunch or dinner, this establishment provides a convenient and comfortable dining experience. You can easily grab a meal on the go or settle in for a relaxed visit.
Overview: Introducting Panda Express
Panda Express often delivers on its promise of quick, convenient meals, with many appreciating the efficiency of the service and the generous Family meal options. Customers frequently note the friendly staff who aim to get you through the line swiftly.
However, some diners have expressed concerns regarding inconsistent portion sizes, particularly for popular items, which can lead to a less satisfying experience. There have also been occasional reports of billing error issues, suggesting a need for careful checking at the counter.
Average
4.5
out of 10
138
Reviews
31.9%
Satisfaction
78
negative
16
neutral
44
positive
Panda Express registers a Restaurant Score of 4.5, placing it in the average category, yet its Customer Satisfaction stands at a poor 31.9%. This notable divergence suggests that while the overall experience might be considered middling, a significant portion of diners leave feeling dissatisfied.
This assessment is drawn from 138 customer remarks, with 44 positive observations contrasting with 78 negative ones. Looking closer at the specifics, Ambience (7.7) is a clear strong point, often noted for cleanliness.
Service (5.3) is generally average, with staff often praised for efficiency. However, Food (4) also falls into the average range, and Value (3.6) is perceived as poor, frequently cited in discussions about portion sizes and pricing.
What people like
- Efficient Service
- Clean Dining Area
- Generous Family Meals
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Portion Sizes
- Billing Discrepancies
- Customer Service Issues
With a Recommendation Score of 4.4, Panda Express presents a mixed bag. While it can be a convenient option for a quick meal, especially if you’re looking for a Family meal that offers good value, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in your order.
If you prioritize speed and a clean environment, it might be worth a visit. However, if consistent portion sizes and flawless payment handling are paramount, you might find the experience disappointing.
It’s a place that delivers on some fronts but has clear areas for improvement.
Similar Restaurants in San Diego
- Chinese Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
248
94.8%
- $$
- Pacific Beach
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.3
out of 10
out of 10
114
84.2%
- $$
- Mid-City
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8
out of 10
out of 10
404
79.7%
- $$
- Kearny Mesa
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
7.9
out of 10
out of 10
500
80.2%
- $$
- Mid-City
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
7.6
out of 10
out of 10
367
74.1%
- $$
- Mira Mesa
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
7.3
out of 10
out of 10
357
73.4%
- $$
- Clairemont
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Panda Express
Food (4 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, it's a bit of a mixed bag, with an average score of 4 but a rather poor customer satisfaction of 25.6% based on 82 opinions (21 positive, 52 negative). Many diners appreciate the generous portions, often finding the food fresh and dishes like teriyaki chicken and beef broccoli to be hot and tender. However, a significant number of comments highlight issues with inconsistent portion size, especially for popular items like orange chicken.
There are also concerns about the quality of some dishes, such as honey walnut shrimp, and unfortunately, some even reported finding hair in food, along with complaints about old or rushed dishes.
Food
82
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
52
negative
9
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Generous portions
- Fresh food
- Tender meats
What people don't like
- Small portions
- Old food
- Hair in food
Often praised
- foodUnfortunately, when I got home, I realized they had forgotten to include the orange chicken. While the food I did receive was good (rated 4/5), the service error of forgetting an item was a significant issue. The atmosphere was rated 3/5, which is decent.
- Family mealFamily meal that was more than enough for 4 hungry people
- Panda ExpressI love panda express and this one is absolutely amazing
- beef broccoliThe beef broccoli was perfectly made with bright green colorful broccoli that were delicious
- good foodwe enjoyed the good food
- hothot and very tender.
- loaded platea loaded plate of all i need
- portion sizethey PILE FOOD ON YOUR PLATE!!
- portionsdecent portions not bad
- rest of foodrest of food was great otherwise
Frequently criticized
- orange chickenMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the significantly reduced portion sizes. I received only 5 pieces of orange chicken and a single tongs-ful of chow mein with my last order. It's hard to justify these portions, and I question how they are priced.
- portion sizeI got 6 pcs of orange chicken and 4.5 pcs of shrimp?
- chow meinMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the significantly reduced portion sizes. I received only 5 pieces of orange chicken and a single tongs-ful of chow mein with my last order. It's hard to justify these portions, and I question how they are priced.
- foodfood is excessively rushed and you can taste that
- portion sizeskeep reducing the portion sizes to an actually insulting degree
- portionsthey are in fact very cheap with their portions!
- Chow meinI went during work hoping for a quick grab-and-go dinner. I wanted Chow mein, but they were out. They had a whole bin of rice, and the cook looked over the counter to see what he needed.
- Dr PepperEven the Dr Pepper tasted weak.
- Kung Pao ChickenKung Pao Chicken was extremely lean on the chicken
- amount of foodthe amount of food they gave me at this location it was so incredibly light
If youre lucky, you might get a fresh, generously portioned meal, but be prepared for potential inconsistencies in portion size and quality. Its a gamble, so weigh your options carefully before you go.
Service (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 63% of the guests
Based on 46 opinions, with 19 positive remarks, many customers appreciated the delightful service and attentiveness of the staff. Folks often noted the efficiency and friendliness of the team, praising quick service speed and even exceptional customer service. The service score sits at an average 5.3, indicating a decent, though not outstanding, experience for some.
However, with 21 negative comments, there are clear areas for improvement. Some experienced long waiting times, encountered rude staff, or felt the customer service was lacking, with employees being defensive. Issues like forgotten items or payment handling errors also contributed to a mixed 41.3% customer satisfaction, suggesting inconsistencies in service quality.
Service
46
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
21
negative
6
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delightful service
- Efficient staff
- Fast service speed
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Long waiting times
- Service errors
Often praised
- servicethey take care of you and get you through the line
- ServiceService:5
- attentivenessOverall, we enjoyed the good food and delightful service. Thank you Sahar for your attentiveness and beautiful smile.
- customer servicethe customer service is good
- delightful servicewe enjoyed the delightful service
- efficiencyone of the most efficient and friendly Panda Expresses
- employeesthe other employees were super friendly
- friendlinessone of the most efficient and friendly Panda Expresses
- grab n goable to grab n go
- managerhave an awesome manager
Frequently criticized
- ServiceThey said “sorry, no”
- cooksthe cooks are flat out lazy
- customer serviceShe was again rude. Racquel should NOT be in customer service if she is going to be rude.
- defensiveWhen I challenged them, they got defensive
- lineThe line gets super long
- manageravoid contact with the manager not only he is not sympathetic to any problems you have , the way he acts is very insulting
- one fortune cookie per customerWhen I went to eat my fortune cookie, there was only ONE! She knew we were splitting the meal and we paid for enough, but she claims it's one fortune cookie per customer. What about families of 4 who didn't pay separately for each child?
- payment handlingInstead of taking $.80 from my card they took $20.80 from my card
- plate of foodslammed my plate of food across their counter
- rewards programthey don’t participate in the rewards program
When it comes to service, it's a bit of a mixed bag here. You might encounter a super efficient and friendly team, but be prepared for potential rudeness or service errors. If consistent, top-notch service is your priority, you might want to manage your expectations.
Ambience (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 8% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, the general feeling is quite positive! Guests have specifically noted that the place was clean and even rated the Atmosphere: 5. This contributes to a good overall score of 7.7, though customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 66.7%.
These positive sentiments come from 2 positive comments out of 3 total observations, highlighting the place and atmosphere. Interestingly, while the satisfaction is a bit mixed, there are no negative opinions or terms about the ambience to report from the 3 total observations. This suggests that even if it doesnt always wow, there arent any glaring issues or dealbreakers that diners are pointing out, which is always a good sign for the overall atmosphere.
Ambience
3
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
0
negative
1
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Clean place
- Good atmosphere
What people don't like
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:5
- placethe place was clean
Frequently criticized
No complaints so far.
If youre looking for a spot with a generally pleasant and clean vibe, this place seems to fit the bill. While it might not blow everyone away, youre unlikely to find any major complaints about the atmosphere. Its worth checking out if a solid, clean environment is what youre after.
Value (3.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 18% of the guests
When it comes to value, a few diners felt it was well worth paying a little extra, even calling it affordable. However, with a score of just 3.6 and customer satisfaction at a low 28.6%, these positive sentiments are unfortunately rare, based on only 2 positive remarks out of 7 total. More commonly, 5 negative remarks highlight significant concerns, including issues with billing errors and being charged unexpectedly for items like a plate and bowl.
There were also complaints about coupons not being accepted and a notable disappointment regarding military discounts, suggesting a need for clearer pricing and policy communication.
Value
7
Reviews
28%
Satisfaction
5
negative
0
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable price
What people don't like
- Billing errors
- Unexpected charges
- Discount issues
Often praised
- paying a little extraWell worth paying a little extra for.
- priceAnd affordable
Frequently criticized
- billing errorcharged my card for the full $20.80 and also kept my twenty dollar bill
- chargestill charge me for it
- didn’t accept a couponThey also didn’t accept a coupon I had
- military discountOMG, they are taking advantage of the military, as the portions are very, very small. Additionally, they don't participate in the rewards program, and you're better off going to an outside base location to get your military discount.
- plate and bowlcharged me a plate and a bowl
If getting good value for your money is a top priority, you might want to proceed with caution here. Many customers reported issues with unexpected charges and discount policies, suggesting the overall value could be disappointing. It seems there's room for improvement in their pricing transparency and fairness.
How are the prices at Panda Express?
You’re looking at roughly 16 per person – reported by 16 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.
While most guests find themselves in this sweet spot, we also see a good number enjoying a cheaper meal, and a few opting for something a bit more premium.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 16 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese Restaurant in San Diego. It offers good value for a mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Panda Express
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Pleasantly Surprised by Panda Express
I normally don't eat out at fast food Chinese restaurants due to the poor quality of the food. However, I was pleasantly surprised today for a more pleasant experience at this Panda Express location on the Naval Base. We ordered the Family meal that was more than enough for 4 hungry people with extras to bring home.
Sahar helped our family with providing 3 freshly prepared dishes upon request. We didn't mind the 15 min wait. She was incredibly attentive and respectful in her communication and honoring us as though we were the most important customers she was serving.
The teriyaki chicken was prepared without the sauce which we asked for. The beef broccoli was perfectly made with bright green colorful broccoli that were delicious. The Kung Pow Chicken could have used much less sauce in order to enjoy the flavors of the veggies and chicken.
Overall, we enjoyed the good food and delightful service. Thank you Sahar for your attentiveness and beautiful smile.
- Family meal9
- 15 min wait6
- teriyaki chicken8
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Disappointing Portions and Service
My experience at this restaurant was a joke. I would advise anyone to avoid this place if possible and eat elsewhere. On a Wednesday night, I asked for an extra cookie and was told 'NO, ' which was surprising as other locations readily provide them.
An employee at the exchange also mentioned she dislikes this location due to its very small portions. Upon getting home with my 3 menu combo, I confirmed they are indeed very cheap with their portions. OMG, they are taking advantage of the military, as the portions are very, very small.
Additionally, they don't participate in the rewards program, and you're better off going to an outside base location to get your military discount.
- extra cookie2
- portions1
- military portions1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
2
Incorrect Charges and Missing Items
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing due to billing errors and missing food. I was charged for a plate and a bowl, but they were both bowls. Additionally, I ordered spring rolls and did not receive them, even though I saw them being put in the bag.
Fortunately, I was not charged for the missing spring rolls.
- missing spring rolls5
- plate and bowl2
- spring rolls3
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Disappointing Shrimp Portion Size
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the extremely small portion of shrimp I received. When I inquired about the portion size, I was told, "we're only allowed to give 7. " This was particularly frustrating as my meal consisted solely of rice and shrimp, and even as a single portion, receiving only 7 pieces felt inadequate.
- rice and shrimp5
- shrimp portion2
- portion size2
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
7
Missing Orange Chicken, Otherwise Good
My experience was mixed. I ordered a plate with chow mein, honey walnut shrimp, and orange chicken. Unfortunately, when I got home, I realized they had forgotten to include the orange chicken.
While the food I did receive was good (rated 4/5), the service error of forgetting an item was a significant issue. The atmosphere was rated 3/5, which is decent.
- food7
- atmosphere6
- orange chicken2
- service error3
What Panda Express offers
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining and service options are available at Panda Express in San Diego?
At Panda Express, you have several convenient choices. You can enjoy your meal with outdoor seating or dine-in. If you’re on the go, takeout is also available. They serve both lunch and dinner, offering seating for your comfort.
Is Panda Express accessible and suitable for families with children?
Yes, Panda Express is designed to be accessible for everyone, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom. It’s also considered a great spot for kids, making it a convenient choice for family meals.
How does Panda Express generally perform?
Panda Express holds a Restaurant Score of 4.5, indicating an average overall experience, though Customer Satisfaction is poor at 31.9%. The Ambience (7.7) is good, while Service (5.3) and Food (4) are average. Value (3.6) is a weaker point.
What are the strengths of the service at Panda Express?
Customers frequently praise the efficiency and friendliness of the staff, noting that they are often quick to get orders ready and handle the line effectively.
Are there common concerns regarding portion sizes or value at Panda Express?
Yes, many customers express dissatisfaction with portion sizes, describing them as inconsistent or reduced. There are also mentions of billing error and issues with coupon acceptance, impacting the perceived value.