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 Barrio Logan
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 60 of the guests
#708 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#30 Chinese Restaurant out of 34 in San Diego
Average
4.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
241
Reviews
36.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Cleanliness
- Friendliness
Frequently criticized
- Food quality
- Overpricing
The restaurant, a popular Chinese Restaurant in San Diego’s vibrant Barrio Logan neighborhood, welcomes you with its casual atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a relaxed meal, Panda Express offers a convenient and satisfying experience.
You can enjoy small plates perfect for sharing or a fulfilling lunch or dinner. With options for dine-in, takeout, and even drive-through, it’s designed for your ease.
Overview: Introducting Panda Express
Panda Express often delivers on its promise of convenience and a generally pleasant dining experience. Many appreciate the friendly staff and the noticeable cleanliness of the dining areas, making for a comfortable stop.
It seems to be a reliable choice for a quick meal, often noted for its accessibility. However, some visits can be a bit of a gamble.
While the price can be appealing, concerns about small portions and occasional issues with food quality, like items being cold or incorrect, do surface. Service speed, especially at the drive-thru, also appears to be a point of contention for some.
Average
4.5
out of 10
241
Reviews
36.5%
Satisfaction
140
negative
13
neutral
88
positive
Looking at the overall picture, Panda Express holds a Restaurant Score of 4.5, placing it in the average category. However, Customer Satisfaction sits at 36.5%, which is on the lower side, indicating a notable gap between the general rating and how happy customers truly are.
This suggests that while some aspects are acceptable, a significant portion of patrons leave feeling underwhelmed. These insights come from 241 customer observations, with 88 positive remarks against 140 negative ones.
Diving deeper, the Ambience (7.3) stands out as a strong point, often praised for its cleanliness and comfort. Value (5.1) also hovers in the average range, with some finding it reasonable while others feel portions don’t match the cost.
The Service (4.5) is also average, often a mixed bag of friendly interactions and frustrating waits. The Food (3.9), however, is where most concerns lie, scoring in the poor category, with many comments about quality and consistency.
What people like
- Clean, comfortable atmosphere
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Convenient quick meal
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Overpriced items
- Long service wait times
With a Recommendation Score of 4.7, Panda Express presents itself as a convenient option, particularly if you’re seeking a quick meal in a clean setting. While the friendly service is a plus, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in food quality and value for money.
If you prioritize speed and a pleasant atmosphere, it might be worth a stop. However, if consistent food quality and generous portions are your main drivers, you might find yourself looking elsewhere.
It’s a place that can satisfy a quick craving, but perhaps not a culinary expectation.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Panda Express
Food (3.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 78% of the guests
When it comes to the food, some folks really appreciate the fresh veggies and succulent chicken, often praising the portion size and overall delicious taste. Out of 105 customer remarks, 28 were positive, highlighting aspects like the food being rotated and cooked fresh regularly, ensuring quality meals. However, the food experience seems to be a bit of a gamble, with a score of 3.9 (which is poor) and customer satisfaction at a low 26.7%, also poor.
A significant 70 negative remarks point to issues like small portions, hair found in food, uncooked rice, and an atypical taste in dishes like the orange chicken. It seems consistency is a major challenge here.
Food
105
Reviews
26%
Satisfaction
70
negative
7
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh veggies
- Succulent chicken
- Good portion size
What people don't like
- Small portions
- Hair in food
- Uncooked rice
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was a quick and cheap option for eating. The food was tasty, and the employees were nice to us customers. I haven't had a bad experience here.
- FoodFood was great
- Teriyaki Chicken bowlsucculent chicken in their Teriyaki Chicken bowl
- calorie countsTodas sus platillos vienen con número de calorías
- delicious foodenjoyed the delicious food as well
- food is rotated and cooked fresh regularlyThe restaurant always has a full staff, which contributes to their quick service. I also appreciated that the food is rotated and cooked fresh regularly, ensuring a high quality meal.
- food tasteEl sabor de los alimentos es rico
- fresh veggiescan't get enough of the fresh veggies
- orange chickenthe orange chicken was orange haha
- portion sizecon porciones llenadoras
Frequently criticized
- foodI will never buy food from this location again. I found over 5 long blonde hairs in my food. It was disgusting, and the restaurant wouldn’t even fix the issue.
- ricethe rice smelled like it was caught on fire
- teriyaki chickenThe teriyaki chicken has the consistency of raw chicken and almost rubbery with so much fat.
- orange chickenThe orange chicken, I would rate 5 out of 10, no crunch, no orange flavor
- broccoliThe service was great, but unfortunately, the food was not up to par. Both of my plates of beef and broccoli arrived with NO beef, and the broccoli was still raw. This was unacceptable and unappetizing.
- chickenI ordered food and when I opened the box, it was just chao mein and rice. They had forgotten my chicken.
- fried riceEven the fried rice has a weird taste to it.
- portion sizeMy experience at the restaurant was disappointing. The last time I went, the person who served me gave me a super small portion of food. I only realized this when I got home and saw the plate was almost empty.
- servingsservings to be a bit small
- white riceI asked for half white rice and half greens. Unfortunately, they gave me very little greens and mostly white rice. This felt like they were being cheap and lazy with the portioning.
If youre considering a visit, be aware that while some find the food tasty and fresh, theres a notable risk of disappointment due to inconsistent quality and portion sizes. You might want to temper your expectations, especially given the low customer satisfaction.
Service (4.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 72% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the service here! Its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 4.5 putting it squarely in the average range, and customer satisfaction sitting at a rather poor 36.1%. Many folks appreciate the friendliness of the staff, often highlighting their professionalism and kindness, especially when it comes to quick service and the convenience of the drive-thru.
Some even mentioned specific employees by name for their excellent customer service. However, based on 97 opinions, with 35 positive remarks versus 57 negative ones, there are definitely areas for improvement. Many customers experienced long wait times and slow service, particularly at the drive-thru, with some encountering rude employees and a general lack of friendliness.
Issues with order accuracy and what some described as poor management also popped up, leading to frustration.
Service
97
Reviews
36%
Satisfaction
57
negative
5
neutral
35
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick drive-thru
- Efficient ordering
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Rude employees
- Order mistakes
Often praised
- serviceExcelente servicio desde que entras, te reciben muy amablemente
- staffthey were immediately empathetic and explaining what was happening
- drive-thruThe staff told me they would be right with me, but then they would fill a few drive-thru order plates and then bring the food over to the window. If you want a quicker experience, definitely stick to the drive-thru.
- MorganMorgan at the window is always so sweet!!!
- accounthelped me creat a panda express account
- appdownloaded the app to get my 20%
- bad experienceThe food was tasty, and the employees were nice to us customers. I haven't had a bad experience here.
- convenienceseamless blend of taste, convenience, and value
- customer serviceMorgan’s customer service is top notch!
- drive thruthey offer a drive thru
Frequently criticized
- serviceservice in handling the mistake was unacceptable
- waitI still had to wait till everyone else inline finished ordering and paying.
- waiting timewait in your car for some orders through the drive through
- drive thruI placed my order at the drive thru the lady said one item wasn't ready
- drive-thru20 minutes for 2 cars in the drive thru
- phonethe phone went unanswered
- DoorDash orderalways mess up my DoorDash order
- DoorDash personI tried multiple times to get soy sauce, but there was no way to obtain it. The phone went unanswered, and the DoorDash person ignored me. This is the worst location.
- MariaMaria at the drive-thru window is horrible
- OPEN signOPEN sign is still on
If you're looking for a quick drive-thru experience and catch them on a good day with friendly staff, you might be pleasantly surprised. But be prepared for potential waits, occasional rude service, and double-check your order before you leave, as consistency seems to be a challenge.
Ambience (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
The vibe here is generally a hit, with a good score of 7.3 and customer satisfaction at 76.2%, both landing squarely in the good range. Many guests rave about the impressive cleanliness, from the dining area to the bathroom, and appreciate the comfortable atmosphere. The spacious sitting area and great location also earn high praise, based on 16 positive remarks.
However, not everything is sunshine and roses. A few guests, in 4 critical observations, found the location to be less than ideal, and parking can be a real headache, described as a nightmare or too crowded. There were also some minor grumbles about the bathroom, specifically regarding access codes.
Ambience
21
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
4
negative
1
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent cleanliness
- Nice atmosphere
- Spacious seating
What people don't like
- Parking nightmare
- Bad location
- Bathroom access code
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere received perfect scores of 5
- dining areaHowever, the food was consistently on point – fresh, filling, and reasonably priced. The service from the staff was friendly, and the dining area was clean and ice cold. Overall, while the drive-thru is a challenge, the quality of the food and the pleasant atmosphere make it worth considering.
- locationGreat location
- Restaurant cleanlinessVery Clean Restaurant. I was here for 30 minutes and there was someone cleaning, sweeping and mopping the whole time.
- bathroomBathroom is clean
- cleanlinessimpressed with the cleanliness
- comfortel lugar es amplio y cómodo
- cultureThis place has good culture.
- parkingCuenta con estacionamiento
- placeel lugar es amplio y cómodo
Frequently criticized
- parkingToo crowed parking is the worst
- bathroomel baño tenga código de acceso y tengas que ir a preguntar cuál es
- locationWorst location
If a clean, comfortable atmosphere is high on your list, this spot is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for potential parking challenges and a less-than-ideal location for some, so plan your visit accordingly.
Value (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to value, things are a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.1 indicating an average experience. However, some folks found it a great quick option and cheap option, praising prices as fair and even snagging a discount. Out of 18 opinions, 9 were positive, highlighting fresh, filling, and reasonably priced food, often with friendly service that helped them save money.
On the flip side, the other 9 opinions expressed frustration, with some feeling they paid for nothing or that it was a waste of money. Complaints included cold food, mushy rice, and getting small portions for full price. Others noted prices increased and found special drinks to be overpriced, leading to disappointment, contributing to a mixed customer satisfaction of 50%.
Value
18
Reviews
50%
Satisfaction
9
negative
0
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good quick option
- Discounts available
- Fair meal prices
What people don't like
- Small portions given
- Overpriced special drinks
- Feeling ripped off
Often praised
- priceThe drive-thru was damn near impossible, so I'd recommend parking and walking in. However, the food was consistently on point – fresh, filling, and reasonably priced. The service from the staff was friendly, and the dining area was clean and ice cold.
- pricesLos precios me parecieron justos
- 20%get my 20%. That was excellent.
- cheap optiona quick and cheap option for eating
- discountMy experience at the restaurant was great! The worker on the night shift was super nice and helped me create a Panda Express account to get a discount on my meal. The service was outstanding, and I appreciated the effort to help me save money.
- quick optiona quick and cheap option for eating
- valueseamless blend of taste, convenience, and value
Frequently criticized
- pricesWhile the food received a good rating of 4, I found the servings to be a bit small, especially considering the prices. I wish they would be slightly more gratuitous with their servings, particularly given how not cheap the prices are. The service and atmosphere both received perfect scores of 5, indicating a pleasant overall experience in those areas.
- full priceJust because I'm not inside to physically watch you give me the portion doesn't mean you have to short me on what I paid for. Truly pathetic how I literally paid full price for a side of broccoli. Looks like I'm going to express my way to another place to eat.
- overpricedthis overpriced trainwreck
- paid forI get prices are going up, so you have to give smaller portions, but c'mon guys, this is downright disrespectful. Just because I'm not inside to physically watch you give me the portion doesn't mean you have to short me on what I paid for. Truly pathetic how I literally paid full price for a side of broccoli.
- paid for nothingThe rice was mushy and the food was cold. I paid for nothing 🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁🙁.
- priceI only realized this when I got home and saw the plate was almost empty. However, they still charged me the full price.
- special drinksThe special drinks are over priced
- waste of moneyWaste of money
So, is it worth it? If you're looking for a quick, budget-friendly meal and can snag a discount, you might find decent value. However, be wary of potentially small portions or overpriced extras, as the overall experience is quite balanced.
How are the prices at Panda Express?
You’re looking at roughly $17 per person – reported by 60 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.
And guess what? Most people agree! A huge majority of guests, 46 out of 60, spent right within that $11–$20 range, so you know what to expect.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 60 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Chinese restaurant. It’s a solid mid-range option where you get good value for your money.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Panda Express
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
10
Excellent Atmosphere, Service, and App Deal!
My experience at the restaurant was very positive. The atmosphere was very nice, and the staff was incredibly friendly. The service was quick, and I was particularly pleased to download the app and receive 20% off, which was excellent.
Thank you!
- atmosphere10
- staff10
- service9
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Service Intent
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Great Comeback, Really Good Food!
I'm going to be really real. My first experience at this restaurant wasn't so good. However, I went again recently, and it was really good.
The food was great, and the overall experience was a significant improvement.
- food8
- experience8
- first time3
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Teriyaki Chicken Disappointment
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing. I ordered the teriyaki chicken, but it was tasteless and lacked any teriyaki sauce. The rice was greasy, making the overall dish feel kinda gross.
I would never again return.
- teriyaki chicken2
- rice2
- chicken1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
7
Great Food, Slow Indoor Service
I always love the food here; it's consistently fresh, appealing, and delicious. However, I wouldn’t recommend going inside to order. This location clearly prioritizes the drive-thru, even though the line inside was longer than the drive-thru line.
The staff told me they would be right with me, but then they would fill a few drive-thru order plates and then bring the food over to the window. If you want a quicker experience, definitely stick to the drive-thru.
- food10
- drive-thru8
- indoor service2
Service Intent
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Terrible Experience with Food Poisoning
I had a very bad experience yesterday afternoon around 6: 30 pm. I went to buy a family package. For one of the dishes, I ordered the Beijing beef, which is my favorite.
I was the only one who ate it, and I was the only one who got sick. I started feeling very ill around 11 pm with severe stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. I had a terrible night and couldn't sleep because I felt so unwell.
It was also bad because I couldn't take medicine as I am breastfeeding my baby! 🙁🙁
- Beijing beef1
- stomach pain1
- vomiting1
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
- Drive-through
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and atmosphere can you expect at Panda Express in San Diego's Barrio Logan?
At Panda Express, you’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal. You can enjoy small plates, lunch, or dinner, with comfortable seating available. It’s also a great spot for kids, offering a dedicated kids’ menu and high chairs.
What convenient services and accessibility features does Panda Express offer in San Diego?
Panda Express provides a range of convenient service options including drive-through, takeout, dine-in, and delivery. You’ll also find free street parking and a free parking lot. The location is fully wheelchair accessible, with an accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom for your comfort.
How does Panda Express generally rate among customers?
Panda Express holds an average Restaurant Score of 4.5, though Customer Satisfaction is lower at 36.5%. While Ambience (7.3) is often praised, Food (3.9) quality is a common concern, with Service (4.5) and Value (5.1) falling in the average range.
What do customers appreciate most about Panda Express?
Many customers appreciate the restaurant’s cleanliness and comfortable dining areas. The friendly staff and overall convenience for a quick meal are also frequently highlighted as positive aspects of the experience.
What are common complaints about Panda Express?
Frequent complaints include inconsistent food quality, with issues like cold or poorly prepared items. Customers also often mention that items can be overpriced and point to long wait times, particularly at the drive-thru, impacting the overall experience.