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 Point Loma
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 42 of the guests
#743 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#34 Chinese Restaurant out of 34 in San Diego
Poor
3.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
259
Reviews
22.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Good atmosphere
- Tasty food
- Fast service
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Uneven food
- Hygiene issues
The Chinese restaurant Panda Express in San Diego’s vibrant Point Loma neighborhood offers you a convenient and satisfying dining experience. If you’re looking for a quick bite that doesn’t compromise on flavor, this spot is a go-to.
You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a relaxed meal, whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner. It’s a great choice for families too, with options that are good for kids.
Overview: Introducting Panda Express
Panda Express presents a mixed bag for diners. While some appreciate the flavorful hot food and quick service from efficient staff, others report significant issues.
Many experiences are marred by unprofessional service and concerns over waiting times . The overall atmosphere often receives praise, but food consistency and value can be points of contention.
Poor
3.4
out of 10
259
Reviews
22.4%
Satisfaction
189
negative
12
neutral
58
positive
Panda Express registers an overall score of 3.4, placing it in the poor category, with customer satisfaction also quite low at 22.4%. This assessment is drawn from 259 customer observations, highlighting areas needing considerable attention.
Diving deeper, Ambience (4.2) is rated as average, offering a somewhat pleasant setting. However, Food (3.6), Value (3.5), and Service (3) all fall into the poor range, reflecting a majority of negative experiences (189 negative observations versus 58 positive).
What people like
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Flavorful hot food
- Quick service
What people don't like
- Unprofessional service
- Inconsistent food quality
- Questionable hygiene
Given the 3.6 recommendation score, Panda Express currently presents a challenging proposition. While some positive aspects exist, the overall experience suggests it might not consistently meet expectations for a satisfying meal.
If you prioritize a quick bite in a decent setting and are willing to overlook potential service and food consistency issues, it might suffice. However, for a reliably good dining experience, you may want to explore other options.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Panda Express
Food (3.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 81% of the guests
Many diners appreciate the delicious and hot food, often praising the quality and consistency. Specific mentions highlight the excellent Kung Pao Chicken and perfectly cooked Grilled Chicken, with many finding items fresh and flavorful. This positive feedback comes from 32 observations.
However, the overall food experience seems to be struggling, reflected in a poor score of 3.6 and customer satisfaction at a mere 23.9%. A significant 96 negative comments point to issues like dry rice, bad orange chicken, small portion sizes, and even food poisoning. Concerns about food availability and quality of chicken are also prevalent.
Food
134
Reviews
23%
Satisfaction
96
negative
6
neutral
32
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious hot food
- Grilled Chicken praised
- Consistent fresh options
What people don't like
- Food poisoning incidents
- Small portion sizes
- Inconsistent food quality
Often praised
- foodThe food was served hot, fresh, and flavorful
- orange chickenI ordered fried rice and orange chicken, and it was quite nice.
- Beijing BeefWhile I enjoyed the noodles, I'd suggest skipping the fried rice as it was lacking in salt and flavor; you'd need to add soy sauce to make it palatable. The Beijing Beef was good, but the Grilled Chicken was the true star. The chicken thighs were perfectly seasoned or brined, cooked well, and not dried out.
- Beijing beefI got Beijing beef
- Grilled Chickenthe star of the show was the Grilled Chicken
- Kung Pao Chickenbest Kung Pao Chicken you can get fast
- Mushroom chickenMushroom chicken was as good as always
- NoodlesNoodles all the way
- chickenThe chicken was soft and warm.
- chicken thighschicken thighs were adequately seasoned or brined, cooked well and it wasn’t dried out
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience was incredibly disappointing. It was one of the most heartbreaking moments of my life to open my food on the plane and find out they forgot to put 1/3 of my food in the container. They forgot my orange chicken side.
- orange chickenThey urgently need a food inspection, as either the ice/soda machine hasn't been regularly cleaned, or the quality of chicken is not handled well. Please don't be the next victim, no matter how enticing the orange chicken looks or smells.
- fried riceMy experience at this restaurant was horrible. The food was awful, with tasteless fried rice and overly sweet Beijing beef. I usually find the average Panda restaurant to be pretty good, but this place was a disaster.
- portion sizeonly given 3 pieces of chicken so it felt as though I only got one entree
- chow meinMany entree plates were empty, with over 60% of them vacant. There was no chow mein or teriyaki chicken available. If you enjoy dry, leftover fried rice scraped from the bottom of the tray and lukewarm orange chicken, then this place is for you.
- food poisoningsurprised if we don’t have food poisoning tomorrow
- riceThe rice is horrible
- FoodAfter eating this food my son got really sick
- chickenMy experience at the restaurant was disappointing. I tried the spicy orange chicken, but every piece was fried so much that it was no longer chicken, just crunch. This made the food experience very disappointing.
- food availabilitythey don't cook anything else
If you're considering a meal here, proceed with caution. While some find delicious options, the low satisfaction and numerous complaints about food quality, portion sizes, and even food safety suggest a high risk of disappointment.
Service (3 out of 10)
mentioned by 77% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot seems to be a real mixed bag, leaning heavily towards needing improvement. While a few customers praised the quick and easy service, highlighting individuals like Ana for her amazing customer service and a sweet cashier who even offered extra sauces, these positive experiences are unfortunately rare. There were 16 positive remarks out of 87 total comments, noting things like a well-organized team and friendly staff.
However, the overall sentiment paints a challenging picture, with a low score of 3 and customer satisfaction at a mere 18.4%. A significant 69 negative comments frequently mentioned rude staff and cashiers, long waiting times, and unprofessional behavior like employees using cell phones or refusing to make more food. Issues with staff not speaking English, poor portioning, and hygiene concerns like not using gloves were also common complaints, making service a definite area for concern.
Service
87
Reviews
18%
Satisfaction
69
negative
2
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quick, efficient service
- Friendly, sweet staff
- Amazing customer service
What people don't like
- Rude, unprofessional staff
- Long waiting times
- Poor hygiene practices
Often praised
- customer serviceThe price was comparable to fast-food chains outside the airport, offering great value. Ana provided amazing customer service, ensuring our order was dished up quickly. The cashier was also very sweet and even gave us extra sauces.
- serviceQuick and easy service
- staffthe staff enjoys its work and it’s shows
- AnaAna gave amazing customer service
- Wait timeWait time:No wait
- cashierThe cashier was so sweet
- employeesThe employees were nice though
- main person servingmain person serving was amazingly efficient and impressive
- order dished upgot our order dished up quickly
- people who work therePeople who work there are very nice
Frequently criticized
- cashierHowever, the service was a significant letdown, rated at 1. I observed the cashier on his cell phone, watching videos while assisting customers, which I found to be rude and unprofessional.
- serviceShe did not greet customers with a "welcome" or "hello, " and displayed a sloppy attitude towards them. This unprofessional service needs to be addressed.
- staffheard the two laugh in Spanish about not giving a lady enough spring rolls
- Serviceserver served much less noodles
- employeesNone of the employees wanted to be there
- customer serviceshe does not reserve to be a manager for a customer service
- fortune cookiesThey also didn't give me utensils or fortune cookies.
- linesI think the lines caused the two to rush
- waiting timeI went to order some chicken teriyaki and was told it would be 30 minutes until they could make it. This seemed like a stretch, and it didn't help that only one worker was left to work on the line while the two others, who were supposedly 'cooking, ' were just standing there texting on their phones in full view of the customers, leaving the one worker out to dry.
- workerworker stuff egg roll in his mouth with no gloves on
If youre in a rush and hoping for a smooth experience, you might want to manage your expectations, as the service here is quite inconsistent. While some lucky folks had quick and friendly interactions, many others faced rudeness and long waits. Its a gamble, so be prepared for potential disappointment.
Ambience (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
It seems some folks really appreciate the vibe at specific spots like Palm Avenue and Hill Crest, noting the atmosphere was top-notch. There's also praise for the seating arrangements and good amount of tables available, making it comfortable for many. The ambience scores an 4.2, placing it in the average range.
However, the overall customer satisfaction for ambience is quite low at just 31.6%, indicating a poor experience for many. A significant number of the 19 comments, specifically 11 negative remarks, point to issues, especially concerning airport locations. Concerns about cleanliness, including a HUGE health code violation and dirty soda machine, really drag down the overall feel.
Ambience
19
Reviews
31%
Satisfaction
11
negative
2
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Top-notch atmosphere
- Ample seating
What people don't like
- Dirty airport locations
- Health code violations
- Unclean soda machine
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Hill CrestPalm Avenue and Hill Crest panda express where very nice
- Palm AvenuePalm Avenue and Hill Crest panda express where very nice
- atmospherethe atmosphere was also top-notch
- seatingAmple seating in the food court too
- tablesGood amount of tables
Frequently criticized
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- airportone inside on an airport
- atmosphereAtmosphere:1
- bacteriacell phones have a lot of bacteria and I bet he uses his cell phone while he goes to the bathroom
- health code violationHUGE healthy code violation
- locationthis place is at the airport not that good
- regular restaurantrather go to a regular one
- soda machinethe ice/soda machine hasn’t been regularly cleaned
If youre considering a visit, you might find a pleasant atmosphere at specific locations like Palm Avenue or Hill Crest. However, be cautious if youre at an airport spot, as cleanliness and overall vibe seem to be major dealbreakers for many customers.
Value (3.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 28% of the guests
When it comes to value, it seems there's a bit of a mixed bag, though leaning heavily towards disappointment. Some folks found the price and prices to be quite reasonable, especially for an airport, with a few even calling it a great deal comparable to outside establishments. However, these positive sentiments are quite rare, with only 4 positive remarks out of 19 total.
On the flip side, the overall sentiment is pretty low, reflected in a score of 3.5 and a customer satisfaction of just 21.1%, both indicating poor performance. Many customers felt the price of the food was too high, describing it as expensive food and even a waste of money. There were also concerns about hidden cost, such as surcharges and charges for ice water, with 13 negative comments highlighting these issues.
Value
19
Reviews
21%
Satisfaction
13
negative
2
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable airport price
What people don't like
- High prices
- Hidden fees
- Small portions
Often praised
- priceGreat price (comparable to Panda Express outside the airport!)
- pricesthe prices about the same
Frequently criticized
- priceFor the price we pay we could have better food
- cashthey were only accepting cash
- cheap airport foodVery cheap airport food for a price lol
- costcost that much
- cup of ice watercharge for cup of ice water
- expensive foodThe food is 20% expensive.
- price gaugingprice gauging to the maximum
- price of the foodI really like Panda Express, but they are stingy with the food 😒. I am paying for a 3-item plate, and the servings are not good for the price of the food. Additionally, the service is not great.
- stingyDon't be so stingy
- surchargeShameful greed is charging a 2.00% surcharge
If youre looking for good value, this spot might disappoint, as many feel the prices dont match the portions or quality. While a few found it reasonable for an airport, be prepared for potentially high costs and unexpected fees. It's probably best to manage your expectations or consider other options if budget is a primary concern.
How are the prices at Panda Express?
You’re looking at roughly 18 per person – reported by 42 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, it’s clear most guests stick right within that $11–$20 sweet spot, with only a few venturing outside it. So, prices are pretty consistent around the average!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 42 reviews.
How this Chinese Restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, for a Chinese Restaurant, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It’s a solid mid-range option where you know what to expect without any big surprises.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Panda Express
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
7
Mixed Panda Express Experience
My experience at Panda Express was varied. The Palm Avenue and Hill Crest locations were very nice. However, the Fashion Valley location was just okay, primarily due to the employee service, which consisted of only one person.
Overall, it was an acceptable experience.
- Palm Avenue8
- Hill Crest8
- Fashion Valley6
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Food Poisoning Ruined Vacation
My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. I got food poisoning from the meal, which completely ruined my vacation. The food was very cheap, but considering the price, it was still a bad experience.
The food quality was rated a 1 out of 5, and the overall experience was disappointing.
- food poisoning1
- cheap airport food2
- food quality1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Reliable Airport Dining
My experience at this restaurant was positive, especially considering it's an airport location. I found the food to be reliable hot food, which is exactly what you want when traveling. I tried the Beijing beef and mushroom chicken, and both were satisfying.
The atmosphere was also great, rated at 5. Overall, it was a good meal with no wait time.
- hot food9
- Beijing beef9
- mushroom chicken9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Extremely Rude Manager and Poor Food Quality
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. The food, which was supposed to be chicken, tasted like starch and sugar. As a diabetic, I found this particularly concerning.
I asked the manager, Miza, to change the dish, describing it as the "sweetest chicken on earth. " However, she refused, stating, "I won't do it. Go do whatever you want to do.
" Her response was extremely rude and impolite, and she does not seem to be suited for a customer service manager role.
- chicken2
- sweetest chicken1
- manager1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Quick, Quality Stop for Travelers
My experience at this restaurant was excellent, especially considering it's a popular stop for travelers. The team was well-organized and worked with great energy, ensuring the line moved quickly despite the steady flow of customers. I appreciated that the food was served hot, fresh, and flavorful, making it an ideal spot for a satisfying meal on the go.
Whether passing through or taking a break, this stop delivers quick service and quality food for a pleasant experience.
- team9
- food10
- quick service9
What Panda Express offers
Crowd
- Tourists
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Panda Express in Point Loma?
At Panda Express in Point Loma, you can enjoy a casual dining experience for lunch and dinner, with both dine-in and takeout options. It’s a family-friendly spot, good for kids, and fully wheelchair accessible. You’ll find wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, seating, and restrooms, ensuring a comfortable visit for all.
What types of dishes and conveniences does Panda Express in San Diego offer?
Panda Express in San Diego offers a variety of Chinese dishes, including small plates and vegetarian options, perfect if you’re looking for a quick bite. You’ll also appreciate the convenience of a free parking lot, which usually has plenty of spaces available. Payment is easy with credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
How does Panda Express generally perform?
Panda Express receives an overall score of 3.4, indicating a generally poor experience. While the Ambience (4.2) is average, Food (3.6), Value (3.5), and Service (3) all fall into the poor category.
What do customers appreciate about the food at Panda Express?
Many customers find the food to be hot, fresh, and flavorful, with specific mentions of dishes like Grilled Chicken being a standout.
What are common complaints regarding service at Panda Express?
Service issues frequently arise, including unprofessional staff, long waiting times, and instances of cashiers on cell phones during service.