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 University City
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 21 of the guests
#718 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#32 Chinese Restaurant out of 34 in San Diego
Average
4.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
218
Reviews
34.9%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Generous portions
- Quick service
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Poor sanitation
- Rude staff
- Inconsistent food
The restaurant Panda Express in San Diego’s vibrant University City neighborhood offers a delightful Chinese dining experience. If you’re looking for a quick bite, this casual spot is perfect for you.
You can enjoy a satisfying meal, whether it’s for lunch or dinner, in a relaxed setting. It’s a great choice for a convenient and tasty meal.
Overview: Introducting Panda Express
Panda Express offers a convenient option for a quick meal, with many customers appreciating the fast service and often finding the food to be quite satisfying. Patrons frequently commend the AMAZING food and the overall efficiency of their visit.
However, experiences can be inconsistent, with some diners noting concerns about the general atmosphere and occasional issues with rude service. These aspects suggest that while the core offering is strong, the overall dining experience can sometimes fall short.
Average
4.3
out of 10
218
Reviews
34.9%
Satisfaction
131
negative
11
neutral
76
positive
The restaurant holds a 4.3 score, placing it in the average range, reflecting a mixed experience. Customer satisfaction stands at 34.9%, which is considered poor.
This contrast suggests that while some aspects are well-received, a significant portion of patrons leave less than impressed, indicating a noticeable gap between perceived quality and overall happiness. Looking closer, Food (5) is an average performer, yet it garners the most discussion.
Service (3.6) also falls into the average category, with many positive comments about efficiency but also notable complaints. Ambience (2.9) is a weaker point, while Value (7.2) stands out as a clear strength.
This assessment is drawn from 218 customer observations, comprising 76 positive and 131 negative remarks.
What people like
- Generous portions
- Quick service
- Good value
What people don't like
- Poor sanitation
- Rude staff
- Inconsistent food quality
Panda Express presents a convenient option for a quick meal, particularly if you prioritize its core offerings and value. With a 4.5 recommendation score, it suggests that many find it a worthwhile stop for its primary appeal.
However, be mindful that experiences can vary, especially concerning service and the dining ambience. If you’re seeking a consistently pleasant dining environment, you might find it a mixed bag, but for a fast and satisfying bite, it often delivers.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Panda Express
Food (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 83% of the guests
When it comes to the grub, theres a definite buzz around some dishes! Many folks rave about the delicious food and big portions, with specific shout-outs for amazing vegetables and teriyaki chicken. Out of 99 remarks, 43 were positive, contributing to an overall score of 5 and a customer satisfaction of 43.4%, suggesting a somewhat mixed but often enjoyable culinary experience.
However, its not all sunshine and fortune cookies. There are quite a few concerns, with 47 negative remarks highlighting issues like food poisoning symptoms, undercooked items, and food that tasted stale or greasy. Some even mentioned a lack of veggies or disappointing shrimp portions, indicating that consistency might be a challenge.
Food
99
Reviews
43%
Satisfaction
47
negative
9
neutral
43
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, flavorful food
- Generous portions
- Amazing vegetables
What people don't like
- Food poisoning risk
- Undercooked items
- Stale, dry food
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was a mix of delicious food and rude service. All the food was very delicious, earning a perfect score. However, the staff who served us were very rude with their actions and facial expressions, which significantly detracted from the overall experience.
- big portionsMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found the food to be amazing and very flavorful, with big portions. It was also affordable, offering great value for money.
- chow meinWhen it was our turn, the lady turned around and ignored us. We finally ordered our chow mein and waited for our turn at the register. A lady cut us in line and asked for a soda.
- AMAZING foodI didn’t want to tell anyone🥺 But the green bean, Mongolian chicken, and bourbon chicken were so good that I have to tell everyone 💫💫💫💫💫! I’ll just call my order in early 😊 Thanks for the great service, clean family restaurant, and AMAZING food. OMG, they even have these tablets that you can get on while you're there.
- Fast Casual Chinese food gamekilling the Fast Casual Chinese food game!
- Mongolian chickenMongolian chicken ... were so good
- Orange Chickenthe Orange Chicken is a crowd favorite
- PanditaI love Pandita
- Sweetfire Chickenand the Sweetfire Chicken
- Teriyaki ChickenI recommend the Teriyaki Chicken
Frequently criticized
- foodThe service was truly bad. Despite being hungry, I didn't enjoy the food, and I especially disliked the service. I believe all employees need retraining to perform their jobs correctly, ensuring customers can enjoy their visits and feel inclined to leave good tips for great food and service.
- fried riceI usually don't complain about fast food places, but if your fried rice doesn’t have everything in it, then you shouldn’t be offering it. I'm literally only eating fried rice and egg – WHERE ARE THE VEGGIES?
- chow meincold chow main with extra extra cabbage
- orange chickenI was also surprised by the lack of chow mein or even fried rice. I'll pass on the old orange chicken and dry white rice. I strongly advise others to swerve this establishment.
- shrimpthe shrimp wasn't even crispy and they gave my two very tiny shrimps with little to no breading out of the 7.
- Rangoonsthe Rangoons were the most undercooked of all! They were cold
- bigger plateorders a bigger plate and only received 1 entre
- chickenshe sloppily cut up my chicken
- chicken teriyakiValeria dropped one of the pieces onto the countertop. She picked up the piece of chicken that fell.
- chow mienValeria added the chow mien to my order. However, there were some noodles that were spilled over the side of the container.
So, is the food worth it? Its a bit of a gamble. While many praise the delicious flavors and generous portions, others have faced serious issues like food poisoning or undercooked meals.
If youre feeling lucky and craving some specific dishes, it might hit the spot, but be aware of the potential for disappointment.
Service (3.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 75% of the guests
When it comes to service, you'll find some bright spots! Many guests have praised the quick service and fast service, often highlighting friendly, professional staff and great customer service. With 27 positive remarks, it seems some employees truly go the extra mile, resolving orders kindly and offering helpful recommendations.
However, the overall picture is a bit challenging. Service here scores an average 3.6, with customer satisfaction sitting at a rather low 27.3%. Based on 71 negative comments out of 99 total, many experiences point to rude service, poor customer service, and a general bad attitude from staff, often leading to long waiting times and frustration.
Service
99
Reviews
27%
Satisfaction
71
negative
1
neutral
27
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quick, fast service
- Friendly, professional staff
- Order issues resolved
What people don't like
- Rude, bad attitude
- Long waiting times
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- fast serviceMy experience at this Panda Express was great. I appreciate the fast service and the great customer service. Of course, the food is good.
- great serviceprácticamente por el buen servicio que me dieron
- JuliaJulia was really professional, friendly
- NadiaNadia was so sweet
- app-ordersprioritize app-orders
- customer serviceAlso, friendly customer service!
- deliverydelivery came as quick as it did
- discount sign upnos ayudó a registrarnos para obtener un descuento
- employeesThe employees are always nice
- experienced employeesExperienced employees, really fast service.
Frequently criticized
- serviceDon’t get me wrong, the food was good, but the cashier, Valeria, was really disrespectful. I felt avoided, and she was making faces when I was at the register. Once the order was paid, she didn’t hand me my food right away until I had to ask for it.
- employeesMy experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly negative due to the awful employees and awful managers. They all have a terrible attitude and were observed to swear at customers.
- waiting timeThe man at the register didn’t ask me if it was okay with him helping her first but agreed to it with no consideration for us. I asked him if we could please just pay for our chow mein since I’ve been standing and waiting in line for a very long time. The customers behind me were still ordering their food, so he could have easily helped me first and taken her after.
- cashiercashier repeated back "2 chili sauce and 1 soy?" to my request for one chili and 4 soy
- customer serviceshe doesn't understand the point of customer service
- staffsometimes the staff hired acts as of they hate thwir job
- staff memberFirst guy tried to give me rice instead of chow mein
- EmployeesEmployees do not check before bagging
- ServiceService is just appalling.
- acknowledgementbefore someone would even acknowledg me
This place is a bit of a gamble on the service front. While you might get lucky with quick and friendly staff, be prepared for potential frustrations like rude employees or significant waits. If consistent, pleasant service is a top priority, you might want to explore other options.
Ambience (2.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
Looking at the ambience, it seems there's quite a bit of room for improvement, with a score of just 2.9 and customer satisfaction at a low 14.3%. However, a few bright spots did emerge from the 14 total comments. Some guests found the noise level to be quiet and easy for conversation, and one even highlighted it as a clean family restaurant.
Unfortunately, the majority of feedback points to significant issues, with 11 negative remarks. Many found the general atmosphere lacking, and specific concerns included a littered counter, non-functional AC, and serious sanitation issues like bare hands touching food. There were even reports of a horrible smell and pests in the cushioned seats, suggesting this location might need a thorough refresh.
Ambience
14
Reviews
14%
Satisfaction
11
negative
1
neutral
2
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quiet noise level
- Clean restaurant
What people don't like
- Poor sanitation
- Horrible smell
- Pests in seating
Often praised
- clean family restaurantI didn’t want to tell anyone🥺 But the green bean, Mongolian chicken, and bourbon chicken were so good that I have to tell everyone 💫💫💫💫💫! I’ll just call my order in early 😊 Thanks for the great service, clean family restaurant, and AMAZING food. OMG, they even have these tablets that you can get on while you're there.
- noise levelNoise level:Quiet, easy to talk
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethe atmosphere was also not great
- ACI was with my son who really wanted some chow mein. The line was very long, and it was 99 degrees outside with the AC not really working inside the food court. I am 9 months pregnant.
- SanitationSanitation and food safety is non-existent. It's disgusting!
- countercounter in front of the cash register was littered with used food sample cups and straw wrappers
- cushioned seatsbeware of the cushioned seats as there are a lot of cockroaches.
- glovesThey were not wearing gloves either.
- handsHer hands touched my food with her bare hands and so did the cashier.
- horrible smellhorrible smell inside kind of like someone threw up their food
- pizza greasesmelled very like pizza grease
- that locationnever go that location
If a pleasant dining environment is high on your list, you might want to manage your expectations or consider another spot. While a few found it quiet, the overwhelming feedback suggests significant issues with cleanliness, comfort, and overall atmosphere could make for a disappointing visit.
Value (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 12% of the guests
Value
6
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
Often praised
- affordablealso affordable
- good valuegood value for the amount and quality
- price per personPrice per person:$1–10
- valueStill great value
Frequently criticized
- cheapMy experience at this restaurant was characterized by very big portions and quick service. While the food definitely fills you up if you're hungry, it's not as cheap as it should be.
- waste of moneyweising money
How are the prices at Panda Express?
You’re looking at roughly 18 per person – reported by 21 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Chinese Restaurant in San Diego, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests clearly find their sweet spot in the $11–$20 range, though a few reviews show a spread towards both slightly lower and higher spending.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 21 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels fair for a Chinese Restaurant. It offers a solid mid-range option, especially since most diners find good value within the $11–$20 range.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Panda Express
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
3
Long wait for a small plate
My experience at this restaurant was marked by a noteworthy amount of time spent waiting for a small plate, despite there being no one else in line. This suggests that the service is not first come first serve. The food received a score of 4, while the atmosphere and service were rated lower at 2.
The noise level was quiet and easy to talk, and the price per person is between $1–10. I would not recommend this restaurant for vegetarians.
- small plate4
- food4
- noise level10
- waiting time2
- service2
- atmosphere2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Family Dinner
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Wonderful Service and Delicious Food
We ordered a family meal and everything was delicious. However, the service from the person cooking at the wok was wonderful. They explained each dish, made recommendations, and helped us sign up for a discount.
Their overall demeanor was friendly and helpful. I would return practically for the great service we received.
- family meal9
- wok cooking10
- explained each dish10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
3
Disappointing Orange Chicken
My experience at the restaurant was disappointing, particularly with the orange chicken. There was no chicken in the orange chicken; it was essentially "sugary orange breading with hints of chicken. " However, the veggies were cooked nicely, which was a positive point.
I'm giving it two stars because the vegetables were at least prepared well.
- veggies7
- orange chicken2
- sugary orange breading2
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
2
Rude Service Ruined the Experience
My experience at this restaurant was largely negative due to the terrible service from one of the staff members. The girl taking orders was in a very bad mood. Despite there only being three people in line and us arriving 30 minutes before closing, she was dismissive.
When I asked for shrimp, she quickly snapped that they were out, making me feel rushed to choose something else. She then sloppily cut my chicken and closed my plate roughly, rudely yelling "next" even though my friend was still waiting to order. The guy who checked me out was nice and apologetic, even offering me shrimp because he overheard my request.
However, the girl again snapped, telling him not to offer it because "they're closing" 30 minutes before 9 PM. This made me feel really uncomfortable, and I just wanted to leave. Her unnecessary rudeness was the main issue; it's not the customer's fault if you dislike your job.
- guy who checked me out8
- offered me shrimp7
- girl taking orders1
- shrimp2
- chicken3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Moderate
6
Uncomfortable Service, Good Food
I understand the person before us was being difficult, asking for samples and being particular about the chicken. However, I didn't do anything wrong. I waited patiently and even tried to speak to you, Alex, but you ignored me and looked at me like you were annoyed.
This made me feel really uncomfortable. I hope it was just a bad moment and not how you usually treat customers. The food was good (4/5), but the service was very poor (1/5), and the atmosphere was also not great (2/5).
- food8
- chicken6
- service1
- atmosphere2
- ignored me1
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
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid parking garage
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Panda Express in University City accessible for everyone, and what are the parking options?
Yes, Panda Express at 4545 La Jolla Village Dr E-20 is fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, parking lot, seating, and restrooms. For your convenience, you’ll find both paid parking lots and paid parking garages available, usually with plenty of space.
What dining options are available at Panda Express, and is it suitable for families with children?
At Panda Express, you can enjoy lunch or dinner with comfortable seating, or opt for takeout and delivery. It’s very family-friendly, offering a dedicated kids’ menu, high chairs, and a welcoming atmosphere for children. Catering services are also available.
How does Panda Express generally perform?
Panda Express receives an overall score of **4.3** out of 10, indicating an average performance. While **Food** scores well at (5) and **Value** is strong at (7.2), **Service** is average at (3.6), and **Ambience** is lower at (2.9).
What do customers appreciate most about Panda Express?
Many customers highlight the fast service and the big portions, along with the affordable pricing, making it a convenient and economical choice for a quick meal. They often find the food satisfying.
What are some common concerns at Panda Express?
Frequent concerns include issues with sanitation and the overall atmosphere, as well as instances of rude service and inconsistent food quality regarding temperature or completeness.