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 Clairemont
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 53 of the guests
#697 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#26 Chinese Restaurant out of 34 in San Diego
Average
4.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
374
Reviews
40.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful dishes
- Quick service
- Clean environment
Frequently criticized
- Service issues
- Food quality
- Pricing concerns
The restaurant Panda Express in San Diego’s Clairemont neighborhood offers a casual and convenient Chinese dining experience. You can enjoy a quick bite or small plates, perfect for a satisfying meal on the go or a relaxed dinner.
This spot is known for its accessible layout and family-friendly options, making it a great choice for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Panda Express
Panda Express often delivers on its promise of quick, satisfying meals. Many appreciate the friendly staff and the generally fast service, making for a convenient stop.
The food, particularly popular items, frequently receives praise for its flavor and generous portions. However, experiences can vary.
Some diners have noted issues with smaller portions or perceived value, and occasional long lines can impact service efficiency. While the dining areas are often kept clean , a few have found the overall atmosphere less inviting.
Average
4.8
out of 10
374
Reviews
40.6%
Satisfaction
201
negative
21
neutral
152
positive
Overall, Panda Express garners a 4.8 out of 10, placing it in the average category. Customer sentiment reflects this, with 40.6% satisfaction, indicating a mixed experience for many.
This assessment is drawn from 374 customer opinions, where negative feedback slightly outweighs positive remarks, with 201 negative points compared to 152 positive ones. Diving deeper, the Food (4.7) is generally seen as a core offering, though it sits in the average range.
Service (4.2) also falls into the average bracket, with some inconsistencies noted. Interestingly, the Ambience (7.4) stands out as a stronger point, often described as clean and pleasant.
Value (4.5) is perceived as average, with some finding good deals while others feel shortchanged.
What people like
- Flavorful main dishes
- Friendly, quick service
- Clean dining environment
What people don't like
- Service inconsistencies
- Variable food quality
- Pricing/change issues
With a 5 out of 10 recommendation score, Panda Express presents a mixed bag. It can be a convenient choice for a quick meal, especially if you know your preferred dishes and value a clean dining space.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and food quality. If you’re seeking a reliable, consistently excellent experience, you might find it hit-or-miss.
For those prioritizing speed and specific menu items at a decent price, it’s worth a try, but manage expectations regarding overall consistency and service flow.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Panda Express
Food (4.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 84% of the guests
When it comes to the food, theres a lot to appreciate, with many customers praising the food quality and the fact that its often fresh food. People enjoy the taste and the availability of healthy options, with 68 positive remarks out of 178 total comments. The portions are also frequently mentioned as being satisfying.
However, it's not all sunshine and fortune cookies. Despite an average score of 4.7, customer satisfaction sits at a poor 38.2%, largely due to concerns about inconsistent portions and food freshness. Many of the 99 negative comments also point to issues with overall food quality and sometimes even cold food being served.
Food
178
Reviews
38%
Satisfaction
99
negative
11
neutral
68
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh food
- Good taste
- Healthy options
What people don't like
- Small portions
- Not fresh food
- Hair in food
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was very good, especially considering the type of establishment. The food was very good, though a significant amount of oil was used, which was anticipated. The vegetarian options, while limited to vegetables and chow mein, were decent for the season.
- Kung Pao ChickenKung Pao Chicken is really good
- Orange ChickenOrange Chicken Chicken Teriyaki
- chow meinI really love Panda Express. My usual order is half fried rice and half chow mein with three items: Kung Pao Chicken, Angus Steak, and Teriyaki Chicken. It's important to remember to ask for the teriyaki sauce, as they sometimes forget to include it in the bag.
- orange chickenenough orange chicken for 2 items
- portionsthe portions are enough
- veggiescook me some veggies that weren't on display
- Angus SteakAngus steak
- Asian foodI love the Asian food
- Beijing beefBejing beef is great!
Frequently criticized
- foodmade the juices out the box come out when that happened
- portion sizesUnfortunately, my last visit was disappointing. The portions I received were significantly smaller than I'm accustomed to. Usually, one portion at Panda Express is barely enough for me, but this time I left hungry.
- teriyaki chickenI chose the orange chicken, teriyaki chicken, and chow mein. Unfortunately, I was informed that the teriyaki chicken had no sauce, leaving it as just grilled chicken. I also attempted to order crab rangoon but was told they were unavailable.
- fresh foodcustomers deserve fresh food if that’s what they ask for
- meatThe quality of the ingredients also seemed different. The meat appeared drier, and the vegetable sides didn't seem as fresh as usual. The service also left much to be desired.
- orange chickenWow, was I disappointed. Yes, they were takeout and it took me 10 minutes or so to get home with my meal, but the coating on the chicken was gummy and lacked the intense flavors of the sweet orange battling the vinegary tang that makes this dish so very good… sometimes. The broccoli beef was similarly lackluster with overcooked broccoli, not enough onion, and grissly, tough beef.
- portion sizedidn’t want to ad more chomein to my order as my plate look to empty she was always saying this is my portion
- beef and broccolibroccolli was all stems when I ordered beef and broccoli
- food temperatureThe food could’ve been a little hotter
- noodlesI hoped that the lo mein noodles might save the day, but the batch mine was drawn from had spent too long sentenced to steam table prison. Gummy noodles are the bane of bad lo mein. (Sorry, didn’t mean to rhyme.) On the bright side, the wait staff was very crisp and on the ball.
So, should you go for the food? Its a bit of a gamble. While many find the taste and freshness appealing, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in portion sizes and overall food quality.
If youre lucky, youll get a great meal, but theres a chance you might leave feeling a bit disappointed.
Service (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 84% of the guests
Looking at the service, many customers praise the fast service and friendly staff, often noting how quickly orders are taken and prepared, especially for a quick meal or through online ordering. With 48 positive remarks out of 141 total customer comments, there's a clear appreciation for efficiency. The overall score for service is 4.2, placing it in the average category, though customer satisfaction is a rather poor 34%.
However, there are significant areas for improvement. A large number of negative comments, 89 to be exact, point to issues like long wait times, bad management, and frequent order mistakes. Some also mentioned poor customer service and staff attitudes, suggesting inconsistencies in the overall experience.
Service
141
Reviews
34%
Satisfaction
89
negative
4
neutral
48
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Online ordering
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Poor management
- Order mistakes
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was excellent. I enjoyed the good food and great service. Ordering was quick and easy, and the staff were very friendly.
- staffthe staff is helpful and friendly
- customer servicegood customer service
- Celina (Selina)Her great attitude made my friend and I feel welcome. It's often the case that people are not nice when you visit near closing time, but Celina (Selina) was great. I hope her manager reads this.
- ServiceService:5
- attitudeher great attitude
- employeeSelina (Celina) the employee at this location greeted my friend and I very enthusiastically and friendly.
- fastit’s fast
- fast servicein and out in no time fast service
- fast-pacedstaff are friendly, fast paced
Frequently criticized
- serviceNormally, you get served quickly at Panda Express, and the staff is always friendly and accommodating. This time, however, I had to wait in a long line, and the staff seemed stressed and inattentive. It gave the impression that I wasn't given special attention.
- managerThe manager guy couldn't have been more robotic if he tried.
- customer serviceThe staff needs retraining, including the person in charge. I encountered awful customer service, and they couldn't seem to get a single order right. The wait time was also considerable, between 30-60 minutes.
- staffNormally, you get served quickly at Panda Express, and the staff is always friendly and accommodating. This time, however, I had to wait in a long line, and the staff seemed stressed and inattentive. It gave the impression that I wasn't given special attention.
- waitI appreciated that the restaurant was very clean. The service was good overall, although I did have to wait for them to make extra meat. To compensate for the extra time, they kindly gave me a drink, which was a nice gesture.
- cashierWhile the food was excellent, with the order taker going out of their way to ask the chef to cook veggies not on display at 9 pm, the service was disheartening. The cashier dangled my food when handing it to me, which caused the juices to leak out of the box and into the bag before I could even eat it 🙃.
- changeMy experience at this Panda Express was frustrating because they literally never have change to give back. Every time I go in, they don't have change, which basically forces you to donate.
- DoorDash ordertook them over 30 minutes for them to even complete it
- Uber Eats driversUber Eats drivers are filling the sodas for the custmers
- acting managerRoger, who claims to be acting manager
If youre looking for a quick bite and hoping for friendly faces, you might get lucky, especially with online ordering. However, be prepared for potential long wait times and the possibility of order mistakes or less-than-stellar management interactions. Its a bit of a gamble on the service front.
Ambience (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 32% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a good score of 7.4 and a good customer satisfaction of 81.6%. Many guests rave about the clean and immaculate feel, often noting a positive energy and great location . With 31 positive sentiments out of 38, it seems most find the atmosphere quite pleasant.
However, not everyone is entirely charmed. A few of the 5 negative sentiments mention lines that can be out the door, impacting the experience. Some have also felt unwelcome or described the atmosphere as sad and dumpy , suggesting there's occasional room for improvement in the overall vibe.
Ambience
38
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
5
negative
2
neutral
31
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Spotlessly clean
- Positive energy
- Great location
What people don't like
- Long lines
- Sad atmosphere
- Feeling unwelcome
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere and service were rated a 4
- storeThe service was extremely friendly; when my desired menu item was sold out, they kindly asked me to wait and prepared a fresh new option for me. The store itself was very clean and pleasant.
- locationI like the location since I shop at Vons a lot
- parkingThe accompanying vegetable mix was disappointing, consisting of 95 percent oversized broccoli 🥦. While the atmosphere and service were rated a 4, and parking was plentiful and free, the food quality, rated a 3, was a letdown.
- placeAlthough it gets crowded, the line moves quickly. There are plenty of tables to sit at, and the place is kept clean. The food was excellent, with Orange Chicken and Chicken Teriyaki being highly recommended.
- tablesMy experience was that the store was well run and everyone working was so helpful and attentive. All tables were cleaned and the dining area attended to. Someone even came mid-meal while dining in to check if we needed anything.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- COVID guidelinesThey keep with the COVID guidelines so I feel safe entering
- cleanVery clean good service overall
- dining areaMy experience was that the store was well run and everyone working was so helpful and attentive. All tables were cleaned and the dining area attended to. Someone even came mid-meal while dining in to check if we needed anything.
Frequently criticized
- atmospherethe atmosphere feels kind of sad and dumpy
- linesthe lines always out the door
- placeThis place is sliding down hill fast.
- welcomeI sensed I don't seemed feel welcome.
Overall, if youre looking for a generally clean place with a good vibe and convenient location , youll likely be pleased. Just be prepared for potential lines during peak times, which might detract from the otherwise pleasant atmosphere .
Value (4.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 16% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot is a bit of a mixed bag. While the overall score sits at an average 4.5, customer satisfaction lags significantly at a poor 29.4%. Many guests appreciate the price point and price for what you get, with 5 positive remarks highlighting that portions are good and the bigger plate is a very good deal, offering more bang for the buck especially when going A La Carte.
However, the low satisfaction stems from 8 negative comments out of 17 total, where patrons felt they were being over charge me or charge me for an extra batch. Concerns about money worth, being stingy, and even shorting people on change or issues with math suggest some inconsistencies in how value is perceived and delivered.
Value
17
Reviews
29%
Satisfaction
8
negative
4
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good portions
- A La Carte value
- Bigger plate deal
What people don't like
- Unexpected charges
- Incorrect change
- Poor portion value
Often praised
- A La CarteGo A La Carte, more bang for the buck
- PricesPrices aren't too bad
- bigger plateThe bigger plate is a very good deal
- pricegood price
- price pointPortions are good with the price point
Frequently criticized
- being stingyhow they were being stingy
- changeshorting people on change
- charge me for an extra batchshe wanted to charge me for an extra batch, obsurd
- charging himended up charging him for an additional
- mathWhile it's only a few cents per person paying with cash, this adds up quickly. I suspect they either don't care to fix the math to avoid this or are using it as an excuse to increase prices. It's surprising they haven't addressed this, as it makes it easier for employees to skim money since the registers won't record the correct amounts.
- money worthwant your money worth of portions
- over charge meended the restaurant over charge me
- priceThey charge more because the gasoline went up
If youre looking for good portions and deals like the bigger plate or A La Carte' options, you might find some value here. However, be mindful of potential extra charges or discrepancies in pricing, as these issues have left many customers feeling short-changed.
How are the prices at Panda Express?
You’re looking at roughly 18 per person – reported by 53 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, the majority of diners find themselves right in this sweet spot, with a good number also enjoying options under 10 $. While there are a few higher-end splurges, the pricing clearly clusters around these more accessible ranges.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 53 reviews.
A comparison of value for money at this restaurant versus similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese Restaurant in San Diego. It offers good value, especially with so many options in the mid-range, making it accessible for many diners.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Panda Express
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Good Food, Kind Service Despite Wait
My experience at this restaurant was generally positive. The food was good, and the portions were generous for the price point. I appreciated that the restaurant was very clean.
The service was good overall, although I did have to wait for them to make extra meat. To compensate for the extra time, they kindly gave me a drink, which was a nice gesture. Despite the wait for the meat, the overall service was good.
- service8
- portions9
- price point9
- wait4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
6
Change Shorting Issue
My experience at this restaurant was marred by an issue with my change. With the removal of the penny, it seems they are shorting customers on their change. While it's only a few cents per person paying with cash, this adds up quickly.
I suspect they either don't care to fix the math to avoid this or are using it as an excuse to increase prices. It's surprising they haven't addressed this, as it makes it easier for employees to skim money since the registers won't record the correct amounts. The food was good (4/5), but the service (2/5) and atmosphere (3/5) were not as impressive.
- food8
- atmosphere6
- change2
- math2
- registers2
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Poor Food Quality and Managerial Issues
I placed a mobile order through the Panda Express website for in-store pickup. Upon opening the food at home, I realized how poorly prepared the food was and that it was not fresh. I immediately called the restaurant to inform them that I wanted to bring the food back and get a new plate.
Nobody answered the phone for hours. It wasn’t until I called near their closing time at about 11: 30 PM when I called in and was playing telephone between a team member and the manager, Manny. He did not want to come on the phone and kept telling the team member what information to tell me.
I finally told her to put the manager on the phone, and he told me that I would need to come in in order to get a refund. I told him that I had called several times during the evening, but no one answered the phone. At this point, it was 11: 30 PM, and I had the order number and all of the necessary information to give him to locate the ticket so he could process a refund.
He kept making up fake policies and excuses on the spot, telling me that I would have to come in for a refund because he would “have to verify information. ” I told him that I could give him all of the information needed. It wasn’t until several minutes of going back-and-forth that he told me I would need to bring in a form of identification for him to verify my name on the order and my ID.
I’m not sure who he thinks he is, the ambassador for Panda Express, where he can make up policies on the fly, but I will definitely be calling corporate and having this resolved ASAP. What a ridiculous excuse of a manager he is.
- food preparation2
- food freshness1
- phone answering1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Solo Dining
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Awful Service and Incorrect Orders
My experience at this restaurant was quite negative. The staff needs retraining, including the person in charge. I encountered awful customer service, and they couldn't seem to get a single order right.
The wait time was also considerable, between 30-60 minutes.
- staff1
- customer service1
- order1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
7
Fantastic Food, Poor Service Experience
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was absolutely fantastic, truly outstanding. However, the service was quite disappointing.
I arrived when the restaurant was empty, but I did not feel welcome at all. The server, Miss Dulce, seemed irritated and just wanted me to finish my order quickly, without any greeting, smile, or thank you. It felt as if my presence was an inconvenience.
I believe I could do a better job than she did.
- food10
- service2
- welcome2
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
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Panda Express in Clairemont, San Diego, accessible for everyone and good for families?
Yes, this Panda Express location is wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, parking lot, seating, and restrooms. It’s also good for kids, offering a children’s menu and high chairs for your convenience.
What dining and service options are available at Panda Express on Balboa Ave?
You can enjoy dine-in, takeout, or delivery services for lunch and dinner, with seating available. They also provide catering for your events. Parking is usually plentiful with free street and lot options.
How does Panda Express generally score with customers?
Panda Express holds an overall score of 4.8 out of 10, with customer satisfaction at 40.6% , indicating a mixed reception. While Ambience (7.4) is often appreciated, Food (4.7), Value (4.5), and Service (4.2) generally fall into the average range.
What are some popular menu items and value options at Panda Express?
Many customers enjoy the Kung Pao Chicken and Orange Chicken . For value, opting for the A La Carte or bigger plate options is often recommended for getting more for your money.
Are there common issues customers experience with service or food consistency?
Some customers report service inconsistencies , including long lines and occasional wait times , as well as issues with staff not having change . Food quality can also vary, with mentions of drier meat or overcooked vegetables .