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 Mission Valley
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
€€
Price per Person 11 – 20 €
mentioned by 29 of the guests
#725 out of 755 places to eat in San Diego
#33 Chinese Restaurant out of 34 in San Diego
Poor
4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
258
Reviews
27.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality food
- Good atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Poor service
- Small portions
The restaurant Panda Express in San Diego offers a delightful Chinese dining experience right in the heart of Mission Valley. You can expect a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
This spot is well-known for its convenient offerings, making it an ideal choice whether you’re looking for lunch, dinner, or even catering services. With various service options, you’ll find it easy to enjoy your favorite dishes.
Overview: Introducting Panda Express
Panda Express generally offers a straightforward dining experience, often praised for its consistently prepared `food` and a generally pleasant `ambience`. Many find the `food choices` appealing for a quick meal, contributing to a positive impression for many visitors.
However, the experience can be a mixed bag, with some guests noting inconsistencies in `service` and occasional concerns regarding `portions`. While the setting is often comfortable, interactions with staff can sometimes detract from an otherwise satisfactory visit.
Poor
4
out of 10
258
Reviews
27.1%
Satisfaction
168
negative
20
neutral
70
positive
Panda Express holds an overall `Restaurant Score` of 4, placing it in the average category. This is further reflected in a `Customer Satisfaction` rate of 27.1%, which falls into the poor range.
This notable divergence suggests that while some aspects are appreciated, a significant portion of experiences leave customers less than satisfied. Looking closer, the `Food` (4.3) and `Ambience` (4.8) are the stronger points, indicating that the core offerings and dining environment are generally well-received.
However, `Service` (3.4) and `Value` (3.7) scores are lower, pulling down the overall perception. These insights are drawn from 258 customer observations, with 70 positive comments contrasting with 168 negative ones.
What people like
- Well-prepared food
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Reasonable budget
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Small portions
- Pricing discrepancies
With a `Recommendation Score` of 4.1, Panda Express is a reasonable option if you’re seeking a quick, casual meal without high expectations for personalized service or generous portions. It’s a place that can deliver on convenience and familiar flavors.
However, be mindful that experiences can vary, particularly concerning staff interactions and the perceived value for money. If consistent service and ample servings are priorities, you might find other options more satisfying.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Panda Express
Food (4.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 79% of the guests
When it comes to the food, there are some definite bright spots! While the overall food score sits at an average 4.3, and customer satisfaction is a rather poor 28.5%, its clear that certain dishes hit the mark for some. Based on 123 comments, with 35 positive remarks, many rave about `Spicy sweet chicken`, `broccoli beef`, `crab rangoon`, and `lo mein`, often praising their `freshness` and generous `portions`.
However, the food experience isnt always consistent, with a significant 73 negative comments. Many diners reported issues with `food availability` and `food temperature`, often finding dishes cold or running out. Complaints also frequently mention small `portions`, particularly for `beef and broccoli` and `orange chicken`, which some found to have too much `fat` or poor `quality`.
Food
123
Reviews
28%
Satisfaction
73
negative
15
neutral
35
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Specific dishes tasty
- Food often fresh
- Good Americanized Chinese
What people don't like
- Limited food availability
- Food often cold
- Small portion sizes
Often praised
- foodNo, I don’t think so. Of course, a mall Panda Express is going to be very busy and they are going to run out of damn good food fast! It takes time to cook that food that you guys want, but people seem to forget that.
- lo meinSpicy sweet chicken, broccoli beef, crab rangoon, and lo mein were fire!
- Americanized Chinese foodno nonsense, Americanized Chinese food made well
- Spicy sweet chickenSpicy sweet chicken, broccoli beef, crab rangoon, and lo mein were fire!
- broccoliand broccoli.
- broccoli beefSpicy sweet chicken, broccoli beef, crab rangoon, and lo mein were fire!
- chow meinI love their chow mein
- crab rangoonSpicy sweet chicken, broccoli beef, crab rangoon, and lo mein were fire!
- disappointmentalso never disappoints
- food choicesI love their food choices.
Frequently criticized
- orange chickenMy experience at this restaurant was not the best. They were too greedy with their teriyaki sauce, and the orange chicken was mostly bread. It was a disappointing meal.
- foodThe egg rolls they were making seemed fresh, but they came out burned after waiting. The food was under a heat lamp, and then they forgot the teriyaki sauce for the chicken. Sadly, I will not be returning to this sad excuse of a Panda.
- portionsportions are the smallest of any Panda Express
- riceMy experience at the restaurant was disappointing. I found there was too much rice and not enough beef and broccoli. To make matters worse, some of the beef was so tough I couldn't chew it.
- chickenchicken was Tasteless, Cold & had a lot of Fat
- food availabilityI came to grab a quick bite for me and my fiancé. When I got to the counter, they had run out of everything. I asked how long, and they said 15 minutes.
- fried riceasked to have the orange chicken be my entree for everything with fried rice
- noodlesI ordered noodles and I can count how many noodles they gave me
- entreesnone of the entrees were ready
- food optionsThey had to orange chicken not teriyaki no black pepper chicken no wontons no nothing
If you're craving specific dishes like `Spicy sweet chicken` or `lo mein` and catch them fresh, you might have a good experience. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in `food availability`, `temperature`, and `portion sizes`, which could lead to disappointment.
Service (3.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 70% of the guests
While the overall picture for service isn't sparkling, some customers did appreciate the attention and fast service they received. There are mentions of friendly staff and a smooth pickup process, suggesting that when things go right, they go really well. About 23 positive comments highlight these brighter moments.
However, the service experience generally leaves much to be desired, with a low score of 3.4 and customer satisfaction at a mere 23.2%. Many of the 72 negative remarks point to rude staff, slow workers, and bad attitudes. Issues like long lines and messed up orders also frequently pop up, indicating significant room for improvement.
Service
99
Reviews
23%
Satisfaction
72
negative
4
neutral
23
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast service
- Friendly staff
- Smooth pickup process
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Slow service
- Long wait times
Often praised
- personalthe personal was good and attentive
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was great, primarily due to the service.
- wait timeWait time:No wait
- KatyKaty was amazing
- attentionExcelente atención por parte de MarÃa.
- cashierthe cashier (Kat) was really sweet.
- cashiersCashiers are regularly polite.
- customer serviceAmazing customer service
- employeeYOU'RE THE COOLEST AND NICEST PANDA EMPLOYEE!
- experiencellevarnos una grata experiencia al ordenar
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was marred by poor service. The staff member named Neal was incredibly rude, and I believe he needs to learn about customer service.
- staffthe staff here is rude and disrespectful and snobby
- customer serviceMy experience at the restaurant was marred by poor service. The staff member named Neal was incredibly rude, and I believe he needs to learn about customer service. The management should consider training him.
- cashierthe cashier looked like I was bothering her. HER voice was not nice
- closing timedon’t close for another hour and a half
- employees4 employees and the place was packed
- managerthe manager herself told me that her manager doesn’t allow refunds
- treatmentturned to my cousin and was extremely polite and respectful to her
- workersthe workers look like they hate their job
- B Sthey try to give you B S
If service is a top priority for you, this might not be your best bet. With a consistently low score and customer satisfaction, you're likely to encounter more frustrations than pleasant interactions. Proceed with caution, as the service quality seems quite unreliable.
Ambience (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot has a bit of a split personality. While the overall score for ambience sits at an average 4.8, many appreciate the convenient location, the general atmosphere, and a clean, roomy dining area. With 7 positive observations out of 19 total, guests found it easy to access, especially from the hotel next door, and enjoyed the pleasant setting.
However, the customer satisfaction for ambience is quite low at a poor 36.8%, largely due to significant drawbacks. Many experiences, based on 11 negative remarks, highlight a truly horrible parking situation, a frequently crowded environment, and the fact that the seating is often exposed to the weather, sometimes even with birds trying to snag crumbs. It seems the exterior seating isn't always the most welcoming environment.
Ambience
19
Reviews
36%
Satisfaction
11
negative
1
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Easy to access
- Clean dining area
- Good atmosphere
What people don't like
- Horrible parking
- Exposed to weather
- Crowded seating
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at the restaurant was mostly positive, with excellent food and a great atmosphere. However, the service was impacted by a significant wait time.
- locationis in the mall, but is really easy to get to
- dining areaClean and roomy dining area.
- hotel next doorThe food was still pretty good for being "end of day" food. It was also worth the quick walk from the hotel next door!
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereit's an open food court, there is no roof
- birdsbirds will try to steal crumbs
- crowdedDue to this experience, I will never again go to this location. The restaurant was also crowded with a horrible parking situation.
- dine inSkip it if you want to dine in.
- exposed to the weatheryou are exposed to the weather at that time good or bad
- exterior seatingexterior whereare the only seats
- horrible parking situationDue to this experience, I will never again go to this location. The restaurant was also crowded with a horrible parking situation.
- parkingHORRIBLE parking situation, its a nightmare anytime of the day!!
- parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- seatingSeating is outside like a common dine in for all the food places around, it’s pretty cold
If youre looking for a quick bite and dont mind a potentially challenging parking situation or an open-air, sometimes crowded setting, the food might still be worth it. But if a comfortable, controlled environment is a must, you might want to skip this one for dining in.
Value (3.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to value, some diners have found a silver lining, noting that the price and prices can be quite good, especially if youre on a reasonable budget. Out of 17 total opinions, 5 positive ones highlight it as a cost-effective bento shop where you can get fair prices for the quality, making it a decent option for those looking to save a few bucks. However, the overall sentiment leans heavily towards disappointment, with a poor score of just 3.7 and a customer satisfaction rate of 29.4%, also considered poor.
Many of the 12 negative opinions mention issues like extra charge and being overcharged, often due to undisclosed premium item costs. Customers felt the portions were small for the money paid, leading to frustration over the actual price'.
Value
17
Reviews
29%
Satisfaction
12
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good for budget
- Cost-effective meals
- Fair price for quality
What people don't like
- Hidden extra charges
- Often overcharged
- Small portions, high price
Often praised
- bento shopNext time, I'll order half vegetables and half noodles. In summary, it's a more cost-effective bento shop for two people to share one meal.
- pricedidn’t want to spend $15 for a meal so I ordered a side of lo mein for like $5
- price per personPrice per person:$1–10
- pricesPrices are good, for the quality.
- reasonable budgetfor a reasonable budget
Frequently criticized
- priceI ordered the 2 entree plate and specifically asked if it was the advertised price. Upon paying, I was charged a higher amount. The attendant explained it was due to a premium item, which the first staff member failed to mention.
- cheapbe this cheap and have that kind of service
- difference in costwouldn't refund the big difference in cost
- extra chargecheck your recipes for extra charge
- moneysmall portions for the money I paid
- more expensiveMost importantly, it allowed us to eat a little differently during our circuit for a reasonable budget. It's a shame that the one within Universal Studios works differently, with less choice and is more expensive!
- overchargebe careful how they carve you. They would over charge you
- overchargedthey also over charged me
- premium itembecause it had a premium item, which the first girl didn't specify
- stingyStingy and horrible
If youre considering this spot for its value, proceed with caution. While some find it budget-friendly, a significant number of customers report issues with hidden charges and feeling overcharged. It might be worth trying if youre very clear about pricing upfront, but be prepared for potential surprises.
How are the prices at Panda Express?
You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 29 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 others have spent, most prices cluster right around this average, showing it’s a pretty consistent spot.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 29 reviews.
Comparing this restaurant’s value for money against similar spots in San Diego.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese restaurant in San Diego. It hits a sweet spot for value without compromising on the experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Panda Express
Price per Person
- 11 - 20 €
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
10
Amazing Service from Kay!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic, largely due to the exceptional service provided by an employee named Kay. Kay was the coolest and nicest, going above and beyond to help with my orders for the store. The food received a perfect score, as did the service.
The atmosphere was rated a 5, though it was noted as loud, it was still possible to hold a conversation. The wait time was non-existent, and the group size was 3-4 people.
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere10
Price per Person
- 1 - 10 €
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Rude Service, Decent Food
My experience at this Panda Express was marred by absolutely rude service from an Asian lady. Despite the food being decent, I would not order from this location again.
- food6
- service1
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Dine-in
1
Terrible Service, Wasteful Policy
My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. I purchased a panda crafted drink and returned for a refill. The staff member, described as a "lady with glasses, " directed me to the drink machine, implying I could refill my drink there.
I poured tea, believing it was acceptable. However, I was then forced to dump it out. The restaurant's policy seems to prioritize wasting product over customer satisfaction.
This experience has led me to vow never to return and to never allow my own company to operate with such cheapness and poor service.
- panda crafted drink2
- lady with glasses1
- drink machine2
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
1
Extremely Rude Staff, Terrible Experience
My experience at this Panda Express was the worst ever. The staff was incredibly mean and rude, and they weren't treating customers properly. The customer service was the worst.
- staff1
- customer service1
Price per Person
- 21 - 30 €
Service Intent
- Casual Outing
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Rude Staff, Poor Quality
My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. The staff was rude and disrespectful, even snapping back at a simple question. The overall quality of the experience was poor.
- staff1
- quality1
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
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and services does Panda Express offer?
At Panda Express, you can enjoy various dining options including lunch, dinner, and catering. You’ll find onsite services, takeout, delivery, and even outdoor seating available. The restaurant also provides seating for your comfort.
Is Panda Express suitable for families and what are the parking options?
Yes, Panda Express is good for kids, offering a kids’ menu and high chairs. For your convenience, you’ll usually find plenty of parking with free street parking and a free parking lot available.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Panda Express?
Panda Express has an overall `Restaurant Score` of 4, indicating an average experience. Customer satisfaction stands at 27.1%, which is considered poor. While `Food` (4.3) and `Ambience` (4.8) are generally positive, `Service` (3.4) and `Value` (3.7) are areas that often receive criticism.
What do customers generally like about Panda Express?
Customers often appreciate the well-prepared Americanized Chinese food, with specific mentions of dishes like `Spicy sweet chicken` and `lo mein`. The `atmosphere` is also frequently noted as pleasant, clean, and roomy, contributing to a comfortable dining experience.
What are the common complaints from customers at Panda Express?
Frequent complaints revolve around `service` issues, with some staff described as rude or inattentive. Customers also express dissatisfaction with `portions` being too small, especially for the price, and occasional `pricing` discrepancies or unexpected charges for premium items.