(Took Out 03/09/18 FR @ 7:00pm): I felt like I was in an express lane based on how quickly these "pandas" got me in and out!
A coupon, proximity to where I grew up, and the fact that I decided to become a pescetarian for Lent brought me to La Canada Flintridge's Panda Express. It's been years since I ate this relatively healthy Chinese fast food and realized I never visited this location where my family still lived, so why not support my old stomping grounds!? Sadly, Panda Express was not very favorable to my temporary pescetarian lifestyle. How would this affect my virginal visit!?
PURCHASE
Cream Cheese Rangoons ($1.95): I was always fascinated by these cream cheese-stuffed crispy fried wontons because I found it hard to believe cream cheese was even part of Chinese - let alone Asian - diets (as a tangent...don't even get me started on the Philadelphia Cream Cheese Roll found on many sushi menus!). Anyway, no meat was involved, these were fresh, and the warm cream cheese worked well with the wonton - go figure!
2-Item Combo - Eggplant Tofu, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Chow Mein, Fried Rice ($9.10 + $1.25 for Honey Walnut Shrimp upgrade): I loathed that they charged extra for the one and only seafood item on the menu - WTF!? The eggplant tofu was a good assortment of big pieces and not heavily seasoned. I loved the minimal sweet glaze on the honey walnut shrimp with its crispy crackling exterior and candied walnuts. The chow mein was a meal in itself while the fried rice needed more soy sauce and vegetables. Generally speaking, the portions were good and all was made fresh right before our very eyes - not bad at all https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=nQsufqruLjR-wMY7wt47mA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
SERVICE
Greeted by the entire crew as you walked through the door, I felt like it was a surprise birthday party! There was a slight line (it rapidly grew behind me) that the staff went through quickly as a conveyor belt while they kept their composure. I was in and out in less than five minutes - great job!
PARKING (FREE)
They had a private medium/large lot where I parked. Otherwise, there was plenty of parking along the main drag of Foothill Blvd. and all surrounding side streets.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A large box of a restaurant with a clean modern feel, there was a long order display counter with open views into the kitchen where all the magic happened and an easy-to-read menu above on the wall https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=aU6k-3GAkVIOsXz4CQyHqQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw. The rest of the space was filled with long communal tables, high chairs, and cushioned booths with a separate counter for refillable refreshments, condiments, and tableware. The walls were kept free of any advertisements and clutter; this was an incredibly clean restaurant! Plenty of natural lighting came in through the large glass doors and walls that surrounded the entire building while recessed and cool electric light fixtures hung from the ceiling covered the rest. There were a couple TVs while music played in the background https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=HqzdkgZY3HgWFm1zP5I0XQ&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I was impressed by the efficiency and the constant freshly-made food that was put out at the Panda Express in La Canada Flintridge. I'm normally not a fast food eater (but I had my cravings), but I felt I exhausted my allotment of consumption for at least the next couple of years. My former favorites of broccoli beef and orange chicken looked and smelled amazing as did much of everything else. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $12.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, although I used a different card to take advantage of a promotion, they accepted my credit card of choice...AMEX! 4.0 STARS read more