We've patronized Panda Garden for awhile now, and I can only say VERY GOOD things about them and most especially their food. Very personable owner who always greats us with a smile. We were fortunate enough to have a seat-down meal about a year ago, and it was a nice experience. Albeit, nowadays, it's all to go. They really take that extra effort to pack our to-go order in such a manner that when we arrive home (about a 15 minute drive back in normal traffic) it's as if they just served our food straight from their kitchen onto our dining table... Today we ordered a few of our usual, and also tried out their roast duck and Hunan beef. EVERYTHING was absolutely spot on DELICIOUS. Duck was a little salty, but adding on a drizzle of lemon solved that issue for me personally. Needless to say we've never had a bad meal here, and have yet to eat elsewhere when it comes to Chinese cuisine. read more

Panda Garden - a variety of food items on a marble table - Chinese Near Me - Salinas, California

They are open for take out during COVID. It's a small mom and pop store. They have very authentic Chinese food that is made on the spot. I got the combination chow mane and look how much they gave me!! There's a ton of meat and seafood. Definitely will come back. read more

Panda Garden - Chinese Near Me - Salinas, California

It is good for prunedale.. please do not get the schezuan beef though. Not authentic at all. Hunan beef is actually really good. Chowmein was very boring. Fried rice had flavor and was decent. Orange chicken as well. This seems to be a selective restaurant. Get the hunan beef orange chicken and fried rice. Do not get schezuan or chowmein. I give them 2 stars because 2 of the dishes were very bland AND when I asked for a receipt they only gave me the price of everything as a whole and not itemized, which seemed a little shady. Also it seemed overprice but how would I know because of the way they gave the receipt... but I will go back. Only for the hunan and I live nearby. read more

New restaurant Asian Kitchen. I got the wor wonton soup it was steaming hot and full of fresh veggies just what I wanted. The broth was great only thing I didn't get a spoon in my to go bag and had to wait till I got home to enjoy my soup. It was worth the wait read more

Panda Garden - Wor Wonton Soup - Chinese Near Me - Salinas, California

The food was okay. Especially for the value. We had the bbq pork, the sauce that it came with really complimented the pork and I had the lunch special. The fried rice didn't taste fried to me like when you fry it in a wok, the noodles also didn't have that wok flavor. Although everything tasted good, there was no authentic wok flavor to it. The won ton soup was good with the chili oil. I would really give this a 3 1/3 stars. read more

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It's time I updated my review here. They have new owners but it's still within the same family. Same cook too. The food was so good. Our waiter was really nice and helpful. Suggesting lots of different things for us to try on our next visit. Explaining all the various ingredients. I am glad this place is here in Prunedale. So we don't always have to drive out to Marina or Salinas. Just as good as any of those places, if not better. I always appreciate the quite atmosphere here too. Very relaxing. Excellent service really friendly too. Everything we've had is excellent. Highly recommend. read more

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Would give 2 1/2 stars if it was an option. Menu pricing on Yelp was wrong by $3. Sweet-and-sour chicken tasted like it was either over cooked or sitting under a hot lamp for sometime. Super dry. Fried rice was a plain as it could be. Chow mein was average. If you want a quick fix this place works. If you can drive else where, I would definitely recommend Lee's Garden in Marina, even Li Yuen in Castroville would be another option with competitive pricing and generous servings. read more

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We ordered Chinese food and spent almost 50 for dinner..we were given 1 fortune cookie, when there was at least 2 of us picking up.and then I asked for sweet and sour the kid brought me 1..very disappointed on how greedy they were when we spent as much we did..for that reason I will never order from there again..panda is north salinas i better tasting anyway. read more

Been here about 5 times in the last 3 months. The good: In general the food tastes good. The things that are supposed to be crispy are. The older staff is really friendly. Dine in is never crowded. The food comes quick. The dining area looks clean for the most part. The not so good: It's a family business and one family members doesn't want to be there and it shows. We've had to narrow down what gives us MSG headaches. (No joke. Head pounding MSG overload. Rhymes with loop) The prices are a tad bit high. And yesterday dining in, first I had to dry my own plate because it was given to me wet. Used my napkin. When the food was served, I pulled metal scrub pad shavings out of my mouth from a broccoli beef dish. It was the 2nd bite of the meal. My wife threw it on the floor or I would have shown it to them. That experience really made me think about how clean is the food they are serving, what does the kitchen look like and what would have happened if I swallowed that metal shaving.... And yes. I lost my appetite because of that. I would NEVER clean around food and I'd make sure to rinse or wipe everything before preparing food to be served to the public. Hate to say it but, I'm not going to suggest this place from now on and avoid it if I can. read more

Under new management. I've been eating here for years. I recently moved out of state and coming back to visit. The change to new management turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The hostess was really nice and polite. The FOOD was amazing. My favorite dish is the general chicken 10/10. The orange chicken is prepared the original way. It is so crispy and delicious. The orange sauce is phenomenal. They also have added a wide verity of milk tea to the menu. I had the black tea and my siblings had the strawberry. All were very good. The owner came to our table to see how everything was. She was super nice and very informative of all the menu changes and the preparation of the dishes. Very friendly environment. I plan on stopping in more often while I am in town. Highly recommend this place. read more

This was the nastiest food I have tried to eat in a long time. The sesame chicken had so much breading on it, so GROSS! Don't try to make it look like you are getting more food by over breading, it was a greasy, gloppy mess. Oh, and rice is extra. Since I was getting it "to go", I would have appreciated forks and napkins. Save yourself some cash, and your stomach too, I threw it in the trash after two bites. read more

Let me just start by saying that the food has never disappointed!.... But the fact that they don't give you enough chili gets me mad! I was willing to give her more money for chili and they wouldn't! Who says no to more cash???!! They only gave me 4 tiny little containers and we bought food for 8 people! All of us put chili in our food and I said I will give you more $ but just give me at least one chili per person! They said no! Completely disappointed read more

Everything we've order from here has been so good!! Mongolian Beef, Won Ton soup, Vegetable Mushu and Kung Pao chicken!! We found out new favorite Chinese take out read more

Not only was the food, Kung pao Chicken and house fried rice delicious and wonderful when I got home and ate it, but the owner was so sweet and caring as we discussed the Covid situation, the fires, the need to hang in there. I went in to pick up my food and I left with a feeling of heart to go along with it. Please support our local people as we all try to make it through this distancing, stressful time. The food here has always been very yummy! read more

I love their food!!!! I've been coming here for years and am never ever disappointed. They are doing take out since COVID. Just a little family owned business with a community feel. One of my favorites for take out choices. read more

My family and I have been coming to this spot for as long as I can remember and never one has it disappointed . Best Chinese place I've EVER tried! Some dishes I'd recommend are - chicken fried rice - orange chicken -seafood sizzling rice soup - the chow main - the hot plate - the spring rolls are to die for read more

I love the food. The owners are great, the son is nice but their daughter is really rude. Every time I call I get a young girl who gives off so much attitude like she doesn't want to be there. It makes me mad because I don't like calling if I'm just going to get treated that way for wanting to eat their food. Would give 5 stars if I didn't have this issue but it's every time I call. read more

Kung pao chicken is bomb only thing the young girl was a little rude. I will be coming back for that kung pao chicken

Second time going to this place for a second chance because the first time their food tasted so bland, that I threw away 2 entrees without eating any of it. This time the food was tasteless again. I got the won ton cup. Broth had nothing but the won tons with no flavor, salt, no veggies. It was clear boiled water with a few green onion slices and two won tons. The lunch special fried rice has nothing except soy sauce (no egg, veggies or green onion). Customer service sucked as well. I said "hello" to the young man and he walked up to me without saying anything back. Then proceeds to cash me out looking like he hates me, and his life. read more

I think this is the best Chinese food restaurant in the area. A lovey family runs this place. Service is always very welcoming and friendly. The food is great. My only complaint would be the ribs were a little dry and tough. read more

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Service was good but felt rushed, decor was predictably chinese flair and definitely not fancy or too clean, especially outside. Parking is validated and located at the back, parking guy was cool. read more

This small family owned business is great! My favorite dishes to order are the Vegetable sizzling rice soup, the house pan fried noodles (extra noodles!), Kung pow chicken (AMAZING) and their fried rice. Oh! And I recommend their potstickers, they are so delicious. read more

They need to change the name of General Chicken to General Chicken Skin and Fat. Not sure there was any meat at all. read more

Panda Garden - Chinese Near Me - Salinas, California

I should have believed all the previous reviews. They are spot on. We ordered sweet and spur chicken and well...there wasn't any chicken. It was all skin and fat. We wanted to give this place a real shot but the reviews were spot on. We will not be coming back here for Chinese read more

Greats food and friendly service...Quick also...best in Prunedale...Try their egg foo young...also love the spring rolls...

Always order Everything Wonton Soup, a large bowl is enough for three people at least. We have ordered also Chicken Cho Mein, and it came quick and sizzling delicious. The stuff is very friendly and suggesting. The restaurant is very clean and not big. Good for a family quick fix. read more

Delicious food. Ordered some take out for the first time after hearing that theirs was the best. And they were absolutely right! My won ton soup was amazing, and the other items, sweet and sour chicken, chow mien, pork fried rice was all the best ever. And so close to home. I won't go anywhere else for Chinese food now! read more

I really want to start off by saying, that Yes this chinese food restaurant was mine and my family's favorite place in prunedale. Until we looked in the door and there were spider webs all over the inside of the door at the entrance!!! As well as we ordered beef & brocolli and the food was horribly cold!! To top it of the smell of the carpet is horrible, they have no windows what so ever inside the restaurant. I am really bummed about the whole spider web thing!! Think about it if the main front door were all of the customers can see looks and has all that going on, just imagine how the kitchen looks!!! Check it out next time you go in pay attention to the surroundings and you will see what I am talking about. read more

I've been coming here for years with my family. The food is really good. Probably the best chinese food I've ever had in California. I particularly love their sizzling rice soup, chicken corn soup as well as the sizzling house pan noodles and the orange chicken. The food is always served quickly, as well as nice and hot. My only real gripe with the place is the service. The older chinese lady who usually waits on us is incredible. Very nice, welcoming and serviceable. Over the last year though, a teenage girl or an older chinese man usually attend to customers, and their service isn't nearly as good. The girl looks to be always distracted, and the older man seems fairly rude and unapproachable. Still, the food is incredible and we keep on returning frequently. read more

Had the sizzling rice soup, combo fried rice, mongolian beef, and the beef chow fun. Very delicious. We arrived 30 minutes from closing and they stayed open for us. Excellent service. Will definitely be making this our go to Chinese restaurant. read more

Have had great meals from this place. My favorite is the won ton soup. Lots of fresh vegetables and can be ordered with chicken, shrimp and pork. A meal of its own. They have great deals with their lunch specials and family meals. Not overly fond of the fried rice but usually order white rice instead. This place is close to home which makes even that more special. Now if only they delivered.... read more

My girlfriend and I were shopping in Gilroy and on our way home she was craving Chinese. I told her I didn't know any place in Gilroy. She said "It's ok, I know of a place in Prunedale" and took me here. I would've never considered coming out to Prunedale for Chinese food, but apparently she comes here 3 times a week! So, it must be good. We ordered the Seafood soup with sizzling rice to start. The soup broth was very flavorful, not from a can-type-of-taste. The waitress brought out our soup and after setting it down on the table, she puts in deep fried rice into the soup... and crack::crack::crack. Indeed the rice sizzled. The soup was really good! It came with plenty of big shrimp, imitation crab, veggies. Loved it on a rainy day. After a few bites of our soup, we felt a sudden jolt in the ground... EARTHQUAKE!! I looked at her and the rest of the patrons in the restaurant... no one budged... But my thoughts were "Do I continue eating this soup??? or duck and cover??!! But then the soup would get cold" lol Of course we just continued eating. lol Nothing gets in the way of the food unless the ceiling comes down ;) We also ordered the Hong Kong style crispy noodles. This is one of my favorite dishes at any Chinese restaurant. I wish they gave more sauce to help soften the noodles though. This dish was a crispy fried noodle bed with a giant mound of beef, chicken, shrimp and mixed veggies in a brown sauce. It's definitely something to share family style. We also ordered the Schezuan triple something. I was so full from the soup and the noodles that I barely ate this one. It was good though. This dish didn't lack any flavor... in fact it was packed with flavor. The great thing about this place is that it doesn't skimp out on the portions, especially for the price. Overall, service was good and food came out fast. The atmosphere in the restaurant can use a makeover though. Was a little dreary in there. Would come back again. read more

The Prunetree Shopping Center has this little gem of a Chinese restaurant, the Panda Garden. We have been dining there through several owners, some good, one very bad, and the last two - extended members of a Cantonese family - have been truly excellent! My grandfather had close Cantonese friends in San Francisco and I was raised eating in San Francisco's Chinatown. I learned what dishes mark the worth of the chef, like Hot & Sour soup. Panda Gardens' hot & sour soup is among the best. It's rich, complex, and immensely comforting. Their Szechuan Eggplant is sublime. I'm addicted to those twice-cooked pillows of eggplant and their rich, spicy, garlicky, Szechuan sauce! This is the place to stick your neck out and order things you've never tried before. We like to try something new every few visits. Our "Chinese comfort food" favorites though, are the Hot & Sour soup, the House Special Chow Fun (comfort food at its best!), Sauteed Mixed Vegetables (delicate sauce showcasing perfectly cooked mixed vegetables), Sauteed String Beans (great in an omelet the next day!), the Szechuan Eggplant, and.. well.. pretty much any of their meat dishes. The portions are very generous. The service is warm and pleasant. Know that since there is only one (very good) chef, and since everything is cooked fresh for each order, you just might have to wait longer than you wait for a drive-thru taco. This is REAL food! Also, in a single chef Chinese restaurant, your dishes will come to the table when they are fresly cooked. arriving over a period of time. I remember this from my childhood in Chinatown. Over time the table would fill up with hot, fragrant food, none of it ever congealing under a heat lamp. This is part of the Panda Garden experience - leisurely dining while enjoying your tablemates, exclaiming over the food, and enjoying a Tsing Tao beer and hot tea! After eating here through several owners for 27 years, l can say that this family knows what they're doing! Stick your neck out and order new dishes.. try the eggplant, the Twice-cooked Pork, Hunan or Szechuan anything.. and order enough so you have leftovers for the next day. read more

Best food in the world bruh trust come here get the fried rice with orange chicken put some hot sauce and thank me later

The moment the food came out I knew I should've just gone to the pizza place next door. The lemon chicken and soup that I ordered was bad. I love lemon chicken and was expecting to have a good dinner, but was very disappointed. The fried rice was the only part of the meal that was okay. The utensils smelled like chlorine. The atmosphere could be better. read more

Ok, it's not inedible, but it is sure not good! Ruben and all you other yelpers who raved about Panda Garden, you are cray-cray!!! I have no idea how this place survives. It is so weird! Chinese host, no Chinese servers/waiters. All the clientele and servers are Latino -- rule #1 about any ethnic restaurant: clientele should be the same ethnicity of the food being served to ensure authenticity. Alas, we were stuck in Prunedale on the way home from Monterey and completely desperate, so we stopped at Panda Garden. Anyway, I asked the waiter for tomato beef chow fun, wet style. He just sort of looked at me. Chow fun? Yes. With tomatoes? Yes. And beef? Yes. (((dumbfounded look))) For realz? Yeah tomato beef chow fun! Standard abc fare! It arrives and it's hella greasy and not wet style! Blahhh! And now my 2.5 month old daughter is screaming and crying because it is way past bed time and she hasn't eaten because she has acid reflux, and I have to take this grossness in a to go box and eat it outside with screaming child. OMG. I just about lost my mind that night. Never again. read more

Only been a few times but can say they have really good food. I'm picky when it comes to dining out. Service was good too. We'll definitely be back. And we live 1.5 hours away. read more

I have only been once, but the portions were generous and everything we ordered tasted like it hade just been made to order. It was super fresh and very tasty. This was a huge surprise because it is in sort of a strip mall and I had no idea such a gem was hidden here. read more

While the rest of the food we got was delicious, we got completely ripped off on one part of our purchase. We ordered half of roast duck. It was mostly bone, cartilage and fat. The taste didn't make up for it either. read more

What happened?! After like 8-9 years of really killer food and service, I've finally had my first super uncool experience here. I ordered 2 dinner combo boxes for takeout today and got totally skimped on food. There was barely any chicken in my box (definitely less than all my previous orders), and only 1 wonton soup and 2 fried wontons for my fiance and I to share. Plus. it just plain wasn't good.:( The fried wontons were burnt, the chicken was really rubbery with barely any sauce, and worst of all, they now include white onions slivers in their chow mein, so the flavor ends up being nothing but onion (ick) and the texture is whack. I'm super sad. I probably won't be back unless I hear that they're back to normal. Like seriously, did they sell the place or something?! read more