Panda Express — Restaurant in Auburn

Panda Express: A Decent Bite, Not Quite a Feast

Panda Express is a reliable option for quick and casual Chinese-American fare. It hits the spot when you're craving familiar flavors without the fuss of sit-down dining. Here's the breakdown:

Pros:

Variety: There's a good selection of dishes to choose from, catering to different preferences. From classics like Orange Chicken and Kung Pao Chicken to vegetarian options like String Bean Chicken and Veggie Delight, there's something for everyone.

Freshness: The food generally feels fresh, with vegetables cooked crisp and meats looking appetizing. The open kitchen lets you see the cooking process, which can be reassuring.

Speed and convenience: Panda Express excels at quick service. Ordering and receiving your food is usually fast and efficient, making it ideal for lunch breaks or busy evenings.

Value: The portion sizes are decent for the price, especially considering the convenience factor. It's a relatively affordable option for a quick meal.

Cons:

Lack of authenticity: While tasty, the dishes don't quite capture the nuance and complexity of authentic Chinese cuisine. They cater to a more Americanized palate, leaning towards sweet and savory flavors.

Inconsistent quality: The quality can vary depending on the location and time of day. Sometimes dishes can be overcooked or lacking in flavor.

Limited seating: Depending on the location, seating can be limited, especially during peak hours. This can make it more of a grab-and-go option.

Overall:

Panda Express is a solid choice for a quick and satisfying Chinese-American meal. It's not the most authentic experience, but it delivers on speed, convenience, and value. Just be prepared for some occasional inconsistency in quality.

Recommendation:

If you're looking for a fast and familiar taste of Chinese-inspired dishes, Panda Express is a good bet. Just manage your expectations and you'll likely have a decent...

IF ANYONE AT PANDA EXPRESS IN AUBURN EVER ANSWERED THEIR PHONE, OR UPDATED THEIR MENU ON THE DOORDASH APP TO INCLUDE SILLY THINGS LIKE TERRIYAKI SAUCE FOR THEIR SUPPOSED "TERRIYAKI CHICKEN" THEN DOORDASH WOULDN'T HAVE TO KEEP ISSUING CREDITS TO MY ACCOUNT. NO EXAGGERATING, AT LEAST A HALF DOZEN TIMES I'VE DEALT WITH THIS, AND THAT IS A GENEROUS ESTIMATE. YET STILL THE SAME, MAIN ISSUE NEVER GETS RESOLVED. LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I SWORE I WOULD NEVER ORDER THERE AGAIN BUT I THOUGHT, "SURELY THEY CAN'T ALWAYS BE THIS INCOMPETENT." WHICH WAS CLEARLY MY MISTAKE FOR ASSUMING, BECAUSE I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG. ALL THIS BEING SAID AS POLITELY AS POSSIBLE (AFTER BOTH CALLING THE RESTAURANT AND CONTACTING DOORDASH BEFORE MY FOOD WAS EVEN PREPARED OR PICKED UP) I WILL NOW BE UNAPOLOGETICALLY CALLING YOUR ESTABLISHMENT BRIGHT AND EARLY TOMORROW MORNING TO EXPLAIN EXACTLY HOW YOU COULD HAVE EASILY FIXED THIS ISSUE LONG AGO--ALTHOUGH, JUST AS IN THE PAST, I DOUBT ANYONE WILL CARE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, IN WHICH CASE YOUR CORPORATE OFFICES WILL BE HEARING FROM ME AS WELL. DOORDASH CLEARLY HAS A RECORD OF THE GREAT MANY COMPLAINTS & PARTIAL CREDITS REGARDING THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM EVERY TIME I HAVE BEEN NAIVE ENOUGH TO TRUST PANDA EXPRESS, IN AUBURN WITH MY ORDER--CONTINUING TO GIVE THEM MY BUSINESS AND HARD EARNED MONEY DESPITE THEIR CLEARLY NOT DESERVING IT. NOW, SINCE I CAN'T GET ANY OF THE THINGS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO COME WITH MY ORDER, I AM OFFICIALLY OUT FOR BLOOD INSTEAD......WHICH, UNFORATUNATELY, STILL CAN'T BE PUT ON MY DRY A** CHICKEN. I AM PRETTY PATIENT, BUT IF I COULD GIVE YOU ZERO STARS I WOULDN'T HESITATE...

we stopped eating out to save $ & our health about 2 years ago. When we do, we have only a very few restaurants we choose, narrowed even further by specific locations (I.e. Panda Auburn, CA, NEVER Natomas, CA). This Auburn, CA Panda remains consistent on higher quality, quick service, very rare (if ever) errors, and the nicest staff. Today, I arrived to pickup an online order. There's a handful of people in line. An 18-20ish male, ARKAR (Spell?) at the register. A man who wasn't filthy, but obviously a transient approached him just ahead of me. He made a very polite request, which ARKAR would've been within reason if he declined the mans request (the man wasn't a paying customer). ARKAR politely explained the store policy. The man responded with a bit more desperation, "please?" followed by a few more details, which ARKAR never skipped a bit. He smiled, softened his body language, and whispered to the man, "ok. don't worry. I can this time." He spoke TO the man, keeping eye contact the entire time (a sign of respect). The man walked away with his dignity & appeared to be standing a bit taller than he walked in. :) ARKAR, congratulations to those responsible for raising you. Don't lose your humanity, heart & stay humble. You're THE example so desperately needed in this world. Thank you for CHOOSING to be this type of human.