P.F. Chang's — Restaurant in Chattanooga

TLDR Version: Panda Express quality food, at best, with prices more in line with Longhorn. Panda Express is not what I consider quality Asian food, but primarily because it is precooked and sits over warmers. However, I'm pretty sure P.F. Changs does too, and it doesn't taste as good as Panda. P.F. Changs prices would be fair for good quality food that is cooked to order, but it is neither of these.

One star is no exaggeration. Basically, what I'm saying is that if you are looking for a nice dining experience in this price-range, this is actually the worst option of all the places that I have tried in the area.

The building and dining space are nice. It's clean. (some reviewers mention dusty/dirty ceilings. I didn't look up) And that's the end of the good.

Full Version: The Kung Pau Chicken, which should be a spicy dish, was bland and not spicy at all. I can't overstate how flavorless and mild it was. I have also never had a Kung Pau dish with so many peanuts. They even left a stem on one of the peppers. I've eaten Kung Pau dishes hundreds of time from many places, and this is actually the worst. I much prefer Panda Express'.

My wife says that her Shrimp in Lobster Sauce was good, but she is too kind to say otherwise, and she didn't eat much of it. I suspect it wasn't much better.

Both dishes were definitely scooped from a line, as they were barely warm and the sauces were congealing. Once again, that's fine for Panda Express, but it's fair to expect better from a place like this.

The menu is very limited. I like Kung Pau dishes, so it was easy for me to find something, but my wife struggled to find something that she wanted.

Having an upcharge for fried rice felt cheap. I don't expect an upcharge for a stable side in a restaurant. $3.00 upcharge for fried rice just screams fast food to me.

I also have complaints about the Shrimp Tempura Roll, but I want to be fair and start by saying this was the first time I have tried this particular sushi, so some of my complaints may not be valid. The flavor was fine. It was also a little bland, but, some sushi is bland. My biggest issue was that they garnished it with a thick soy sauce of some kind, and, worse than that, they left the shrimp tails on the outer pieces. That coupled with the fact that they had something crunchy in them had me wandering if we were eating shrimp shells. I didn't see any she'll pieces in them, but I couldn't stop thinking we were eating shells. The unpeeled-tail-garnish also means that they wasted two pieces of what was already a tiny serving for the price.

Can anyone please recommend a good quality Chinese restaurant in the Chattanooga area?

Edit (as if this wasn't long enough): I had given it 2 stars because I thought that our waiting even though we had a reservation was an odd event. It WAS very busy. However, I'm seeing in other reviews that it's pretty common. I also don't generally rate a business based on one rude employee, but that also appears to be common. What makes all of this worse is the copy/pasted response to all of the critical reviews that says "I'm sorry for your bad experience. Please contact us with more details so that we can improve." (roughly) That same message, word for word, as a response to some pretty detailed descriptions of the problems indicates that they don't care to improve. It's just there in hopes that people will think they do. A 1-star review means that I would never go there, or recommend it to anyone else. For comparison, McDonalds is 2-star because I don't recommend it, but it has it's place, so I will eat...

I don’t usually write reviews, but after my experience at P.F. Chang’s with my two kids, I just had to share how amazing Grace was as our waitress. Dining out with young children can sometimes feel stressful, but Grace turned what could have been a chaotic evening into an absolute joy.😊

From the moment we arrived, Grace greeted us with such a kind and welcoming smile. She immediately noticed I had my hands full with two energetic kids and went above and beyond to make us feel at ease. She chatted with my children, asking them about their favorite foods and making them laugh, which made them feel special and kept them entertained while we settled in.

Grace’s patience and attentiveness were truly remarkable. When my youngest couldn’t decide between chicken or noodles, she gently suggested the Kid’s Chicken Lo Mein, explaining how it could be customized to his liking. She even brought out the sauce on the side in case he didn’t like it. My older child, who can be a bit picky, wanted something not exactly on the menu, and Grace made sure to work with the kitchen to create the perfect dish for him. Both kids were thrilled with their meals, and as a mom, it was such a relief to see them both eating happily without complaints.

Grace didn’t just stop at taking care of our meal; she went above and beyond to make our experience special. She brought out coloring sheets and crayons for the kids without me even asking, which kept them occupied while we waited. She also surprised them with a small dessert to share at the end of the meal, complete with two spoons so they wouldn’t have to fight over it. The look of excitement on their faces was priceless!

Even though the restaurant was busy, Grace never made us feel like we were just another table. She checked in frequently but not overly so, making sure we had everything we needed. Drinks were always refilled, and when one of my kids accidentally knocked over a glass, she handled it so gracefully—reassuring us it was no big deal and quickly bringing a replacement.

Dining out with kids can sometimes feel like a marathon, but Grace’s cheerful and understanding demeanor made the whole experience feel calm and enjoyable. She treated my children like they were the most important guests in the restaurant, and that meant the world to me. It’s not often you find someone who truly gets how to make dining out with kids enjoyable, and Grace nailed it.

Grace turned what could have been an ordinary family dinner into something so memorable. Her patience, thoughtfulness, and genuine kindness made us feel cared for in every way. My kids are already asking when we can go back to “Grace’s restaurant,” and I couldn’t agree more with them! If you’re dining at P.F. Chang’s, especially with kids, I highly recommend asking for Grace. She’s an absolute treasure and made our night so special.

Thank you, Grace, for your outstanding service! You’ve gained two little fans (and their...

My husband and I had the most delightful dining experience at P.F. Chang’s on our anniversary, thanks to the outstanding service from our waitress, Grace. From the moment we were seated, Grace made our special evening truly memorable.😄 Grace greeted us with a radiant smile and genuine warmth that immediately set the tone for the evening. She took the time to ask if we were celebrating anything special, and when we mentioned our anniversary, she congratulated us sincerely and made us feel so valued. Exceptional Knowledge and Recommendations: Grace demonstrated incredible knowledge of the menu, effortlessly guiding us through the options and suggesting dishes that would complement each other perfectly. Her enthusiasm for the menu was contagious, and she recommended the Mongolian Beef and Dynamite Shrimp, both of which were absolutely delicious. She also suggested a wine pairing that elevated the flavors of our meal to another level!!! What truly set Grace apart was her attention to detail and thoughtfulness. She surprised us with a beautifully plated dessert, complete with a little “Happy Anniversary” message written in chocolate. It was such a sweet gesture that made us feel celebrated!!☺️ Despite the restaurant being busy, Grace never seemed rushed or flustered. She maintained a perfect balance of attentiveness and giving us space to enjoy our evening. Our drinks were always refilled promptly, and she checked in just the right amount to ensure everything was to our liking without being intrusive. Grace’s upbeat and cheerful demeanor enhanced the overall atmosphere of the restaurant. She was not just serving us but genuinely connecting with us, making the experience feel personal and unique. It’s rare to find someone who can balance professionalism with such a personable approach, and Grace did so effortlessly.😊 Grace transformed what could have been a simple dinner into an unforgettable celebration. Her exceptional service, attention to detail, and genuine kindness made our anniversary truly special. We left P.F. Chang’s not only impressed by the food but also feeling incredibly valued as customers. If you have the chance to dine at this location, I highly recommend asking for Grace—she is an absolute gem and a true asset to the restaurant. Thank you, Grace, for making our evening extraordinary! We will definitely be back and will be requesting you as our...