Panda Express — Restaurant in North Brunswick Township

I LOVE that this Panda location opened nearby! This place is a classic American Chinese fare restaurant so I wouldn't necessarily claim that its dishes are authentically Chinese but the variety and taste are really fresh and delicious.

Food: At this point, I've tried most of the entree dishes and they're all pretty good. The sauces tend to be a little heavier and lean on the sweeter side, especially the Orange Chicken. If you're not a fan of saucy food, then this might not fit your palate. The least sauced item is the teriyaki chicken and there's no room for customization (sauce on side option). The available sides (chicken egg roll, spring rolls, crab rangoons, apple pie rolls) are all pretty deep fried and can sometimes be on the drier side. I wouldn't necessarily recommend them as a must-have.

Cost: The value for the plates and Cub meals are solid - I'd say that the portions are generous, especially for the side (noodles, rice, and/or greens).

Service: My biggest gripe for this location has been the wait time. Their order fulfillment system feels inefficient. The staff are all incredibly sweet and nice so they do their best to manage customer's moods and expectations but all of their in-person, digital, and drive-thru orders run on the same buffet line. The chafing dishes are kind of small for how they portion their servings and the frequency of customers. You'll hear them calling for refreshes of entrees constantly, especially during rush times, so it's a lot for the 2-3 cooks to fill endlessly. Once a plate or two are caught waiting for a refill, it backs the line up quickly. There have been times where I've waited up to 15-20 minutes just to get to ordering, which is a lot for a place whose marketed incentive is speed.

Atmosphere: The inside is clean and spacious. The lines to the register or to pick up digital orders are vague/non-existent so it does feel a little confusing if you're there for the first time and trying to figure out where to go. Better wayfinding signs...

Let’s be honest—there’s no question about the importance of a place like Panda Express, especially nowadays when eating out can be so expensive. Most fast-food spots don’t offer that comforting, home-style feel anymore, but Panda Express is one of the rare exceptions.

This North New Brunswick location really keeps that tradition alive. Even though it’s new, the food is fantastic, and the staff make you feel right at home. If you meet the store manager, Huiping, you’ll see what I mean—she’s so welcoming. The atmosphere is cozy, the music is just right, and the modern design of the store, especially the beautiful blue dragon sculpture at the entrance, gives it a fresh yet familiar vibe.

I definitely recommend bringing your family here. I’m sure you’ll have a great experience, just like I did. Just a heads-up, though—if you visit during rush hour, be prepared for it to get pretty busy. A little patience goes a long way.

Enjoy your...

I had the pleasure of visiting the North Brunswick location for a fundraiser for NBTHS WinterGuard. We had placed our orders online to beat the anticipated crowd. It was our first time there and we were very excited! Once we arrived, we decided to dine in and enjoy the atmosphere. This restaurant was extremely clean and the staff was very courteous and welcoming. When I arrived my order was ready and waiting. I ordered the Bigger Plate with Chow Mein and Fried Rice. I had Honey Sesame Chicken, Black Pepper Chicken, and Orange Chicken.

The food was very fresh and delicious! Our supporters starting filling the restaurant and the workers worked very hard to accommodate everyone. Special thank you to John Claude for his patience, professionalism and dedication to making sure that all of orders were fulfilled!

On behalf of the North Brunswick Band Parents Association, we thank you Panda Express. Thank you for making our first experience...