Panda Inn — Restaurant in Ontario

I reserved a room for a birthday party and the minimum room spend was $400 and 2 hour time slot, this was also the deposit. Iv done this a few times at this location so nothing new. When we arrived at the restaurant I checked in 10 minutes early when the guy at the front desk in a light colored button up told me it would be at least 15-20 minutes before we could be seated, everyone was holding gifts, flowers, bags etc…. The room wasn’t ready 10 minutes before the party was to be seated ? I went back to him and asked why the room wasn’t ready, he stated he would check on it…. Came back a few minutes later and said you can go in. So why was my party told to wait past our “slotted time” to be seated if the room was ready ? That and his attitude was off putting, like he was inconvenienced to be there working. We enter the private room, it was dark, dingy, hot, the lightbulbs were burnt out, the doors to the adjoining room were broken (we struggled to talk amongst ourselves because the party in the adjoining room was very loud and they all took turns singing happy birthday like some gruesome version of American idol….it was sweet but….got damn), the chairs were so packed together 6 (which was half the guest count) of them weren’t even tucked under the table it was so small and cramped. Anyways I didn’t want to make a big deal in front of the party so I let it be. We started with one server he asked what we wanted to drink got them for us and was to never return again, a different server came in and I started to order with her, from the time we sat down and ordered to the time the appetizers arrived, no server was to be found, no refills, no one to check if we needed anything, nothing. Same happened after we received our appetizers, no one came to check on us to see if we needed anything. In comes the third server, to help drop off the entrees, (not all the entree plates fit on the table, it was so small, they had to bring in tray stands and put them against the wall to put the rest of the entrees on) we had her before she was great but soon disappeared as well. Majority of the time the drinks were empty, no one was around to check in on us, items were requested never received. Had to continue to ask for things because they weren’t brought out the first time, after multiple times we just gave up and wanted to leave. All together the bill came out to over $700, more then $100 in an auto gratuity. For a dark, cramped, hot, dingy, mediocre room, and half as* service. Unfortunately this was a bad enough experience that we will not be returning to the panda inn for another event not just my opinion but a group consensus, I would recommend Fogo de chow or Texas de Brazil, or literally anywhere else, where it’s a much better experience with excellent food and service especially for a similar price tag. The food we got was good but not for that type of price. Shout out to the busser who came in at the end to help clear the table, he assisted in our previous event and always gets along great with everyone in the room. That man should be an example of the standard this place has for its service...

Mixed Experience at Panda Inn: Stellar Food Marred by Subpar Service

Panda Inn, a longstanding fixture in the Chinese dining scene since the 90s, promises a tantalizing journey through traditional and contemporary Chinese cuisine. Nestled within a welcoming ambiance that exudes a family-friendly vibe, it sets the stage for memorable gatherings and flavorful feasts. However, my recent visit left me with a mixed bag of impressions, primarily due to the disappointing service overshadowing the culinary delights.

Let's start with the positives. The culinary offerings at Panda Inn are undoubtedly its crown jewel. From the first bite of Walnut Shrimp, it became evident that the chefs possess a mastery of flavors. The delicate balance of sweetness and crunch in each bite was a testament to the culinary expertise nurtured over decades. Similarly, the Beef and Broccoli dish showcased tender beef enveloped in a savory sauce, leaving taste buds yearning for more. While the Lo Mein fell short of expectations, the Upside Down Noodle dish offered a delightful twist, albeit without the theatrical flair one might hope for.

However, the exceptional quality of the food couldn't fully compensate for the subpar service that marred the dining experience. Despite an initial impression of warmth and hospitality, the service quickly faltered. Simple requests for drink refills were met with confusion and missteps. An unfortunate incident where a Sprite was mistakenly refilled with water, followed by an ice-filled water instead of the requested Sprite, highlighted a lack of attention to detail. Moreover, the delayed provision of straws until after the meal arrived further underscored the service lapses.

Adding to the disappointment was the absence of the expected tableside presentation for the Upside Down Noodle dish. A missed opportunity to engage diners in the culinary spectacle detracted from the overall experience.

Despite the culinary prowess exhibited in dishes like the Walnut Shrimp and Beef and Broccoli, the underwhelming service leaves a lingering sense of dissatisfaction. The 18% service fee for larger groups further exacerbates the disappointment, especially when the quality of service fails to meet expectations.

In conclusion, while Panda Inn holds promise as a destination for Chinese cuisine enthusiasts, improvements in service are imperative to fulfill its potential. With a concerted effort to elevate the dining experience to match the culinary excellence, Panda Inn could reclaim its status as a beloved establishment worthy of its storied history.

Rating: 2...

A couple weeks ago I got to try Panda Inn in Pasadena with a few friends. We had a great time and tasted several menu items family style.

We started with the minced vhicken with lettuce cups, a mix of chicken breast and toasted almond strips with oyster soy sauce and iceberg lettuce. These were actually really good. They were like Chinese protein tacos and very yummy.

For our main courses we tried an array of dishes. My favorite was the Kon Pao San Yan with chicken breast, sliced beef, succulent shrimp, fresh ginger, green onions, red jalapenos and roasted peanuts stir-fried in spicy soy sauce. It had just the right amount of heat and peanuts. All the meats were cooked well too.

The next best thing was the family style fresh ramen noodles tossed with parmesan cheese in an Asian garlic sauce with shrimp. These were a huge hit and a great accompaniment to the main dishes. I wish they had a little more garlic though. Some bites tasted just like noodles and butter.

Now for the dishes that weren't as good in my opinion. Wanting to get a good sampling, we had the Ma Po Tofu in a spicy garlic sauce with diced water chestnuts drizzled with green onions. To me, the tofu had the consistency of mush. I asked my friend if that was normal and he said yes, so I guess I have a problem with textures. Besides being a gooey mush, the flavor of the sauce was decent.

My least favorite dish was the sliced beef with snow peas, shiitake mushrooms, and bamboo shoots in an oyster sauce. Again, this might be my personal preference, but the sauce was not good at all. It made the beef slimy and inedible for me. I couldn't get past the taste or texture. I don't know if that's just the way it tastes, but I wouldn't order it again.

We all shared and sat in a large dining room with a beautiful panda stained glass window. When you walk in you're immediately hit with the delicious smells coming from the kitchen. I'd definitely give it another try and taste even...