Panda Express — Restaurant in Raleigh

Your Store #2962 is a DISGRACE For over 5 years I have been an enthusiastic supporter of the Panda Express franchise. I have spent countless hours enjoying the meal and service provided by your usually prompt staff. However, on today, 01/27/2019 I have had the SINGLE WORST PANDA EXPRESS EXPERIENCE THUS FAR. Essentially, I was arrived at the #2962 location for my lunch break and arrived only to find a note on the door proclaiming that the store was "temporarily closed". In reality, the store was just SEVERLY understaffed (two employees running the entire lunch shift). Since I enjoy Panda Express so much, I decided to enter the drive thru lane for lunch service. I ordered the 3 item entrée with a side. To my absolute horror, I had to wait approximately 16 mins to be served the SINGLE MOST UNDERWHELMING DISPLAY OF PANDA EXPRESS I HAVE EVER HAD THE DISPLEASURE OF TASTING. The meal I was served was luke-warm on top of barley containing any protein I asked for. My meal was majority broccoli, frustration, and a few pieces of cabbage. I do not blame the employees working that day because they should not have to work under such conditions to where serving appropriately satisfactory dishes is outside of their control. I would have asked for a FULL refund of my money however the door was locked due to short staffing. This restaurant is developing a reputation and character of mediocre service combined with less than adequate fare. Please address the human resources issues clearly abundant at this location. Also, please refund me my money. I have scanned a copy of the receipt in my files and will be able to forward a copy if needed. I will continue to eat at your Apex NC location like I have for YEARS. Thank you in advance for addressing my concerns and I look forward to enjoying some PANDA in the near future. Thank you for you time and...

Pretty odd "Chinese" restaurant experience. There were no Chinese people, no Asian cooks or employees here. This is basically a fast food style, with limited choices, Chinese-style foods. To my shock there was no sweet and sour chicken offered! 😕 And fortune cookies were not complimentary here. So how was the food? Fried rice was acceptable but how can you screw up rice? Sesame chicken was pretty good. Coconut shrimp cost extra as a premium food. Hunh? Crab Rangoon were tasty. I do not recommend the egg rolls. Meh... Despite the tendency towards blandness in the flavor -- the place was very busy at lunch time & carry outs were brisk. I guess the typical American consumer has no idea what good Chinese food really tastes like. I won't be eating here again.

UPDATE: After eating here, I fell dead asleep in a hospital waiting room. Even intercoms didn't wake me in a small room. Finally, the person I was driving found me and awoke me. MSG will cause such fatigue. Then 🚗 driving home, I had to seek a rest room immediately. I had an explosive diarrhea attack! Yuck! OMG. This is another well documented symptom of excessive MSG ingestion. Normally, I have only slight reactions to glutamate. This place must use tons of MSG. Be...

One of the things I missed most after moving to North Carolina from California, was Panda Express.

Their wide variety of “Americanized” Chinese foods, from their Orange Chicken, to Beijing Beef, and my favorite, their noodles, is like comfort food.

So, imagine my delight when I found out that there is a Panda Express in Raleigh! I’m not from Missouri, but I had to see it to believe it. And, sure enough, the restaurant in Raleigh is a 100% California original!

Their food prep, main dishes and appetizers are just like back home. The portions are oversized but not overpriced, and their noodles are to die for.

Steamed white rice is a part of most entrees , but you can substitute brown, if that’s what you prefer. If there is something you’d like to try, just ask for a sample and the helpful staff is happy to oblige.

Overall, I give them 5 stars for selection, from ala carte to their 1,2 & 3 item combos that will fill your empty stomach, without emptying your wallet.

This is not your typical strip mall Chinese take out. If you want fresh food, plenty of choices, eat in or take out, you can’t go wrong with Panda Express. (I’ll post photos on my next...