Panda One — Restaurant in Tucson

TLDR Experience with a Twist; Ok so let me start by saying this went from a terrible experience to a really awesome one that honestly made me reflect on how I should look at frustrating hospitality situations.

Initially, I was irritated because my order got bumped the night before by DoorDash (keep them in mind, they come back in later) and was not necessarily starting out satisfied. It was my boyfriend's birthday this past weekend and this hiccup definitely was not a welcome one. Regardless, the next day the order went through and I was feeling somewhat better.

Unfortunately however, DoorDash failed to account for menu changes when bumping the order, making it so half the items I'd purchased were not available that day for the same price. Upon receiving a call from a female employee, I was fairly miffed about it and did react not as maturely as I should have. Yes, I can make the excuse that it was due to the mounting issues that had been occurring with the order, but that's not a real reason to go in to a conversation with a negative attitude. What followed is what really irritated me, but also has made me admire the woman who I dealt with. And also think DoorDash needs to start being more transparent with its vendors and customers altogether to avoid conflict.

After some back and forth between the restaurant and DoorDash and myself, the employee and I came to find out that the order had been canceled, to which we both were told that the opposite party had done the cancelling. Fast forward a bit and I am on a three way call with DoorDash and the same female employee (it's been about 30-45 minutes at this point) and they finally admit that the Dasher chose to simply cancel the order altogether and we'd both been lied to. At this point I was outraged.

I also was feeling like a bit of a dingus. After dealing with me getting progressively more snarky during our initial interaction, this employee had the grace and patience to entertain my desire to find out the real cause of the confusion and maintained a calm, polite demeanor despite the fact that she was truly getting the worst deal. An aggrivated customer, wasted product, wasted time, and wasted emotional energy. For this, she deserves major kudos. She also deserves an apology which I am extending here and hope she accepts.

Following the DoorDash situation I simply reordered on their personal site not wanting to give DD a single cent more and got my food in under an hour. Please do not give DD your money!! The delivery service through them was a fraction of the price, the items were less expensive, and the food items available were all correct. (I got an extra item and increased my tip on my second order, it was still $5 cheaper).

The driver was fast, followed instructions and was super polite as well; everything was still piping hot when I got it. The food, for being Americanized Chinese food, was a delicious cheat day treat. I recommend the Fried Fish app, my boyfriend ate two full dinner sets of the Teriyaki Chicken and the Beef and Mushroom. Loved it all.

Please consider giving this place a try. It's not the most eye-catching location, but they have some good f**ckign food and even better staff. Remember to be kind to your hospitality workers, you never know what they've had to deal with when it comes to that day's BS. Hypocritical I know, but I hope to make up for my less than stellar level of patience here with several more delicious meals and big tips...

5/5 Stars

"I'm still shocked from the incredible dining experience I had at panda one! As a self-proclaimed Chinese food connoisseur, I was blown away by the authenticity and quality of the dishes.

From the moment we walked in, the service was top-notch. Our server,was attentive, knowledgeable, and made excellent recommendations.

The food, oh the food! We ordered the The lemon chicken and the orange chicken with chow mein and fried rice. Each dish was expertly prepared, presented, and bursting with flavor. The ingredients were fresh, and you could tell they used only the highest quality meats and produce.

The standout for me was the orange chicken - the perfect balance of savory, and sweet. Comfort food at its finest.

The atmosphere was cozy and intimate, with traditional Chinese decor that added to the overall experience.

In short, panda one is a MUST-VISIT for any Chinese food lover. The combination of exceptional service, outstanding cuisine, and welcoming atmosphere earns them a well-deserved 5 stars. Can't wait to come back and try more of their...

A Hidden Gem for New England Style Chinese in Tucson!

As someone who has spent nearly a decade on the East Coast and loves New England-style Chinese food, I had spent my first years here in Tucson trying to find that unique flavor without any luck.

Well, it's been a few years now since I located this place and have to say this spot serves up the real deal, and it’s been my favorite since relocating!

The boneless spare ribs are rich, flavorful, and perfectly glazed. Beef teriyaki skewers are tender and packed with bold taste that pairs nicely with their fried rice and egg rolls always served hot.

The staff is incredibly friendly and always happy to make recommendations that never miss. And while the outside might not catch your eye right away, step inside and you'll find a clean, inviting space with a surprisingly...