Panda Express — Restaurant in Virginia

I downloaded the app and ordered on line with a 3:16 PM pickup time. This was completed with ease. Unfortunately, there was no designated pickup area or signage for picking up online orders. It was not mentioned on the email confirmation. I ended up waiting in line with the people ordering at the counter. There was delay due to a customer’s order being wrong; however, I applaud the employee’s attitude in trying to make it right. When I went to the counter, I was told that I should have gone straight to the register. I stood to the right of the register while the person there continued to help those in line and someone came from behind and got my order off the shelf 30 minutes after it was supposed to be ready. I told them that they needed to fix that process if they were doing online orders. The employee was very respectful and apologized to me for the wait. I ordered “The Bigger Plate” which included 3 entrees (The Original Orange Chicken, Beijing beef, and Black Pepper Angus Steak with fried rice and the veggie spring roll). The portions were generous, enough for dinner and lunch the next day. The vegetables in the spring rolls were very mushy. The food would have been better if it had been hot. They are worth giving a try, especially if they fix the online ordering pickup process.

*Update 5/4/2022 I went back to Panda Express for their 2nd chance. I ordered from their app and added a note to include chop sticks and spicy mustard (this was ignored). I headed straight to the register since I learned this from my previous experience; however, the young lady at the register continued to take people coming though the line. She did not even look my way. I saw the online orders on the shelf and when I looked up, I saw a sign by the menu board “ONLINE ORDERS”. Fortunately, someone from the back who saw me looking up at the sign and the shelves came out and gave me my order. The portion was generous; however, the Orange Chicken and Beijing beef did not have any sauce to mix in with the rice, and had an after taste. Pickup for online orders is still a work in progress. Overall, my rating...

The atmosphere completely changed when a manager walked in and started to yell at one of her employees. It bothered me so bad that when I finished ordering my food and it came time to pay, I had to say something to the manager because as a business owner you always want to teach your own employees with the utmost respect. They are the ones that's making your money. The manager that I spoke with which also is the manager that caused the disruption truly did not care how she was speaking to her employee...... Although the employee had a headphone in her ear, she was just coming back from break and saw that her shift was really busy. So she sprung right into work without even clocking in so I commend her. She did a great job. I think her name was Tay she even held her composure when the manager was just loud with her over a headphone I called in this concern. I hope it was truly heard none of this is to say that someone should be fired. It's just said so that people are aware how their employees are being treated by managers by the way, the food was awesome. The team was great. They were fast and efficient with making the food and fulfilling the orders. It was quite a few people in there and even under pressure when the manager walked in they all still did...

My brother placed his online order at 1:45pm, arrived at 2:10pm for the 2pm pick up time. He proceeded to wait in line to ask about his order, as there isn’t a notable designated online order pickup area, as most establishments have these days in the age of mobile and online ordering. Once at the counter he was rudely asked “why did he wait in the line if it was an online order?” Most polite people do this, in order to not offend those who are waiting ahead of them, as well as to prevent chaos for those servicing them. Not sure why it was an issue. Once he gave his name, the same rude employee proceeded to shout his name, incorrectly as if annoyed along with a “whatever his name is”, that he was here to get his order. He was then told his order wasn’t ready, as it has to be made fresh upon arrival. What is the point of order ahead if you have to wait for it to be made when you get there to pick it up??? Needless to say, I’m his effort to save time, he wasted his time, not leaving until 2:40pm, when the order was ACTUALLY ready. I must add the manager/shift supervisor was also present and just as rude. There are too many places to patron, including other Panda Express locations, to put...