Panda Express — Restaurant in Vista

Tuesday 10124 I was craving Chipotle Mexican grill but my son decided to eat at Panda Express here in Vista, wrong decision!! The atmosphere was pretty calm, they were getting busy, it was almost probably their "rush time". It was there 3 customers in front of us, plus like another 2 after us. We were about to order then Serenity greet us and help us really well. I asked her if I can try a sample of the new "Chicken Borboun" she apologized and reply " I can't give a sample ma'am I'm sorry." I reply " I really want to try it" she apologized again and said "I'll put a piece here inside your box in the corner for you to try it" I reply "thank you very much!" Then, Kathia (the manager I believe because she was wearing all black and had a set of keys hanging out from her pants) appears and literally "crossing in front of her face" said "I'll be here go on break", she looked at me and asked what it'll be my second item for my plate then I reply "I asked the girl who just left if I could have a sample of you new item, she was nice(referring to Serenit) and put it inside my box", Kathia open my box and looked at Jackie (another line employee) and asked me again, "what kind an item you're having for your second choice?" then I explained to her " I really wanted to try your new item (Chicken Bourbon), because honestly I'm not craving any of your classics items, then she gave me an attitude when I said that, then she tried to skipped and ignored what I just said and told Jackie, ok then "charge it as a bowl" then I reply,"I really want three items" she seems annoyed and took a deep breath & reply "so you just said that you don't want any of this (she pointed the items) then I reply "Yes, because as I said I really wanted to try your new item" then she seems annoyed and reply "I don't know what she wants and what's going on" she made a face and took a deep breath and said "ok" she rolled her eyes up and said "next, what type an entrée did you want sir?" talking to the customer next in line after me. Then "Jackie" nicely explained to me that I can't take samples anymore, then I told her what Serenity nicely have done to me(she put a piece of the item that I wanted to try in the corner of my box, on top of my rice) Jackie said "I can't give he box to you & bring it back to inside the line" so I totally understand the fact "no samples" but then I reply "I want a third item, I don't want the "classic ones, I wasn't craving any of those I really wanted to try the new item" at this moment was when Kathia did her face and she said what I said, and delegated my order to Jackie. Is not the sample, please don't take me wrong, is the attitude, and the awful "customer service" the Kathia clearly DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IT MEANS. The rest of the team, above and beyond. *Serenity who greet me and help me until Kathia sent her on break was so nice and try to help as much as she could. *Jackie who at the end brought a toothpick and gave me the piece of meet that was inside o my box (don't blame her please, she was really nice and kind) She really saved my experience at this location, she was the one!! *Stephanie the cashier, wow! She even was trying to make sure that I can get a discount on my order, she guided me to the reward's program in order to get a percentage off on my order. As I said, the team is awesome, they're excellent employees, unfortunately the manager Kathia, has nothing to do with them, she supposed to be the "kind one" "the mature" enough(in customer service) to handle any type of situation when she's running the shift, but clearly she doesn't understand that is ALWAYS A WAY TO MAKE A CUSTOMER/GUEST HAVE AN EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE AT YOUR STORE. I'm not looking for a discount, or free meals,that's not me at all. I’ve been in the restaurant industry for more than 25 years so, I know what I’m talking about, I’m not perfect at all, but yes, I do have experience as a manager/shift leader/supervisor/trainer. Just please think twice before you send a line employee to the next level, as a supervisor, line leader, etc.Thank...

I was in the shopping center to use the Tesla charger, and decided to run over to Panda for a bite to eat. I live close by so it wasn’t my first time at this particular location, however, I didn’t realize they were already closed.

I’ve worked this industry my whole life, fast food, cafe, fine dining, all tiers. & what I do know about all restaurant employees no matter where you are.. the end of the night we just want to get the closing duties over with and get the he** out of there. Not to mention not see or hear another human until the next day lol.

Anyways, back to the point, they were closed and Angeles really did make the guest her highest priority and proceeded to offer me what was set out (like 5/6 choices) had a pleasant smile and kind voice.

I take note of all the little things, and she proceeded to pack my order maintain a smile, listen to me vent about how nice people have been today given the circumstances, and still remembered to ask if I wanted any sauces for my order. To top it all off she then gave me an after hours discount which was not expected but pleasantly surprised and grateful for that.

This was a big chain delivering small town quality customer service.. I’m still in shock that I wasn’t turned away because it’s become such a norm for a lot of places, to start breaking everything down 10 min before close and assume that there will be no other guests. & I get it.. long day.. but business hours are automatic.. think I was like 30 min vs past closing.

I felt like an asshole and really was hoping to at least add some incentive for her exceptional service.. if anything.. management PLS READ this and implement a tipping option with the uses of cards and Apple Pay etc..As someone who knows the industry far too well, her service warranted a nice tip. Thanks for literally going above and beyond.. I will literally be back. Thx Angeles, I hope your work ethic doesn’t go unnoticed by your...

This is an update I went to the panda express on sycamore and it was day and night from the one in the morning I used some panda points to get a bigger plate because I was still hungry and they even offered me a drink on the house because I was waiting for my string bean chicken and all I did was say my name and got my order without hesitation hopefully someone from management or something sees this.I’ll give this place 5 stars even though today I was denied my order because of some number I couldn’t provide I’ve always been greeted nicely by all the employees there and treated fairly by all but thank goodness I didn’t get to know the name of the girl who was working there today in the morning Christ she must be having a bad time in life because she threw so many questions at me like if I was buying a Nintendo switch 2 I had paid for my order I gave her my first and last name Daniel Solano and she paused for a moment and set my food behind the register to the left and asked for some number or whatever I was so hungry and impatient that I don’t even remember what number I told her and so I was wrong twice and I literally never been in a situation where you already paid for some thing but cannot get it because I cannot provide last 4 numbers of I don’t know what but anyways I just told her you know what that’s alright I’ll just leave it thanks and so I left my order i didn’t disrespect her or said anything hateful but I’m just wondering what point in time have we come to where you deny a hungry person his meal Thats already been paid for it’s insane she didn’t even try to stop me or anything or try to resolve the issue it’s like she...