Panda Express: Cheap, yummy, and filling American spin on Chinese food

Panda Express

I’ve been known to enjoy the authentic Chinese food served in many proud Bay Area restaurants, but authentic Chinese food just met its trendy American cousin called Panda Express. Panda Express is a chain founded in California back in 1983, and its influence has spread like wildfire through the nation. It’s famous for being cheap, yummy, and filling. It’s a restaurant that proudly does things its own way; it puts its own spin on Chinese food, one that appeals to a broader audience in the United States, and it does not apologize for having a personality of its own.
 

When you enter the restaurant, you will see a wide variety of entrees and sides displayed under the glass. The work of preparing these satisfying options is already done. All you have to do is pick.

The sizzling woks in the kitchen behind the counter keep working all day to make sure there’s plenty of each item in the buffet for the staff to serve when ordered. The food is kept under a glass case with labels by each dish, so you get a chance to examine and evaluate your options before you order. The glossy noodle, meat, and stir-fry dishes glisten under the restaurant’s bright lights, and the whole restaurant has an aroma of warm cooking oil with savory seasonings.

The food tastes luxurious, but it is actually rather inexpensive, especially if you favor small portions. Depending on your budget and hunger level, there’s a variety of meal options. You’d be surprised how well you can eat for under $20 a person. If you’re only eating a little, you could even make it out for under $10 a person, and $10 or so can buy you a complete meal with an entree and a side (like fried rice or chow mien). Thus, Panda Express is the type of place you can just go on a whim when you’re a little hungry or just need something yummy to brighten your day.

Everything they make is delicious and made with their unique Chinese American flourish. But there is one dish in particular that stands out and has put Panda Express on the map: the orange chicken! As probably Panda Express’s most iconic menu option, this crunchy, sweet, and tangy fried chicken isn’t just filling; it’s completely addictive! Whether you’re looking for a full meal or a snack, this dish hits every time!

Every order comes with a fortune cookie and a choice of sauces. The prices rival those of local fast food restaurants, but this isn’t your standard American fast food. They don’t serve burgers and fries, and they don’t cater to just anyone with an appetite for cheap food; instead, this inexpensive chain is in a class of its own.  Nor is Panda Express a small Chinese hidden gem. It’s not married to authenticity; instead, it’s world-famous for taking its own spin on Chinese favorites. This restaurant is more interesting than fast food, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a set of signature recipes that come out quickly and deliciously every time. It’s a large and popular chain without ever losing its individuality, and it serves cheap food without sacrificing taste.