Panda Express

This is why it is important to not fully base a restaurant’s rep on the reviews of others. Although, they can be helpful, it’s good to go and try for yourself. This location is found conveniently on the CSUF campus, below the USU (Student Union). When you enter the food court, it’s bustling with students grabbing a quick bite to eat or simply hanging out.(There’s a bowling alley just down the hall). Depending on what time of year you’re at CSUF, will probably determine how busy it is in the building. Fortunately, there’s a nice variety of areas on campus to eat, including the second floor of the Library.
The workers at Panda were quite friendly during my visit and they served their customers quickly and efficiently. They also offered samples. They were nice and they did their job. I was greeted, they smiled, had a friendly demeanor, and were efficiently quick in their food service. If you were expecting some a sort of regal treatment beyond that, at a grab and go fast food stop, get real! That’s what fine dining and other such things are for. The food was hot and fresh too. Didn’t have any problems with this location.

I have a family member who loves Panda Express. They are very picky eaters, so they only like one item. Orange Chicken with steamed rice.
Double order of Orange Chicken, to be exact. Been like that for years.
When they come over, I have frozen Trader Joe’s orange chicken in the fridge so I can feed them. It’s not the same, not as spicy, but close enough.
I was at CSU Fresno recently (No, not trolling for jail bait like some of you Unilocalers! It was summer break for crying out loud!) It was well after lunch and I was hungry. This Panda is in the Student Union building, downstairs mixed in next to the Subway sandwiches.
Being summer break and sort of quiet, they only had 3 entrees: Beijing Beef (their own invention), Orange Chicken (their own invention. You can more commonly get Lemon Chicken in Cantonese restuarants) and Kung Pao Chicken. I got a combo fried rice and chow mein like I usually do, and tried the Beijing and Kung Pau entrees.
In the seating area, there are 3 large flat screen TVs, all showing something called MTVU. Uh? Wha da F? MTVU? First the soda vendng machines on campus, then the mall fast food joints, and now MTVU? What is MTVU? A piped in congolmeration of mostly music videos, some public service announcements warning about HIV, and news university students might be interested in or understand, well about like MTV news. No hard news, no PSA about your brain on drugs, and no choice in programming.
Actually, it doesn’t really matter. The few people in their eating were either A) study groups getting organized for summer classes, B) Loners staying to work on campus C) working adults on the State payroll, or contractors. D) Me.
The bad thing is, the people working at the food concessions were students who A) Didn’t want to be there B) Have sh*tty attitudes C) Pissed to be working in Fresno to earn book money for fall. D) wanted to be with their boyfriends this summer.
I read an interview with the founders of Panda Express, a Chinese couple from SoCal. They believe fully in the 7 Habits of Successful People, that Steve Covey phenomenom popular a decade ago, and require all associates to read it. I wonder if that was an elective for the workers at Cal State Fresno?
How I longed for Orange Chicken with that picky family member of mine, from a mall Panda Express with eager blue collar asians serving me with a smile. Habit number 1: Have the End in Mind.