I find myself surprised for giving 5 stars. I don’t really like Panda Express. I’ve had nothing but bad food at many of the mainland locations. Looking for something to eat after a busy day shooting, we were looking for something good to eat and of the right size. I just don’t eat that much. I decide to go with a bowl that allows you to select one item to go with white rice. Bowl $ 7.40 choice of one entrée I asked if I could get the noodles instead of rice. The gentleman helping me, with a smile, replied I could. While he was preparing my bowl he asked if I would like to add a spring roll to that. I said no. He then said I could move forward to pay at the cashier. The broccoli wasn’t soft and tender but firm, crunchy and not as bitter when eaten raw. Quite delicious actually. Well, what can I do? Good food and good service. Five stars it is. For now.
Erika W.
Place rating: 3 Honolulu, HI
First time I had Panda I got the pepper chicken and it was too salty and I never wanted to go back. Gave it a second chance when craving Chinese and decided to get the sweeter options instead. Orange chicken was really good. No orange flavor but had the right amount of vinegar to sweet ratio. Walnut shrimp was also good but a little too bready. Maybe it needed to be fried longer. The yakisoba were a little dry but that is better than being too oily. Instead of a 1 star for that pepper chicken it gets 3 for redeeming itself with the acceptable orange chicken.
Jessica M.
Place rating: 5 Kaneohe, HI
I love the Orange chicken! This location had all the favorites. Very clean inside and plenty of parking. Other favorites are walnut shrimp, Beijing beef and teriyaki chicken! The chow mien noodles are so yummy.
Will P.
Place rating: 1 Honolulu, HI
Drive through that is not fast… what the heck… this is the thing, if you do not have the item on hand please do not wait until after I pay for it to tell me… the inside of the restaurant is full for a reason… better and quicker service…
Michelle J.
Place rating: 4 Fairbanks, AK
First time trying this location and it’s pretty much the same as all the others. I do like the fact it has a drive thru I didn’t use it on this trip though. It was rather busy when I got there. It wasn’t even 11 and the line was long as well as at the drive thru as well. They were already out of several items and there was a wait time for them. You were looking at about a 5 min wait for certain items. I don’t like the fact that the fried rice doesn’t have eggs in it anymore and is now replaced with corn but I guess it is what it is. I did get the steamed veggies as my side and the broccoli tastes a little strange and was more cooked all the way through than steamed. The beef and broccoli tastes fine so of course I ate it up I just wish they gave you more meat than broccoli. I did enjoy the spring egg rolls though my son preferred the chicken egg rolls. All and all I would try it again maybe Wednesday mornings are their busiest times?
Rich M.
Place rating: 1 Mililani, HI
Again. Gave them another try Service in the drive through sucks. They don’t get it.
Nat W.
Place rating: 2 Kapolei, HI
I think customer service at this Panda Express is great. Unfortunately the food is not good at all. Noodle was bland and oily. Kung pao chicken was drenched in oil. My all-time favorite orange chicken was just okay. My homemade Chinese is waaaaay better.
Christina M.
Place rating: 3 Amityville, NY
Overall I must say the expectations of Panda Express were not as expected. I was impressed withe the set up, but that was about all. I had the fried rice, ribs, and Beijing Beef. The rice was dry, and needed more seasonings or something. I know Chinese ribs and well, these to me were not that good, the meat was tender yeah, but I didn’t like the flavoring. I also ordered the Cream cheese Wonton for $ 2 you get 3 pieces and very little flavor in them. Why the 3 stars you ask? Well, the Beijing Beef was good and most pieces tender. Would I come back again, sure there are other entrees to try, and I will try the Chow Mein noodles next time and the Walnut Shrimp. No more ribs for me they charge an extra $ 1.50 and you only get 4 little pieces that may amount to 1 maybe 2 rib bone pieces. Sometimes you listen to reviews sometimes you don’t, just gotta find it out for yourself.
Amy M.
Place rating: 2 Honolulu, HI
So I ventured here with my honey to get some Chinese fast food. From what I remember I really enjoyed eating from this chain restaurant. We went to the drive through, and I proceeded to order a 2 entrée meal a fire chicken, and honey walnut shrimp with chow mein. The large drink is gargantuan!!! As for the food it below then average. The fire chicken and honey walnut shrimp tasted stale and hard. It did not have a light coating, but instead covered in thick breading to give it an appearance of largeness. It was smothered in sauce to disguise how aged the meats were. I was not impressed and that did not get by me. The chow mein was dry and hard as well. Those types of noodles are the easiest to make as well. I was disappointed how the quality factor went out the door and it was replaced by quantity. I don’t believe I will be back.
Lisa C.
Place rating: 4 Kaneohe, HI
Giving this location another try. Huge portions this time. I noticed the women workers are the one doling out the small portions. The guys are more generous. Hot, fresh and delicious. As always
Michael C.
Place rating: 3 Honolulu, HI
«You will take a pleasant journey to a place far away.» As soon as a I read my fortune from my Panda Express fortune cookie, I knew somehow this would come true. And so it did as a vacation request for 2015 was approved. Ahhh, the fortunes told by the Panda holds no bounds surely. I know I can always count on the«Panda» if I’m undecided about lunch or dinner. Although the food served is far from traditional Chinese fare, at least there is some resemblance or inkling of Chinese cuisine in the dishes that are served. LOCATION/PARKING: Ample parking available at Moanalua Shopping Center. However, parking can be scarce at peak times(i.e. lunch) since its in close proximity to military installations(Pearl Harbor). FOOD: You can either choose to dine in or take out. Plates are comprised of one side and two or three entrees. Another alternative is the panda bowl where customers can select one side and one entrée. Side dish favorites include the chow fun and the brown rice. For entrees, I prefer the broccoli beef, string bean chicken, mushroom chicken, and my favorite, the orange chicken. BONUS?: This location has a drive-thru for those who desire some«express» service of some type. However, the drive-thru can be a bit slow during peak hours, and there have been times when I chose to park and order take out instead. SERVICE: To be brutally honest, service truly seems to be hit or miss at this location. When I have actually set foot within this location to either dine-in or order take out, the workers are friendly, but sometimes can be abrupt or their explanations about dishes can be quick and unclear. In one instance, I observed a worker trying to explain to an elderly couple that a side dish can be comprised of «half/half», meaning half noodles or half rice, which ever selections the customer prefers. However, the explanation was being given so quickly that the man had to ask the worker to stop and repeat herself so they could understand what she was talking about. The service at the drive-thru is just ok. I think the drive-thru service at McDonalds or Jack in the Box is actually more efficient and friendly in my humble opinion. BOTTOMLINE: When craving«fast food» type Chinese cuisine, head on over to Panda Express.
Nadine J.
Place rating: 4 Honolulu, HI
Food here is good and at a good price. This location has a drive through and is very convenient. Big lot near by to park. My fave is the walnut shrimp.
Sawyer S.
Place rating: 2 Honolulu, HI
My husband really enjoys going to this place. It’s not my favorite place to eat but usually it’s pretty good. The food is good, it’s usually clean and the staff is friendly. I do have a problem with this place though, My husband went there last week and there was a man ordering food with no shirt on and this is not the only time we’ve seen this happen. This should not be acceptable. When I eat my I don’t want to see and smell a half naked man while the staff thinks it’s totally ok to ignore the sign that says«No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service»
Bennie Ann K.
Place rating: 5 Pearl City, HI
Haven’t been to Panda’s in quite some time but decided to come here today. The drive thru line was kinda long but moved at a pretty go rate(by observation). We decided to come in doors instead and was surprised to find great seating area. The drinks are self service with free refill which is always great! The employees were very friendly and there was always someone around to clean the dining area once customers left. It’s always great to sit at a clean table and much better when we don’t have to clean it ourselves or have to look for a clean table. Can I get a thumbs up for those who agree with me? Should I be in the area I’d definitely stop by.
Adrienne B.
Place rating: 4 Honolulu, HI
The most important thing about Panda Express is acknowledging that it’s not real Chinese food. Panda is to Chinese food like Sbarro is to Italian food. Once you realize that you’re not about to have an ethnic fine dining experience and lowered your expectations things should go pretty smoothly. For a Panda Express, this location is pretty impressive. It’s always clean, and the food is always being restocked, meaning nothing looks like it’s been sitting around all day waiting to be placed in a take out container. The staff is friendly and personable, and they all have specific job functions which prevents those who are dining in from waiting forever, and those in the drive thru line from the same. While the food isn’t the best I’ve ever had, it’s fresh and tasty and can only be described as faux Chinese comfort food. It definitely hits the spot when I’m too lazy to drive to get the real thing AND I never get sick from eating here which is a huge plus for someone like myself with a tender stomach. My favorites are the sweet fire chicken breast and the chow fun and the eggplant with tofu.
Christina B.
Place rating: 2 Honolulu, HI
**Drive thru review** Brenda was my server and absolutely rude with a smile on her face. When I placed my order she would interrupt me constantly. When I pulled up to the window to pay, she continued to call me sir(3x to be exact). I waited quite sometime for my food. Once I got it my food she closed the window so fast. I said«excuse me, may I please have soy sauce and chopsticks?» She handed me chili sauce and closed the window again. I said excuse me again & she never returned. Absolutely rude & I hate doing bad reviews on customer service. She needs to get it together if she is working directly with people.
Desirae S.
Place rating: 4 Aiea, HI
Today I went the drive-thru route. Aside from having the woman who took my order talk over me every time I tried to answer a question before she asked(the stereotypical questions they have to ask every time) and getting my veggie spring rolls given to me in the box instead of in a separate bag, thus making them soggy, the experience was great. My drive-thru line was long but I wasn’t waiting too long, the food itself was yummy(once I heated the spring rolls in the oven to make them crispy again) and I have delicious left overs for later!
Lisa T.
Place rating: 3 Wahiawā, HI
My name is Lisa and I ate at Panda Express I admit it… the other day my partner in crime asked to eat at Panda Express and I gave in. Why? I was too lazy to think of somewhere else to eat(because I was starving) and it was close to where we were. I was pleasantly surprised when the dishes were well stocked and constant newly cooked food was brought out. The restaurant itself was clean and the staff was quick to clean off tables and clean up messes that people left behind. Food was tasty(considering it was Panda Express) and I had no complaints. The manager gave us pretty large serving sizes compared to other locations. I liked this location better than the Pearl City one and would come here again if I was asked to.
Josie C.
Place rating: 3 Honolulu, HI
I’m really not a chinese food fan but if I had to choose, Panda Express would probably be an obvious place. This location would be it! Lots of seats,(indoor and outdoor), the staff is so attentive and doesn’t make you feel rushed like the other PE’s I’ve been to. They always wear a genuine smile. I like that you can somewhat see the cooks cooking. I do, however, wish I could see if they actually put MSG(which they claim to not) because every time I eat here, I’m always really thirsty at the end.(Or it could be a health issue with me) ha! It would be a plus if they would clean the tables more often, especially the outside ones. And the plastic ware should be given out individually or placed in an organizer rather than stuffing it all into one bin not knowing if the people before you reached in that bin with clean hands. Ultimately, my husband likes their food so it’s more than likely ill be here again. My choice: Chow funn and any shrimp entrée Tip: eat with chopsticks ;)
Paul Axel C.
Place rating: 4 Ewa Beach, HI
1. Too lazy to Walk inside. DRIVETHRU! 2. 1 screaming kid and a newborn in the back of the car. 3. Not in the mood for some burgers, tacos, or pizza. This is the top 3 reasons why I’m a fan of this Panda Express. Tips: –You can order 2 different starches. –They serve Bubbies mochi ice cream. — The kids meal comes with 1 starch, 1 side item, kid size beverage, and a chocolate cookie. –Remember to keep your receipt to participate in a survey. –Free Entrée item with the purchase of any 2-entrée plate. –The drive thru menu doesn’t show all of the dishes. Check out the internet for the other foods that they serve. My favorite items– *Mushroom Chicken *Mandarin Chicken *Orange Chicken *Shrimp and Walnut *Shanghai Angus Steak-Has a little kick. Asparagus & Mushroom. –Cream Cheese Rangoon-Good but pricy Unilocal 31 day Challenge: Drive Thru Panda Express to the rescue! 27⁄31