The Panda Invades Edmond

For the next 10 weeks, I will be blogging about budget friendly ways to eat as a college student. I will be trying both new restaurants, as well as meals you can make in your own apartment. After they are tested, I will write a report letting you know if it is worth trying in the future. 

This week, I went to Panda Express. A new one has opened in Edmond and some friends and I decided to go. I had never been there before, but many people have told me great things about it! Many who I had mentioned it to told me to try the orange chicken, which ended up being delicious. 

Here is my evaluation of Panda Express:

• Price - I paid 5.75 (excluding tax and a drink) for 2 entrees, and a choice of chow mein, or rice. This price is fair compared to the other Asian restaurants near the area such as Pei Wei which can cost up to 10 dollars. 
• Variety of foods - I felt that there was a good variety of entrees, a total of about 10 to choose from.  There were many different variations of chicken and beef, as well as more unusual items like pot stickers. 
• Serving sizes - Like many other Chinese restaurants, they have heaping portions. This is not a place you would want to go to if you were on a diet, however they do offer a children's meal (which happens to be cheaper). I felt satisfied when I left, and had just enough room to manage to eat my complementary fortune cookie. 
• Atmosphere - It was nicely decorated and had a variety of seating options. The pictures on the walls were interesting, and not generic restaurant art like you see in many places today. 
• Service - When I walked in, I was greeted warmly.  However, when I was asked for my order, I felt rushed. Since I had never been there before, I wanted to scope things out, but I felt like the employee helping me wasn't giving me much slack. However, on the up side, they readily answered any questions a customer might have. 
• Cleanliness - The counters and table tops were both clean, but I did notice the trashcans were overflowing some. I think this may be due to the dinner rush hour, and not to sub-par employees.     

Overall, I had a great experience at Panda Express and would definitely return there in the future to eat. I felt like the price I paid was great in comparison to the amount of food I received, and at the end I felt satisfied. I would recommend this place for college students, because you get more food than you would at other restaurants for the same price. To find a Panda Express in your area, please click this link. Hopefully your experience will be a great as mine was!