In Hamilton, New Jersey, there stands a shining beacon of corporate efficiency and sugar-laden faux-Chinese indulgence. It is called Panda Express, though neither pandas nor express delivery are involved in any meaningful way. I entered the establishment near noon on a Tuesday. It was, to its credit, remarkably clean--so clean, in fact, that I briefly wondered if anyone had ever actually eaten there or if the staff simply maintained it as a performance art piece on the illusion of fast-casual dining. But no, there were customers, and there was food, and there was a short line that moved with all the swiftness and precision of a well-rehearsed military drill. Within minutes, I was holding a bowl that contained nothing remotely resembling authentic Chinese cuisine and yet, paradoxically, tasted perfect. The Orange Chicken--sticky, sweet, crisp in places, chewy in others--was exactly as it has always been and exactly as it always will be, a triumph of consistency over culinary tradition. It did not transport me to China, but rather to an American mall food court in 1998, where all things were possible and calories were mere suggestions. The chow mein beneath it was neutral, an edible napkin soaking up whatever sauce happened to land on it, content to play a supporting role in this deeply American reinterpretation of Asian cuisine. It was, in a word, delicious. Not sophisticated, not revelatory, but as predictable and comforting as a warm blanket in a cold world. One star deducted, for the simple fact that my soul insists I must. Four stars, well earned. read more

Panda Express - Chinese Near Me - Hamilton, New Jersey

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I actually went here twice already since I moved jobs recently and found this place. Every time I was there for lunch so all the items was fully stocked and prepared. Despite some people say they didn't have a lot menu items up, I believe they went at almost closing time. I wouldn't blame panda for not cooking a pot of new rice 30 minutes before closing. What are they going to do with all that rice. If you know about cooking rice, you can't just cook a small portion. They have a large rice cooker that makes lots rice. This location I believe was recently opened not too long ago next to the Walmart and Burger King. Parking is not an issue as they are located within a strip mall. Both times I went the food tasted like the standard Panda express menu items wasn't that bad. Since it was a newer place, most of tables and décor were modern. Nothing else to report about the restaurant as it was a standard Panda. Overall, I will come back here for lunch when I'm working at the office close by. read more

Panda Express - Chinese Near Me - Hamilton, New Jersey

Employee Sophia was so friendly and was very attentive! Food was coming out fresh the whole time and was so good. Whole establishment was clean and every amenity was full. read more

I am leaving a bad review because the female manager's service was awful. She often did not help the people in front of me and walked away from them, when it came time for me to order she had looked at me and then walked away. Because of this I had to wait an additional 5 or so minutes because the cashier was helping other customers at the time and the manager refused to help me. Outside of that, the food was good. However I don't think I'll be coming back at all. read more

Excellent experience. Servers are very knowledgeable. Should be more explicit that for cocktails only, no food. Follow their instructions about GPS, Very hard to find. read more

Never had a bad meal, it's consistently good. We live about 15 + minutes away and it's worth the travel time. I usually get the Beijing beef (which is incredibly yummy!) but the egg rolls, orange chicken are all good. The staff are always friendly, I've asked for extra plum sauce before and got none but that's it, no complaints. It's a favorite and well be back! read more

Panda Express - Beijing Beef - Chinese Near Me - Hamilton, New Jersey

I ordered a bowl of kungpao chicken. Got mostly rice and peanuts. Barely any chicken. Same with my kids orders got mostly rice or noodles Barely the main meat. And they are always out of stuff. Won't be coming back and would definitely not recommend it. I tried this location 3 times and have been disappointed every time. And the worse part is i love panda express. This location is just horrible read more

Panda Express - Rice with kung pao chicken. - Chinese Near Me - Hamilton, New Jersey

If i can give -0 stars i would. Where do i begin, the associate "Carla" was her name, was yelling at me and called me a bitch and there was no manager around and she even followed me and my colleagues outside and it was all on camera. Very unprofessional service!!! The other employees stood around and wouldn't get someone else to help us. Very bad place and i would recommend not eating here. read more

Updated review: We came back here again and it restored my faith in pandas. The portions were amazing and great. I felt like I truly got what I paid for. Me and my husband really got excited to see them give us the correct portions to our plate. The place is really clean and the customer service was great. Can't wait to come back again read more

Panda Express - Chinese Near Me - Hamilton, New Jersey

First time eating at this chain restaurant. This location is pretty clean and modern. Customer service was super fast and friendly, even offered samples to anything I was interested in tasting. Opted for the Shanghai Angus Steak and brown rice. Entree came to about $10.00, a bit on the higher end however I couldn't complain because my meal wasn't lacking in flavor. The sauce on the steak made it tasty as I ate the entire serving portion. They had other options like orange chicken, peppered chicken (which I sampled and thought lacked flavor). The mixed vegetables which I did not opt to get looked a bit thrown together without any effort which is why I skipped. Otherwise, it's a fast premium Asian selection I'd opt for again. They get you at the end by asking for a donation to children's hospital (just a heads up)! read more

Panda Express - Shanghai Angus Steak with Steamed Brown Rice - Chinese Near Me - Hamilton, New Jersey

I only noticed this Panda Express location in Hamilton after the sudden demise of Pei Wei in Princeton, which left a chain Chinese vacuum in the area. This Panda Express is easy to find since it is a pad site in a shopping center next to route 33. The food at this location is pretty standard for Panda Express, which is to say a bit better than fast food. There is decent variety and flavor in the steam tray selection. The only problem I noticed was the brown rice. It was a bit hard and gritty, so they may not have added enough water or cooked it long enough. That aside, service was just fine and the dining area and restroom were clean. read more

Panda Express - String bean chicken, mushroom chicken, Beijing beef, brown rice, and mixed vegetables. - Chinese Near Me - Hamilton, New Jersey

This franchise recently expanded into this part of the world, and I finally found a convenient moment to check it out this week. It is an attractive Chinese house; clean, organized and designed equally for eat in or takeout. Yet, not an Asian in sight to speak to authenticity. The options are set behind glass shielded steam tables, where the workers allow you to select from the number of different dishes offered, and spoon them onto a heavy cardboard plate with a side of white or fried rice. As everything is prepared beforehand, unless you arrive soon after wokking, the food cools and congeals to some extent, detracting from its overall taste and enjoyment. I went for orange chicken and Beijing beef with the fried rice. Both had a good look with different shades of orange and red amber goopy sauce. The taste of each was distinct, and I believe that if hot, they would have been a satisfying meal. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Both were barely above room temperature when I sat down, and although I appreciated the flavor and textural potential, the heat issue really drove down my enjoyment. I don't know how they can fix this problem. I don't like micro-reheats, and question whether they could successfully throw it back in a wok. So, I give them credit for an interesting idea, and a tidy house, but just don't want past prime hanging around food as part of my diet. read more

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SLOW SLOW SLOW at lunch time with no volume of customers!!! Food was ok, the Beijing beef was all breading no meat. Restaurant was very clean but slow on the line and register. Go elsewhere for lunch. read more

Panda Express - Chinese Near Me - Hamilton, New Jersey

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I think the reviews for this place are from very whiny people are from the bk across the street cause I went with my family and was promptly welcomed by John who was very nice. Never ate at a panda before but came back from the sculpture garden for a bite before driving back and gotta say it was pretty good. The man was nice and answered my questions. A got teriyaki orange chicken and rice. Would come back 5/5 read more

I showed up an hour and a half before closing time, and they didn't have white rice. Then, they refused to make more after I told them I would wait. That's bad for business and a poor managerial decision. As a local, I was going there regularly, but I won't be going back anymore. read more

Wow! It's super clean and well organized operation system. Food is amazing. My friend is from Europe he said I never seen clean place like this during my visit to USA till now. Thank you to all who is working there it takes a team to make it happen. read more

So ordering our food was as normal and standard as usual. The food was also the same quality I expect from panda. Now here's the issue, our server Elieana. On June 28 th @ 1200 I asked for and got a military discount. Today July 22nd @ 1210 I asked for a military discount and Elieana stated we don't have one! With a pissy attitude. I asked when did that happen because I got one last month? And with more attitude than the first time she said " we no longer have a military discount and if you got one you shouldn't have and the server was wrong, then left. I would have been fine with it if she would have said "Sorry, we stopped giving a military discount" instead of the pissy bad attitude from the millennial, I have to be paid $15.00 an hour for an entry level job, and I'm too good for this job poor ass attitude I got from her. read more

Panda Express - Chinese Near Me - Hamilton, New Jersey

Immediately walking in there, I did not want to take my coat off as it was just as cold inside as it was outside. I got the half & half chow mein and fried rice with beijing beef and broccoli and beef. Both the chow mein & fried rice was quite dry. Beijing beef was delicious and the broccoli and beef was just okay. I have never been to a Panda Express before this one so I couldn't compare but I'm sure it wasn't supposed to be dry. Don't think I'd go back to this specific location. read more

Panda Express - Chow Mein, Fried Rice, Beijing Beef, Broccoli Beef - Chinese Near Me - Hamilton, New Jersey

I ordered thru Uber eats this past Thursday. The packaging was horrible the food was loose in the bag. And none of the containers were secured with tape like every other restaurant does during this pandemic! It was quite disappointing opening the bag with rice everywhere! read more

I was a little skeptical before going in there today, because even though Panda Express has a great brand name, and this is a stand-alone facility, I thought this place was going to be like so many that I've been to in food courts in malls, where the quality just isn't very good. I was pleasantly surprised that the quality of this Panda Express is considerably better than what you would find in the food courts. I had the teriyaki chicken and the chicken with mushrooms, and they were both very tasty. The place was very clean, and the service is very friendly. My only criticism would be that the price is kind of high for portions that aren't that big. Still, I definitely plan on going back there again. read more

I have been there at night when they are out of a lot of the menu items. I thought maybe earlier in the day they would be more completely stocked. Well, today I went there at lunchtime and they are went of two of the things I asked for. Food at this place is just OK. There is certainly a market for a quick-serve Asian drive through but this is not that place. read more

Bad customer service. The WORST. Made me go hungry at work. They had prepared other to-go orders right in front of me when I asked 3 times where my order was, which was ordered 40 minutes prior. Please don't support ignorance here. read more

Panda Express - Chinese Near Me - Hamilton, New Jersey

Big portions they give here its well worth it. I ordered the chow mein, fried rice, wok fried shrimp, Shanghai angus steak and a chicken egg roll. They were all delicious, the chow mein noodles were a little undercooked but it was still good. The restaurant itself is really nice on the inside and out. The employees are friendly as well, we went through the drive thru and the service was pretty quick. I'd come back here again. read more

Panda Express - Chinese Near Me - Hamilton, New Jersey

Went back for another try and was very happy. 100% better. The food was cooked and tasted just right. Will be back again!

Food is good as expected. Come on, it's Panda. Definitely try the walnut shrimp. It's the best, but will run you a bit extra.

This place in Hamilton is horrible they served cold chicken and tried to warm it up with hot sauce. The brown rice was over cooked and very starchy and cold The egg roll was by far the worst part it looked like it was days old. I took one bite and it just tasted horrible like it was days old. This was a one and done for me. read more

I ate here yesterday and it was awesome ... The orange chicken is mouthwatering along with the black pepper chicken if you want some spice in your life ... Overall the restaurant and the staff was good and friendly. read more

Panda Express - Chinese Near Me - Hamilton, New Jersey

Staff would not even acknowledge my family's presence. Really strange and rude. Left after ten minutes of awkwardness.

Went here for lunch today and had no problems. The food was hot, fresh, and tasty and the line moved well. A lot of the negative comments here seem to be about problems that are just typical of a new place. Of course they're going to need a bit to get everything ironed out. But I had a good experience, the cashier even offered to bring my tray to my table since I was carrying my baby in a car seat, and while I was eating there was a couple times that employees checked on each table, so they're obviously concerned about getting better. Panda is a staple where I'm from, glad they're here. read more

Wooooo hooo! We were so hungry and this place really feeds you! The food was amazing! The fortunes in our cookies were a little weird and got us into some mischief, but it was fun. Great staff, very welcoming and friendly. read more

This place just opened about a week ago or something. Went there to try it out the food was good and the staff was extremely helpful and polite. They came to check on me two times when i was eating my dinner. Come check it out yourselves read more

Starchy Chinese food that sits around on a steam table all day. Went there today and young girl behind the counter was rude to me. You are better off going to Burger King (next door) and getting a Whopper or a crispy chicken. You are also better off skipping a meal. read more

I loved the chicken and the steak was spectacular! The bathrooms and seating area was clean and organized. We were served immediately after arrival. This is a wonderful restaurant to go to if looking for Americanized Chinese food! read more

Always a delicious meal. So many choices for entrees. I typically get Beijing beef, teriyaki chicken, and chicken egg roll. My side dish is always Super Greens -- so healthy and so tasty mixed in with the entrees. The veggie combo compensates for the calories and fat in my meal. Only problem with everything but the veggies is the sodium is so high. Good idea to read their nutrition info online before ordering. read more

The employees are excellent and friendly. However, the food is a bit dry. Went twice so far thinking the food would be different, but it wasn't. I'm not sure if it's because it sits on the warmers to long, but if this is the case they really need to add sauce to the noodles and rice while it sits on the warmers. I probably won't be going back. read more

Restaurant was clean, staff very friendly and the food was very fresh and yummy. They have strawberry Fanta;). We stopped here after visiting Grounds for Sculpture and I am glad we did. read more

The kids they hire at the Panda Express on Nottingham Way are so polite and respectful. Elijah put my order together perfectly. So nice and polite. Nicely done Elijah. read more

This place made Panda Express seem horrible, which is not. I have always loved this food chain. However this place was not my cup of tea. Never again. The food was cold, dry, and had an aftertaste that would not leave your mouth. I had to ask for freshly made chow mein because of how dry and overcooked it was. It was more like eating spaghetti out of the box. The beijing beef was old and felt like I was eating some type of dog food. There were hardly any options by the time we went which made no sense since there was only three customers besides myself and a handful of workers that gave you attitude. Overall, I do not recommend going here. read more

best Chinese food i had never ate from Panda Express now I'll never eat from a Chinese restaurant again this gon always be my spot..food fresh to go...nice and clean read more