Busy Saturday night. Ordered ahead for only 1 entrée and 2 sides, should've been a quick drive thru pickup. Shockingly very busy at the Merced location at about 9pm near their closing time. Vehicle in front of me mustve had a huge order. Anyway, Panda gets such a terrible reputation from picky eaters, with complaints I've heard from folks like "inauthentic, disgusting," and so forth! That's really sad, really unfortunate. I'm not here to go on a tremendous persuasion campaign to change people's thoughts on an entire successful chain of restaurants. Thats just not who I am. People either like it or not. But I *am* here to at least defend Panda! once again I applaud their food, prices, and portions. But the time of service experience from this location, was rough . I only got 1 order yet it took I think 10 minutes or more. Unfortunate experience but really good overall still. read more

There was a mistake made on my order I asked to speak to the manager named Natalie she said I would have to pay the difference even though it's their mistake I said I would complain she said that's fine there's nothing you can do I will still have a job laughed and closed the window read more

The almost 30.00 dollars for two people and how bad it was , mushy chow main noodles no flavor , bad chicken mushrooms taste old

This is a letter I sent to Corporate articulating my interaction. To Whom It May Concern, I'm writing to file a formal complaint regarding my repeated negative experiences at the Panda Express located at 1786 W. Olive Avenue in Merced, California. As someone who frequents Panda Express--often ordering through the app to accommodate my limited lunch break--I'm beyond disappointed with the service, the management's lack of empathy, and the growing feeling of discrimination I continue to face at this specific location. Due to strict dietary restrictions, I always order the same meal: double orange chicken with white rice and teriyaki chicken placed on the rice, without any sauce. I include this clear instruction in my app order every single time. And yet, time and again, this Panda Express either disregards the note entirely or tells me that they can't honor that request--despite the fact that my wife is consistently able to pick up the exact same order with no issue from the same location. In a prior incident, I was told that because I arrived a few minutes early, they couldn't prepare my food until the designated time. I respected that and waited. This time, I deliberately arrived after the stated time on the app so my order would be ready--only to find that not only was my food still not prepared, but the special instructions were also ignored again. When I asked the drive-through operator to please ensure my simple request was honored, I was told it could not be done. Her tone was dry, dismissive, and carried the energy of someone who could care less about customer satisfaction. She went so far as to ask, "Are you going to pick up the order?" which came across as unprofessional and subtly hostile, as if to say, "Take what we give you or leave." Trying to resolve the matter respectfully, I asked to speak with a manager. I then entered the restaurant and spoke with a manager named Monica. Instead of listening with empathy, Monica appeared more concerned with being seen as helping other customers rather than helping the one standing in front of her with a valid grievance. I was not blocking any employee from doing their job, nor was I being unreasonable. What I expected was to be heard and helped privately--not dismissed publicly. Monica made no attempt to pull the team member I had spoken with aside to clarify the matter, nor did she guide us to a private space to discuss the issue professionally. Instead, she chose to speak to me in front of other customers, in a way that felt like she was reprimanding me rather than helping resolve the situation. When I asked for the name of the employee I spoke with, she deliberately blocked the employee's nametag, preventing me from identifying them. I have video evidence of this interaction. There was no accountability. No attempt to truly resolve the issue. No genuine concern. Only defense and avoidance. I've reported this location before and here we are again. The continued lack of professionalism, consistency, and basic customer courtesy is unacceptable. More importantly, the pattern in how I am treated compared to others especially when my wife can pick up the same order without issue makes me feel discriminated against. That is a hard reality to say out loud, but it's one I can no longer ignore. This location needs customer service and sensitivity training immediately especially at the management level. It is not enough to serve food. You must also serve people. I expect to receive a response regarding this matter and the steps being taken to address it. I am not just a paying customer I am a human being who deserves the same courtesy and respect as anyone else. Sincerely, Darrius Garrett read more

A week ago I picked up my order from the drive-through. I was very disappointed when I got this home. I ordered honey walnut shrimp and greens. There were good pieces of shrimp. There were tiny pieces of walnut. Added together they would not even make one whole walnut. The "greens" included large white pieces of something, some sort of veggies, which tasted terrible. The greens that were included were a few pieces of yellowed broccoli. I have written the complaint and called about it, but I've received no refund or even any reply. This is not good publicity for Panda Express. I want a refund of my $11.26. read more

Dessere S. gives amazing service every time. She's kind, attentive, and makes the whole experience better. Truly one of the reasons I enjoy coming here. read more

Avoid this place at all cost. Service is poor and slow. They were out of chow mien so I waited and when they refilled the tray, they forgot about my order because they were serving drive thru and people indoors. It's also quite dirty. read more

Love this place, only thing I wish would be bigger portions or an all you can eat. How one can not love panda is a mystery

The neat tasted processed, a new meat. It wasn't whole pieces of chicken in the teriyaki. The beef broccoli had fatty texture. Cheap processed. Overall the food itself was horrible and the service was below average. read more

Poor management food is always running out very little portions and the store is very filthy

I hope i didn't come off as rude when I received my food. I was not dressed "outdoor ready" so I was in a hurry to leave. My fiancé initially picked up the food but when they asked for the last name he used my second last name that i usually go by, so it caused some confusion. Food was great as usual, i just would like to apologize to that employee if i came off as rude or abrasive read more

4 pieces of shrimp. 4 pieces of shrimp! I've been to Panda Express multiple times, and I must say, their portion sizes have left me disappointed. The promise of flavorful Chinese-American cuisine is there, but the servings are often on the smaller side. It's frustrating when you're expecting a satisfying meal, but you end up with less than you'd hoped for. While the taste is decent, it's hard to overlook the feeling of being shortchanged. I've heard similar complaints from friends and family, and it's an aspect the restaurant should work on to improve the dining experience and ensure customers get their money's worth. The ratings overall speak for themselves. read more

I was very well attended very professional they were very nice the food looked fresh .

The food is ok. They are missing pork for some reason? The service is terrible. Second time I stopped by for lunch and these kids, because there is no one mature enough there to be considered an adult, are goofing off, gossiping right in front of us, ignoring us (the customer), and even interrupting us when I did get a moment to start my order. Lastly, I went to make my Fountain drink and there were no medium lids for my drink. I stood there while they continued to goof off and ignore me until I finally said "excuse me, we need medium lids for our drinks," and the girl handed me one and because I didn't say thank you, she said "how rude!" Wow! Unbelievable. Whoever reads these be prepared and have a lot of patience, and time, if you desire the decent food they have there. Good luck! read more

Haven't came in so long due to bad experiences in the past ... decided to come today and again they messed up my order ordered 2 kids meals only gave me one & my kids meal with 3 pieces of broccoli with basically no beef at all.. then added teriyaki chicken they forgot my damn teriyaki ...mind u I came threw drive thru FOR A REASON I go back to get my order fixed and they tell me their policy is that I have to go inside to fix my order ! Wtf like I came threw drive thru for a reason & I have to get down cause you guys couldn't get my order rite ?! Anyways hope u guys improve ... but last time ever going there. read more

The food took forever and when we got it it was all burnt or overdone. The Rangoons were wet and cold when they're supposed to be crispy. The meat texture was way too overdone. The rice was burnt into these huge gross chunks. There wasn't even a line, so what's the excuse? read more

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The new AI drive thru is really pretty nice. Just don't fight it. Give it one thing at a time and it shows you the next options. Food is always a nice change of pace. A little expensive, but we usually can't eat all of it anyway. read more

This was my first time having Panda Express in a couple years or so, and for some reason it just wasn't good. Not sure if they're all like this or it was just this particular location, but the orange chicken wasn't crispy, the sauce was too sour, and it all just tasted one dimensional. The chow mein was also bland and not as good as I remember. read more

Long drive thru similar to In n Out so decided to walk in and order inside. The staff were friendly and polite. Place was overall clean . A very busy place compared to other locations . . It was a longer wait than I usually am accustomed , but it's ok . Only 4 stars because I was given Six pieces of orange chicken per plate. Normally I get more than 6 pieces at other locations . Overall - good ! read more

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Just okay not real Chinese food the walnut shrimp is really delicious but I don't like the chow mein it's definitely different than the real Chinese places . The rice is just ok nothing special. read more

Ordered string Bean Chicken breast that had bright pink lipstick inside lid . So gross read more

Panda Express - Yummy, smeared pink lipstick all over my container lid.. So gross - Chinese Near Me - Merced, California

Came in to pick up doordash today it is 11:30 on Friday store is not too busy the worker yelled at me because I asked them why I was waiting 15 minutes for an item that I was not waiting on when I originally got there read more

This Panda Express is truly a great restaurant, I understand sometimes they don't have all menu items right away. But that is because they sell so much! The employees are extremely hardworking, the food always taste fresh, they are polite, and give what you ask them for (Aren't selfish with chili packets and all). I have gotten mixed food orders and they always receive my problems with quick and manageable solutions. The managers always have smiles on their faces, and with that drive thru plus inside restaurant. They truly are phenomenal, this panda doesn't disappoint me. Five stars for excellence !!! Lol read more

I received the most disgusting fried rice and broccoli and beef in history hands down! I wasn't able to see the food until I got to work. This is the second time I get horrible customer service from this location. Rude and disrespectful girl that did not want to help us and was trying to make her coworker do all the work. I will never go there again!!!! read more

Always had a good experience at this location. However, today I found a piece of CARDBOARD in my broccoli beef! I understand it was dinner rush, but seriously? read more

Panda Express - piece of cardboard - Chinese Near Me - Merced, California

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Very bad service!! They haven't changed. Julianna R-the server today: They're always rushing if you go to drive thru! They're very rude! They stick all your orders in one bag & your food are all messed up! And the nerve to ask donations after :( sloppy job! There's a new Panda location at Yosemite being built close to the university- hope better service because we pay you guys so you'll have a pay check & we deserve better service- management better be aware! I guess if the employees are too tired to work- don't come to work! read more

After waiting for an extended period of time I ordered a plate lunch for myself and a cub lunch for my daughter. This is a pic of the cub meal...it had about 3 grams of beef in the beef n broccoli entree. I'll never go to a Panda Express ever again. read more

Panda Express - Beef n Broccoli Cub meal. ‍ - Chinese Near Me - Merced, California

For Chinese fast food, it's pretty good! Panda's business model works: they serve the most popular Chinese dishes so the product is constantly being cooked and therefore fresh food that doesn't sit under warmer light bulbs for too long. A good thing! But I have two complaints, though not deal breakers to my returning to Panda: 1. Not every restaurant has my favorite dish, Eggplant Tofu. 2. There's no loyalty rewards program, and most fast food restaurants do. Rewarding loyal customers with free food helps them coming back! read more

I wasn't going to post this lie maybe a worker had a bad day, but seeing and hearing my 3yr old throwing up when the only meal that she had that nobody else did was the chow mein yesterday. Whoever cooked it burned the chow mein then served it to us throw the drive thru. Something told me to go back but I didn't want to be that type of person. This is a terrible problem when you're in any industry dealing with food and you really don't care about people. I'm pissed and honestly just over probably never eating there again. read more

HAHAHAHA THE AI VOICE IS SO HILARIOUSLY BAD! kept getting my order wrong i had to have it delete and start over

I went to panda today, ordered broccoli beef and teriyaki chicken as my entree, and when I opened my bowl, I found that it was FULL of broccoli and just three small pieces of beef. I was completely baffled to say the least. read more

Panda Express - Build Your Own Bowl - 1 Full Side - Chinese Near Me - Merced, California

I do like broccoli, but this is a little irritating. Theres hardly any meat and the meat was sour. Thanks Panda. read more

Panda Express - Chinese Near Me - Merced, California

Made an order through grubhub to have my order delivered. Got the food pretty quick but they left out the spring rolls. I called them on it and they told me that I could go down pick up the spring rolls. I thought the entire reason of using Grubhub having the food delivered was reason not having to go to the restaurant in the first place. Panda Express you had one job to do and you failed. This was not grubhubs fault, it was the fault of Panda Express not checking the order before it is picked up. read more

AI New order is not it. Was trying to order half and half but with super greens which made it hard to communicate with staff. Eventually got it clarified but staff didn't seem like they want to do their job. Was told to park and food came out all super greens and not half and half. read more

Terrible service. Went through drive thru and told to park and wait 10 minutes. 20 minutes later I had to go in and was told another 6 minutes. No apology. read more

I love panda but my experience today was the worst experience I've ever had. I had a hard day at work as was looking for to eating panda but the worker severing us seemed extremely defeated she was very sad and was rushing us. We had to wait 40 minutes for the to finish making our food and than on top of that when I get home to open the bag and get my food I'm missing an item the plate only had chow mien and i was extremely disappointed and upset about my experience. Worst panda in Merced!!!! next I'll drive the extra minutes to atwater. The staff at the front were just extremely rude. read more

Let's start with the fact that the drive thru line is always ridiculously long, they are always out of entree items and ask you to park and wait for 7-12 minutes and they are super stingy with their portions. Today was no different. Line long, 12 min wait for orange chicken. No super greens and no vitamin water. I also noticed they stopped giving you napkins and soy or chili sauce unless you ask. read more

Panda Express - Chinese Near Me - Merced, California

Receive incorrect orders every single time! Your fried rice and your customer service sucks! Ya'll need to hire asian employees because they actually know how to make rice! Do not door dash food from here, they can't tell the difference between strawberry and orange Fanta. Goodness gracious, whole bunch of airheads. read more

Always forgets to give me the sauce for my teriyaki chicken. When I ask for it, they tell me it's in the bag but it isn't.

I had the rudest service from jahzel R at the drive through. When I got there I asked her to give me a second while I find my debit card which wasn't in my wallet and she immediately just said have a good day and shut the window. When I found my card a few seconds later and circled the drive through she silently gave me my food and didn't say anything. read more

Panda Express - The person who served me - Chinese Near Me - Merced, California