Ahhh Chinese food in a fast food format. There is nothing the matter with being able to get your food from a heated tray, as long as you do not expect much. But for the price and quantity you get the quality is sufficient. This place for some reason makes more Orange Chicken than Mandarin, that's a first for me, must be the location. Still the people who work here are nice and the place is clean, what more can you ask for in such a setting. All in all I recommend this place for a very fast bite to eat with an Asian flare. read more

Very tasty and affordable Chinese food, although I'm sure the calorie count is beyond belief! Most entrees and side dishes served here are fried so order wisely. If you have the time, order from a local restaurant instead and support local businesses! For quick Chinese food, I've found worse. read more

Still 30 minutes until closing and your store won't make anymore rice or chow mein!? Those are probably two of the most ordered items on the menu. Any other store would make any item that was not available at the time if the customer is willing to wait. UPDATE- I just called the location on mission at 9:45pm and they were willing to make the items o wanted that weren't made and have them ready in 10min, just 5 minutes before they close. TAKE NOTES read more

Served me small amount of orange chicken which I'm not that upset about but they gave me uncooked white rice very hard crunchy and dry I won't come back for a refund or comeback in any case because if you mess up white rice chances are everything else is a complete disaster read more

I am struggling between 2 and 3 stars... The food was acceptable, although bordering on tepid instead of hot, and the portions were indeed generous. The staff, however, could not and would not say they did not have plain tea (usually a treat for this coffee drinker). After being directed to a fruit drink flavored with, supposedly, black tea, the staff , literally scampered when I requested plain tea. After putting words to sceen, two stars seem appropriate. read more

WARNING - If you use the app to order and pay for you food, you will end up waiting at least three times as long to get your food as people who place their orders in person. Your online order (that was supposed to be ready by the time you got to the store), won't be started until you've waited in the special online order line for several minutes, and then the person who starts your order will start and complete a new walk-in customer's order in the middle of completing yours. You'll save yourself a lot of frustration by just going to the store to place your order and NEVER using the app. Update: I'll pass on the free entrees. To actually make up for this experience, you could implement changes to improve this store's process of fulfilling e-based (app and online) food orders. Some possible action steps include the following: A high traffic store like this one should have dedicated staff available at peak times to complete e-based orders as they are received by the computer system and should be started immediately if the customer selected ASAP (i.e., staff should not wait until customer is at the store to start order). Alternatively, the ticket printouts for e-based orders could be stationed next to the staff who start the in-person orders (i.e., the sides) so that they can alternate between starting e-based and in-person orders (instead of waiting for a rare lull in in-person orders before starting e-based orders). Furthermore, it would be better for the automated order confirmation email to include no "order ready at" time rather than an unrealistic time. Other apps not only notify customers when their order has been started and is ready, but also have an option for customers to notify the store when they are on the way and when they have arrived. read more

This Panda Express is probably one of the worst ones we have gone to. We only go there now because it's convenient. Last night around 6 pm, they had no white rice, the chow mein was dry and inedible. There was two more pieces of meat because my husband asked for it this time. So often he has come home and there is hardly any meat at all. What Chinese place runs out of steamed rice. I have never heard of that. When Covid is over, I'm sure they will suffer for their bad food. read more

I ordered online for pickup at this panda on May 13th.. My father then went to pick up the order at the time it was supposed to be ready. Not only were the lines poorly managed but they gave my father a hard time and insisted that my order did not exist and they had no record of it. My father had to get into the long line 4 separate times just to show them proof of purchase and the order info, regardless of this they still denied him the order and rather than settle the matter, they just told him to get a refund rather than receive our business. When it comes to customer service especially at times like this I believe at least part of the employees priority is making sure the customers are satisfied with their service. Even after this I have tried to contact Panda Express online THREE TIMES in order to get my refund and I have not received a single email.. By far one of the worst experiences I've had in terms of restaurant businesses. read more

This Panda Express regularly runs out of selections toward the end of the night, and what choices are left don't look super fresh... I remember when Panda Express always used to pile a lot of food onto your plate but now the portion sizes are kinda skimpy and sad.. read more

Always understaff, order online and very seldom is my order ready. Food is always good.

Considering this place is a fast food chinese restaraunt, it had to get 4/5 stars. Living in Europe, my biggest complaint on chinese fast food in America is the fact that its always luke-warm and gross, contrasting to the freshly prepared dishes. So every fast food chinese restaurant i have been to has been terrible. This Panda Express is fine, not amazing, but i guess in opinion, this deserves a 4/5. read more

I'm not sure if I got the right address. But thus review is for the Panda by Safeway on 41st. I have to admit. It's pretty darn tasty for fast food! It's pretty quick even if it's a long line. Prices are really good. Whether or not its organic or healthy or unhealthy. I have no clue. But as far as it's cleanliness and food freshness it's really good! Staff always does there job. No complaints. read more

Honestly the best Chinese food in the area. Orange chicken is always great. And great prices for stuff too. I've never had any problem with service they've always treated me good. Maybe as customers try being friendly and smiling to employees and they'll treat you nicely back. read more

The portion sizes of the main dishes seem to have shrunk lately, so might as well go to a real Chinese restaurant and get your money's worth. Also here they only make a new batch of they run out of the old, which is super frustrating when it's side like super greens or an appetizer like pot stickers. Then it's always "4 minutes" to make more, but it's double that at least. read more

Not sure what happened, maybe they don't cook things all the way through but this place gave me food poisoning. I'd get my regular meal all the time I came here but this time I don't know what was wrong but it made me very sick. I still love Chinese food but just don't eat it from here anymore. read more

Reason I am giving this place a 1 star is because this was my second time picking up a online order and it said it would be ready at the time given and when I got there I had to wait 30-45 for it. Also they only have one person running the register and the poor guy had no help and he was not changing his gloves in between orders and handling cash and touching the register. Not only is that unsanitary under normal circumstances but during COVID I feel like there should be more safety measures taken. Very disappointed. Panda I really hope you guys fix this. read more

Beyond disgusting!!! Ordered food and while waiting to pay reached for soy sauce packs and there were a couple cockroaches in the bin. When I complained Brandon R laughed and said that it happens quite often!!! He then, blew his nose and continues to ring us up. Walked out! Gross!!! No thank you!!! read more

Terrible service and quality of products. They don't make fresh food when they have an half hour until closing. Your quality should be the same until you close. They refused to make great food, so we left. I will tell all my friends and family to not go to the Capitola location. Very disappointed!!!!! Never will return to this location. read more

Heres the skinny. The food is good for fast-food. Not the fastest service, but friendly. I strongly dislike how they give the littlest amount of food they can. read more

Okay. Each time I get here I get sick so my recomandation is stay away from here if you want real chinese food go to mings way better and tastier and better friendly service! read more

Somehow this place is almost ALWAYS out of food. Doesn't matter what day of the week or time you come in - they will be out of whatever you were craving. We came in at 2pm on a Wednesday, not exactly rush hour, and they didn't have two of the three things I wanted - chow mein and orange chicken - the two staples of this place. I was then told it was a six minute wait for the noodles so I got some rice - which was bland and not quite cooked long enough. So I ended up only waiting a few mins for the orange chicken, but they rushed it so that there was almost no sauce on it - it was basically just a friend chicken piece and tasted almost exactly like a chicken McNugget from mcdonalds. It was weird and the person in front of me who got the last noodles and orange chicken had different colored orange chicken than me because hers had sauce. Not the worst panda I've been to by any means - the one out in Watsonville takes the cake for that - but also not one of the better ones I've encountered. The food usually meets the requirements, but the workers for some reason can't figure out how to plan ahead to avoid running out of food. read more

I used to eat at Panda Express all the time in San Francisco and Los Angeles, so I was looking forward to this one opening in Soquel. But now, I feel terribly empty and unsatisfied after eating there. I know it's convenient, but you can get much better Chinese food elsewhere in Santa Cruz County. read more

Watch the servers or the cheapskates will fill the take out boxes only half-full.

The food is standard Panda fare, which I like. However, every time I come in at lunch time, there is a long line and there are only two people working the serving/cashier line. I've walked out a number of times due to the wait and I just saw two people leave just now as I write this review. Perhaps the management is having trouble hiring people, but they should definitely staff-up during the lunch rush. I'm sure they'd make more money if they did. read more

We love panda express, and come here for convenience, but it always takes forever for food. The trays are always not filled very much, the staff aren't very friendly, and the line is always out the door. We would come more often if we knew it wouldn't take us 20-30 for take out. Especially late at night an hour before closing, they will easily have plenty of foot traffic coming in, but they make every order individually, which is nice because we know it is very fresh, but then we end up waiting 30 minutes for the food, past closing time! Also, a lot of times when we order the side vegetables, when we bring it home, it is only half cooked, I am hoping that the vegetables are the only half cooked items we are eating.. read more

Worst panda ever been too!! I've found hairs in my food!! They don't use any hair nets and they don't even give you a full amount of food they skimp it out so they don't have to make a lot of it. And to top it off they forgot to add the tereyaki sauce in the chicken. WORST! read more

While the food is average at best, upon paying for my meal and walking to my table, the cheap plate folded and my food fell on the floor. The manager told me I would have to pick up my food off the floor to eat it or purchase more. Then after a 10 minute argument, they agreed that their plate folded due to the sauces. So when I went back to get the same things I had ordered, they accused me of changing my order and dropping my food intentionally to get different food. read more

Portions are arbitrary. One day they're ample the next day stingy. I have been going to this location for 8 years so I know what the usual portion size is. When I complained the manager said "that's a full serving". She didn't say thank you or add a little for customer satisfaction. The second time the server said "I would have to charge you more". Seriously that's what she said. Really rude customer service from servers and managers. The food is burnt sometimes and high in carbs, sugar and salt. The rudeness is the worst. Never going here again. read more

SOOO update time: yes we still eat here at least twice a week :)) yea we are fatties lol gotta have my jing! The food and service are still good, the Asian man and the Caucasian man Jonathan are very nice and professional. If Jonathan isn't assistant or manager he definitely should be, he is the most helpful and professional of all of the workers. This place is much better than the one on the west side read more

This is the fifth time I have come here and stood in line for an unreasonable amount of time. At lunch rush they have one person on the counter. When they first opened they had two people serving and it was much more reasonable. Also, they stopped the line that was out the door to fill a mobile order. Very frustrating, they did not even acknowledge all of us standing waiting... read more

I have found Panda to be a good option when you are hungry for a little bit of a Chinese food experience while maintaining on a lower calorie budget. They have Wok cooked items that are lower in calories and in large portions. Mixed with steamed vegetables, you can make a semi healthy meal. Try the Peppercorn Shrimp, that is a good one. read more

Im usually happy getting some quick Chinese grub from Panda. You expect the same thing all the time and your not looking to get your socks knocked off right? Was working in Santa Cruz area and stopped in. Found out they have Honey Walnut Prawns now! So... I had to have it but I was a bit dissapointed because the portion was skimp and I had to pay $1 more. It was good and so was my orange chicken. but damnnn... why you gotta be so tight w/ the Honey Walnut Prawns though!!! read more

I love the Panda bowls here. This place is fast and the food is not bad at all. I usually get it to go.

Helped me with my order AND held my food after hours because i left my credit card at home AND the person at the purchase table was very kind all in all 5 stars read more

Good food, just try not to go when it's an hour before closing time. I think they might not be able to make more food, so it seems they draw out what they have left and portions are smaller. Other than that, they all work hard and do a great job. read more

Bad service, line moves slow no matter when you go, food Is always mostly fried breading and no meat and often burned to a rock hard texture. Like all Panda Express, the portions are small. read more

I feel like this place used to be better. Not sure what's changed but the food is only average now.

the only chinese chain in the area, and that being said, the quality is actually better than expected! i use to come here a LOT when i went to soquel high, until i read the nutritional info haha. but the chow mein is yummy, the fried rice is hot and fresh, and the entrees are hearty and flavorful! you can also see the food being made fresh in front of you, which is sort of nice for a chain restaurant! they also have healthy options, as well as vegetarian options! made me a happy girl! read more

I was disappointed in the qualilty of food and quantity of filler (rice, noodles) vs. substance as in the meat dishes. After taking several months' break I went back tonight....UGH! Same old story....3/4+ filled with tasteless noodles and 1/4- of green beans but without the chicken. I don't get it! The other thing is .....I feel so sorry for their employees they seem very unhappy and aren't thrilled to wait on anyone. It must be a difficult environment and not employee friendly! Too bad! read more

How can you be out of steamed rice...? The person I was with ordered first. Got steamed rice. I ordered next they're out. The woman was rude about it too. Then the cashier just throws everything in the bag. Literally tosses it in there. I mean I know you're busy and all but I am a customer paying you for your services...don't be an @$$. We sit down to eat...good thing I didn't get steamed rice. It was hard. Like not edible picking pieces out of your teeth hard. And their tea was out of flavor. Sucky night for Panda not like they're ever amazing just easy and filling usually. read more