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Panda Express in Berkeley: A Quick Bite Option Near UC Berkeley
  1. Chinese Food
  2. Chinese Restaurant
  3. California
  4. Alameda County
  5. Berkeley
  6. Southside
  7. Chinese Restaurant in Bancroft Way
  8. Panda Express

Panda Express

49 reviews

Panda Express Photos

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Hours

Monday, 9:30 AM - 10:30 PM
Tuesday, 9:30 AM - 10:30 PM
Wednesday, 9:30 AM - 10:30 PM
Thursday, 9:30 AM - 10:30 PM
Friday, 9:30 AM - 10:30 PM
Saturday, 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM
Sunday, 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM

About Panda Express

Welcome to our platform for discovering local Chinese restaurants. Today, we provide an overview of Panda Express, situated at 2580 Bancroft Way Suite 1, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA. As a well-known name in the Chinese Restaurant category, Panda Express offers a fast-food approach to American Chinese cuisine. You can contact this Berkeley location at (510) 704-2877 or +1 510-704-2877 for any inquiries.

Panda Express is recognized for providing quick and convenient meals, often featuring popular dishes like Orange Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, and various noodle and rice options. Located in close proximity to the University of California, Berkeley, it is likely a popular choice for students and individuals seeking a fast and readily available meal.

To offer an objective perspective on this particular Panda Express location, we have considered recent feedback shared by online reviewers. These reviews provide glimpses into the experiences of past customers, highlighting both potential strengths and areas for concern.

One reviewer recounted an experience while waiting in line, observing what they perceived as smaller portion sizes being served to other customers compared to their experiences at other Panda Express locations. This reviewer also noted a server whose hand was shaking, which they interpreted as an attempt to serve less food. Consequently, this individual decided to leave without making a purchase, indicating a significant concern regarding the perceived value and serving practices at this specific branch.

Another reviewer offered a more positive, albeit brief, comment, stating that the "food is great" and expressing their enjoyment in going there for a "quick bite." This suggests that for some customers, Panda Express in Berkeley successfully delivers on its promise of providing tasty and fast food.

However, another review raised a significant issue concerning the restaurant's advertised vegetarian-friendly options. This customer, identifying with dietary restrictions, pointed out that despite Panda Express frequently promoting itself as vegetarian-friendly, their single meatless entrée, the eggplant tofu dish, is consistently unavailable at this Berkeley location. The reviewer mentioned visiting three times within a single week with friends, only to find the eggplant tofu unavailable on each occasion. Due to their dietary needs, this lack of availability forced them to seek food elsewhere, leading them to conclude that this location is "not vegan/vegetarian friendly," especially considering its location in a diverse and often health-conscious area like Berkeley.

Considering these reviews, the customer experiences at the Panda Express on Bancroft Way in Berkeley appear to be somewhat mixed. While some patrons appreciate the convenience and taste of the food for a quick meal, there are potential concerns regarding portion sizes and the consistent availability of advertised vegetarian options. The comment about smaller portions compared to other Panda Express locations is noteworthy and could influence the perceived value for some customers.

The issue regarding the eggplant tofu is particularly relevant given the restaurant's claim of being vegetarian-friendly. The repeated unavailability of the sole meatless entrée can be a significant drawback for vegetarian customers, especially in a location like Berkeley where plant-based options are often in high demand. This inconsistency could lead to frustration and a negative perception of the restaurant's commitment to catering to vegetarian dietary needs.

As a fast-food Chinese restaurant, Panda Express typically features a casual and efficient environment designed for quick service. Customers usually order at a counter and receive their food cafeteria-style. The focus is generally on speed and convenience rather than a formal dining experience. However, the provided information does not offer specific details about the ambiance or layout of this particular Berkeley location.

Similarly, the provided information does not include details about any specific services offered beyond the standard fast-food model, such as delivery options, online ordering, or catering services that might be available at this location. Furthermore, there is no mention of any current promotional offers or special menu items that might be unique to this branch.

In conclusion, the Panda Express at 2580 Bancroft Way in Berkeley offers a convenient option for those seeking a quick bite of American Chinese food, with some customers reporting satisfaction with the taste. However, potential customers should be aware of concerns raised regarding portion sizes and the consistent lack of availability of the advertised vegetarian eggplant tofu dish. For vegetarian individuals, it may be prudent to inquire about the availability of meatless options before placing an order. As with any restaurant, experiences can vary, and these reviews represent a snapshot of recent customer feedback. For a comprehensive understanding of the services and offerings of this Panda Express location, direct contact or a visit might be beneficial.

Panda Express Location

2580 Bancroft Way Suite 1, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA

Customer Reviews

3.0
49 reviews
D
Dong Kwon
Mar 05, 2025

I was on the line and I saw how small portions of food customers are getting. It's way less comparing to other Panda Express. Server's hand was shaking... to trying to give less food. I walked out. Students are always hungry! Berkeley is college town.

V
Vishali Vallioor
Dec 13, 2024

Food is great, and I really like going here for a quick bite. However, they repeatedly advertise themselves as being vegetarian friendly but never have their eggplant tofu dish, their single meatless entree, but never have it available despite it being on the menu. Three times I’ve gone in this week to grab a bite with friends, and simply due to my dietary restrictions, I’ve had to get my own food from elsewhere. Not vegan/vegetarian friendly, especially in a location like Berkeley.

K
Katie C
Oct 30, 2023

For them being a fairly new place, their food was one of the most flavorful I’ve had from Panda Express! Sometimes it takes a bit for new places to get up to par but this was a nice surprise. The portions were big too. We ordered on door dash and everything was still hot by the time it arrived and even got a free apple pie too. Thanks!

S
Senwei Liang
Sep 01, 2023

The staff are friendly and helpful. Ordered in app in advance and got the food at store right at the scheduled time. The food tastes good and not oily. The restroom is clean.

A
Anne Marx
Jun 22, 2024

UPDATE: I called after the original experience and the manager was very kind and said we should come back to make things right. Today when we went in, Manager was not there, but Tina was working and she took care of things and was very wonderful. They’re working on it! —- Woman with Armenian or Arabic accent was super sweet and service was very quick including making fresh Kung Pao chicken and chicken with mushrooms. But WOAH they really didn’t fill all my boxes full!! And I had a family meal and only 1 box was full. Why not just fill the boxes and get a good reputation?

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