Panda Express

Panda Express is a well-known chain of Chinese restaurants, and this particular location is situated at 1021 Fernwood Glendale Rd in Spartanburg, SC 29307, USA. As a part of the fast-casual Chinese Restaurant category, Panda Express offers a variety of familiar American-Chinese dishes to the Spartanburg community. They can be contacted at (864) 585-0600 or via mobile at +1 864-585-0600 for inquiries.

Recent customer reviews for the Panda Express in Spartanburg present some significant concerns regarding food quality and service efficiency. One reviewer recounted a negative experience with the chow mein noodles, describing them as "hard" despite it being lunchtime (11:45 am), and expressing concern about almost breaking a tooth. This suggests a potential issue with the freshness or proper preparation of this particular dish. The same reviewer also mentioned a recurring problem, noting that "this is not the first time" they had experienced food quality issues. They further detailed a past experience with the teriyaki chicken, which they found to be "dried" and excessively oily in an apparent attempt to make it look more appealing, ultimately ruining the dish.

Another customer expressed considerable frustration with a recent order experience. They placed an order at 9 PM with an expected ready time of 9:30 PM but were left waiting until 10:18 PM, a delay of over 45 minutes. This significant wait time was deemed "completely unacceptable" by the reviewer. Adding to their disappointment, the chow mein noodles they received after this long wait were described as "the worst I’ve ever had," indicating a severe lack of quality, especially considering the extended waiting period.

This same reviewer also raised concerns about operational issues within the restaurant, suggesting that "cross-training your staff could help avoid these long wait times and improve overall service." This implies that the delays experienced might be related to staffing inefficiencies or a lack of versatility among the team members. Furthermore, the reviewer reported an "uncomfortable interaction" with an employee who was allegedly more focused on "complaining about staffing issues than on providing customer care." The reviewer rightly pointed out that "Customers shouldn't have to hear about the internal struggles of the team; we just want to enjoy our meals." This feedback highlights a potential issue with professionalism and customer service skills at this location.

The collective feedback from these reviews paints a concerning picture for local users considering this Panda Express location. Issues with food quality, such as hard and potentially stale noodles, as well as dried and overly oily chicken, raise questions about the freshness and preparation standards. The significant delays in order fulfillment and the unprofessional conduct of at least one employee, who shared internal staffing complaints with a customer, further detract from the overall customer experience.

As a well-established fast-casual chain, Panda Express typically aims for a consistent environment across its locations, characterized by a brightly lit, functional space designed for quick service. Customers usually order at a counter and then either dine in a casual seating area or take their food to go. Cleanliness is generally expected in such establishments. However, these reviews do not provide specific details about the environment of this particular Spartanburg location, focusing instead on the food and service aspects.

The primary services offered by Panda Express generally include dine-in and takeout. Given the issues with order readiness reported in one review, the efficiency of their service, particularly for takeout orders placed in advance, seems to be a point of concern at this location. While online ordering and delivery through third-party apps are often available at Panda Express locations, these reviews do not specifically mention these services for the Spartanburg branch. The provision of phone numbers suggests that phone orders for pickup are likely accepted.

Panda Express is known for its menu of American-Chinese favorites, such as Orange Chicken, Broccoli Beef, and various noodle and rice dishes. A key feature of the chain is the consistency of its core menu items across different locations. However, the negative feedback regarding the chow mein and teriyaki chicken at this Spartanburg location indicates a potential deviation from the expected quality standards. The hard noodles and dried chicken suggest inconsistencies in food preparation or holding times. The long wait for an order that resulted in poor-quality food further undermines the expectation of fast and reliable service associated with the brand.

Panda Express frequently offers promotional deals and introduces limited-time offerings to attract customers. These can include discounts on specific meals or the promotion of new menu items. However, the provided reviews do not contain any information about current promotions at the Spartanburg location. Local users interested in potential deals should check the official Panda Express website or inquire directly with the store.

In conclusion, the recent customer reviews for the Panda Express at 1021 Fernwood Glendale Rd in Spartanburg, SC, raise significant concerns regarding food quality and service efficiency. Issues such as hard chow mein noodles, dried and oily teriyaki chicken, long order wait times, and unprofessional staff interactions have been reported. These negative experiences suggest potential operational issues that local users should be aware of. While Panda Express is generally known for its consistent fast-casual dining experience, the feedback for this particular location indicates a need for improvement in food preparation and customer service. Potential customers may want to consider these recent experiences before choosing to dine at this Panda Express or place an order for takeout or delivery, if available.