Panda Express

I was so excited when this location opened up in Lakewood Ranch because I haven't had their orange chicken in years. Staff here are friendly and getting our food ordered and checked out was a breeze. The only thing they could improve is keeping the tables wiped up consistently and floors swept. Other than that, I'll be coming here a lot more now. Being a brand new establishment, the ambience here is modern and aesthetic-- probably one of the nicest Panda Express restaurants that I've ever been to. This location also has a convenient drive-thru.

Update: Well… you respond and I respond. The new Hot Orange Chicken is REMARKABLE. I purchase the large entree and it’s more than enough and just go without rice (so I can’t comment on sizes of regular portions). Great adjustments!! I’ll be coming back as long as hot orange chicken is an option. Adding a pic but leaving the originals up. Moving from 2 stars to 5. Doubt sound dampening or sweet n sour sauce has been adjusted but I’m feeling happy after that chicken so… Original: Not enough chicken to even touch the top of the tiny to go container. Very chewy batter on the orange chicken, hardly any spice, Panda now serves the sweet and sour sauce cold from squeeze packet so 86 the spring rolls, oh and the water cup is like 8oz or something ridiculous. Zero sound dampening or soft surfaces in the restaurant and all tile so it's extremely loud. Dear Panda: Pile the chicken on, make it in small batches so it's always hot, turn up the heat so batter has crunch, the smell from the spice should burn your nose from Orange Chicken when it's fresh, serve piping hot sweet and sour sauce like you once did(this rescues the often cold spring rolls) and use thick rubber matts to limit room noise.

I could hear the manager Ethan talking to his employees respectfully about making sure the food is staying fresh. I was waiting on an item to get finished cooking, Ethan noticed this and apologized with a free drink. Love to see managers caring about their job.

We ordered online. The food was ready when I arrived. The fried rice was scorched. I smelt it first. Then tasted the scorched rice, then actually found so burnt pieces that had to be scraped from the bottom of the pan. The rangoons were overcooked as well. We ordered 2 Bigger plates, which has “3” entrees. So, they put the third entree in a box I can palm. With all the room in the box, they could have just put it in there. This was our second time trying this place. But probably the last. We are not excited to be paying for burnt rice and so-so entrees which is supposed to be protein. The chicken was mostly breading. Same for the shrimp (Breading) Seriously disappointed. Not to mention that the food was barely lukewarm. Not worth $40

This restaurant had a 3.7 review but that’s not a real review of the restaurant. It must be other restaurants and customers with expectations of something else leaving a bad review. Panda Express ALWAYS has the most delicious food. Every item here is delicious. We’ve been here three times in two weeks. If I want good Chinese I come eat here and I’m always happy. This place is worth the money. If you don’t want to overpay and you want the best chinese food just come here and don’t waste time anywhere else