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Examining Panda Express in Whittier, CA: A Look at Service and Food Quality
  1. Chinese Food
  2. Chinese Restaurant
  3. California
  4. Los Angeles County
  5. Whittier
  6. Chinese Restaurant in Telegraph Road
  7. Panda Express

Panda Express

397 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, 9:30 AM - 10:30 PM
Sunday, 9:30 AM - 10:30 PM

About Panda Express

Welcome to Panda Express, a well-known establishment in the Chinese Restaurant category, located at 13471 Telegraph Rd Suite C, Whittier, CA 90605, USA. This branch serves the local community with a familiar menu of American Chinese cuisine, offering options for both dine-in and takeout. You can contact them at (562) 906-3928 or their mobile number, +1 562-906-3928, for inquiries. However, recent customer reviews present a mixed perspective, with high praise for one staff member but significant concerns regarding the flavor and quality of the food, as well as the restaurant's approach to charity donations.

Based on the limited feedback available, the service at this Panda Express location in Whittier appears to be a point of both exceptional positivity and potential concern. One reviewer gave a five-star rating solely due to a staff member named Vall, whom they described as "very on point, personable, and attentive to details." This customer went so far as to say that their continued patronage might depend on Vall's employment at this location, emphasizing her positive impact on their experience and expressing hope that she is treated well by the management. This strongly suggests that at least one employee at this branch provides outstanding customer service.

However, another customer shared a highly negative experience specifically related to the food quality and flavor. This reviewer ordered teriyaki chicken with extra charges for peppers and Angus beef, along with white rice and noodles, for takeout. Upon consuming the meal, they found it to be severely lacking in flavor. They stated that without the teriyaki and soy sauce packets they had specifically requested, the food would have been completely tasteless. The chicken itself was described as tasting "like it was boiled in water," with a watery, processed, or pressed texture and "absolutely ZERO flavor." The rice and noodles were also reported to have no flavor. The reviewer mentioned using multiple packets of soy sauce from the restaurant and their own pantry to try and add some taste to the meal. This experience led them to a broader observation about the declining flavor in takeout food in general, speculating about potential cost-cutting measures through skimping on ingredients or poor employee training. This customer's disappointment was profound, leading them to consider cooking exclusively at home and expressing strong negative feelings towards fast food conglomerates that they believe take paying customers for granted.

In addition to the concerns about food quality, the second reviewer also raised a significant issue regarding Panda Express's persistent charity donation requests. They criticized the practice of repeatedly asking customers to round up their purchases for donations, sometimes even when they are returning customers from earlier in the same day. The reviewer questioned the motivation behind these drives, suggesting that they primarily serve to enhance the CEO's public image and philanthropic endeavors, with little recognition for the donating customers who make these contributions possible. They sarcastically noted that while the CEO might receive awards and accolades for these charitable activities, the donating customers are left with "tasteless food for their troubles." This indicates a strong negative sentiment towards the restaurant's approach to soliciting charitable donations from its customers.

The provided reviews offer limited insight into the environment of this Panda Express location in Whittier. As a standard fast-food chain, the ambiance is likely functional and geared towards quick service rather than a unique dining experience. The mention of takeout service in one review implies that facilities for dining in are also available, as is typical for Panda Express locations. However, neither review provides specific details about the cleanliness, decor, or overall atmosphere of the restaurant.

The services offered include the standard Panda Express menu for both dine-in and takeout. The positive review highlights the attentiveness and detail-oriented nature of one particular employee. In contrast, the negative review implicitly points to potential issues with food preparation and quality control, as well as a customer service approach that involves persistent charity solicitations. The fact that the customer had to rely heavily on provided sauce packets to add flavor to their meal suggests a lack of inherent flavor in the prepared dishes.

In terms of features, Panda Express is generally known for its quick service and a consistent menu of American Chinese favorites. However, the standout feature mentioned in the reviews for this Whittier location is the exceptional customer service provided by the employee named Vall. Conversely, a significant negative feature appears to be the potentially bland and low-quality food, as described by one reviewer. The persistent charity donation requests could also be considered a notable, albeit unwelcome, feature for some customers.

No specific promotional information is mentioned in the provided reviews. Panda Express as a chain often runs national or regional promotions, but whether those are actively featured at this particular Whittier location is unknown. Customers interested in any special offers or discounts would need to inquire directly with the restaurant.

In conclusion, the Panda Express located at 13471 Telegraph Rd Suite C in Whittier, CA, presents a mixed bag based on recent customer feedback. While one employee, Vall, is highly praised for her exceptional service, another customer reported significant dissatisfaction with the tasteless and seemingly low-quality food. Additionally, the restaurant's repeated solicitation for charity donations was viewed negatively by one reviewer. Local users considering this location may want to weigh the potential for excellent service from certain individuals against the reported issues with food flavor and the approach to charitable giving. It might be prudent to be mindful of these recent experiences when making a decision to dine at or order from this particular Panda Express.

Panda Express Location

13471 Telegraph Rd Suite C, Whittier, CA 90605, USA

Customer Reviews

3.0
397 reviews
J
Jon W
Mar 12, 2025

Only reason for the 5 stars goes to Vall. She is very on point, personable, and attentive to details. I would say if she leaves I may stop going so I hope they treat her well and keep her there.

P
Paul G.
Dec 01, 2024

I ordered teriyaki chicken, paid an xtra $1.25 for the peppers and Angus beef, white rice and noodles, to go. If it wasn't for the packages of teriyaki and soy sauce I asked for, then there wouldn't be any flavor at all. The cleavered chicken tasted like it was boiled in water. It tasted watery and processed, or pressed, with absolutely ZERO flavor. No flavor in the rice and noodles either. I had to use both soy sauce packets plus two more in the pantry.. my taste buds are fine, but I'm noticing a lot of takeout foods have little to no flavor anymore. I don't know if restaurants are skimping on ingredients, or just being cheap, or employee training is simply dreadful and non-existent, but it's getting to the point where I'm being forced to cook my own food at home. If fast food conglomerates feel they can take the paying public for granted, then the hell with them. Another thing is that Panda Express clearly needs to stop bothering customers with their charity donations. These charity drives go on for months at a time, hitting up customers day after day for them to round up their purchases for a donation, even if they happen to be a returning customer from earlier in the day whom already rounded up his change. What does the staff expect ...for the same customers to give money every time they walk in for a bite to eat, just so that the CEO can hob-nob with other wealthy people at the awards gala for his philanthropic ideas that bring attention to himself, with little or no mention of the store customers whom made it happen. He/She (CEO)gets an award, honorable mention, and 5-star dinner, for handing over the donations, and what does the donor customers get - tasteless food for their troubles.

j
justin coleman
Apr 10, 2021

Smallest portions I've ever seen (see pics). Some bits of orange chicken are hard as a rock, some pieces are a little soggy, a couple are cooked well. Noodles are overcooked and dry. To top it all off, it's way overpriced.

D
Donald Runderson
Dec 05, 2023

The food is very good and the customer service is great.

G
Gustabo Quezada
Nov 22, 2024

Haven’t eaten panda in a very long time , and let me say, their food quality has gone down significantly.. I ordered the orange chicken that was tough to the bite , basically had no chicken, only batter, the chow mein had 90% cabbage , the rice was stale .. won’t be eating panda EVER!!!again..

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