Dear Panda Express

Dear Panda Express,

We just got back from a three week vacation with three kids. And you were the only place we ate more than once.  And, in fact, visited three times.

After a full day at the zoo that included watching the most adorable Panda ever eat a stick of bamboo, there seemed nowhere else to go but to “The Panda Restaurant” (as the kids called it).  We got your Family Feast then. It feeds our family — at least twice.

Two days later we were stuck in traffic more often than not, and by the end of the day all we wanted to find was a hotel with an indoor pool, and a Panda Express.  The problem is, our GPS often guides us to the back of a shopping mall in search of you. So then we have to search once more for the next closest Panda Express that isn’t buried somewhere within the depths of a mall. Because, of course, by that time our tummies and tongues are already set for Panda Express.

We finally settled for a hotel with a “heated” outdoor pool because it was right by a Panda Express (a real Panda Express, not a hidden-in-the-mall Panda Express). Despite the noisy, tired, and hungry children in the car, I called to answer the customer satisfaction survey so we could get a free entree with our purchase. We just needed a bit more to go with the leftovers from our Family Feast that were still in the ice chest.  It was just the thing after a day in the car, to warm us up before we visited the heated-so-it-won’t-freeze outdoor pool and then opted for the hot tub that was cool enough for children.

But even then, we didn’t begin to finish the leftovers with the addition of our three-entree plate. So my husband and I polished them off Sunday night after we arrived at my grandparents, because everyone knows that no one wants to make a full dinner on a Sunday.

We welcomed some home cooking after so many days on the road. Anything was better than the same sandwiches we’d been making. But by the last night of our trip, when we knew we wouldn’t be home in time for dinner, we decided it was time for one more Panda Express stop.

With two Paw Plates in five tummies, we’re all set for the last leg of our trip now. Your Fried Rice is a favorite with half the family, while the other half opts for the Chow Mein once in a while. When I want to drink lots of water and blow my nose, your Kung Pao Chicken is just right on my spicy scale. Your Orange Chicken is my husband’s all-time favorite, but this last on-the-road meal he decided the Black Pepper Chicken was excellent as well. My almost-two-year-old son can polish off every bit of the broccoli in a serving of Broccoli and Beef, while his big sister will gladly eat the tender beef.

One of the things we love about you most (other than your great food!) is that, unlike most fast food restaurants, your survey coupons don’t expire. So my husband always keeps our latest Panda Express receipt in his wallet for the next time we’re in need of our favorite fast food restaurant. I just wasn’t quite sure how to answer the one survey question here recently, “In a typical month, how often do you eat at Panda Express?” This month was anything but typical, especially since the closest Panda Express is more than an hour away from our home, but in this non-typical month we visited you three times. And we’re not tired of you yet. Next time, I’m going to try your Hot and Sour Soup.

Love,
Gretchen and family

P.S. I haven’t gotten this letter posted yet, because I thought of one more thing to add. The first night at home that I actually cooked dinner, I began a favorite meal that would use the oranges we’d been given. It wasn’t until my 3-year-old said, “Mom, that’s Panda Express sauce!” that I realized we were once again eating Panda Express food — just our own home-cooked version with that yummy orange sauce you sell at Costco. We’re glad we can bring your flavors home since the closest Panda Express is more than an hour away!

^{{This post was not solicited by Panda Express in any way.
I wrote it for fun on that last hour’s drive home. }}