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.

Panda at the Zoo

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.

toddler boy at Panda Express

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

home-cooked Panda ExpressP.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. 😉 }

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8 Comments

  1. Hi Gretchen,

    I always enjoy reading this little letter to Panda Express! We don’t eat there too often, but I always enjoy it when I do get something from there. Yeah, our closest Panda Express is an hour away as well. I smiled when your kids referred to it as the “Panda Restaurant” too cute!

    Thanks for sharing!
    Blessings,
    Bethany

  2. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten at a Panda Express…. but I understand the fun of writing something random like this. Especially about food. 馃檪 We have a local diner in town (Lloyds, the “landmark diner”) and I think I have enough stuff scribbled on napkins to constitute an entire book. (Not one that would sell, of course, but it would sure make me laugh! 馃檪 )

  3. I try to limit fast-food meals for my family, but when it’s inevitable that we need to pick up some dinner NOW 馃檪 we love Panda Express. It’s a pleasant alternative to the “burger” places, and so easy to order because a couple of the large paw plates are the perfect amount for my hubby and I and our 3 little ones.

      1. Hahaha! Gretchen, speaking of burgers; about 17 years ago by now, me and my family helped a family member move his business from one location to another. The new location was a few blocks from the old location and the new place was better for business itself. We decided instead of going home and making a lunch for everybody, to just get some burgers from our local pizza place that also has burgers. We did this from Monday to the following Saturday. The first few days I thought it was great! However, by Thursday the novelty of eating burgers was kind of starting to wear off, and by Saturday, I didn’t care if I saw another 2 for 1 burger again. 2 for 1 burgers are smaller than your standard burger and I think it’s because you get these two smaller burgers for the price of one big standard burger. Anyway, I was sick of these burgers and didn’t order them again for the next 6 months. Yes, one can only eat so many burgers. I for one, love Panda Express. We have one across the street from our Fred Meyers in Hillsboro. I don’t go there to eat often, but it’s a fun treat when I do. I usually order something with vegetables and with Chow Mein.