| rev:text
| - This Panda Express in the heart of Summerlin, is probably one of the much better ones I've been to in a long time. I don't get that fast food-y, get in, get out, next person in line feeling that I always get when I visit them in the mall. This Panda Express is a lot more like a real restaurant.
The inside is very inviting, and surprisingly very clean. The tables and chairs are new, and they actually have leatherette benches for folks to sit on. The decor is light and open, in no way cheesy or kitschy with too many bright colors like other Panda Express restaurants. Mind you, we got here right after they opened at 11 AM so the place was pretty empty and hadn't had its lunch rush yet.
Upon inspection of the food line, all on it was super fresh. The rice and noodles were fresh, all cooked items were fresh and not sitting under the heat lamps for long. Nothing was soggy, and nothing was dry looking. Very good sign! Glad we got there for the early bird rush because the food was actually looking tasty. And for what it's worth for a Panda Express (home of Americanized 'Chinese' food) my 3-item combo was in great order.
Service was friendly with a smile, and I wasn't rushed at all. With my 3-item combo I got the usual suspects:
-Half & Half of Chow Mein and Mixed Vegetables (gotta watch my girlish figure)
-Mushroom Chicken (Wok Smart item - under 250 calories a serving!)
-Broccoli Beef
-Orange Chicken (always in a little take out box for me)
I also favor the Sweetfire Chicken Breast, Eggplant Tofu, and Beijing Beef. Now, Panda Express even serves brown rice at no additional charge! Great for an after gym meal.
Nope, not the most authentic Chinese meal but it was good! Fresh veggies and meats are key! The mushrooms weren't mushy, the broccoli still had crunch, the meats were hot, and even my Orange Chicken still had texture. Definitely one of the best Panda Express meals I've had. I still like how they include the fortune cookie with every meal. A nice touch, but of course not very typical Chinese. Yes, I am part Chinese.
This Panda Express is a bit hidden in the strip mall off of Hualapai and Charleston, but worth the find. It's much better overall than the Panda Express up the street in the Red Rock Hotel & Casino food court. Hidden gem for some Chinese-American take-out.
|