Panda Express

[Ryanwb]

If you are in and around Tempe, the Golden Eggroll on Priest and Southern is pretty darn good and they have a good lunch special.

I recommend the orange chicken or mongolian beef

 

[Jersey Girl]

places like panda happen in cities where there is no good alternative - i'll get it in a pinch, but I usually hate myself for it

can't remember the last time I saw a panda express in NY, SF, Philly, Seattle, etc.

Have to agree. Of course, in Philly you have Chinatown, so that's where you go if you want good Chineses. (Of course, there are good places outside of Chinatown, but you know.)

That said, it kinda surprised me that Taco Bell and other fast food Mexican places are so prevalant out here in AZ. I guess it's the convenience factor.

 

[thirty-two]

I love their orange chicken. And their beef and broccoli. Oh heck, I'm a Panda supporter!

 

[Shane]

places like panda happen in cities where there is no good alternative - i'll get it in a pinch, but I usually hate myself for it

can't remember the last time I saw a panda express in NY, SF, Philly, Seattle, etc.

Thats not exactly true IMO. You have plenty of VERY good Chinese restaurants in the Phoenix and Las Vegas areas if you choose. So its not about just not having other alternatives.

IMO in those older cities that are way more established and a restaraunt wouldnt be as successful because you have families in neighborhoods in NY, Philly etc... that are very loyal to places they have been going to for years. Its all about location. Not to mention the east coast snobbery(as I call it) in regards to food. JerseyGirl is a prime example with her pizza. You dont see that "snobbery" here in the west.

Thats not even counting the fact that Panda was started in the west and has expanded eastword. The #s will surely grow back there too.

That being said there are:

33 Pandas in San Francisco area
7 Pandas in the Seattle area
4 in New York
4 n Philly

 

[dreamcastrocks]

If you are in and around Tempe, the Golden Eggroll on Priest and Southern is pretty darn good and they have a good lunch special.

I recommend the orange chicken or mongolian beef

Damn skippy. Love that place.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

you don't see snobbery out here because the food as it pertains to italian, chinese and some other flavors is 2nd rate on the whole

I can't think of a good takeout place within 20 minutes of where I live - in philly there were 20 places within 5 minutes

it isn't all about loyalty either - in college they opened up a chinese place on my block - the place was always packed, because the food was great - not real chinese food like you'd get if you went to chinatown, but amazing takeout

those #s are very low as well - SF is a bit surprising, but they get a lot of tourists, so maybe not so much

as for NY, Seattle & Philly think malls & airports

panda to me is just more not so good takeout - it works in the pinch, but everytime i make it to SF two stops that are guaranteed are north beach and chinatown

 

[Shane]

you don't see snobbery out here because the food as it pertains to italian, chinese and some other flavors is 2nd rate on the whole

We will have to agree to disagree. I do believe loyalty has a lot to do with it especially back east. How far was this place from where you went to college and where did you go for college if you dont mind me asking?

Also there are plenty of restaraunts in the west coast that rival the east coast. I have spent a lot of time on both coasts. Its the snobbery that makes peopel think otherwise. Which apparently you have developed as well

 

[82CardsGrad]

We will have to agree to disagree. I do believe loyalty has a lot to do with it especially back east. How far was this place from where you went to college and where did you go for college if you dont mind me asking?

Also there are plenty of restaraunts in the west coast that rival the east coast. I have spent a lot of time on both coasts. Its the snobbery that makes peopel think otherwise. Which apparently you have developed as well

Shane, as someone who grew up on the east coast, I can guarantee you this... All things considered, on average the west does not come close to offering the quality and sheer breadth of foods that are offered out east. Italian, Asian, Indian, Cuban, Spanish, French, Carribean, Seafood and yes - PIZZA! It is all 100x better back east - on average... Now, there are certainly places here in the west that provide terrific food in spots, but not nearly as consistently and as broadly as you'll find out east... I find that the steak houses here in the west are generally better than you'll find back east. And I have found a few good to really good Italian places and a pretty decent Thai place. Patsy Grimaldi's and Pizzeria Bianco are two really good pizza joints out here too... 'course, the Mexican food is generally better here than back east as well... but not by much! But that's about it...

 

[Shane]

Shane, as someone who grew up on the east coast, I can guarantee you this... All things considered, on average the west does not come close to offering the quality and sheer breadth of foods that are offered out east. Italian, Asian, Indian, Cuban, Spanish, French, Carribean, Seafood and yes - PIZZA! It is all 100x better back east - on average... Now, there are certainly places here in the west that provide terrific food in spots, but not nearly as consistently and as broadly as you'll find out east... I find that the steak houses here in the west are generally better than you'll find back east. And I have found a few good to really good Italian places and a pretty decent Thai place. Patsy Grimaldi's and Pizzeria Bianco are two really good pizza joints out here too... 'course, the Mexican food is generally better here than back east as well... but not by much! But that's about it...

SNOB!

I dont disagree that ther emay be MORE of them as far as quality establshments. However you will find just as high quality in the west just less of them. But it is still there. Oh and you are right steak house out west are leaps and bounds better than back east. (thats my west coast snobbery coming out)

 

[Jersey Girl]

Thats not exactly true IMO. You have plenty of VERY good Chinese restaurants in the Phoenix and Las Vegas areas if you choose. So its not about just not having other alternatives.

IMO in those older cities that are way more established and a restaraunt wouldnt be as successful because you have families in neighborhoods in NY, Philly etc... that are very loyal to places they have been going to for years. Its all about location. Not to mention the east coast snobbery(as I call it) in regards to food. JerseyGirl is a prime example with her pizza. You dont see that "snobbery" here in the west.

Thats not even counting the fact that Panda was started in the west and has expanded eastword. The #s will surely grow back there too.

That being said there are:

33 Pandas in San Francisco area
7 Pandas in the Seattle area
4 in New York
4 n Philly

Wow. Snobbery? Really?

I prefer the pizza I grew up with. I have not found something like that around here. I don't think there's anything snobby about that. It's just how it is. I do think it's kinda funny that you're the one who keeps bringing it up though.

I also don't think all corn is corn, though I suspect that is because my grandfather was a dairy and vegetable farmer and I had fresh off-the-vine produce until he gave up his farm when I was 16.

I don't see how personal preference equates to snobbery.

 

[Jersey Girl]

BTW, I DO eat pizza out here and have found two places that I think are pretty good. I actually had pizza the other night.

Not sure if I should mention it, but both owners are originally from New York, lol.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

i agree on the steakhouses outhere

i think mexican joints are a good example of where Phoenix and the west generally miss and it comes to consistency - there are some really good mexican places, but a ton of really bad ones here - i can go into a hole in the wall mexican place and it will be a coinflip on what I'll get

in philly i go into a mom & pop italian place I know 99% of the time i'm going to have a fantastic meal - it's just a matter of how good - same with chinese food or chinese takeout

people have their favorites and will argue about them - but that is driven largely by the overwhelming # of really good places

in the west you can find top level places that compare with east coast top level places - they are just few and far between, often more crowded and more expensive

i went to Drexel University in philadelphia - it kind of bleeds into west philly/powelton village - a really weird mix of a neighborhood - the chinese spot that opened on my block was a good 10 minute walk from campus, but it's mix was a blend of the neighborhood which was students, locals and transients - before they opened there were a couple places a little further out that would deliver

after they opened they provided a great product and took up the local share

since great restaurants are everywhere they tend to fit a neighborhood more than the entire city

if I could find takeout that good within 30 minutes of my house I'd drive there at least once a month - however I've yet to have good takeout in phoenix and have pretty much quit trying - a place just opened by where I live that I will try this weekend (hopefully) - but my expectactions are low and when I need a fix I go to panda, have OK food and hate myself for it

 

[MigratingOsprey]

I also don't think all corn is corn, though I suspect that is because my grandfather was a dairy and vegetable farmer and I had fresh off-the-vine produce until he gave up his farm when I was 16.

i think this touches on a good aspect as well - some food is very regional and if you aren't raised on that regions food then have trouble understanding where those people are coming from

corn is a great example - i grew up around corn fields and NYS is the 4th largest fresh market corn growing state in the nation - we would get really fresh sweet corn from the farmers and cook up corn on the cob - amazing taste - when I was in MN the corn was very fresh and good, but was a different variety with a different taste

out here I cannot find a good ear of corn for my life - and with things like sweet corn, it does matter as the sugars deteriorate an can harm taste - i also feel that frozen is never as good as fresh

so no, corn isn't corn and it's one of the things I look forward to if I travel home for the summers (along with beef on weck and salt potatoes)

taking away the eastern slant you have citrus in FL, BBQ in many regions and chiles in NM - all of which have a taste that is unique and imo better than what you can buy when you get away from those areas

the bread in philadelphia is amazing and that in part makes the hoagies and cheesesteaks amazing - take the same meat & cheese with subpar bread and the sandwhich doesn't stack up

it's not all snobbery - a lot of it's grounded in that some tastes are highly regional and some products are superior - if you dine on prime beef your entire life and go down to choice you would tell a difference whereas someone who was raised on choice who tried prime could ask what all the hype is about

 

[Shane]

Wow. Snobbery? Really?

I prefer the pizza I grew up with. I have not found something like that around here. I don't think there's anything snobby about that. It's just how it is. I do think it's kinda funny that you're the one who keeps bringing it up though.

I also don't think all corn is corn, though I suspect that is because my grandfather was a dairy and vegetable farmer and I had fresh off-the-vine produce until he gave up his farm when I was 16.

I don't see how personal preference equates to snobbery.

Thats just what I CALL IT! I dont really consider it to be snobbish per se. but it seems that way when almost everyone I have ever met from the east is about the same as you when ESPECIALLY when it comes to pizza. Its like the east coast rules and the west coast drools.

Oh to hell with it! Your a pizza snob! Its ok I still love you!

 

[Jersey Girl]

Thats just what I CALL IT! I dont really consider it to be snobbish per se. but it seems that way when almost everyone I have ever met from the east is about the same as you when ESPECIALLY when it comes to pizza. Its like the east coast rules and the west coast drools.

Oh to hell with it! Your a pizza snob! Its ok I still love you!

That's okay. I know you are wrong. And I still love you, too!

 

[MigratingOsprey]

shane - either we're all snobs or the east coast food is really just that good - we can't all be wrong, right?!?!?

 

[Jersey Girl]

i
the bread in philadelphia is amazing and that in part makes the hoagies and cheesesteaks amazing - take the same meat & cheese with subpar bread and the sandwhich doesn't stack up

Yes, the bread. Yum, yum, yum. I think I heard that it has something to do with the altitude or the water or something silly.

I know there is only ONE decent Mexican place I have been to in Jersey. And that doesn't surprise me.

 

[Shane]

shane - either we're all snobs or the east coast food is really just that good - we can't all be wrong, right?!?!?

Yes! Yes you can!

Because even you have admitted in this thread that you can find comaprative here in the west they are just few and far between comparatively. So you are not a snob. Im referring to the ones that cant admit that.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

yeah, but you pay more and travel further and it gets old

there is a place in philly, a nice little BOB where you can get rabbitt in a nice zesty sauce over perfect pasta, some black and red raviolli (stuffed with crab and shrimp) and ridiculous italian food and still not go broke - about 8 tables in the place but usually an easy reservation because there is a place down the street that is equally amazing

then throw in the markets - the italian market in south philly, reading terminal market - everything so fresh, so good - i don't know vegas but the markets in phoenix are pretty weak

us east coast people are spoiled - we can just stumble into amazing food at every turn - although moving to the midwest and then out here has helped keep the weight off, so that's a plus

we need to get you in a food immersion program and snob you up - cross over, it's fun and fattening

 

[82CardsGrad]

yeah, but you pay more and travel further and it gets old

there is a place in philly, a nice little BOB where you can get rabbitt in a nice zesty sauce over perfect pasta, some black and red raviolli (stuffed with crab and shrimp) and ridiculous italian food and still not go broke - about 8 tables in the place but usually an easy reservation because there is a place down the street that is equally amazing

then throw in the markets - the italian market in south philly, reading terminal market - everything so fresh, so good - i don't know vegas but the markets in phoenix are pretty weak

us east coast people are spoiled - we can just stumble into amazing food at every turn - although moving to the midwest and then out here has helped keep the weight off, so that's a plus

we need to get you in a food immersion program and snob you up - cross over, it's fun and fattening

Right on Osprey!!!

I used to go to this place in The Bronx, on Arthur Avenue (a Gajillion times better than Little Italy in NYC!)... They never handed out a menu when you sat down. These short, little old Italian men who could barely speak English would come to your table, give you like 4-5 options, and then just start bringing food...Amazing stuff and it just never stopped coming... Man those were good times...

 

[Mulli]

This judge dissents: mall food.

Side note: Chicago has a Chinatown and plenty non-Chinatown alternatives. And we have at least a few Panda here..


I would eat at a Panda before McD's or Chipotle though.

 

[Shane]

I would eat at a Panda before Chipotle though.

OH HELL NO!

 

[MigratingOsprey]

Right on Osprey!!!

I used to go to this place in The Bronx, on Arthur Avenue (a Gajillion times better than Little Italy in NYC!)... They never handed out a menu when you sat down. These short, little old Italian men who could barely speak English would come to your table, give you like 4-5 options, and then just start bringing food...Amazing stuff and it just never stopped coming... Man those were good times...

exactly - so many good places like that - here's your menu, you won't be needing it tonight

i remember my dad was working a construction job in jersey - since it was so far away he was staying there during the week and comming home weekends - we went down to visit one weekend and went to the italian place he'd go - the owner saw us walk in and went nuts - was so glad to have the entire family he just kept bringing food and was bringing out lots of free stuff that he was expirementing with and wanted to get a feel for if we liked it - just awesome

 

[Mulli]

OH HELL NO!

I would eat that trout before Chipotle. Makes me feel sick thinking about it.



Hells yeah!

 

[Mulli]

Right on Osprey!!!

I used to go to this place in The Bronx, on Arthur Avenue (a Gajillion times better than Little Italy in NYC!)... They never handed out a menu when you sat down. These short, little old Italian men who could barely speak English would come to your table, give you like 4-5 options, and then just start bringing food...Amazing stuff and it just never stopped coming... Man those were good times...

Little Italy is nasty now.