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Panda's Gone

August 13, 2025 04:00PM
@whosear wrote:

Just read through my guidelines for a drive thru. Still a plate or bowl only. No other items. No exclusions. I used to substitute an egg roll for an entree. Wonder if that counts.
Not sure if the guidelines changed but they used to say you cannot order any of the appetizers. I have never ordered eggrolls althou on my own dime that is what I get for the 2nd entree.
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August 13, 2025 04:03PM
I did one on Monday and 2 of them yesterday, They had the online order and the dine in shops listed in my area.
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August 13, 2025 04:24PM
I wait until the timing is finished. Being a senior citizen, I can claim memory lapse and ask for a cup for water. Not risking it being on my receipt and doesn't affect timing.

Do not read so much, look about you and think of what you see there.
Richard Feynman-- letter to Ashok Arora, 4 January 1967, published in Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track (2005) p. 230
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August 13, 2025 08:09PM
For the drink issue. Is there any reason after you get your order and sit down, go back up to the register and ask for a cup for water?
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August 13, 2025 09:09PM
@PA Shopper

Why would it be a problem? We were just saying that the ordering restrictions have been lifted. Those wanting to order a drink or extra items can now do so. I didn't read closely enough, but I'm going to guess they still don't want you using coupons or deals.
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August 14, 2025 12:04AM
I just checked and there is none in my area. Guess they were all clamed
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August 14, 2025 02:16AM
I order my plate of food and pay for it. Two minutes later another customer walks in, orders whatever he wants to eat and drink, pays for it, and joins me at my table. Oh look--it's my husband. I go back to register and request a cup for my favorite beverage--water.
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August 20, 2025 03:04AM
@hbbigdaddy wrote:

Appears you can order much more than your bowl or plate with the new guidelines. Drinks too for those that want a beverage!!!

The report has a question about all the things you purchased and the quantity of them. I ordered just a plate, so I marked the box, but I had to enter the quantity of 1.

I doubt most mystery shoppers are going to go well beyond the $10 reimbursement. Can't imagine someone ordering 5 bowls and 3 drinks for example.

It's a bummer the reimbursement is still $10. It needs to be $11 at least in CA and some other places. I will still order the plate because I would rather come out of pocket for $1.xx and get much more food than a bowl.

There are new guidelines?

I shall investigate if/when I do it again.
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August 20, 2025 04:02AM
@sandyf wrote:

Please try the eggplant tofu. It is the entree I always get and my friends like it too and usually get it however only a few locations carry it. I would love it if more people starting ordering that to encourage other locations to carry it. It is my favorite and I order it whenever I do this job. There have been no issues.
@Sagacious wrote:

There used to be a list in the guidelines of entrees that were allowed but not any longer. Does anyone know if any entree is now allowed? Or are there prohibited items? I want to try the eggplant tofu, which I have seen sporadically in my area.

I saw the eggplant tofu being offered recently at one location in a nicer area. However, it was out and would have been a long wait. I'll be in that area again and planning to try it this time. Not a shop, though smiling smiley

Please don't feed the MSF trolls!

Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
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August 20, 2025 10:59PM
I tried the eggplant tofu several years ago. It was way too spicy hot for me to eat.
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August 20, 2025 11:47PM
In general, I wish they had fewer "spicy" dishes, They are tough on the digestive system of us seniors.smiling smiley
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August 20, 2025 11:50PM
Come on now?!?! The Beijing Beef and Kung Pao is not spicy enough. I have not tried the Hot Orange Chicken yet. I try not to eat this stuff as it's not overly healthy.

I think I wore myself out on panda for awhile.
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August 21, 2025 12:19AM
@Tiffany0921 wrote:

The PE shop comments and shop guidelines are contradictory. The comments say you cannot order more than the bowl/plate. The new guidelines say to buy the bowl/plate at a MINIMUM. The $10 reimb still stands either way, so no reason for me to order more, JMO.
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August 21, 2025 12:25AM
The other contradiction is in the Limited Time Offer question. The OLO Guidelines list Wok-Fried Shrimp while the Questionnaire/Report has Hot Orange Chicken.
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August 21, 2025 02:16AM
Not to generalize, but I forget the demographics of the shoppers here, at times smiling smiley

If I'm not mistaken, I think there were two versions of the hot orange chicken? To me, the previous one was not spicy. The current one does have some kick to it, but to me, not overly spicy.

Please don't feed the MSF trolls!

Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
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August 21, 2025 03:29AM
I am, and have been for very many years, a big fan of spicy chicken. My go to meal at Panda is fried rice, because no one here seems to know how to cook the super greens, and kung pao chicken. I also like real buffalo sauce, and I don't dip my wings in bleu cheese.

There is the original orange chicken, that they said was spicy, but it never really was. Then they introduced hot orange chicken, that is supposed to be spicier than the original spicy orange chicken. I haven't tried the hot orange chicken yet.. but I look forward to it after my son does enough shops for me to get enough points for another free meal.
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August 21, 2025 09:44AM
I have a friend who used to eat at Panda every Friday and then he stopped.
I asked why - he says it doesn't matter what you order, all the sauces taste the exact same lol.

I can't comment since I've never eaten at a Panda location.
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August 21, 2025 04:29PM
@Morledzep

I like the Atomic flavor from wingstop. I also like the Mango Habanero at both WS and BWW. But i still like my blue cheese. It just makes them so much better. Ranch for wings is just not cutting it. I'll take it if I can't get blue cheese, but definitely not preferred.
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August 21, 2025 05:46PM
sandyf, I concur. The eggplant tofu was yummy!!!

It was worth the wait. It hit the spot smiling smiley

Please don't feed the MSF trolls!

Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
Reply
August 21, 2025 10:07PM
It seems dine-in is still the same as well.
@whosear wrote:

Just read through my guidelines for a drive thru. Still a plate or bowl only. No other items. No exclusions. I used to substitute an egg roll for an entree. Wonder if that counts.
Reply
August 22, 2025 12:01AM
All joking aside, supposedly Covid dulled the taste buds of many people and I can't help but wonder if this explains some of the popularity of spicy foods?

I personally have always had a sensitive palate and have never had Covid. I find even the lesser hot Orange Chicken a little too spicy at times.

I tried the Beijing Beef because it sounded good but the red peppers burned my tongue.

Someone on here mentioned always asking to have Super Greens prepared fresh and I have learned that they are 10 x better when freshly prepared.

In regards to the calories-the new hot orange chicken has the most of any entree. The broccoli beef has the lowest calories, followed by string bean chicken, the teriyaki chicken.

So, trying to eat healthy at Panda, I generally order 2x Super greens with either String Bean Chicken or Teriyaki Chicken. I will occassionally splurge and add a packet of the teriyaki sauce. (70 calories).

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/22/2025 12:02AM by ShopperGirly.
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August 22, 2025 12:16AM
Don't agree with Covid being the reason. Sriracha sauce was a big craze long b4 covid.

some people could have been affected by Covid, but you already had places that were popular like Dave's Hot Chicken and some of the hot wing flavors before covid even showed up.
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August 22, 2025 12:18AM
To be honest, Panda Express is the not the healthiest place to start out with smiling smiley

Please don't feed the MSF trolls!

Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.
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August 22, 2025 12:23AM
@paniconmon

My dogs seem to be gaining weight from it. I need to cut back for them too.

Maybe I make trips to the hood so there are homeless around to give it out to.

BTW...free $8 card on panda now if you buy the $30 GC. Add to your payment by maximizing these GC

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/22/2025 12:27AM by hbbigdaddy.
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August 22, 2025 12:25AM
The only thing I would say could have sprung from COVID regarding spiciness, is that many learned to cook at home and try different recipes, discovering things as a family.
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