Panda Country Restaurant

Don't waste your money here as it was a very unpleasant experience and the food was the worst chinese food I ever had.. I came with a group of 9 or 10 people and there was only one other table there with patrons. Most of us had the lunch specials I ordered the orange chicken. The orange chicken described in one of the reviews said that it had orange peels in it mine had none . What my first impression of the dish was very unappetizing with what looked like steamed chicken with a runny sauce which had no flavor to it and not fried as stated in the menu very plain. We also didn't have the option of fried rice as stated in the menu either. The hot and sour soup was terrible and missing the sour element but was so thick with cornstarch and very tasteless. The very small eggroll was extremely soggy in the inside. Our table was not outfitted with napkins or utensils and one of the lady's at our table was going to get some from the table in back of us. I found the waitress to be very impatient and in a rushed manner when taking our orders which I found to be extremely rude...as I stated before there was only one other couple there in the restaurant. While we were sitting there conversing after the meal she came and was taking our drinks off the table as to say you are done here.when my check came it came to eleven dollars and change so I left 12.00
She then proceeded to point it out as if to say where is my tip?
I just want to point out that I am a generous tipper but the food and dining experience I found to be disastrous and the waitress was extremely rude I will not reward that.

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

This review is based on a vegetarian dining experience. While Panda Country doesn’t offer alternative proteins like some other Asian restaurants (mock duck/chx/beef), I always prefer a mix of different vegetables and tofu anyways.

I’ve noticed that some San Diego Chinese restaurants offer fried wonton strips and sauce for appetizer; I thought it was an east coast US thing but we enjoyed them nonetheless. The mustard was odd though, tasted more like horseradish. The plum sauce was good.
Service was a bit slow tonight (Monday) but it was busy and it seemed like only 1-2 people running the whole operation. Staff was very courteous and apologizing for wait times but none of that concerned us. They were being as efficient as they could be. And I grew up dining in Chinese restaurants where staff basically ignored you the whole time.

My husband and I usually order the eggplant and green beans to go and they’re always good. This was our first time dining in and we tried the orange tofu and family style tofu. Sauces were light and flavorful——definitely not catering to heavy salty American taste which I prefer. I can understand why some Americans eat at chains like Panda Express and Pick UP Stix and still add soy sauce to their entrees (insane?!?). But we didn’t get that vibe from this restaurant.

We both left full and including tax and tip under $32. My only suggestion would be to add a vegetable to the orange tofu, like broccoli. Not only did it look kind of sad on the plate just by itself, it would have been a nice healthy filler to complement the tofu.

Very clean and spacious interior. Plenty of shopping center parking.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Dinner delivered via Uber Eats. Perfect meal. Delivered hot, fresh, timely, and exactly as requested. The portions were plentiful, and the food was simply delicious. Haven't had good Moo Shu Vegetables since first discovering the dish in the 1990's at the Golden Peacock in Laguna Beach, and Panda Country's is just as superb. Also had the vegetable egg rolls, which were perfectly crispy and tasty. The sauces for both dishes were also perfect. No notes. Panda Country is a delightful and most welcomed find, and we will most definitely be ordering again.

Food: 5

Service: 5

They could be a little more friendly.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Have ordered from here before and it was ok. Today, couldn’t have been worse. The orange chicken was stringy and barely cooked. The hot and sour soup was certainly sour - as in rancid. Even the crackers/fried noodles that came with the hot and sour soup were soft and stale. I’m so disappointed with this restaurant. Do better.

Follow up: my wife and I became horribly ill after eating this. Never again.

Food: 1

The service and fantastic and the food GREAT. the place is very clean and has a great atmosphere.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Not a bad place at all to eat - I just think their Kung Pao is too sweet...so RIDICULOUSLY sweet to the point it makes it taste like Barbeque sauce. Where's the spice?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

I’m always impressed with this restaurant. The food is spot on delicious. The Lunch Specials are so affordable compared to many others who are taking advantage of us. It would’ve been criminal of me for tipping based on the national and state standards. They well deserved my tip and then some. I give them 5 Stars for the cleanliness of this establishment and the employees even smile where other restaurants aim to do no such thing. Very professional. Go Panda Country Restaurant here in Santee off Mission Gorge! I love this place and is rated one of my best, with or without family and or friends.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Terrible service the waitress started cleaning our table and we didn't even pay yet very rude,shrimp and vegetables lunch was very bland using the soy sauce to flavor.

Food: 1

Service: 1

The food is amazing, after I found this restaurant it became my go to place for Chinese food! It is a popular place and their small staff can get overwhelmed sometimes, and cause a wait, but it is always worth it!

I highly recommend stopping here if you are in town, if they are busy, that are worth the wait!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Hot \u0026 Sour Soup, Pot Stickers, House Special Chicken, Beef Broccoli

Great food and good sized portions. Staff was really friendly and helpful.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Authentic Cantonese dishes, great service. Clean.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Egg Drop Soup, House Special Chicken, Wonton Soup, Sweet and Sour Pork, Egg Rolls, Pot Stickers, Panda Country Lo Mein, Vegetable Delight, Cashew Chicken, Teriyaki Chicken, Shrimp with Garlic Sauce, Beef Broccoli, Mongolian Beef, Sweet and Sour Pork Sauce on Side

The food was average, but the service was very poor. Even though the restaurant was only partially full, they only had one waitress and another person assisting by hostessing, answering the phone and dealing with to-go orders.

Excellent! Called the restaurant and ordered Panda Beef, Kung Pao Chicken and some fried rice for delivery. Food was delicious and arrived super fast. Panda Country is the best Chinese food in Santee!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5