Why Locals Love Panda Express
Located conveniently at 2422 Patterson Rd in Grand Junction, Panda Express brings a vibrant taste of Chinese and Asian cuisine to the fast-casual dining scene. Known for its accessible and flavorful offerings, this restaurant masterfully blends speed with quality, making it an ideal choice for those craving a quick yet satisfying meal.
The menu centers around classic favorites that appeal to a broad range of palates, including the iconic Orange Chicken, a sweet and tangy dish that perfectly balances crispy textures with rich flavor. Alongside this, guests can indulge in generous portions of Chow Mein, tender Beef with Broccoli, and the irresistible Fried Rice — all staples that showcase the restaurant’s commitment to authentic taste with a modern twist.
One of the restaurant’s standout features is its Bowl option, priced at $10.45, offering the perfect combination of one entrée and one side, allowing diners to customize their meal to their liking. Complimentary condiments such as soy sauce, sweet & sour, chili sauce, teriyaki, and hot mustard are available to enhance every bite, ensuring a vibrant and flavorful dining experience every time.
From the moment you step inside, the transparent kitchen setup invites you to watch the preparation process—fresh vegetables are chopped and cooked right before your eyes, highlighting a freshness that’s often missing in fast food. This open approach builds trust and deepens your enjoyment, making each meal feel crafted and personal.
Customers overwhelmingly appreciate the generous portions and reliable quality. Melinda Bowen urges newcomers to disregard early, pre-opening reviews as they do not reflect the true standard of this location. Juli Rasmussen praises the app’s rewards program and the ability to tailor her order, often selecting a comforting mix of super greens with Orange Chicken or Beijing Beef. Craig Hollabaugh found comfort in their sizeable plates delivered via DoorDash, calling it a “nice treat” during recovery. Don Kendall sums it up: while Panda Express fits the fast food label, it remains his go-to spot for fresh, quick, and flavorful Chinese fare. The cheese wontons also earned a special shoutout — a must-try appetizer that adds a delightful crispy and cheesy crunch to your meal.
In all, Panda Express on Patterson Rd captures the essence of fast, fresh, and flavorful Asian dining. Whether grabbing lunch quickly before work or indulging in a comforting dinner after a long day, this spot delivers consistent quality and satisfaction. The bustling energy inside reflects its popularity, and while busy times can mean a bit of a wait, the welcoming atmosphere and delicious aromas make each visit worth it.
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- Delivery
- Drive-through
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Seating
- Table service
- Toilet
- Casual
- Groups
- Tourists
- University students
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
- Parking
Real Reviews from the Community
- Mar 12, 2026
This place has a 3.9 rating ALREADY, when it doesn’t even officially open until today, Thursday, March 28, 2024. Please disregard any negative reviews before 03/28/2024, as they are bogus and mislabeling the possible quality of this place. I am in no way affiliated with this restaurant, I’m just really annoyed at stupid people who can’t give an honest review once the establishment opens… smh. Update: After having food from this Panda 3 times in a 24 hour period, amidst the chaos and excitement behind the grand opening, I can honestly affirm that they are doing an amazing job. Was my favorite dish available? No, but I know eventually it will be when things calm down a little. Was my food exactly what I would expect from Panda? Yes! The quality was there, and since they’re so busy, it was SUPER fresh. Were they doing absolutely everything possible to keep up with about 15-20 people on staff when I visited?? ABSOLUTELY!! Good customer service is hard to come by these days in environments that aren’t chaotic or challenging. These folks that were working were absolutely phenomenal!! They were doing everything they could. I saw these people receive an EMERGENCY food delivery just to keep up with the overwhelming demand. My suggestion to the naysayers? Be kind. They’re doing their best to keep up, while keeping a smile on their faces. If you think you could do better, I suggest you apply within.
- Mar 1, 2026
I'm very happy that Panda has come to town! I like that you can see them prepare the food and that you can see the vegetables cut up, etc. I usually get chow mein and super greens with orange chicken and beef with broccoli, but I mix it up sometimes. He usually gets fried rice, super greens and orange chicken and Beijing beef. We use the app to order (rewards program) and then pick it up inside the restaurant. We come here on Wednesdays for a cheat meal! And, we're only allowed two cheat meals per week, so that should tell you something.
- Feb 23, 2026
We door dashed the bigger plate to my hospital room. Portions were easily enough for 2 for lunch. Got orange chicken, teriyaki chicken, broccoli beef and fried rice. It was a nice treat while recovering from surgery.
- Feb 20, 2026
I know it’s fast food. I know it’s “Chinese.” But when I’m craving orange chicken and some good chow mein , this is my go-to spot every time . The cheese wontons are a MUST as well If you’re ever by the Mesa Mall and want something fast + fresh ⏱, this is my spot Just my opinion—don’t take it personal (And yes… I still love China Pantry too! )
- Jan 24, 2026
This is a new Panda for the area/ town, so it was busy. Overall, I had a GOOD experience. The PQQ at P.E. usually leans in favor of the customer, and here it continues. Price per Quantity can be subjective based on the server, on this day or servers are extra generous. Due to the business though, they seemed more stressed, less willing to answer questions. The Quality and flavors made all of my stress go away. I look forward to my next trip to to Grand Junction as this will now be a mandatory eatery for me every visit. I love me some Panda.
- Jan 20, 2026
Ask for a tooth pick and try all the combos with a sample, get all the options and fixes you crave at Panda. Service is faster with walk-in or take-out. If you can’t wait until the hype fades off or plan on waiting upwards of 45 minutes at drive-thru. I did take-out and it took me about 15 minutes from the time I parked. Food was fresh staff was friendly. Happy to have another option when eating out. If for some reason at all you’re not happy with your portions, say something they will be happy to give you more.
- Jan 19, 2026
First time at the new one in town. Same as every other one. Friendly staff. If you have ever been to one anywhere else, you know what to expect. Great staff. Decent food. Long line since it's the first one in town.
- Dec 30, 2025
I saw some bad reviews but I had a good experience. Prices hadn't gone up as much as I thought, and the food is still decent. Service was very friendly and welcoming. When I got the chow mein noodles dished up, it was mostly cabbage. Didn't know it until I sat down. I mentioned it to the staff and they took care of me right away with a fresh portion! The Kung Pao chicken and orange chicken are my favorite. I'll be back!
