panda express

[lightrailcoyote]

I know this is by no means limited to Panda, but why do so many places put meat in EVERYTHING?

Today my boss was going to lunch and brought me back some veggies from there. I knew that the veggies shared utensils and such with the meat but that never bothered me, so I ate them. come to find out they use a CHICKEN BASE for their VEGGIES! what the hell? whywhywhy? veggies are fine on their own!

and now I feel like a moron and a jerk. I know this is not a big deal in the whole of my vegetarianism and it's good that I learned this before eating there again...

but console me because I feel like a total retard.

[stellar26]

I had no idea, either- I've probably eaten their veggies, spring rolls, and 'chow mein' noodles 3 or 4 times in the past. I even asked the people behind the counter if those things were vegetarian, and they told me that they were.

I wouldn't get too worked up about it. It was an accident- it's not like you made a decision to eat a meat based product, knowingly. Now you know better and won't ever do it again.

[lightrailcoyote]

I had no idea, either- I've probably eaten their veggies, spring rolls, and 'chow mein' noodles 3 or 4 times in the past. I even asked the people behind the counter if those things were vegetarian, and they told me that they were.

I wonder how much employees even know. their website plainly states "Panda Express does not offer any vegetarian meals" and goes on to say it's all chicken based.

but I'm glad I'm not the only one!

[Amy SF]

Ugh. I used to get their tofu and veggie selection, until I decided it was just too greasy. Probably because it was cooked in animal fat. It never occurred to me to ask.

[Vanilla Bean]

I'm assuming Panda Express is a Chinese food joint? (sorry, we must not have that restaurant chain where I live.) Anyway, I found out last year that all the Chinese food places that I go to cook everything, even the tofu meals, in either chicken or beef broth (mostly chicken broth.) Now, when I go there, I pretty much always order the sesame tofu and I ask for it to be cooked without the chicken broth. They make the same style "sauce," only instead of using the chicken broth, they make it with water. It's actually really good! Oh, and I always stand right by the cash register that faces into the kitchen, so I know that they won't try to trick me and give me the chicken broth sauce. Most places that I've been to will work with you if you tell them that you don't want anything made with chicken broth (that is, if they actually KNOW what the food they serve is even made of!)

[bigdufstuff]

I'm assuming Panda Express is a Chinese food joint? (sorry, we must not have that restaurant chain where I live.) Anyway, I found out last year that all the Chinese food places that I go to cook everything, even the tofu meals, in either chicken or beef broth (mostly chicken broth.) Now, when I go there, I pretty much always order the sesame tofu and I ask for it to be cooked without the chicken broth. They make the same style "sauce," only instead of using the chicken broth, they make it with water. It's actually really good! Oh, and I always stand right by the cash register that faces into the kitchen, so I know that they won't try to trick me and give me the chicken broth sauce. Most places that I've been to will work with you if you tell them that you don't want anything made with chicken broth (that is, if they actually KNOW what the food they serve is even made of!)

If you need to stare at them while they cook then you obviously don't trust them. Why bother giving your money to an organization you don't respect?

[berrykat]

if you can find a pei wei in your area they are much better than panda express http://www.peiwei.com/

[Amy SF]

if you can find a pei wei in your area they are much better than panda express http://www.peiwei.com/

Hmmm closest ones to me are in Pasadena and Torrance, which aren't really close at all.

[jenni-anti-fur]

wow i had no idea about the panda express--i hardly eat there--but my fiancees mom loves the orange chicken--so we always get food from there for her b-day and stuff--i have always asked about certain foods being veggie--not i am not feeling sooo sure...thanx for the heads up.

peace and love

jenn

[bigdufstuff]

if you can find a pei wei in your area they are much better than panda express http://www.peiwei.com/

Their locator requires flash. Looks like they won't be getting my business.