Panda Inn

After a few bad experiences I decided to give the old Panda Inn another chance. I went to their website and it was down, so I called to see what was wrong and they had no idea what the issue was. The hostess was very helpful and told me what their lunch specials were and I decided on Gen Tso's chicken. I then preceded to order an egg roll when I was informed that I was unable to order one egg roll, I had to order two. They were unwilling to sell me one egg roll, and said that an order of egg roll was two egg rolls and refused to sell me one!!! Are you serious?? more

As I recently found out, the Panda Inn on Bethel at Go Down is under new management. The new chef brings his authentic Chinese culinary skills to a refurbished interior. The food can be ordered from an ""American"" menu version or a traditional Chinese version. It's all good but if you're not used to traditional food it may be a surprise sometimes (note: the snails are not what we would call escargot). The Koi Pond is an attraction for the kids, and the fish tanks in the front will be of interest to those who wish to order REALLY fresh seafood, including shell fish. Pros: Authentic Chinese - Mandarin, Hunan, Szechaun Cons: True Chinese food can take some time to prepare. more

I'm allergic to peanuts and although there were not nuts in my lo-mein, it soon became evident that they didn't clean the Wok well enough berfore cooking my dish. It was a mild reaction, but had it been someone else, they could have died. Pros: Good Food Cons: Don't speak very good English more

Stopped in on a Sunday at 5:30pm. One other party in the whole restaurant. 20 minutes after ordering still no appetizer or refills on drinks. Wait staff standing at the bar chatting among themselves. Got up and walked to door. Girl at cash register talking on phone while I stood there. Still no response. I had to interrupt her and tell her the service was slow and unacceptable. Only reply was ""sorry"". My dining companion and I then left. I stopped there on the recommendation of a friend. However, judging by other reviews posted my experience was not unique. Cons: Poor Service more

If you want good ethnic food, find out where they eat. Panda Inn is popular with local Chinese, and for good reason. The trick for Americans is to know what to order. First, ask for the Chinese menu - otherwise you will get the lame ""americanized"" standards (General Tso's, Sweet&Sour Pork, Orange Shrimp, etc.).\r \r SOME THINGS NOT TO MISS:\r \r Soup: Fujianese Dumpling Soup (a favorite in owner's hometown - you will never eat wonton again)\r Appetizer: Chive Dumplings (split the top and drizzle with the vinegar juice that comes with it)\r Vegetable: Order greens sauteed with garlic (ask the server what is fresh today - Chinese Water Cress, Tender Pea Vines, or Chinese Broccoli (very mild - and very different from American broccoli)\r Fish: Flounder Paradise (flounder wrapped around scallions and crab meat)\r ...or for Spicy Fish: fried Szechuan fish\r Something Different?: Tender Spicy Bamboo (sauteed with jalapenos)\r Something Really Different: Three Cup Squid (we always order this with wary newbies who then proceed to devour it with delight - delicious)\r \r Want something REALLY spicy? Order a bowl of fish served in Szechuan peppercorn broth. Eat the fish on rice. Don't mess with the peppercorns, though, unless you don't mind a numb tongue.\r \r A couple of writers said they had ""intestinal discomfort."" My wife and I have been going twice a month for 6 years and have never had a bad experience. Pros: Authentic Chinese food; all Chinese staff Cons: Some servers don't speak great English so may seem taciturn - but they are just quiet more

We have been going to Panda Inn for a long time. The food, service and price is the best! We especially love the lunch specials. more

My mom used to take me when I was a pre-teen and we lived in Hilliard.We both loved the food and the prices then.\r Now I am 32, I still LOVE the food and prices.Feeding a family of 6 is never cheap, all of us are about quality food,we can all eat a lot of food with leftovers for about $40 & tip!\r The service is always wonderful!\r We drive from Pickerington,and is well worth the wait!The kids love to hear ""want to go to the Panda Inn?"".\r I think a lot like them .......YUM.......!\r Pros: The bridge is big with the kids, flip a coin in the pond, watch the fish! Cons: Kinda far from Pickerington but, worth the drive! more

This is one of the few authentic Chinese restaurants in Columbus. Please don't waste your time and money on an Americanized dish like General Tso's Chicken, only because the authentic stuff is so wonderful! The menu is huge, and the value is great. Lunch specials are really cheap and taste great. The staff is wonderful and friendly. Seating and service are great. The owner knows me well and can almost order for me. Highly recommended! Pros: Wonderful, romantic atmosphere. It's amazing what they have done with a little plaza store! Cons: Can't think of any. more

Terrible food, health dept. issues, cheap but nasty. There is a quality Chinese restaurant right down the street; the last time I ate there other people invited me and I went hesitantly. Couldn't finish my meal. The lack of customers gives a clue, doesn't it? Pros: Cheap Cons: Might make you sick more

My husband and I tried Panda Inn recently and were so disappointed. I ordered jumbo shrimp with mixed vegetables and asked that it be prepared a little bit spicy. It had absolutely no taste at all. Everything including the shrimp tasted like it has been boiled and all the flavor drained out of it. There was no flavor whatsoever, let alone any spices. I actually had to add salt to get it down and didn't even finish it. My husband ordered a beef dish and was similarly disappointed. We definitely won't return and will see out a better Chinese restaurant in the area. Cons: bland food more

I had ordered take out food in March of 2005 and was deathly sick that night. It took\r my over 24 hours to get over the ""sickness"". I will never go there again. Beware!! more

There's a reason this restaurant was voted best Chinese restaurant in Columbus in 2005.\r \r Extensive menu of traditional Chinese fare appealing to American palates, along with exotic authentic Chinese dishes. I've been to China for two weeks, and SFO/NYC/CHI Chinatowns many times -- this is as authentic as any of the Chinese I've had. Excellent eggrolls, large and tasty pot-stickers, savory soups. The rice is incredible- nutty, flavorful and sticky without being a mess. I could eat a big bowl of it. The eggrolls were crisp, piping hot, and stuffed with great stuff -- among the best in the city.\r \r We've had 8 dishes from there, and all were amazingly good. The TsingTao beer was fresh and cold (had it on 3 visits), never skunky.\r \r It's a bit upscale, so costs more than hole-in-the-wall Chinese, but worth the price. My only complaint is that it takes 90 minutes to eat there for dinner, because they're a bit leisurely... however, many see a relaxed pace as necessary and appropriate in a white linen tablecloth restaurant. Pros: Authentic food, Delicious, Atmosphere, Delightful staff, Convenient, Karaoke 10pm-2am Cons: $$$, Dinner Service sometimes slow, Karoake 10pm-2am more

I've been to Panda Inn several times and never had cold food, rude staff, or stomach issues after eating there. The service has been consistently prompt and courteous, the food is very good, and the ambience is great. They are also very quick at having your take-out meal ready (usually 10-15 minutes after you call), and the portions are typically enough for two meals. Pros: Great food, great service, great price more

I went in there to get some cheap chinese food, but I was really surprised and excited that they had some great karaoke going on! The food gave me really bad runns but the karaoke made up for the toilet problems! Pros: karaoke Cons: runns more

What a wonderful experience! The food was excellent and we were offered two menus-the traditional american menu or the chinese menu. The waitress explained to us the specials and recommend the eggplant dish to start! The service and value was outstanding! Pros: Great Food, Great Service, Great Price Cons: none, none, none more

I give them credit for trying on the decor, but the food was cold and the dish I had was half raw. (General Tso's Chicken) There authentic Chinese menu seemed promising, but after eating a panfried noodle dish, I noticed that there was quite a bit of MSG involved. Most Chinese places don't use MSG, except for the small amount in the sodium. Either these people were trying to kill me, or my heart rate just started to gradually increase for no reason. Service was also bad and the waiter was quite rude. I would recommend Mark Pi's express over these people. Pros: Very Good Parking, Cheap Cons: Bad Service, Bad Food, Too many little kids more

Under the new management from famous Little Dragon, Panda Inn provides romantic and friendly environment. Food is authentic and economic. Daily lunch special is only $4.75 including soup, egg roll and main course. more