Panda Gourmet Chinese Restaurant (Delray Beach)
Panda Gourmet Chinese Restaurant, 13900 South Jog Road, Delray Beach, Florida 33446, (561) 638-9022.
The other day Jeff Eats got the following e-mail from long time reader Bill from Delray:
From: Bill from Delray
Subject: Great new Chinese Restaurant in Delray
Message Body:
Jeff,
Wife and I have been to the Panda Gourmet restaurant in Delray twice now. The last visit was the acid test… taking my 91 year old mother-in-law with us. The food is fresh and first quality, the prices crazy low and they’ve been publishing 50% off the second entree (including early bird) in the Sun Sentinel a couple of times a week for a while.
The earlybird, by the way, includes soup, egg roll or spring roll and ice cream. Three of us ate for $34 plus tip and the entree size was not reduced because of the earlybird.
Looking forward to seeing what you have to say about this little family run hole in the wall place.
Bill
***
Bill from Delray:
Based on your recommendation I gave Panda Gourmet a “shot” this evening.
Jeff Eats “sampled” wonton soup, egg rolls, fried pork dumplings, bbq ribs, general tso’s chicken, moo shu pork, roast pork fried rice. Now- no kidding around here, EVERY ITEM had absolutely no taste whatsoever. No question about it, some of the blandest Chinese food I’ve ever eaten in South Florida. Now nothing for nothing, but I’m thinking that just maybe the early-bird coupon deals colored your opinion—because this stuff was in no way, shape or form even remotely close to being good.
Well Bill!…That’s what Jeff Eats thinks and based on my maiden voyage, I definitely won’t be returning even though the super-pleasant owners gave me a handful of “coupons” on my way out.
For those of you guys who want to make up your own “mind”…
Panda Gourmet is open Monday-Thursday 11:30am-9:30pm, Friday 11:30am-10pm, Saturday noon-10pm, Sunday noon-9:30pm.
Jeff,
I ate there one a month or so ago.
I think the new owners have been in there for about 7 months or so.
The crowd that frequents this place look like escapees from a geriatric ward. OLD!!!
I think that’s why the food as you say is so BLAND.
When my wife and I ate there we had the same take as you did, nothing had any flavor.
Took food out
Not good
Portions are small, but who cares because the food sucks
Thanks Jeff. Was planning to try it. Not anymore.
Frank W:
Just had a chance to read your comments.
Can’t really explain it, but not one single item had any taste whatsoever.
The egg rolls were like eating rubber.
Glad I could save you a bad outing.
Thanks for reading…
I guess taste is subjective. I’ve agreed with you on most all of your reviews and respect your judgement however I still think that as neighborhood Chinese joints go this isn’t a bad one.
Thanks for trying it.
Bill
Bill from Delray:
Just had a chance to read your comments.
Usually your picks are right on the money..that said, this Panda joint was BAD. Not one item, not two items—but every utem had absolutely no taste. Definitely some of the blandest Chinese food I’ve ever eaten. I will tell you, the egg rolls were like rubber.
Anyway…like you said taste is subjective—maybe I’m missing something here, but Mrs. Jeff Eats and her girlfriend Debbie who was with us, also thought that the food was bad news.
Keep the picks and comments coming.
Thanks for reading…
I live 3 minutes from this joint. I tried it a few months ago taking out a bunch of food. It wasn’t very good. The wonton soup had no flavor at all and the bbq ribs weren’t fully cooked. Try Bamboo Wok which is 2 minutes away. It’s takeout only but runs circles around this joint.
Jimmy B.
Food tasteless
Service rude and arrogant.
Told them will never go back.
I ate there for the first time in October and the food was very bland. I inquired about the taste and was informed that since the majority of the clientele is older the restaurant has decided to cater to the majority of the consumers. However when I do go in now and specify that I do not like bland food and would prefer a tastier meal as any traditional Chinese restaurant would have the staff is more than gracious to accommodate, They will and have made any dish that I try there to my specification. I am glad I spoke up because the food is good and fresh.
Matthew:
Just had a chance to read your comments.
Nothing for nothing, the BBQ ribs that I had were undercooked-the egg rolls tasted like rubber,
So much for your theory that the joint makes its “usual” dishes a certain way to accomodate an elderly crowd. No matter what the age, egg rolls aren’t suppose to taste like rubber bands and ribs aren’t suppose to be served almost raw.
Thanks for reading…
a Chinese fast food… very bland and tasteless
When I went I asked for what I wanted and it was delicious! You’re right about the clientele but that’s the majority of the customers OLD! Hey, I’m middle aged and it very very fresh!
Bamboo Wok, that place they like precook everything and when you order it they add sauce and make it look good, but little beef, chicken, shrimp or FLAVOR, The flavor tastes like five day old food with a hint of something mysterious…we used to have more cats and ducks roaming the streets…
I go to Flushing ( like Chinatown) and am very particular about my Chinese food. I was surprised that Panda Gourmet was
Good….did Not order egg rolls,wanton soup, or spare ribs,however.