Panda Express - Santa Barbara

The staff was in shambles, there were a couple other customers who were waiting for their orders to be cooked. There seems to be a cook who does not communicate well with his co workers because when I arrived they did not have much of a selection as they usually do and the food they did have looked old. I could hear the servers telling the cook to make double of some food items and he was...... hesitant. This is not the first time I have noticed that specific cook's lack of communication and teamwork. I'll give this panda the benefit of the doubt, I know the online and phone orders are making things a lot harder for them. I also arrived about an hour and a half before they were closing when the above took place. So for this panda by the plaza, I say definitely way better for lunch, but if you have to, try not going or ordering too late.

Rude, Rude,Rude. I’ve been coming here forever I like the food but the employees are unfriendly and nasty. Food is not always great. If I was not moving out of the area I would start going to their Goleta location. If you can I would go there.

Haven’t been to my favorite Panda Express since Covid-19 for more than two years . Unfortunately I was very disappointed after I went to this location yesterday around 8:00pm. While I waited for my order, I noticed : after the cashier girl handled the money, she used her dirty hands directly to open the food bag to put egg rolls , or pack the food boxes , grab the sauces WITHOUT sanitizing her hands first. Of course no gloves either. The cashier was poorly trained to have basic sanitation’ and disinfection knowledge. I reminded her to clean her hands before touching any food related stuff. She was angry and didn’t care. This is totally unacceptable.for food service. From the google reviews, it seems this issue didn’t get any improvement. Also the team couldn’t handle the busy orders well, it was a mess. Won’t recommend this location .

Went there the other night at 9pm. They close at 10pm. Orange chicken looked stale. According to Andrew Cherng, they'll make a fresh batch. I know this to be corporate policy. I was going to order two combo plates. NOPE! Apparently they stop cooking a whole hour before closing. So... If you want fresh, don't order an hour before they close as they intend to sell you stale food at regular prices.

Don’t even go to this Panda Express anymore because they charge you more than others in the Santa Barbara County and they don’t give you the sauces or cookies anymore. The employees that work there only mirror the management/manager(s) there in a bad way. Instead, go to the one in 131 N Fairview Ave in Goleta because they give you far more food at the same price and with better costumer service and they still give you the sauces and cookies that come with the meal.