Panda Express - St. Albert

When we requested a refund, they told us that we could only receive store credit or exchange our meal for different dishes, as if we were eager to try more of the same subpar food. If six items from the menu were unappetizing, what are the chances that the others would be any better? I’d give them 1 star for service because they did allow us to use our store credit on bottled iced teas, but it's still just 1 star since we would have preferred a full refund for the $30 we spent. If I wanted a bunch of iced tea, I could have gone to the grocery store and bought it for much less. Yet, that was the best option available for our store credit. Honestly, I don’t hold the staff responsible; I've been in that position myself. My frustration lies with the management for their poor refund policy and inadequate training in food preparation and cooking.

During my recent visit, the food was far from fresh. The honey walnut shrimp was enveloped in a thick batter that left it tasting doughy. As for the peppered chicken, it was drenched in sauce to the extent that I could hardly locate the meat, let alone enjoy its flavor. I'm unclear on what happened, but it will be a long time, if not forever, before I consider returning.

Additionally, I noticed two non-food-related issues: first, the bathroom drains had a strong odor and could benefit from a regular deodorizing routine, perhaps by pouring something down the drains weekly. Second, the front door is too heavy and could use some adjustments to make it easier to open.

Why are you open on a Saturday afternoon in a shopping area when less than half of your menu items are available? I entered to find that more than half of the bowls on display were completely empty and shining clean—it's quite a sight!

I've noticed a decline in quality each time I've dined here. It used to be one of the best places, but now the oil, meat, and ingredients all seem stale and lacking freshness, which is quite noticeable in the dishes. On May 4th, 2023, at 4:45 PM, I had a horrible experience—the food tasted stale and was a complete waste of money. I'm genuinely disappointed, and this might be my last visit.