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Panda Inn
Category: Restaurants Chinese Chinese [Edit]
783 Rio Del Mar BlvdSte 5
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 688-8620
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
54 reviews for Panda Inn
Review Highlights
"Hands down the best chinese food in the area."
(in 3 reviews)
"I normally am not a fan of hot and sour soup in general."
(in 5 reviews)
"Hunan Beef: Tender beef in a black bean sauce with lettuce."
(in 3 reviews)
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54 reviews in English
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Review from alexis d.
CA
9/17/2011
Best Chinese in town! Love Panda's Inn.
We've tried several Chinese restaurants in the area and Panda Inn is at the top of our list.
They have the best wor wonton soup! The broth is very flavorful and not salty and its filled with wontons, shrimp, chicken, pork and veggies. It's so good! Sometimes my husband and I have ordered just that for dinner!
Their Szechuan dumplings are really good along with their potstickers and spring rolls.
Our favorite entrees are..
Hunan Beef: Tender beef in a black bean sauce with lettuce. I love making little lettuce cups with the by placing some beef on the lettuce and topping it with hot mustard or siracha. Listed as a spicy item but it isnt.
Sliced Beef with Mushrooms and Bamboo Shots: Tender beef with large shitake mushrooms and bamboo shoots in a brown sauce.
Gong Boa Shrimp: Large prawns cooked perfectly with peanuts and scallions. Listed as a spicy item but it isn't.
Shrimp with snow Peas: Large prawns cooked perfectly in a light white sauce with water chestnuts and snow peas.
Their beef and broccoli, shrimp with garlic sauce and broccoli, Korean beef and fried rice are also great. Honestly, I've only ordered one dish I didn't care for and it was the curry prawns.
Mmmmm... I'm now craving Panda Inn! -
Review from Melanie R.
Santa Cruz, CA
10/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've come here twice, for both lunch and dinner. I think dinner gets 4 stars, but lunch only 2, so I've settled on 3 for my review.
The dinner was very tasty and fresh, and I remember that both my husband and I were very happy.
A while back I had lunch here for work, so it was just me. I had their lunch special, which includes soup and an appetizer. It seems like a good deal, but I didn't think the quality of the food was as good as the dinner. I would prefer to just have a one-item or two-item kind of set-up and pay the same price for better quality. I was also disappointed that both the soup and the appetizer had meat in them, and they didn't offer a vegetarian option. -
Review from Caryl M.
Aptos, CA
1/22/2012
Best Chinese restaurant in Santa Cruz Co...fresh, generous portions and warm & cozy environment. Such lovely owners & waitstaff. A longtime family tradition.
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Review from Scott F.
Tempe, AZ
7/21/2011
Very, very, very tasty! After an afternoon in Capitola, we weren't very interested in any of the typical beach pub food their. A quick Yelp search revealed this gem of a place right along our way back to Monterey.
Like many other reviewers, we couldn't find the place at first! We literally walked around the entire strip mall only the find it at last. It really is tucked in between the bank and drug store.
I had the crispy noodles and my friend the vegetable delight platter. Both were extremely tasty. I didn't think I could finish it all, but before I knew it, everything was gone!
We also liked the extra special attention to the decorating inside. It was very unique, warm, and not over the top. More Chinese restaurants should take note!
We really did want to return once more during our vacation, but we ran out of time. If we're ever back in the area, this is where we're eating first!! -
Review from A H.
Santa Clara, CA
5/31/2011
Came here with a friend who lives in the county to try it out since I guess there aren't many good choices around these parts. Sad but true I would only eat here if dying for Chinese ( after returning from south america for weeks w/out asian fixes) and happened to be passing through.
Pass on the sweet and sour soup...too much corn starch. Pass on the crispy sizzling chicken... Can't taste the chicken, just the overly "crispy" or overly fried coating.
The fish fillet with green beans was the only good dish.
We were catching up and sharing pics and wanted to hang out, but were given the bill w/ out being offered dessert.
I usually care less about service, but felt snubbed. that plus the upset stomach I got afterwards brings it down to 1 star.
(for those who care, this reviewer is Chinese)
(for those who is still gonna go... It's hard to find... Between b of a and cvs , go down the alleyway in the middle) -
Review from Julie B.
Watsonville, CA
11/18/2011
No place beats panda inn for great fresh affordable food in a great atmosphere and a very attentive staff. This is almost the only restaurant we go to and know we can trust getting quality food!
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Review from Bruce J.
Marysville, CA
11/2/2011
Our son and his family took us here for dinner while we were visiting last weekend. I thought the food was quite good, with great flavor. The noodles were smaller than most and the shrimp seemed to be fresh and not overcooked. We had sizzling ckn soup, spring rolls, cashew ckn, pork chow mein, beef w/black pepper sauce and shrimp w/glazed walnuts.
If I had to complain, it would be that the walnuts weren't as glazed as I would have liked. We'll be back when we get back down that way! -
Review from Karen b.
Aptos, CA
10/10/2011
We're so lucky to have Panda Inn in little Aptos, as it is the best Chinese food in the Bay Area. Each dish is unique, and our favorites include: Tai Chin Chicken, with chicken breast, bell pepper, baby corn and celery and Long Life Beans with Shrimp (yummy!) They also can prepare with low oil and have a brown rice option. We eat there once a week and never tire of them!
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Review from Kailey O.
11/20/2010
There aren't many chinese restaurants to choose from in the area, but that's ok when Panda Inn is around the corner. It may be a little hard to find, sandwiched between the BofA ATMs and the stairs. take the path straight back and you'll see the sign
My friend and I ordered the sweet and sour chicken and the chicken with garlic sauce and broccoli. if that doesn't sell itself, i don't know what will. everything was delicious and we got hot tea at the beginning of our meal.
The price is very reasonable. for our two dishes and rice the total was $21, and we each have leftovers for another meal. -
Review from Isabel H.
Watsonville, CA
8/6/2011
With the panda decore and cute paper lamps Panda inn is like a hidden treasure of yummy-ness! The Chow mein is sooo goos not to dry not to oilly the chicken chow mein always has its fried rice to the side and nice cripsy all over it. The service is so good and the tea come instantly to you. OH! and the pot stickers are the crunchest biggest loveliest you will ever find :)
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Review from Trisha L.
Soquel, CA
2/27/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Panda Inn has become our favorite Chinese restaurant. It is a little out of the way for us (requires driving on the highway) and it is well worth it. When my husband is feeling down, saying 'Let's eat at Panda Inn' always perks him up!
The food is excellent! Our favorite dishes:
- Hot and sour soup. I normally am not a fan of hot and sour soup in general. But the soup at Panda Inn is very flavorful, full of white pepper, and lots of different mushrooms. Delicious!
- Corn soup is also super tasty and satisfying - thick, rich, full of flavor.
- Tai chin chicken
- Hunan fish and Panda fish - both are great!
- Peking eggplant, served on crispy noodles - super yummy!
The decor includes adorable pandas everywhere and other Asian artwork. The restaurant is fairly large, so we have never had to wait for a table. The servers are friendly and easy going. The entrance has a beautiful glass door with a bamboo motif. I have not eaten outside at Panda Inn, but I did discover a very cool, giant abacus on the exterior wall - go in the daytime to see it! -
Review from Genevieve M.
Aptos, CA
1/7/2011 1 photo
The Best Chinese cuisine in all Santa Cruz County - that is what I'd say first. Low noise, friendly service, pleasant atmosphere. Divine dining close to home.
The lemon chicken had delicious tender chicken and zesty yet not overbearing lemon flavor with good batter. AMAZING Egg Fu young, plenty of gravy and crispy edges to die for. Steamed rice is chewy and moist. Tea is hot and fresh. The chicken chow mein was good, too. Fresh vegetables and scrumptious meats in all dishes. My favorite though, was the vegetable spring rolls - crispy, fantastic ingredients, happiness.
I would recommend this place to everyone. -
Review from Gina P.
Scotts Valley, CA
1/7/2011
AT LAST! Our search for authentic, non-greasy Chinese food is over. Panda Inn is FANTASTIC! We love their sizzling rice soup in chicken broth (it contains chicken and shrimp), their beef with broccoli (tender good quality meat cooked to perfection) and their kung pao shrimp is off the chain (LOTS of large flavorful prawns with peanuts and veggies - never salty, always delicious).
Lunch specials are a great deal @ $8.50 but even a la carte the prices are quite decent for the outstanding quality. Another big plus for us is that they serve brown rice upon request. Check it out the next time you are in the area (or drive to Aptos just to try ) - you will be glad you did! -
Review from jocelyn j.
Watsonville, CA
8/26/2011
We four enjoyed our food very much. Nice location, decent prices, pretty patio. The service was random though - we 3 had nice hot dinners while the 4th person waited 15 minutes for his meal to arrive. Wierd. No explanation. However the potstickers were realy good, the hot spicy scallops were great, the fish on fish dish great too. Love that they have green tea ice cream there too. We'll go back often - the husband LOVES good Chinese.
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Review from Nerio M.
Santa Cruz, CA
This review is mainly about the food since we ordered takeout.
We ordered the minced Scallop, shrimp, crab, chicken with lettuce cup, General's chicken and Vegetable chow mein. All three were delicious. The scallops were light and tasty. The general's chicken was deep fried and served with a sweet sauce. And, the noodle for the chow mein were the best noodles I've had in a while. The lady at the front (most likely one of the owners) had a friendly rapport with all that came into the restaurant. Had we stayed and ate inside, I'm sure we would have enjoyed the atmosphere. You could feel the friendly and cozy vibe once you step into the restaurant. For sure we would order all three dishes but my favorite was the scallop, shrimp, crab, chicken with lettuce cup followed closely by the vegetable chow mein! -
Review from Eric Z.
Aptos, CA
2/8/2011
I have only been to a few Chinese restaurants in the area however this is the best so far for me. Not only is the food awesome, the setting and location of the place is great too with easy parking. The interior is laid out well and the decor is pretty cool too. I like the lighting, the bamboo partitioning and all the rest of the stuff they have. It makes for a great experience.
It really can be a 5 star for me as well!! I just have to check out a few more places -
Review from Big M.
Santa Cruz, CA
8/7/2011
Our favorite place for Chinese. "it's a "Sweet Little Gem!" Tucked away in a garden, it's got ambience and the food is yummy!
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Review from gg c.
Campbell, CA
2/8/2007
Once upon a time I was commuting from San Jose to Watsonville.
The windy roads, the mountains, the fog and the rain. It was fun(for a while) coz I had never ventured that area before. My coworker took me to this a fairy tale looking Chinese place in Aptos called Panda Inn. Its run by a Burmese couple and it was one of the best Chinese/Burmese food I ever had.
Their sweet corn crab soup with asparagus was loaded with real crab meat...
Don't miss their paper wrapped chicken and ginger chicken.
I would like to make trips to Aptos again and again not just for the beaches but for Panda Inn too. -
Review from Chelsey S.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
9/2/2010
This place has revived my battered and bruised love for Chinese food! My experience with Chinese food is typically "ehhhhh," with an occasional "so-so" or an "at least it didn't give me stomach cramps and bad gas." Panda Inn is definitely a notch above any other Chinese food I've had the pleasure (displeasure?) of sampling. It all looks and tastes very fresh and everything isn't cooked in gobs of oil. The meat in the dishes is actually enticing, and they prepare it so that you can actually tell what you are eating from sight (chicken, beef, pork, shrimp vs. tough, chewy little nuggets of anonymity).
I would definitely suggest the orange chicken. The chicken is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Plus, they serve the orange sauce to you on the side, so that you can dip your chicken in bite by bite or decide you like it so much you just wanna pour the orange sauce straight into your mouth if you want. I also recommend the Shrimp in Garlic Sauce. Really good flavor to the sauce, and the shrimp in it are big, plump, and tasty. -
Review from Chelsea V.
San Jose, CA
11/23/2009
Panda Inn is a really nice chinese restaurant I've been going to for over a decade! Consistently good food, service, prices, and atmosphere. I love the spring rolls (with that spicy peanut sauce ahhhh god it's SO good), sweet and sour chicken (honestly one of the only chinese food places I'm very comfortable ordering a main course that is primarily meat, many other places have at least some level of funk going on, undercooked/dry/gristly etcetc, NEVER at Panda), chicken chow mein, WALNUT SHRIMP (mmm creamy goodness). Don't forget green tea ice cream with your fortune cookie!
I haven't been let down by this place in over a decade, you should try it out!
You could even get the food to go and eat it on Seacliff beach with your bebeh :) -
Review from jen b.
Crockett, CA
8/7/2010
Szechwan Chicken- Szechwan style! None of that disgusting battered fried chicken.
Just order it. Thats my advice. Just Do It. -
Review from Marina S.
Santa Cruz, CA
6/29/2009
I ordered take out from the Panda Inn, and when the nice lady over the phone told me how much my bill was, I actually thought I heard her wrong. I went into the restaurant, and was greeted kindly, and once again I had to ask if it really was 30 dollars for just two items (+rice). I checked the food, and then handed over the cash before going back to my car. I got home and opened the boxes, the smell was delicious... but the food? Not so good. The shrimp tasted like dirty water. The honey tasted like maple syrup. The chow fun was greasy and overcooked. The vegetables were sparse, and really all I got was two boxes of breading and fat.
Basically: overpriced, and disgusting. I'll never go back! -
Review from marcel s.
Watsonville, CA
2/18/2011 18 Check-ins Here
Ive always enjoyed eating here,very clean and well kept.prices is pretty reasonable and service is great!!food is well portioned so you can really say you over paid.havent tried going here during dinner mostly lunch but its always good!!
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Review from Erin W.
9/22/2009
This place is good, a solid 3 stars. Nothing creative like say, Heaven's Dog in SF but still, good. I also should admit that I currently have a ton of dietary restrictions so the plate I ordered was steamed shrimp and green beans with sauce on the side and an order of brown rice. I was very impressed with the staff's willingness to accommodate my (overly picky) requests. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Next time I look forward to trying something more exotic, like say one of the fish dishes, maybe the one that comes steamed with ginger. I'll report back and hopefully, raise the review to 4 stars. From here I'd say 4 would totally be within reach. -
Review from Erica M.
Aptos, CA
7/15/2009
Solid Chinese Food here. Probably one of the better Chinese restaurants in the area. However you will notice not many local reviews for Chinese food coming from me, because most are not note-worthy, in my opinion. Being a former "valley", my tastes are discriminating because good Chinese food was everywhere.
I like this place. Great potstickers, good chinese chicken salad, and I love the Beef with Asparagus.
ONE complaint. The hot and sour soup does not have enough sour in it. We get very tiny hints of it but we are REALLY hoping the chefs in the back will see this review and kick up the "sour" with the "hot". . We've ordered it twice now with hopes that the first time was a botched batch, but the same thing happened the second time around..
That soup is almost near perfect but it's like climaxing and missing the big "o" without enough sour in your soup
Overall, good food.. -
Review from Cynthia D.
Aptos, CA
11/14/2010
Chinese food is always pretty safe fast food for a pescaterian. The food here was fresh and made to order. I ordered my food to go and it was ready when they said it would. Unfortunately, they do not have delivery. I was very happy with my meal. But, I don't think I could say best of Santa Cruz. Although, I think they do a pretty damn good job.
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Review from Becky B.
Aptos, CA
3/26/2009
Someone else said this is the best Chinese food in the area and I completely agree! The quality of their food is consistently excellent and so is their service! Our daughter has moved to San Jose and when she's sick, I'll bring her an order of soup noodles from Panda because there's nothing like it where she lives.
We've cut back on a lot of things, but bringing dinner home occasionally from this restaurant is something we're continuing to do. I've even been there to pick up food for dinner, only to have the owner say, "Oh, your husband was here for lunch!"
So go, and enjoy! -
Review from b j.
Aptos, CA
8/18/2011
Great atmosphere, mediocre food.
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Review from Dana B.
Santa Cruz, CA
3/20/2011
I judge a Chinese restaurant by its Chow Mein, and without a doubt, Panda Inn serves the best I've ever tasted. Not at all greasy, with just the right amount of veggies and meat if I add it. Their ingredients always seem fresh and I haven't tried a dish I haven't liked. They are a bit pricey - I'd say average $10 or $11 per dish - but it's worth it. Small wine list, only about 5 choices. Friendly staff. Nice atmosphere.
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Review from Max D.
Campbell, CA
6/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Gotta throw down 5 stars for the best Chinese food in Aptos - nay, all of Santa Cruz County for the past 10+ years. Owner Win Sum is the nicest person in the world and has always been extremely friendly and helpful to my family which is why we keep coming back. Take out or dine in, you will not be disappointed by the huge menu and the consistent quality of the grub. Bussers and wait staff are exceedingly friendly as well. EPIC Chinese food. I wouldn't consider eating Chinese anywhere else.
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Review from Lauren M.
Seattle, WA
8/6/2010
Great Chinese food near Santa Cruz.
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Review from Camille B.
Aptos, CA
12/9/2010
I usually get sick from eating Chinese food, but not with Panda Inn. This place is absolutely delicious. Get the lemon chicken or sweet & sour pork. They have a great lunch menu.
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Review from Kayla G.
Aptos, CA
2/11/2009
Panda Inn is absolutely delicious. The food is quality, service is great, and the atmosphere is mellow and comforting.
My favorites are their potstickers, black pepper beef, veggie chowmein, and the BEST EVER: General's Chicken, and their Hot and Sour Soup. If you're craving soup, you absolutely must try this one.
If I'm in the mood for Chinese, this is first in my mind, and when i move away from Santa Cruz, I know I'll be there when every time I come home to visit. -
Review from Jason P.
Aptos, CA
8/3/2011
Best Chinese food in the county. Trust me on this, Santa Cruz has a TON of crap Chinese food. 99% of the restaurants here suck. But Panda Inn has a good selection, good parking, good capacity and the best tasting food by far of any place around
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Review from Sierra D.
Arlington, VA
2/9/2008
This is a hidden spot with great service and wonderful Chinese food. The take out is quick and easy. My favorite dishes are the chicken curry (a yellow spicy sauce) and the steamed pork buns.
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Review from Denise C.
Campbell, CA
12/28/2008
Went there for the first time tonight and "oh my gawd" they serve GREAT ASIAN CUISINE! Freshest of ingredients along with swift prompt service. The decor is cozy. In addition to the delicious food, beer, wine and sake are also offered. I cant wait to go again!
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Review from Lisa R.
Boulder, CO
1/9/2009
I've been going to Panda for years and still can't get enough. Now I live out of town but it is the first place I want to go whenever I come back to Santa Cruz. The food is fresh and wonderful. My favorite is the sizzling rice soup (tomato base). Second favorite would have to be their fried rice. Yum!
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Review from c l.
Portland, OR
7/4/2008
i went here for the first time a couple of nights ago. it's kind of a hidden gem in this area. we live in aptos and didn't even know about it.
the service was great and the food was delicious. they have great peanut sauces and yummy sweet and sour sauce. my favorite dish was the Kon Pao Shrimp but everything was great. we had the dinner combo "B".
the decor was cool too, lots of bamboo, which i love, and even a bamboo wall. if you go, be sure to look at the ceiling. you'll see some interesting objects placed inside the light fixtures :)
this is definitely somewhere i will go regularly. my boyfriend is into chinese food but i'm not so much. Panda Inn changed my mind. :) -
Review from Christine L.
Los Altos, CA
8/12/2008
Good food; fresh ingredients and pleasant, competent service for take-out. While staying at Seascape, I craved some Asian food. You know something meaty, spicy with rice. I found Panda Inn through Yelp and closed my eyes and began to dial. (I must disclose that I was kind of scared cause I haven't seen many Asians in these here parts so I was afraid of the their mastery of Asian cuisine) I didn't even have a menu but just ordered from past specials other Yelpers had mentioned in their reviews plus riffing on my own Chinese faves. We ordered potstickers, pork buns, chinese chicken salad, kung pao chicken and hot and sour soup. It was all yummy. Everything was as it should be: lettuce was crisp and fresh in the salad with big chunks of freshly cooked chicken, pork buns had lots of pork, same with the pot stickers. The kung pao was nicely spiced. The only weak point was the hot and sour soup - I wish they had more vinegar in it to make it more spicy/hot. It was a little bland, egg flower soup-y to me.
Bottom line - would go there again in a heartbeat! -
Review from Jason M.
Santa Cruz, CA
Updated - 1/13/2010
OK... Bad service one time...But food is great and they more than made up for their mistake the last couple of times I have been. Their Fish is very fresh and very Spicy....
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/21/2009
I really like this place and come here often. I ripped them because of their lack of concern for our… Read more »
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