Get In Line! New E.C. Panda Express Now Open For Business
new fast-food restaurant offers American-Chinese eats – for those willing to wait in line
If you’ve noticed a bit of a traffic jam on London Road and Mall Drive during the lunch- and dinner-time rush, you’re not alone.
Hundreds of Chippewa Vallians have flocked to the new Panda Express location at 2403 London Road, Eau Claire, which opened Monday night.
Panda Express, a national fast-casual restaurant chain known for their American-style Chinese dishes such as grilled teriyaki chicken and honey walnut shrimp, is now open from 10:30am to 9pm (and their drive-thru is open until 9:30pm).
And it has already caused quite a stir – and for more than their stir fry.
A number of locals took to social media – particularly the popular “Eau Claire Foodies” Facebook group, which includes more than 10,500 members who review local eateries – to post about their experiences with the restaurant. Many criticized the long wait, while others expressed enthusiasm for the vast selection, pointing out that the long waits were a result of collective excitement for the new eatery.
“Just drove past Clairemont and London,” posted Kyle Warner to the Eau Claire Foodies group. “All I’m saying is China Wok is always 10 minute (and amazing, Garlic Chicken made spicy is my go-to).”
“Well, I was able to get into Panda Express tonight,” posted Nick Evans. “The line was so long that it went into the street. It found it was fast to just park the car close by and just walk there. Still I was glad I went there; they have a great selection of food you can’t get anywhere else.”
Others took to TikTok to share videos of the line, expressing frustration at the long wait time. They weren’t the only ones to express frustration at the delays.
“Just when people thought the issue with the traffic for Starbucks was bad,” posted Jeri Opland to the You Know You Are From Eau Claire When… Facebook group from her car on Clairemont Avenue. “Welcome to Panda Express. Great Planning City of Eau Claire. ”
You can be the final judge. Check out their signature Teriyaki Chicken, String Bean Chicken Breast, Chicken Egg Rolls, Beijing Beef, Cream Cheese Rangoons, and more via their Mall Drive and London Road entrances.
Check out more about Panda Express at pandaexpress.com.
