Panda Express vs. PF Chang's vs. Pei Wei vs. Pick Up Stix: Which Wins the Chinese Food Showdown?

Top 4 Most Popular Chinese Food Chains In The US in 2024

Are you craving Chinese food but don't know where to go for the most delicious Chinese food? Chinese restaurants can be quite different, such as Panda Express and Pei Wei. Some have different nationalities for food and a wider range of items. Some offer excellent buffets where you can choose whatever Chinese food you want in the same meal. There are also some that vary widely in price and you can get a lot of food at a great price.

Whether you're looking for variety, nationality, or great value, you're sure to find something to satisfy you in this list of top Chinese restaurant chains. Chances are you'll find a very popular Chinese restaurant chain near you!

List of must-try Chinese restaurants:

1. Panda Express 

2. PF Chang's 

3. Pei Wei

4. Pick Up Stix

What's the difference between these Chinese restaurants? What are their classic menu items worth trying? Are they expensive? Can they provide takeaway? Do they eat healthy? How was the dining experience and food flavor?

You will most likely find their answers in the detailed introduction next!

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#1.         Panda Express

For more information, view the official Panda Express website.

Panda Express is unique when it comes to the commercial success of Chinese restaurant chains. They sell about $3 billion worth of Chinese food each year and have more than 2,100 U.S. locations. Since opening its first restaurant in California in 1983, Panda Express has become a household name for its ubiquitous and delicious Chinese food.

The main key to their amazing success is their delicious orange chicken. They sell over 100 million pounds of this stuff every year. The chicken was sweet, but also a little bit spicy, a little spicy. If Orange Chicken is the only Panda Express item you order, no one can blame you. This main dish is unbelievable.

Before you laugh at the #1 fast food restaurant on this list, give Panda Express a fair shot. Their food is surprisingly authentic and your taste buds will be in a state of uninterrupted bliss during your meal. Panda Express not only serves the best Chinese food at the best price, but also the best Chinese food - period.

Their history and chains：

From world-famous orange chicken to delicious chow mein, Panda Express defines American-Chinese cuisine with bold flavors and fresh ingredients. Panda Express entrees and sides contain zero grams of trans fat per serving and adds no MSG in their food. Panda Express uses only 100% pure soybean oil in the preparation of recipes.

Panda Express is one of the most popular American-Chinese fast food restaurants. It was founded on October 1983 in Glendale, California, United States by Andrew Cherng, Peggy Cherng and Master Chef Ming Tsai Cherng, Andrew’s father.

At shopping malls and food courts, Panda Express is a common sight. Panda Express restaurants were once only found in shopping mall food courts, but the American Chinese restaurant now has locations across the country, including stand-alone restaurants, colleges, casinos, airports, military bases, amusement parks, and other locations. Panda Express is definitely one of the best Chinese chain restaurants.

Kung Pao chicken, orange chicken, chow mein, egg rolls, and steamed veggies are the typical dishes of Panda Express, with special meals such as honey walnut shrimp and black pepper Angus steak requiring extra fees.

Panda Express is far and away the largest Asian restaurant chain in the US, with a fast-casual menu featuring 13 different entrées, four appetizers, five sides, and two desserts (fortune cookies and chocolate chunk cookies). Among its main dishes are Kung Pao Chicken – one of the few Chinese dishes that’s arguably even more popular than General Tso’s Chicken (which is not on the Panda Express menu) – and its signature dish, Orange Chicken.

Founded by Andrew and Peggy Cherng in Glendale, California in 1983, the chain now has more than 2,200 locations according to its most recent press releases (a year ago, that number was 2,100), mostly in the US but also in a variety of other countries (Canada, South Korea, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Japan, El Salvador, Aruba, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Guatemala, and the Philippines).

Most Panda Express locations are company-owned. Limited opportunities available to franchisees are non-traditional locations such as airports, universities, military bases, hospitals, casinos, amusement parks, and stadiums.

Panda Express is fast-food Chinese inspired chain. The franchise has its roots in a Chinese American who opened a restaurant in California. The chain offers a variety of food, from chicken, to beef, to rice, and various mixed vegetables. The ambiance of the restaurant is Asian-inspired, and a Panda is the company’s mascot.

The chain employs about 24,995 people worldwide. As of March 2014, the company had profits as large as $2 billion. It is privately owned. Further, its headquarters is located in Rosemead, California. The chain continues to grow rapidly. Thanks to having nearly no competitors, the franchise dominates the Asian inspired fast-food niche.

Panda Express has a very unique history for a fast food restaurant. The franchise can trace its history back to its founders Ming-Tsai Cherng, his son Andrew J. C. Cherng, and Andrew’s eventual wife Peggy Cherng. The Cherng family initially migrated from China to the United States in the 1960’s. At this point Peggy Cherng wasn’t a part of the family at this time. She actually emigrated from Burma.

The newly emigrated Cherng family challenged themselves by opening a full-service Chinese restaurant. Note that they were competing in California, a market very competitive for Asian-American food. Their first restaurant was founded under Panda Management. The company’s first restaurants were opened in 1973. The restaurants served food inspired by the Szechwan and Mandarin of their homeland China.

The world’s first Panda Express was opened in 1983. Andrew noticed how popular the fast food industry was becoming. As such he create the franchise to capitalize on this restaurant trend. The restaurant found success. It was able to find a niche in for its authentic Szechwan and Mandarin dishes. Most other fast food franchises had hamburgers or chicken. So our chain had nearly no competition for the type of food it offered.

This franchise has since had near constant expansion. In 1992, there were just 50 chain units in the United States. Since then there are now over 1,700 unite in the world. The chain has experimented with drive through only locations, supermarket locations, and various new meals.  Peggy Cherng helped to improve the company’s management and bring the company to the 21st century. As of now, the company is based from Rosemead California. 

What They’re Famous For：

Panda Express offers catering services to its customers. Their catering menu includes a variety of entrees while they also offer appetizers and sides.

Following is the variety of entrée that Panda Express offers:

• 
  

• Beijing Beef

• Black Pepper Chicken

• Broccoli Beef

• Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

• Honey Walnut Shrimp

• Kung Pao Chicken

• Mushroom Chicken

• Orange Chicken

• Shanghai Angus Steak

• String Bean Chicken Breast

• Sweet Fire Chicken

Beijing Beef:

Beijing Beef is a-la-carte party tray that offers crispy beef with bell peppers and onions in a sweet-tangy sauce. Beijing Beef can prove to be the best meal possible for you with its quality taste.

Black Pepper Chicken:

Black Pepper Chicken is a la-carte tray of marinated chicken. It is offered with celery and onions in a bold black pepper sauce.

Broccoli Beef:

It is also a la-carte tray, but Broccoli Beef is also a Classic Favorite in Panda Catering. What makes it a classic favorite is the tender beef and fresh broccoli in a ginger soy sauce.

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken:

This la-carte tray offers Grilled chicken hand-sliced, which is served with Teriyaki sauce.

Honey Walnut Shrimp:

Sizeable tempura-battered shrimp, which is wok-tossed in a honey sauce and topped with glazed walnuts, is an empty la-carte tray.

Kung Pao Chicken:

Kung Pao Chicken is a Sichuan-inspired dish. It has chicken, peanuts, and vegetables, serve with chili peppers.

Mushroom Chicken:

Mushroom Chicken offers a delicious combination of chicken breast, mushrooms, and zucchini wok-tossed. All it comes with a light ginger soy sauce.

Orange Chicken:

Panda Express is famous for its signature dish, which is Orange Chicken. It has delicious crispy chicken wok-tossed in a sweet and spicy orange sauce.

Shanghai Angus Steak:

It is an a-la-carte party tray. It comes with Angus steak wok-seared with fresh asparagus, onions, and mushrooms in a savory sauce.

String Bean Chicken Breast:

Chicken breast, string beans, and onions wok-tossed in a mild ginger soy sauce are what String Bean Chicken Breast offers.

Sweet Fire Chicken:

It offers crispy white meat chicken, red bell peppers, onions, and pineapples in a bright and sweet chili sauce.

Why Eat Here:

Panda Express is a fast food restaurant serving American Chinese food. Panda Express prices tend to be lower than the local mom and pop Chinese restaurants. They mainly operate in the United States and have over 1,500 restaurants nationwide.

Panda Express offers similar food as other Chinese restaurants except it is more streamlined due to being fast food. It offers many meals such as Mandarin chicken, Beijing beef, and Kung Pao chicken. The restaurant does not add MSG to any of its meals and it does not purchase food supply from suppliers that use MSG.

Their menu and prices (sections):

Editor's review

The menu has a lot of variety for its customers. The price is reasonable. There are create your own plate options that range from $6 to $8. This options comes with 2 entrée and any 1 side option. Another meals include the bowl which goes for about $6, which includes 1 entrée and any 1 side. There are also kid’s meal options for around $5 and even the family feast that comes with 2 large sides and 3 large entrées.

There are several recommended menu items available. Sides include the options of mixed vegetables and various ways to prepare rice. In addition, there are so many different entrées to enjoy. There is the Mushroom Chicken, Broccoli Beef, Orange Chicken, and Honey Sesame Chicken Breast. Further, there are a few limited time premium entrées. The Shanghai Angus Steak and the Honey Walnut Shrimp are both delicious options available.

Staff at Panda Express tend to be positive about their employment. They enjoy it as a part-time job. The service is usual for a fast food restaurant. The wait times will be the worst around the lunch rush, which is around 12:00PM to 1:00PM. The hygiene is usually average. Some restaurants have issues with their hygiene.

The ambiance of the restaurant is calm. The company Trusonic was hired to create Asian-Inspired music. There are several locations across the US. One location in the Ala Moana Center at Honolulua made the makes the company over $4 million annually. There are also locations in Canada, Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.

#2.         P.F. Chang's

To learn more about P.F. Chang’s or to find a location near you, visit their website at www.pfchangs.com.

Anyone who's ever had dinner at PF Chang's wouldn't be surprised that this Chinese restaurant chain is in the top two spots on the list. The food here is really delicious. It's almost impossible to leave this restaurant without a smile from ear to ear. Sure, some items on their menu are overpriced, but when you decide to go back to PF Chang's, your taste buds won't complain.

The best thing to do in this place is to try something new. PF Chang's has an extensive menu that includes memorable dishes such as Crispy Honey Chicken, Northern Ribs, Mongolian Beef, Pepper Steak, and Oolong Chilean Sea Bass. Even if you think you've found a new favorite, keep switching things up and you'll end up with a list of favorites.

The only reason PF Chang's isn't #1 in our rankings is that a lot of their food is unmistakably Americanized. If you are looking for traditional Chinese food then this restaurant is wrong.

Their history and chains：

There's a lot more history behind P.F. Chang's than you might imagine. The restaurant was first opened in 1993 by Philip Chiang and Paul Flemings, but Chiang was inspired by his mother's Beverly Hills Chinese restaurant from the '60s, which served celebrities like John Lennon and Yoko Ono. P.F. Chang's also became the first chain restaurant in the US to focus on wok cooking. 

P.F. Chang's offers a wide variety of menu items, from American-Chinese classics like wonton soup and kung pao chicken to Asian fusion options like Korean bibimbap to more American foods like cauliflower tempura and Asian mac and cheese.

P.F. Changs’s is an American casual dining restaurant chain known for their Asian-themed menus and restaurant interiors. Their menu features a wide selection of Chinese dishes like dim sum, chicken, pork, beef and seafood entrées, salads, rice meals and noodles. It is the largest full service, casual dining Chinese restaurant chain in the United States.

They currently have more than 200 locations across United States and more than 50 locations internationally.

Paul Fleming and Philip Chiang opened the first P.F. Chang’s at the Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1993. Using the Chiang’s family recipes and Fleming’s knowledge in restaurant management, they put up a restaurant with the goal to provide their patrons with authentic Chinese and Asian cuisine. Even from the very start, the swift success of their venture has been evident. Only two years after their opening, they opened another location in California. Since then more and more people came to know the brand prompting them to open 29 new locations by the end of 1999. Today, it is under the management of Centerbridge Partners and they are still a thriving business in the industry. With more than 20 years in the business, they are still committed in providing their customers with only the highest quality Chinese cuisine prepared by real chefs offered at a reasonable cost.

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc. owns and operates two restaurants with an Asian niche; P.F. Chang’s China Bistro and Pei Wei Asian Dinner.  P.F. Chang’s China Bistro was created to be the upscale casual dining concept, whereas Pei Wei Asian Diner was created to be the quick casual concept. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro was established on July 20, 1993. The first P.F. Chang China Bistro restaurant was opened in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1993. The company’s headquarters remains in Scottsdale. It is, however, currently owned and operated by Centerbridge Partners, LP.

The name P.F. Chang was derived from a combination of its founders’ names, Paul Fleming and Philip Chiang. The name Chiang was shortened to Chang, for the restaurant’s name. The bistro has its roots in another highly successful Chinese restaurant from the 1960s, The Mandarin. The Mandarin was owned by Philip Chiang’s mother, Cecilia Chiang. In the 1970s, Philip Chiang got involved in the business by helping his mother run her restaurant at the Beverly Hills location. Restaurateur Paul Fleming came into the scene in the 1990s and by 1993, Fleming and Chiang created P.F. Chang’s.

The co-founders decided to open the second location in Newport Beach, California in the year of 1994. Two other locations were opened in California during the following year. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in January 1996. Fleming and Chiang formed the company through the acquisition of the first four restaurants. The company launched its initial public offering in December 1998.  By January 2, 2012, the company owned and operated 204 restaurants in 39 states throughout the United States. However, on July 2, 2012, the company was acquired by Centerbridge Partners, LP and was no longer publicly traded.

The chain is still expanding, both nationally and internationally. The restaurant has locations throughout the U.S., including for example: Georgia, Florida, California, New York, Rhode Island, North Carolina, Texas, Washington, and Virginia. There are currently sixteen P.F. Chang locations outside the United States. A few examples of the international locations include: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. As the restaurant chain expands, the company aims to ensure that its customers are provided with proper service. Each location is usually staffed with an operating partner, three or four managers, a culinary partner, at least one sous chef and roughly 125 hourly employees.

What They’re Famous For：

P.F. Chang’s is known for their wide selection of Chinese and Asian cuisines that are made from scratch using only the freshest and finest ingredients. Here are some of their best selling dishes:

• Hong Kong Style Sea Bass – fresh wild-caught steamed Chilean sea bass, seasoned with fresh ginger, served on top of Asian mushroom medley, asparagus, grape tomatoes and ginger coriander broth.

• Chinese Red Wine & Pepper Braised Beef – wok-seared marinated tender beef flank with sliced potatoes, broccolini, Napa cabbage, grape tomatoes and Fresno peppers, smothered with red wine and pepper sauce.

• Chang’s Lobster and Shrimp Rice – this house specialty and signature fried rice wok-tossed with wild-caught lobster tail pieces, fresh shrimps, shitake mushrooms, scrambled eggs and edamame.

Why Eat Here:

P.F. Chang’s is a perfect place for people who love authentic Chinese and Asian dishes served in an Asian-themed, cozy and elegant restaurant. P.F. Chang’s prices are affordable and reasonably priced for the quality of food and service they have.

Their menu and prices (sections):

Editor's review

P.F. Chang’s provides a wide selection of delicious Southeast Asian cuisine. The restaurant serves both lunch and dinner, as well as small plates, sushi, and dim sum. Main entrees include the Sichuan chili garlic chicken, Chang’s spicy chicken, crispy honey chicken, Cantonese-style lemon chicken, Mongolian beef, sweet & sour pork, and pepper steak. Pricing for the chicken, pork and beef main entrees range from $13 to $20. There are also selections for seafood lovers such as the Asian grilled salmon, Kung Pao shrimp or scallops, Chang’s lobster rice, Hunan-style hot fish, and Hong Kong style sea bass. Pricing for the seafood selections range from $16 to $27.

The lunch menu is served Mondays through Fridays until 4:00 p.m.  The restaurant offers an option called “lighter lunch pairings”, which are priced between $9 and $12. The lunch pairings consist of small plates and sushi paired with a choice of a side item. Examples of such pairings are the Chang’s lettuce wrap pairing, the chicken satay pairing, and the California roll pairing. Another lunch menu option is the “lunch wok classics”. These classics are lunch portioned wok favorites served with steamed or fried rice, or quinoa. The lunch wok pairings are priced between $9 and $12.

The bistro also offers a selection of noodles and rice, such as the Singapore street noodles, garlic noodles, lo mein and pad thai. Healthier selections include the gluten free lunch option. There are also choices for vegetarians. The vegetarian entrees include Ma Po tofu, stir-fried eggplant, Buddha’s feast, and coconut curry vegetables. The restaurant also offers specials for its customers. “Mongo Mondays” provides a Mongolian beef entrée and two craft beers for $22 all day. There is also “Tacos on Tuesday”, which provides jicama street tacos and the choice of a margarita or sangria.

The hours of operation vary according to the location, but are generally from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour runs from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays. The restaurant also provides catering services. The bistro takes reservations and there is usually little or no wait time.  The service is quite good and generally quick. The hygiene could use some improvement. The lettuce wraps are definite favorites. The Korean barbecue ribs, kung pao chicken, beef and broccoli, and Chang’s spicy chicken are all highly recommended. Overall the tasty food and Asian-influenced ambiance provide the perfect combination for guests to get a little taste of Southeast Asian culture.

Do they offer takeout or pre-order?

P.F. Chang’s takes Chinese takeout to a new level. The fancy Asian-inspired restaurant is always packed with a waitlist, but how can you get those beloved lettuce wraps in quarantine? P.F. Chang’s is currently offering free delivery through DoorDash on your first order. You can also order delivery or pickup through the P.F. Chang’s website at participating locations.

#3.         Pei Wei Asian Kitchen

Originally, Pei Wei Asian Kitchen was launched as PF Chang's answer to the growing fast-casual dining trend. The first location opened in Arizona back in 2000. Today, Pei Wei Asian Kitchen has about 200 branches and is no longer affiliated with PF Chang's. The chain's food quality has been high since the beginning.

If you're craving freshness, it's hard to find a better Chinese restaurant than Pei Wei Asian Kitchen. Everything you try will be very fresh. Also, the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere at each location is always relaxed.

Why is Pei Wei Asian Kitchen not ranked high? One of their flaws is either really annoying or no big deal, depending on who you ask. That downside is that all their dishes are loaded with vegetables. If you like your veggies, you won't mind. In fact, this is one of the best restaurants for vegetarians. But if you're looking for hearty meat dishes, you won't be overwhelmed by all the veggies that come with you.

Their history and chains：

Pei Wei Asian Kitchen is an American restaurant chain with 119 sites in the United States providing Pan Asian cuisine. Pei Wei’s cuisine were made to order in an open kitchen employing techniques such as wok firing. Customers may customize their meals at the restaurant, which includes vegetarian and gluten-free selections.

P.F. Chang’s established the restaurant brand Pei Wei Asian Diner in 2000. With a Pan Asian cuisine and a rapid, made-to-order service style. Pei Wei launched its first site in Scottsdale in 2000.

Pei Wei stated its independence from parent firm P.F. Chang’s China Bistro at the end of 2017. This split resulted in a minor name change and the move of the company’s headquarters from Scottsdale to Irving, Texas.

Teriyaki Chicken, Pad Thai, Coconut Curries, and a Polynesian Poke bowl are among the typical menu of Asian American dining encompassing Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines. Freshness and vegetable-heavy cuisine are the excellent attributes of Pei Wei.

Pei Wei is an American fast casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Chinese and Asian cuisine. It is a downscale version of its parent company, P.F. Chang’s. They currently have more than 190 locations across United Stated, 3 locations in Mexico and one location each in Kuwait and Dubai.

Pei Wei was founded by the people behind P.F. Chang’s in the year 2000 in order to contend in the fast-growing segment of fast casual restaurant chains while its parent company P.F. Chang’s, remains in the upscale casual segment. Its first location was in Scottsdale, Arizona. Just like its parent company, Pei Wei was an instant hit among locals. To cater the growing demand of patrons, they opened new locations not long after they have established their first restaurant. By 2010, they already have more than 150 locations across the country, mostly in Arizona, California, Texas and Florida. Today, with only just 16 years in the industry, it has already become a nationally known brand and they are still committed in providing their patrons with exceptionally flavorful and delicious Chinese and Asian cuisine made with crafted ingredients purposely chosen for nutrition offered at an affordable price.

What They’re Famous For：

Pei Wei is known for their Asian-inspired menu that features dishes cooked on wok and Asian street food style delicacies. Here are some of their most note worthy items:

• Asian Chopped Chicken Salad – fresh mixed green lettuce and Napa cabbage tossed with sesame ginger vinaigrette, topped with tender chicken white meat shreds, carrots, Thai basil, tomatoes and wontons, and sprinkled with sesame seeds.

• Teriyaki Crunch Roll – their house specialty mango California roll topped with crunchy tempura flakes, smothered with sweet teriyaki sauce and wasabi aioli, and served with wasabi, ginger and light soy sauce on the side.

• Pei Wei Spicy Wok Classic – your choice of chicken or tofu and vegetables or steak or shrimp sautéed with sweet vinegar sauce, chili paste, scallions, garlic, snap peas and carrots, and served with your choice of steamed white or brown rice or fried rice.

Why Eat Here:

Pei Wei delicious and healthy food offerings served in generous servings offered at a low cost is one of the many reasons why people fall in love with this place. Pei Wei prices are really affordable and more than sensible for the quality of food and service you can get from them.

Their menu and prices (sections):

Editor's review

Teriyaki Chicken, Pad Thai, Coconut Curries, and a Polynesian Poke bowl are among the typical menu of Asian American dining encompassing Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisines. Freshness and vegetable-heavy cuisine are the excellent attributes of Pei Wei.

#4.         Pick Up Stix

To learn more about Pick Up Stix or to find a location near you, visit their website at www.pickupstix.com.

Pick Up Stix is an American-Chinese restaurant chain established in Laguna Hills, California. The restaurant provides dine-in and take-out options, as well as off-site catering and even some delivery services. It also provides meals as part of a school lunch program to private schools.

Charlie Zhang, a Chinese immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1982 with only $20 in his hand, founded Pick Up Stix. By minimizing the quantity of oil and adding wine, vinegar, and soy sauce, he was able to adapt traditional Asian cuisine to the American palate. In 1989, he launched the first of his restaurants in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. Irvine and Laguna Niguel were added to the Orange County location by 1992. The business flourished into San Diego County two years later, with stores in Del Mar, Carlsbad, and San Diego. Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, a division of the Carlson Companies, purchased the firm in July 2001. The business is based in Laguna Hills, California, and has its own food manufacturing facilities. Zhang served as the company’s president and CEO until his retirement in 2003. Lorne Goldberg’s Mandarin Holdings purchased Carlson Restaurants Worldwide in 2010. There are more than 70 sites around the country.

Their history and chains：

Asian cuisines, especially Chinese cuisine, are popular in the United States because of their delicious flavors, beautiful presentations, and reasonable prices. There’s also the fact that the United States has a strong Asian community with deep ties to their culinary traditions – and these are the reasons for the enduring popularity of Pick Up Stix, too!

Based in Laguna Hills, California, Pick Up Stix is a chain of fast casual restaurants that serves Chinese-American cuisine. The restaurants serve dine-in and take-out customers, as well as offers in-school and off-site catering services.

Pick Up Stix is a story of determination and dedication to a dream. In 1982, Charlie Zang came to the United States as a poor immigrant with just $20 to his name. He opened his first Pick Up Stix in 1989 in Rancho Santa Margarita, California with the dream of introducing a healthier version of Asian dishes suited for the American palate. He then reduced the amount of oil used in the dishes while also adding vinegar, soy sauce and wine to most of the food.

Within three years, Zhang opened two more restaurants in Orange County followed by locations in San Diego County two years after. In July 2001, however, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide acquired the chain although Zhang himself remained as its Chief Executive Officer and President until his retirement in 2003.

In 2010, Lorne Goldberg’s Mandarin Holdings purchased Pick Up Stix from Carlson Restaurants Worldwide. At present, there are more than 70 Pick Up Stix restaurants across the United States. The company owns and operates a food processing facility exclusively dedicated to its restaurant operations.

Pick Up Stix was first opened in 1989 by Charlie Zhang, a Chinese immigrant who wanted to showcase the flavors of China, but with an American twist.

Since it first opened its doors, Pick Up Stix now has over 70 stores in California. The restaurant still carries its open-style kitchen tradition to this day.

What They’re Famous For：

Pick Up Stix serves made-to-order, or woked-to-order, Chinese dishes in a fast casual environment. The dishes are cooked in traditional woks over high-heat burners, a traditional way of cooking food in China that preserves most of the flavors, textures, and appearance of the ingredients.

Think of Pick Up Stix as the fancier, healthier and more expensive cousin of its competitors that offer Chinese cuisine (e.g., Panda Express) and you will get the idea. And speaking of price, the Pick Up Stix prices may be more expensive but the quality of the food more than makes up for it.

Why Eat Here

If there’s a type of cuisine that’s known for giving 5 flavors in one go, it’s definitely Asian fusion. This type of cuisine is known for its signature “umami” taste.

People love Asian fusion because it combines exotic flavors with common ingredients. Folks especially love it when it comes from Pick Up Stix, because of their trademark Chinese-American cooking.

If you’re having late-night food cravings and there’s absolutely nothing in the fridge, it means it’s time to order some greasy feel-good Chinese food! From fried rice and tender noodles to crispy shrimp and sweet chili chicken, the possibilities are endless! Let’s also not forget about the obligatory fortune cookies…

So, where to order all these delicious meals from? I’d say, Pick Up Stix is the place for you! The Chinese restaurant is a leader in the quick-casual dining segment with over 70 locations in California. How did a Chinese restaurant become so famous and successful despite the enormous competition? Well, the mastermind behind Pick Up Stix developed recipes and sauces using the best traditional Asian ingredients and adapting everything to the American palate by reducing the oils and adding wine, vinegar, and soy sauce. Those trademark flavors became the reason why so many people go there. 

The menu is simply fantastic. Salads, chicken, beef, salmon, shrimp, and tofu entrees, rice, noodles, lunch combos… there’s just so many delicious things to choose from. If you want to see their full menu and prices, we have them all here. I highly recommend their Thai Coconut Curry Chicken – it’s divine!

If you’re tired of greasy Chinese take-out food or of the bland Chinese buffet offerings, then you will appreciate the dishes at Pick Up Stix! Here, the dishes are always made-to-order so there’s nothing stale about their taste and texture, not to mention that the ingredients used are as fresh and organic as can be. These are also less greasy than your usual Chinese food and yet more flavorful due to the use of wine, soy sauce, and vinegar to achieve balanced flavors.

The menu consists of a wide range of appetizers, salads, and entrées for fish and meat lovers. The appetizers are a mix of your favorite Chinese classics like the Asian lettuce wraps (fresh, crisp lettuce wrapped around vegetables and minced chicken), chicken egg rolls (crispy rolls with a filling of savory chicken, green onions, carrots, cabbage, green onions, and noodles), and vegetable spring rolls (freshly-cooked vegetables in a crispy wrap).

The salads combine influences from Chinese and American cuisines. The House Special Salad, for example, is a mix of organic vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and green onions with sesame seeds, peanuts, and crispy wonton strips. You can choose between the chicken and tofu for your protein source, which will then be drizzled with a spicy chili soy vinaigrette.

The other salads on the menu include the Chopped Asian Vinaigrette (grilled Alaska salmon or chicken breast with romaine and iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red peppers) and Signature Chinese (grilled Alaska salmon or chicken breast with honey ginger dressing). The chicken breast comes from hormone-free chicken while the Alaskan salmon was harvested from the wild.

There are also several types of entrées including chicken, beef, salmon, shrimp, and tofu entrées. Since these are served in generous portions, sharing is possible.

For a complete Asian-inspired meal, you may want to order the Rice & Noodle dishes. The Fried Rice comes with egg, bean sprouts, onions, carrots, onions and peas with your choice in chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu. The Chow Mein is a flavorful dish of tender noodles with cabbage, onions, carrots, celery and bean sprouts topped with a sweet black sauce.

Chinese dishes may be the stars at Pick Up Stix but there are also other Asian-inspired dishes. The Thai Basil Noodles are stir-fried rice noodles with egg, red bell peppers, fresh basil, and red bell peppers flavored with soy chili sauce. The Pad Thai is also a rice noodle dish with tangy sauce, bean sprouts, peanuts, egg, carrots, and green onions; both the Thai Basil Noodles and Pad Thai come with substitution of beef or shrimp.

For small and large groups, there are lunch combos and family-style meals.

The customer service at Pick Up Stix is friendly and efficient so getting your orders will take just a few minutes. You can pick up your chopsticks, so to speak, within 10 minutes upon ordering in most cases.

Their menu and prices (sections):

Editor's review

The place’s ambiance is impressive—it’s clean, and is perfect for family gatherings. You also get to watch your food being cooked, which is a unique experience for many people.

When it comes to taste, the food’s delicious. They use only the freshest ingredients, and they season each dish to perfection every time.

Their House Special Chicken is a must-try. Popular choices also include their Firecracker Chicken, and Beef and Broccoli.

Their staff is friendly and approachable. You definitely won’t have any trouble asking for help or extra condiments because they’re always available.

Panda Express vs Pei Wei

The comparison between Panda Express and Pei Wei can be considered fair and impartial, mainly because both chains serve Chinese-inspired cuisine to American audiences as well as international audiences in places like Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea. Both chains are also considered to be in the fast-casual segment.

But keep in mind that these are two different chains in terms of food quality, customer service, and overall ambience. Back in the day, we'd like to emphasize that the choice between the two almost always comes down to your personal preferences and dining needs, as well as your proximity to any chain's location.

Panda Express serves to its customers what is widely regarded as the best American-Chinese food in the fast casual space. In fact, the chain is the largest of its kind in the U.S.-Asia segment, with more than 2,000 restaurants in all 50 U.S. states, as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, and South Korea. The chain has restaurants in locations ranging from food courts, universities, casinos and military bases to independent restaurants.

American Chinese food comes in two forms, buffet style and fast food counter style. The wide variety of dishes includes non-vegetarian and vegetarian options, so every adult and child with specific dietary needs is likely to find something they like.

Dishes include the famous Orange Chicken, as well as Peking Beef, Firecracker Chicken Breast and Kung Pao Chicken, as well as fried noodles and mixed vegetables. Since it's a U.S.-Chinese cuisine-centric chain, the carbs are sourced from several versions of steamed and fried rice.

The star and best-selling item on the Panda Express menu is Orange Chicken, which is breaded and deep-fried boneless chicken nuggets dipped in the chain's signature orange juice. The balance of sweet and sour and meaty chicken makes it so popular, the chain sells nearly 68 million pounds a year.

Pei Wei Asian Diner serves pan-Asian cuisine, so customers have a wide variety of dishes and desserts to choose from. The dishes are inspired by dishes ranging from spicy Thai dishes to Chinese stir-fries, as well as a variety of Asian favorites such as lettuce wraps, sushi and salad bowls. There are also alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer.

Customers can also personalize their dishes, as well as choose vegetarian and gluten-free options. While the quality of the food cannot be considered gourmet and gourmet, customers and reviewers agree that it is still satisfactory by fast casual standards.

As mentioned earlier, Panda Express uses two types of catering services. In both cases, most customers felt that the staff worked hard to provide customers with satisfactory service, thanks to their quick service and approachable attitude. But during peak hours, service may be slightly impacted, but still tolerable - so you may want to consider keeping your activity satisfied.

Pei Wei adopts a fast-casual service model, combining the best features of cashier, counter service and table service with the efficiency of fast food. Basically, customers place their order and pay at the cashier, go to their table, and wait for their order to be delivered. Open kitchens are also a practice adapted from the non-fast food industry.

Speaking of the overall ambience, we have to say that Pei Wei takes the cake for its warm and welcoming vibe, relatively quiet sound level and bright interior.

At the end of the day, your choice in the Panda Express vs. Pei Wei battle will be heavily influenced by two factors: which one is your favorite, and which one is closest to your event venue. However, both of them offer great food and drinks, good service and a great atmosphere.

What’s the difference between Panda Express and Pei Wei?

Panda Express and Pei Wei are both fast casual restaurant chains that offer Chinese-American cuisine. The main difference between the two is that Panda Express is a bit more affordable, while Pei Wei focuses on offering higher quality ingredients and dishes.

Panda Express vs Chipotle

A comparison of Panda Express vs Chipotle initially seemed inappropriate because of their differences on the menu, and an orange vs apple comparison if I could. But when you look closely, these comparisons are more grounded than they seem, for two reasons: firstly, both are considered fast-casual restaurant chains, and secondly, both have their own take on non-American cuisine.

Let's take a look at the differences that make the Panda Express and Chipotle comparison similar to the oranges and apples comparison. On the one hand, Panda Express offers its customers American-style Chinese food, including orange chicken, Beijing beef, firecracker chicken breast, kung pao chicken, and teriyaki chicken. These may or may not be served in steamed rice, fried rice, mixed vegetables or chow mein depending on the customer's choice.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is known for its Mexican-inspired cuisine, especially its large Mission-style or San Francisco-style burritos and tacos. The name itself comes from chipotle, a chilli that has been smoked and dried before eating. The menu is fairly simple, but its simplicity is very effective with just four main items - burritos, tacos, bowls and salads.

But each of these items can also be customized to the client's preferences. Basic toppings include chicken, pork, steak and shredded meat lovers, as well as vegetarian toppings like guacamole. Additional ingredients are mostly free, including rice, beans, cheese, cheese, salsa, and lettuce.

Most restaurants also offer children's menus, as well as a variety of fruit drinks, soft drinks, margaritas and beers.

Unlike Panda Express, Chipotle is very focused on keeping the menu simple. According to its management, Chipotle just has to do a few things better than anyone else -- and it's working because the chain is one of the fastest-growing in the fast-casual space. Panda Express is committed to introducing new items to its menu, mostly from its Panda Innovation Kitchen.

Panda Express, on the other hand, has a self-serve approach to serving customers, although this is only an option. Customers can also enjoy dine-in and takeaway services.

By contrast, Chipotle tweaked assembly-line processes to let customers customize their tacos, burritos and bowls. Customers line up at the food counter, picking from fresh ingredients, which are then assembled in front of them by waiters.

Which of the two provides tastier food? Well, it depends on your personal preference, especially since they have a different menu of foreign food for American tastes.

Nonetheless, we can confidently say that both Panda Express and Chipotle's chicken dishes are great! We love Orange Chicken from Panda Express and Chipotle's Chicken Burrito Bowl with Cilantro Lime Rice.

The health-consciousness of the two fast-food chains was also surprising, an uncommon feature in the fast-food industry filled with foods high in fat, sodium and MSG. For example, Panda Express only offers MSG-free dishes, whether those dishes are prepared by the chain's employees or by its suppliers. It must be emphasized that MSG has been linked to a number of diseases, so the chain's decision to exclude it entirely is commendable.

Chipotle is also known for its unwavering commitment to providing healthy food that comes from organic farmers and uses only the freshest ingredients in its food. As proof, all Chipotle restaurants do not have refrigerators, microwaves, and food warmers, nor can openers, as all ingredients must be freshly cooked.

In terms of atmosphere, both chains are about the same, especially you can't expect fancy dining decor from fast food restaurants. However, the music in these chains is uncommon in the industry, as there are no billboard hits. Instead, the chains use custom music composed by third-party producers -- Chipotle's Chris Golub and Panda Express's Trusonic.

In the Panda Express vs Chipotle comparison, we have to say that Chipotle wins in terms of food quality, both the freshness of the ingredients and the taste of the dishes. But in terms of customer service, cleanliness and ambience, they are about the same.

Panda Express Vs P.F. Chang’s

Panda Express’s biggest competitor is P.F. Chang’s. Both restaurant chains offer quick, tasty, and relatively inexpensive Chinese-American cuisine. However, P.F. Chang’s has a slight edge over Panda Express in terms of the number of locations and the variety of menu items offered.

FAQ: Panda Express vs. PF Chang's vs. Pei Wei vs. Pick Up Stix

Panda Express FAQ

P.F. Chang’s FAQ

Pei Wei FAQ

Pick Up Stix FAQ

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