Panda's Gone

I did see another very good workaround in there. Bring your own reusable water bottle, problem solved. And nobody is going to check what's in there so pack whatever you want.

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@sestrahelena wrote:

With fancy water bottles being so trendy these days, I don't think it odd that someone might drink... there at the table

That could be a violation of local health and safety laws.

Most places typically don't allow outside food or drink, but that seems to have loosened in a modern USA where people think it's appropriate to wear pajamas in public.

Have synthesizers, will travel...

FWIW, I just grabbed a 3rd one with the bigger pay and the immediate submission deal. Now it's the same pay regardless of scenario, instead of the extra 50¢ for visiting the bathroom on a dine-in.

As long as I can find a shady spot to park the car I'm good with submitting on the spot.

And I'm really enjoying the current featured shrimp entree. Well worth going over reimbursement by a bit, and it travels well.

Have synthesizers, will travel...

@johnb974 wrote:

I still don't understand why they won't let you order a drink. It was much better when you could order a drink with your meal. Now I have to wait until they total the meal and give me a receipt and then I order a drink

I just carry a small bottle of iced spring water in my back pocket with my shirt hanging out. I would not drink any of Panda's sugar drinks anyway.

@metro25782 wrote:

I don't know for certain but every Panda Express I've ever been in has self-serve drinks. It remains unclear how their handing your a cup would drastically change the timing but I guess in a to-go scenario...it may?????

Exactly why I questioned their statement. I don't see how it could change service times at all.

I find it strange they ask us to confirm appetizers are available, plus ask us if we are offered an appetizer and/or drink, but then don't want us to order any of them. Then again, they probably just want to focus on timing just for core product. For dine-in orders, I'll occasionally ask for a water cup *after* I have paid. Easy enough.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/29/2025 08:30AM by jp43209.

I must be missing something. Where does it say we can't ask for a water cup?

An employee is supposed to solicit a beverage order, so, when they do I decline and say I will have water instead.

If they don't offer, I request water.

For a dine-in scenario, not asking for a liquid of some sort would be more of a giveaway FWIS.

Have synthesizers, will travel...

The Pandas in the northeast have drinks prepared by the crew, with no self serve. So I can see how they want some consistency. Just BYO bottle of water, or order one of their drinks after you get the receipt for the food in hand.

There used to be a list in the guidelines of entrees that were allowed but not any longer. Does anyone know if any entree is now allowed? Or are there prohibited items? I want to try the eggplant tofu, which I have seen sporadically in my area.

Doing assignments since the days when reports were handwritten and faxed to the MSC.

@Sagacious wrote:

There used to be a list in the guidelines of entrees that were allowed but not any longer. Does anyone know if any entree is now allowed? Or are there prohibited items? I want to try the eggplant tofu, which I have seen sporadically in my area.

It appears they allow any entree. I tried the eggplant tofu recently, and my shop was approved. I had also tried the Beyond Orange Chicken on another shop, and that was approved as well.

I still see some Panda shops in more remote areas not near any metro area like me. I'm planning a road trip through some remote areas and see some possibilities here and there so that's pretty good.

As for not ordering a soda, when I've come to a pickup line during busy nights, I see lots of people ordering entrees without drinks. Some still do, but most don't so its like any Chinese take out I'd say.

@CoolMusic wrote:

About half the population of Utah does not consume caffeine, and as most of them have a gaggle of offspring in tow, buying any sodas at all can get expensive, not to mention the negative health aspects.

Getting water for free is very common at fast food joints around here.

When I go to a fast food that has a combo meal I get sweet tea.. If it is a sit down restaurant, I will get water unless it's a special that has a drink and I will get sweet tea

I don't mind getting water when I do Panda

@BayShopper22 wrote:

@metro25782 wrote:

But the entire cup of water thing or no beverage is a big ol’ neon sign saying “mystery shopper”.

I know very few healthy people who order soda at all. I have never ordered a soda at Panda, even when I could.

Only way I will get a drink at PE, if it comes in a combo meal .. But other than kids meals, I don't think PE has combo meals..

@BayShopper22 I've seen professional cyclists drinking soda and they seem rather healthy to me.

Not getting a drink and taking a picture of the food kind of screams mystery shopper here. I've seen signs at other fast food places that read no outside food or drink. Why would they want you to bring in your own beverage when they sell bottled water or other drinks that add to the bottom line?

They are there to make money. To paraphrase a favorite poster - it is a business people. Someone mentioned health code quirks which do exist and apparently there is some FDA rule that restaurants have to provide tap water for free. Not clear on the quantity though. Given that option, I'll roll the dice and stick with soda.

@johnb974 wrote:

I have no problem ordering a soda at my cost. I just wait until after ordering the food to order a soda. I'm 71. Drinking a soda doesn't matter to me. I whatever I feel like.

That's fine for you, I just dont like soda, personally. I'm 63 and I drink whatever I feel like too, and that's water. I don't like the way soda tastes and the filmy feeling I get in my mouth. I like tea though, but I prefer hot green tea and that's obviously not happening...so I'll stick to water.

IMO, if you're an athlete or have an active lifestyle, I think you can still forego the copious and excess amount of sugar in regular soda. Over the years, I drink with the purpose of hydrating and cleansing. Looking for electrolytes. Maybe sparkling water if you absolutely crave the carbonation.

If you really want to overanalyze though, one can even make the case against bottled water due to the plastic.

Please don't feed the MSF trolls!

Feeding the MSF trolls bread or other human food is detrimental to their health and the environment. It can lead to malnutrition, disease, and behavioral problems in trolls, as well as water pollution and the spread of pests. Trolls are capable of finding their own food sources and don't require human assistance.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2025 09:54AM by paniconmon.

I saw it in the board recently. But such one is not for me: to far.

Shopping Eastern Pennsylvania since 2009

@paniconmon wrote:

IMO, if you're an athlete or have an active lifestyle, I think you can still forego the copious and excess amount of sugar in regular soda. Over the years, I drink with the purpose of hydrating and cleansing. Looking for electrolytes. Maybe sparkling water if you absolutely crave the carbonation.

If you really want to overanalyze though, one can even make the case against bottled water due to the plastic.

I uncle used to work in factory and work 16 hours straight with lots and lots of physical work non stop when he was young. He treated himself with a bottle of coke and no other sweet. Just a bottle of coke per day with regular meal, one would think he would be fine since he worked out so much. He is still diagnose with diabetes when he was older.

@kisekinecro Are you trying to say your uncle got diabetes from consuming a bottle of coke a day when he was younger? I am trying to follow your writing. Was he diagnosed as a diabetic when he was younger? Which type?

You can get diabetes even if you don't eat sugar, sweets, or candy.

@kisekinecro wrote:

@paniconmon wrote:

IMO, if you're an athlete or have an active lifestyle, I think you can still forego the copious and excess amount of sugar in regular soda. Over the years, I drink with the purpose of hydrating and cleansing. Looking for electrolytes. Maybe sparkling water if you absolutely crave the carbonation.

If you really want to overanalyze though, one can even make the case against bottled water due to the plastic.

I uncle used to work in factory and work 16 hours straight with lots and lots of physical work non stop when he was young. He treated himself with a bottle of coke and no other sweet. Just a bottle of coke per day with regular meal, one would think he would be fine since he worked out so much. He is still diagnose with diabetes when he was older.

IMO, it's best to limit the frequency of glucose spikes, if you can. A bottle of regular coke may have no impact on some.

Using a sports analogy, I see it like a NFL running back avoiding the number of car crashes his body ensures throughout his playing career. It may have no impact on some down the road.

I'm just a concerned bystander. Soda is the quickest way to ingest a large amount of sugar in its purest form.

In answer to the OP's original subject, no, Panda is still just as prevalent on the job board as it ever was.

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