I eat at Panda Specific greater than I ought to, principally as a result of it’s quick, scorching, and the orange rooster tastes precisely the identical irrespective of which location you go to. However I bought sick of spending $12 and nonetheless being hungry, or worse, realizing what I simply paid for 2 tiny scoops of chow. So during the last 12 months or so, I’ve began messing with how I order. Asking for stuff, watching what they do behind the counter, making an attempt issues out. And now? I by no means go away with lower than two full meals price of meals for a similar value.
1. Get the Greater Plate. All the time.
For those who’re ordering a bowl, you’re doing it fallacious. I say that with love.
Right here’s why: the bowl offers you one aspect and one entrée. That’s it. And the value distinction between that and the Greater Plate (which comes with three entrées and 1 aspect) is like solely 3 bucks.
However they don’t offer you much less meals with the Greater Plate. The scoops are the identical dimension. So it’s not “three smaller parts”, it’s actually THREE occasions extra meals.
PRO TIP: FAMILY FEAST VS. 2 BIGGER PLATES
Feeding at the very least 5 individuals? You’re most likely questioning in the event you ought to get the Household Meal is $35 or 3 Greater Plates for $34.50? (earlier than tax)
So let’s break it down lets:
3 Greater Plates = 72 oz entrée (8 oz x 3 scoops x 3 plates) + 48 oz sides
Household Meal = 78 oz entrée (3 huge scoops) + 52 oz sides
Each meal choices are basically the identical value, however the Household Meal offers you extra chow general and it’s positively simpler to divide. Plus, you gained’t be hit any further upcharges for premium entrees.
Verdict: If everybody’s cool consuming the identical stuff, the Household Meal WINS all day lengthy. The one time I’d order 3 Greater Plates is that if I’m feeding a choosy crowd who needs a bunch of various entrées.
2. Ask for Half and Half—For Every thing
You most likely know you are able to do half-and-half along with your entrées. However you may as well do it along with your si-des, and most of the people don’t notice that.
So as an alternative of simply chow mein, ask for HALF chow mein, HALF fried rice. Or do Tremendous Greens if you wish to fake you’re balancing issues out (I do this typically simply to really feel somewhat extra wholesome). They don’t care. They’ll do it. They all the time do.
It’s not a trick, it’s simply one thing it’s a must to ask for as a result of they gained’t supply it.
See Additionally: Chipotle Menu Hacks That’ll Rating You a HUGE Burrito
3. Some Entrées Are Manner Higher Than Others…Strictly for Quantity
I used to only get what sounded good. Now I get what fills the field.
There are “thick” entrées and “skinny” ones. Thick = good.
Orange Hen, Beijing Beef, and SweetFire Hen are all chunky, heavy, “fill-the-scoop” kind entrées.
Then there’s the skinny stuff: String Bean Hen, Mushroom Hen, Black Pepper Hen,,,all sliced up so skinny it appears like leftovers from another person’s plate.
For those who’re making an attempt to make your cash go farther, skip the skinny stuff until you’re obsessive about the way it tastes.
You’ll get extra meals with the chunky ones. I’ve actually watched them attempt to scoop a few of the skinny ones and find yourself simply pushing greens round for 10 seconds.
PRO TIP: USE SUPER GREENS AS A HIDDEN “PLATE SPACER”
Ask for “Half Tremendous Greens” as your aspect…however right here’s the trick: the cumbersome cabbage and broccoli take up extra space within the backside of the field.
Which means your scoops of entrée sit larger within the tray and sometimes spill over the perimeters, particularly in the event you’re getting one thing chunky like Beijing Beef.
It’s like constructing a meals platform so your different stuff piles on taller. Extra meals. Identical value. Panda Jenga.
See Additionally: Menu Hacks at Starbucks That’ll Get Your Extra Espresso
4. Don’t Ever Order a Aspect of Honey Walnut Shrimp
They cost further for Honey Walnut Shrimp. That’s wonderful.
What’s not wonderful is while you use that as certainly one of your entrées and so they offer you precisely 5 shrimp. I’ve counted. A number of occasions. 5. It doesn’t matter in the event you smile or act informal…they nonetheless offer you 5.
So in the event you’re gonna get it, get it as a pattern (extra on that in a second). However utilizing it as certainly one of your fundamental entrees is a joke until you identical to disappointment.
5. You Can Nonetheless Get Free Samples (Simply Ask)
They’ve bought these little plastic spoons behind the counter for a purpose.
You may ask to strive one thing earlier than committing, and so they’ll offer you an honest spoonful.
I’ve executed it loads of occasions, particularly once I’m fascinated about getting one of many premium gadgets however don’t wish to waste cash.
Generally I’ll even say, “Can I strive that earlier than I determine?” simply so I can sneak in an additional chunk of one thing. It’s wonderful. They’re used to it.
PRO TIP: THE “EXTRA SAUCE” HACK
Right here’s the way you flip dry teriyaki or sticky orange rooster into one thing restaurant-quality once more. Wait till after they scoop, then say:
“May I get somewhat further sauce on high?”
Most areas have a pan of sauce or a ladle close by. They’ll pour contemporary sauce over your already-scooped entrée, which makes leftovers reheat higher and style manner brisker.
No cost, and so they’ll by no means say “No” in the event you ask politely. Bonus: The sauce provides weight. It actually will increase the meals mass.
6. Get the Free Water Cup, All the time
You don’t have to pay for a drink. You don’t. Ask for a water cup.
You’ll get the identical dimension cup each time, perhaps barely smaller than the soda one, however nonetheless a lot huge. It’s not filtered glacier water, however it’s free, and that’s what issues.
Additionally, in the event you’re consuming in, seize just a few fortune cookies in your manner out. Nobody counts them. Toss a pair extras in your bag. I do it each time and have by no means as soon as been referred to as out.
7. The Receipt Is Value One thing (However Solely If You Maintain It)
Each time you purchase one thing, test the underside of your receipt. There’s normally a hyperlink to take a survey. It takes like one minute, and on the finish, you get a code for a free entrée along with your subsequent buy.
So what I do is purchase one thing low-cost, like a aspect of rice or a drink, then convey the code in subsequent time and increase…free entrée.
It’s not a flashy hack, however it works. The trick is NOT throwing your receipt away like most individuals do.
PRO TIP: TIME YOUR VISIT RIGHT AFTER A RUSH
Panda refills the trays based mostly on site visitors. For those who go proper after peak hours (like 1:45 p.m. after the lunch rush or 7:45 p.m. after dinner), they’re normally restocking every little thing contemporary…however right here’s the transfer.
Ask for the stuff they simply introduced out.
Actually say:
“May I get the orange rooster from that contemporary tray you simply introduced out?”
9 occasions out of ten, they’ll do it. It hasn’t been below the warmth lamp for two hours, and the portion is normally heavier as a result of they’re not making an attempt to stretch the underside of the pan. You’re getting hotter meals and sometimes extra of it.
See Additionally: Like McDonald’s? You Gotta Strive These Menu Hacks
8. Break up It Up at Residence
This isn’t even a “hack,” however it’s what I really do.
I get a Greater Plate with three completely different entrées and a half/half aspect, and once I get house, I break up it into two full meals.
I’ll toss in some leftover rice or frozen veggies if I have to stretch it.
Generally I even steam some broccoli and throw it in there to make myself really feel like I cooked. However principally I simply get 2 stable lunches out of it, and it looks like I cheated the system.
PRO TIP: BECOME A RECEIPT STACKER
Right here’s a wild one: Use your survey receipt to get a free entrée.
Whenever you make that redemption buy (even only a $2 aspect of rice), you’ll get a brand new receipt with a survey hyperlink. You may repeat this indefinitely. It’s a free meals loop.
Individuals don’t notice Panda’s system offers you one other survey each time…even in the event you’re redeeming a earlier one. For those who’re organized (and prepared to take 60 seconds each time), you’ll be able to legit maintain the chain going ceaselessly.
9. Construct Your Personal Order (Don’t Use the Default Combos On-line)
For those who’re ordering on-line, keep away from the prompt combos. They normally look good however find yourself costing extra.
As an alternative, go into the “construct your personal plate” part, choose what you really need, then see if there’s a deal code you’ll be able to drop in on the finish (typically they provide a free drink or dessert).
The Panda app isn’t superb, however infrequently you get an honest supply. And actually, even in the event you don’t, constructing the order manually normally saves a pair bucks.
Ask the Reader: What menu hack did I miss for Panda Specific? Let me know the way you get probably the most chow (mein) on your cash.
By Kyle James
I began Moderately-Be-Purchasing.com in 2000 and have develop into a shopper knowledgeable and advocate writing about out-of-the-box methods to avoid wasting at shops like Amazon, Walmart, Goal and Costco to call just a few. I’ve been featured on FOX Information, Good Morning America, and the NY Instances speaking about my financial savings suggestions. (Study extra)