A year has already whizzed by since the grand opening of Panda Express down Princess Anne!
Panda Express is known for its quality Chinese cuisine, and it’s particularly credited for its highly praised Original Orange Chicken, the most popular menu item in the entire restaurant.
I have personally gone there a multitude of times to eat this very food item, and although it’s quite great, it’s likely not the best choice you have to enjoy some orange chicken.
When I first went to this Panda Express restaurant specifically to get the Original Orange Chicken, I wasn’t really expecting much. That was until they bestowed me with a mountain of orange chicken, much more than what many fast food restaurants would have to offer for that same price.
That’s how I became obsessed with the orange chicken: they gave me a good first impression for the sole purpose of keeping me hooked so that I’d come back
However, going there constantly consumed my wallet over time, which was when I sought to find better options. Panda Express can set you back quite a bit if you go regularly, especially if you don’t have the biggest budget. That’s when I found an alternative to ordering takeout.
According to the official Panda Express Website, one entre of Original Orange Chicken weighs 5.92 oz. If the customer decides to buy the Bigger Plate — the dish with the most bang for you buck — they would be served three entres totaling a weight of 17.76 oz. coupled with some breading, costing a grand total of $12.10 with a 6% Prepared Meal Tax.
On the other hand, buying 22 oz. of Mandarin Orange Chicken in Trader Joe’s will only cost $5.49 for the entire bag with a standard 1% grocery tax.
To summarize, the Panda Express chicken costs $0.72 per oz. (plus breading), while the store-bought Trader Joe’s orange chicken only costs $0.25 per oz.
How does the quality between the two compare? Well, as Sporked.com put it, both the Panda Express orange chicken and the Trader Joe’s orange chicken are “sensationally good, but very different.” They mentioned how the TJ’s chicken is comparable to that of Panda Express, but the quality of TJ’s chicken is ultimately better, so long you prepare it right.
So which option is ultimately better? If you are out to quickly get some orange chicken with a side accompanying it, getting the Original Orange Chicken might be a good fit for you; however, buying Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken is both much more cost effective and potentially higher quality. That’s why buying and preparing your own Orange Chicken will be more worthwhile than also paying for somebody’s service.
Generally speaking, both options are good, but whichever one better conveniences you will be up for you to decide.
