I've been coming here for maybe a decade. Think of it as a sort of stir-fry salad bar. You select vegetables, meats, noodles, and sauce, then hand the bowl to them and they fry it up on an extremely hot Mongolian Grill and then bring it out to your table. What's good about this place is it can fit any diet: vegan, vegetarian, low-carbohydrate, paleo, low-fat, gluten-free. Since you make your own, you can just exclude anything you don't want. It's a good place to take a group of people who have a bunch of dietary restrictions. If you're not familiar with how it works, just ask: the owners know their set up is a little unusual: Take a number sign from your table, carry it up with you to the bar, set up your dish, hand it to the cook, and they'll make a note of the sign (it indicates what table you're at.). Then just return to your table and wait. The staff is friendly and obviously appreciative of repeat business, and we've watched the owners' kids grow up over time and it just feels like home. My "local." I dunno; I'm just comfortable at this place and I *really* like the food. The fast fry on high heat leaves you with very crispy vegetables, and unlike a lot of American-Asian food, this isn't soaked in starchy, salty, MSG-heavy glop. It's real, whole food you configure yourself. I just don't know what there is to complain about. The place is clean; I've eaten there maybe 40 or 50 times, and always come out with a sense of well being - satisfied but never stuffed; never run-down or carb crashed: just invigorated. Probably my favorite restaurant in Tucson. The simplicity of the food is its biggest virtue.
(5)
Mike S.
Totally agree with the person who wrote that the review are fake. This place is easily one of the worst "Chinese" places in all of Tucson. Awful!!
(1)
Tori L.
I've been coming here with my family for at least 13 years now and I have never had a bad experience. The staff is friendly and helpful. They even remember the stories they heard last time we came by. The food is always fresh and it's delicious. The price can be a little steep but, I'll gladly pay for quality stir fry, not to mention the amazing crab puffs. I bring everyone who comes into town here whether it be family, friends or dates
(5)
Kylee S.
I worked here all though high school and college. The place has always been family owned and the stir fry is delicious and healthy. The stir fry buffet is a must-try and all you can eat! I haven't been back to eat since I live in phoenix now, but when I worked here I would eat a bowl of stir fry every night and never got sick of it- and really perfected my favorite bowl! I have since tried to fill the void in my diet where delicious/healthy stir fry once was, and the places here are decent, but don't compare really in flavor! Also, if you like spicy food, the chili oil is great and the hot mustard is not tame, you can ask your server to bring them out to your table. There are also other sauces in the back you can ask for, like Mongolian or teriyaki, and they will add it to your stir fry for you. You can also ask the cook to add sesame oil to your bowl, they have it back by the cook station, and is a nice way to change up the flavors. On the menu-they have a great pad-thai dish, and the vita-max stir fry is yummy too!
(5)
Rahul S.
This place sucks. Worst food in Tucson. Fake reviews. Nothing about this place is 'healthy'.
(1)
Michelle W.
I have been going here with my family for over 16 years and the did had always been good and fresh. They have been able to easily accommodate us up to 20 people and servers are always really friendly. You can choose to eat off the buffet and make your own stir fry or order typical fare off the menu. It isn't greasy or oily which i really enjoy .
(5)
Chris G.
I have been coming to this place for years now. This is the best it gets for the price and freshness of the food. You can create your own bowl and if you are not full, you can get up and get some more. I love making mine spicy and get a side of hot mustard for my stir fry. I am never disappointed when i come here, healthy and fresh buffet.
(5)
Andrew W.
We eat here whenever we need to eat a little healthier. It's delicious! I recommend having them add some spice to it, it makes it even better!
(5)
Jeannie F.
This place has been around for years. You always get treated like family here !! Love the food. Must try !!!
(5)
Cara M.
Love the buffet line for fresh healthy taste, low calories. The owners always recognize us as regulars and make us feel very welcome. Great price, and eating off the menu is always an option as well.
(5)
Sylvia M.
I love this place. It's always so fresh. I wish they had better variety of things to put in the stir fry but it's such a great price for all you can eat. The staff is always very very friendly (provided you take your table number tag to for stir fry counter....).
(5)
Paul V.
Came near closing time and was not disappointed good food good price extremely friendly!!!
(5)
William B.
Panda House Stir-Fry, let me count the ways that I love thee. I last ate here in the 1990s. Apparently the owners have not changed, and this place is sparkling clean. It looks brand new. It was a good sign when my friend, Mark, and I arrived; I felt right at ease, we settled into a seat, and dove for the all you can eat stir fry. And then it just got BETTER. The experience was legendary. The selection is fantastic. Healthy bok chop, broccoli, carrots, pork beef and chicken, sprouts, sauces, various noodles. You mix it all into a bowl exactly what you whatever quantity. You want nothing but egg noodles? Go for it. Just a big bowl of beef? Sure! Genghis Grill eat your heart out, they have nothing on Panda House. Hand your bowl to the chef and they'll wok it up for you in a few minutes, served to your table steaming hot and ready to go. In the mean time, we grab a plate and can eat some white/fried rice, noodles and egg flower or hot and sour soup. Mmmm! We both went through two bowls of the all you can eat. I swear I thought they would change the all you can eat rules after I was done (she was smart and made a smaller portion bowl, but my mouth was bigger than my stomach!) There was endless delicious cold ice tea to wash down all the sodium. It's about 10-11 bucks to eat so it's not cheap on the surface but if you consider how much food you get and exactly what you want, in a very clean nice environment, then Panda House should be on your radar. Skip Genghis and get the real thing, a Tucson based treasure. Panda House, I will be seeing you again.
(5)
Michelle C.
Dear citizens of North Tucson, have you ever been to this little happy place (situated east of Bookman's)? I used to come here as a youngster with the family - and it nearly had a line out the door on weekend nights. It wasn't too hopping the last time I went, and I was saddened. I love this place! Your choice of noodles (rice or egg) and a myriad of veggies - meats and stir fried and seasoned to your liking. $9 for all you can eat is a freaking deal, considering we used to hit up YC's Mongolian Grill in Tempe when I was still in school, and it was $11 for 1 bowl, and $2 for a flippin' doggy bag. This healthy cuisine is so good - I hope they are still doing well as a business... does anyone go here anymore? If not, they should!
(4)
Paulette M.
love this place! Never had a bad experience here, there always friendly & fast service. Not to mention the food is AWESOME , Fresh & healthy! I've been going here for years , not just me, my whole family! It's a great place, I live across town atlease a good 30 minute drive & it's worth the drive! You'll love it!
(5)
Jennifer F.
It is hard for me to give less that 4 stars, if you read my reviews you would know, but this one I have to give 2 to and it has nothing to do with its fab food. Positive: its a buffet (enough said ;] ), I love stir fry and this is the only place I know you can do something like this and eat as much as you want, Lots of ingredients so you can make different combos each time, they have rice and soup too, healthyish place which is a nice change from salad Negative: $9 seems extreme for a buffet that only really serves stir fry and if you can really eat more than 2 bowls (I usually only eat 1) I would be surprised, plus kids price is like $6... which ya is a okay but not for my 4 year old who eats like 6 noodles and is done and it doesn't come with a drink so you have to order that for $2 each, the workers are not friendly and seem mad that I even brought my 4 year old in there with me, their hours are odd and I have even gone when they are suppose to be open (the sign even says they are suppose to be) and they are not open, the process of how things work (number system, alphabet system, extra sauces in the back system, etc) are very, very, very unclear and the waitress (being oh so friendly) doesn't seem to care if you know how it works or not, oh and it is BEYOND quiet in there... I swear you can hear the sweat on your beverage drip down the glass... its nerve wrecking and I always feel like I am not allowed to talk UGH... soooo with that said... that is why it is a two. I do have to say that I do go there still because I do love me some stir fry, but I do not take my daughter any more.
(2)
Geovanny S.
Visiting Tucson and we took a chance on this place based on reviews. What a wonderful find. We really enjoyed the healthy, good tasting Mongolian style stir fry. Choose from a large selection of fresh raw vegetables, noodles and meats. Add sauces, then the cook stir fries your food and it is delivered to you at your table. All you can eat. Best Chinese food and without the brown sauces and MSG. The staff there was friendly, helpful and really seemed to appreciate its customers. Try this place, you will like it.
(4)
Preston B.
Healthy good food, great place for a lunch. You can create your own bowls and the food is really good. They have chicken, beef, pork, and and at least 20 types of veggies and noodles to choose from. Also about 5-10 different flavored sauces. It's all frozen and they cook it right there. I personally think its a little overpriced which is why I'm taking them down to four stars. However, even with the price I go in there a lot because it's healthy and again, its damn good.
(4)
austin c.
Panda house is awesome!! I've been coming here for 10 years and it never does me wrong. Best do it yourself stir fry I've ever had, and I consider myself an expert. If you live in Tucson and don't eat here every week, you're cheating yourself. Btw when you put the sauces in your bowl, go way heavier on the first scoop of dark sauce. They say to put in one, but I do somewhere in te neighborhood of 4-5. And like I said, I'm an expert.
(5)
Erica R.
this place is weird. little variety in choices.. & too expensive for simple crap!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Crenshaw T.
I've been coming here for maybe a decade. Think of it as a sort of stir-fry salad bar. You select vegetables, meats, noodles, and sauce, then hand the bowl to them and they fry it up on an extremely hot Mongolian Grill and then bring it out to your table. What's good about this place is it can fit any diet: vegan, vegetarian, low-carbohydrate, paleo, low-fat, gluten-free. Since you make your own, you can just exclude anything you don't want. It's a good place to take a group of people who have a bunch of dietary restrictions. If you're not familiar with how it works, just ask: the owners know their set up is a little unusual: Take a number sign from your table, carry it up with you to the bar, set up your dish, hand it to the cook, and they'll make a note of the sign (it indicates what table you're at.). Then just return to your table and wait. The staff is friendly and obviously appreciative of repeat business, and we've watched the owners' kids grow up over time and it just feels like home. My "local." I dunno; I'm just comfortable at this place and I *really* like the food. The fast fry on high heat leaves you with very crispy vegetables, and unlike a lot of American-Asian food, this isn't soaked in starchy, salty, MSG-heavy glop. It's real, whole food you configure yourself. I just don't know what there is to complain about. The place is clean; I've eaten there maybe 40 or 50 times, and always come out with a sense of well being - satisfied but never stuffed; never run-down or carb crashed: just invigorated. Probably my favorite restaurant in Tucson. The simplicity of the food is its biggest virtue.
(5)Mike S.
Totally agree with the person who wrote that the review are fake. This place is easily one of the worst "Chinese" places in all of Tucson. Awful!!
(1)Tori L.
I've been coming here with my family for at least 13 years now and I have never had a bad experience. The staff is friendly and helpful. They even remember the stories they heard last time we came by. The food is always fresh and it's delicious. The price can be a little steep but, I'll gladly pay for quality stir fry, not to mention the amazing crab puffs. I bring everyone who comes into town here whether it be family, friends or dates
(5)Kylee S.
I worked here all though high school and college. The place has always been family owned and the stir fry is delicious and healthy. The stir fry buffet is a must-try and all you can eat! I haven't been back to eat since I live in phoenix now, but when I worked here I would eat a bowl of stir fry every night and never got sick of it- and really perfected my favorite bowl! I have since tried to fill the void in my diet where delicious/healthy stir fry once was, and the places here are decent, but don't compare really in flavor! Also, if you like spicy food, the chili oil is great and the hot mustard is not tame, you can ask your server to bring them out to your table. There are also other sauces in the back you can ask for, like Mongolian or teriyaki, and they will add it to your stir fry for you. You can also ask the cook to add sesame oil to your bowl, they have it back by the cook station, and is a nice way to change up the flavors. On the menu-they have a great pad-thai dish, and the vita-max stir fry is yummy too!
(5)Rahul S.
This place sucks. Worst food in Tucson. Fake reviews. Nothing about this place is 'healthy'.
(1)Michelle W.
I have been going here with my family for over 16 years and the did had always been good and fresh. They have been able to easily accommodate us up to 20 people and servers are always really friendly. You can choose to eat off the buffet and make your own stir fry or order typical fare off the menu. It isn't greasy or oily which i really enjoy .
(5)Chris G.
I have been coming to this place for years now. This is the best it gets for the price and freshness of the food. You can create your own bowl and if you are not full, you can get up and get some more. I love making mine spicy and get a side of hot mustard for my stir fry. I am never disappointed when i come here, healthy and fresh buffet.
(5)Andrew W.
We eat here whenever we need to eat a little healthier. It's delicious! I recommend having them add some spice to it, it makes it even better!
(5)Jeannie F.
This place has been around for years. You always get treated like family here !! Love the food. Must try !!!
(5)Cara M.
Love the buffet line for fresh healthy taste, low calories. The owners always recognize us as regulars and make us feel very welcome. Great price, and eating off the menu is always an option as well.
(5)Sylvia M.
I love this place. It's always so fresh. I wish they had better variety of things to put in the stir fry but it's such a great price for all you can eat. The staff is always very very friendly (provided you take your table number tag to for stir fry counter....).
(5)Paul V.
Came near closing time and was not disappointed good food good price extremely friendly!!!
(5)William B.
Panda House Stir-Fry, let me count the ways that I love thee. I last ate here in the 1990s. Apparently the owners have not changed, and this place is sparkling clean. It looks brand new. It was a good sign when my friend, Mark, and I arrived; I felt right at ease, we settled into a seat, and dove for the all you can eat stir fry. And then it just got BETTER. The experience was legendary. The selection is fantastic. Healthy bok chop, broccoli, carrots, pork beef and chicken, sprouts, sauces, various noodles. You mix it all into a bowl exactly what you whatever quantity. You want nothing but egg noodles? Go for it. Just a big bowl of beef? Sure! Genghis Grill eat your heart out, they have nothing on Panda House. Hand your bowl to the chef and they'll wok it up for you in a few minutes, served to your table steaming hot and ready to go. In the mean time, we grab a plate and can eat some white/fried rice, noodles and egg flower or hot and sour soup. Mmmm! We both went through two bowls of the all you can eat. I swear I thought they would change the all you can eat rules after I was done (she was smart and made a smaller portion bowl, but my mouth was bigger than my stomach!) There was endless delicious cold ice tea to wash down all the sodium. It's about 10-11 bucks to eat so it's not cheap on the surface but if you consider how much food you get and exactly what you want, in a very clean nice environment, then Panda House should be on your radar. Skip Genghis and get the real thing, a Tucson based treasure. Panda House, I will be seeing you again.
(5)Michelle C.
Dear citizens of North Tucson, have you ever been to this little happy place (situated east of Bookman's)? I used to come here as a youngster with the family - and it nearly had a line out the door on weekend nights. It wasn't too hopping the last time I went, and I was saddened. I love this place! Your choice of noodles (rice or egg) and a myriad of veggies - meats and stir fried and seasoned to your liking. $9 for all you can eat is a freaking deal, considering we used to hit up YC's Mongolian Grill in Tempe when I was still in school, and it was $11 for 1 bowl, and $2 for a flippin' doggy bag. This healthy cuisine is so good - I hope they are still doing well as a business... does anyone go here anymore? If not, they should!
(4)Paulette M.
love this place! Never had a bad experience here, there always friendly & fast service. Not to mention the food is AWESOME , Fresh & healthy! I've been going here for years , not just me, my whole family! It's a great place, I live across town atlease a good 30 minute drive & it's worth the drive! You'll love it!
(5)Jennifer F.
It is hard for me to give less that 4 stars, if you read my reviews you would know, but this one I have to give 2 to and it has nothing to do with its fab food. Positive: its a buffet (enough said ;] ), I love stir fry and this is the only place I know you can do something like this and eat as much as you want, Lots of ingredients so you can make different combos each time, they have rice and soup too, healthyish place which is a nice change from salad Negative: $9 seems extreme for a buffet that only really serves stir fry and if you can really eat more than 2 bowls (I usually only eat 1) I would be surprised, plus kids price is like $6... which ya is a okay but not for my 4 year old who eats like 6 noodles and is done and it doesn't come with a drink so you have to order that for $2 each, the workers are not friendly and seem mad that I even brought my 4 year old in there with me, their hours are odd and I have even gone when they are suppose to be open (the sign even says they are suppose to be) and they are not open, the process of how things work (number system, alphabet system, extra sauces in the back system, etc) are very, very, very unclear and the waitress (being oh so friendly) doesn't seem to care if you know how it works or not, oh and it is BEYOND quiet in there... I swear you can hear the sweat on your beverage drip down the glass... its nerve wrecking and I always feel like I am not allowed to talk UGH... soooo with that said... that is why it is a two. I do have to say that I do go there still because I do love me some stir fry, but I do not take my daughter any more.
(2)Geovanny S.
Visiting Tucson and we took a chance on this place based on reviews. What a wonderful find. We really enjoyed the healthy, good tasting Mongolian style stir fry. Choose from a large selection of fresh raw vegetables, noodles and meats. Add sauces, then the cook stir fries your food and it is delivered to you at your table. All you can eat. Best Chinese food and without the brown sauces and MSG. The staff there was friendly, helpful and really seemed to appreciate its customers. Try this place, you will like it.
(4)Preston B.
Healthy good food, great place for a lunch. You can create your own bowls and the food is really good. They have chicken, beef, pork, and and at least 20 types of veggies and noodles to choose from. Also about 5-10 different flavored sauces. It's all frozen and they cook it right there. I personally think its a little overpriced which is why I'm taking them down to four stars. However, even with the price I go in there a lot because it's healthy and again, its damn good.
(4)austin c.
Panda house is awesome!! I've been coming here for 10 years and it never does me wrong. Best do it yourself stir fry I've ever had, and I consider myself an expert. If you live in Tucson and don't eat here every week, you're cheating yourself. Btw when you put the sauces in your bowl, go way heavier on the first scoop of dark sauce. They say to put in one, but I do somewhere in te neighborhood of 4-5. And like I said, I'm an expert.
(5)Erica R.
this place is weird. little variety in choices.. & too expensive for simple crap!
(1)