Better than Big Bowl, not quite as good as P.F. Changs. There's a lot to like about this little restaurant. I wish there were more around the twin cities, but they just never caught on I guess... The service is very quick, the food actually tastes fresh, and the price is super reasonable! The only complaint I really have, is that they need to wipe their tables off with a clean rag every once in a while... I don't like getting my arm/elbow stuck to the table while I am trying to eat my Sweet&Sour Chicken.
(4)
Sunny T.
Whenever I don't have time to make dinner, my family always calls in for takeout and they give you quality food for being a "fast food" joint. Their portions are generous for the price and I love the option of brown rice! Also you can substitute different meats, even tofu. Just great, only complaint is that there's been a couple incidents where I brought my food home and realized the chef used way to much corn starch and the sauce was incredibly thick. Otherwise this is the go-to place for americanized chinese quick take out food :)
(4)
Garrett L.
Ate lunch yesterday. Was fine. Fried rice was super onion-ey. Just an overload of onions, my co-worker who was with me was picking them out and had a pretty impressive pile going by the end of his meal. Food seemed worse than last time I had it, like it was really close to Leanne Chin, and I didn't think it was that impressive. Floating between 2 and 3 stars, but since I got home like 4 hours after lunch and my wife could smell the onions on me from across the room, it drops to a 2.
(2)
Johnny S.
2.5 stars. Very average as far as the food goes. Not horrible but nothing special. Could use more dining room attendants and not just the counter staff when the counter is not busy. I had a hard time finding a clean table, and the restaurant was nearly empty.
(3)
Phillip Y.
I would have to rate this above average compared to most Chinese restaurants. Yes, it's Asian fusion but the food is hot and fresh. All vegetables have nice flavor and you can tell it's not just sitting around. Wonderful beverages like different teas with lemon and orange slices. I got to try them all and it was great. Alot of rice for just an average size dish so I just ate part of it. Overall, I would come here again. It's confusing when you come in since it looks like a sit down but really it's more like a quick trip in and out. I guess its the fast version of PF Changs.
(4)
Kat W.
It's like the Noodles of Asian food. It has a nice interior, fast food service and doesn't feel really contrived. I've had the Pad Thai, Orange Peel and Thai Coconut Curry. All are tasty, but none of them turn heads. It's an easy place to hit during lunch hour (provided you are an adept of navigating the traffic in that area) and would be a good place to bring friends who aren't really in to eating ethnic food.
(3)
Nate G.
I prefer this place over the more 'formal' PF Chang's. Same food and as far as I can determine, same portion size...well, you get your dish and the scoop of rice on the same plate, instead of a separate bowl. I know, I know...horrors...The rice and main dish mingling before they get to you like that. The service is always rocket-fast, and I've never had to wait to get in here. You can get in and out in 20 mins if you want. I'm not so fond of their egg rolls...the insides are a bit homogeneous and bland and the mustard sauce has no bite whatsoever, and I'm not a spice fanatic by any means. Might have to try their spring rolls one of these days. Other than that, everything I've ever gotten here has been hot, fresh and tasty.
(4)
Jillian N.
I really enjoyed this place! Their crab wontons are delicious! I wish their portions sizes were a little bigger though. The staff is polite and helpful!
(4)
Adam B.
Pei Wei if great. Don't buy into the negative reviews. If you like PF Changs then you need to come here. It's all owned by the same people. They even have the same amazing lettuce wraps they serve at Changs. Portions are huge too. It's worth every penny. Sooooo Good!!!
(5)
Jocelyn G.
I'd turn back if I were you. Food is C- overly salty, sweet and oily. How hard is it to make fresh, healthy Asian food? This is the McDonald's of Asian food.
(1)
Adam S.
I'm not sure how someone can say it's not good as PF Changs, it is PF changs, only cheaper. I'm giving it 4 star's based on what it is, fast food chinese that isn't super authentic, but fresh. I love their lettuce wraps. I'm pretty much go here for the lettuce wraps. Definitley a step up from Chin's. You wont be wow'd, but I enjoy it. Their Pei Wei Spicey actually has a bit of kick, it wont burn your mouth off or anything, but certainitly not as bland as some food that is labeled "spicey" If you're in the mood for a quick lunch or dinner, it's a fine place to stop. Dont go in expecting authentic dishes, it's commercialized, but you can expect fresh food served quickly.
(4)
Kimberly T.
The prices are beyond reasonable at Pei Wei. I've been a few times but went last week and grabbed a menu. I don't think I saw anything for over $9. I've tried the crab cream cheese wontons, the spring rolls, Pad Thai & a few of the salads. All taste very fresh & the portions are generous. Great takeout option in the area I always forget about.
(4)
Dan M.
The food was just not as good as other local places and the prices did not reflect the value.
(2)
Jeff S.
Pei Wei has a nice atmosphere. It was up to date and clean and we decided we would feel very comfortable dining there. For this instance though, we ordered some food to go and received it pretty quickly (5 - 10 minutes). The waiting area was small but there were several chairs for those waiting for to-go orders. We ordered the spring rolls, crab rangoon and sesame chicken. Food quality was average. The spring rolls and sesame chicken were of a frozen food quality. The crab rangoon was a little better and is the only item we would order again. The food was very reasonably priced for the amount received. If you're craving Asian food and you want it fast and affordable, it'll probably satisfy you but if you're craving really good Asian food, look elsewhere.
(3)
Jon G.
I live pretty close and this place is always a GO TO if you are looking for something quick and delicious!!! Great selection of food and the Lettuce wraps are a favorite! Hot and sour soup is pretty good and the Egg Rolls are average. Pad Thai is a must have and so is the Spicy Korean. I would say for the prices, you get quite a bit! They are usually pretty good on having the food ready at the time you order it for too! Dining area is always clean and usually packed during prime hours. They have options for cheaper and smaller portions too if you don't want to take anything to go. But who isn't hungry 30 minutes after eating asian food?
(5)
Kelly S.
the takeout here is a little time-consuming, so i'd definitely suggest ordering online or calling ahead as opposed to just stopping in & waiting. honey chicken dish is delicious! my sister & i don't usually agree on what food we like, but in this case we couldn't agree more - it's awesome! their portions are big & the restaurant itself is nicer than the price-point suggests. i'm pretty picky, but i wouldn't mind sitting down at this place.
(4)
Tyler T.
Food is great. I order online every time, and it's NEVER been ready at the pickup time. It's ALWAYS 10 to 15 minutes after the pickup time promised. Now I just go in 10 minutes after it shows it'll be ready... Sometimes it's not even done. I think that's just horrible, to be honest. But the food is good. This place just needs to figure out timing better. Don't promise something if you can't produce it.
(2)
Lina H.
It's a quick dinner fix after the gym. Clean and friendly atmosphere. If you don't mind the stir fry smell then def stop by. I typically order the pad thai, mango chicken, Mongolian beef, hot and sour soup and the green tea. Not all in one sitting! Anyhow they allow you to call ahead and order they also got you memorized if you call more than once. It's called caller ID. Also, don't forget the fortune cookie as they got the best ones out of all the Chinese Asian places I've been to. And I don't feel bad about eating more than 3 :)
(4)
John G.
Up until earlier this week I'd had fairly good experiences with the SLP Pei Wei. I agree that it sometimes can take forever to get your food, including when the restaurant isn't busy, but that never bothered me a whole lot as I'd come to expect it. What I experienced there on Tuesday night, however, was downright unacceptable as it involved basic cleanliness and food safety in addition to terrible customer service. We ordered two entrees and sat down, waiting for our food to be delivered to us. Ten minutes, nothing. Fifteen minutes, still nothing. After twenty minutes, one of our entrees came out, the one that we had requested gluten free. One bite revealed that it was not gluten free. One small strike for not bringing out our entrees together per normal restaurant procedure, one huge strike for bringing out a gluten free entree and declaring it so when it was indeed not gluten free. At that point we were both frustrated and hungry, so we inquired with one of the staff as to the status of our order and to request that the gluten free entree be remade. This staff member was both apathetic and clueless. I know a lot of restaurants hire high school kids in various roles, which is absolutely fine, but they need to be coached, trained, and encouraged. I then requested a manager and was greeted by a young woman claiming to be the manager but whose demeanor and communication skills suggested otherwise. She had completely lost control of the restaurant. People all over the restaurant dining in were without food looking impatient and there was a long line of people waiting for their take out orders. This "manager" was unable to offer any legitimate explanation as to why our entrees did not come out together and why one of them was not gluten free. I went back to our table to weigh our options, and on the way grabbed silverware in case my entree finally did come out. Looking at the silverware I was shocked to see that it was not at all clean. Not just spots from a dishwasher, but very questionable gross residue, and it was all over the "clean" self service knives and forks. I brought a couple of them up to the "manager" to make her aware of the situation, and she didn't even acknowledge there was a problem. One of the young staff, sensing the urgency of the situation, promised to have the dishwahser redo all the silverware, but after several minutes passed nothing happened, the dirty silverware just sat there for people to grab and use. This restaurant needs an experienced, hands-on manager with adequate food safety training to keep things in order. It was a total disaster with at least one blatant health code violation in plain view (I've since informed Hennepin County). I would advise people to stay away from this place until order and cleanliness is restored.
(1)
Gail H.
Ordered lettuce wraps, a favorite, meat tasted very odd. Brought it back, the kitchen replaced it and the new dish tasted odd -- bitter, aa well. Mongolian beef was tasty but we passed on the lettuce wraps. Disappointing.
(1)
BK J.
Not even a have a meal on us $10 coupon can redeem this place. Ordered an egg roll and spicy Korean dish with shrimp. First bite into the egg roll and am greeted with a splash of burning hot oil in my mouth and on my face. To top that off the egg roll had NO flavor. The "hot mustard" sauce that was served with it was watered down and sweetened to negate any heat that might be in the mustard. We wouldn't want to upset grandma's delicate stomach, I guess. On to the Korean shrimp - at least the shrimp weren't battered and fried but they didn't have any flavor to them and they were covered in a corn starch heavy and overly salty sauce that while reddish orange had no discernible hint of authentic Korean pepper sauce, also known as gochugang. There was a slight burn to the sauce so better make sure it doesn't get near grandma. The dish was so salty that I could not finish it. I did not contact the manager because I didn't think they could do any better. My best option was to simply leave. I felt very sorry for the shrimp that gave their lives only to wind up in that dish. Who do they use to sample when they develop recipes? Nursing home residents? NO flavor. NO authenticity. NO return.
(1)
Brent J.
I like the food here. No complaints about that. However, we recently ate in the dining room and the cleanliness was lacking. You don't have to look close to notice that chairs are smeared with the filth of a thousand diners. And don't use the bathroom if you can avoid it. The door looks like a crime scene. A minimum wage kid and a wet rag would go a long way in this place.
(3)
Lakshmi R.
Nice place to get some flavored food. Went there after work. They are out of new sushi rolls. Tried two varieties of sauces. It's PF Chang restura. Food is Good. Nice ambiance (for a middle tier). Try extra spicy (Spicy levels are low here so ask for extra spicy)
(4)
Bridgette K.
I have always been happy with the food from this place! I order online, and just pick it up. Always done on time! I usually get the pad tai and it is always super good.
(5)
Chris W.
This joint is across from the gym, so I stop in occasionally when I feel I've earned myself a "real" dinner instead of a protein shake. I usually get the beef and broccoli. The stalk of broccoli are HUGE! I wish they'd cut them a bit smaller but at least it's fresh produce. The beef is generally pretty good, and they usually don't put too much sauce on it. They give you a ton of rice, which I try to only eat in moderation (for the carbs), but since it's on the plate I do tend to eat way more of it than I should. The other dishes they have are ok, but not memorable. I feel like Pei Wei really is just a nicer version of Panda Express decor and staff-wise. Food quality seems to be about the same. It's good and all but not stand out special, or stand out authentic. Just westernized fried stuff. It's in a smaller strip mall, and parking is occasionally a challenge.
(3)
Erica C.
Pei Wei holds a lot of memories for me. Many highschool hang outs were at a Pei Wei. I met a boy at Pei Wei (he was the cashier) and ended up dating him for a year. Since he worked at Pei Wei he knew the "ins and outs" and with his nice discount.... we ate at Pei Wei quite a bit. What I love about chain restaurants is their ability to keep food so consistent across cities and states. Walking into Pei Wei in SLP was nostalgic of my favorite Pei Wei in Houston. As always, there are digital menus on the side exploding with enthusiasm and showcasing their new dish. This time was some Vietnamese dish. You order at the cash register (there's a separate line for to go), you get a number, and sit down and they bring you your food (almost crazy fast). Pei Wei is in no way, shape or form authentic in any sense. But not being authentic doesn't mean it isn't good. The food and flavors here are so so good. After going here for what seems like 50 dates, I've settled on the things I really like and order those religiously: a cup of hot and sour soup, (2) crab won tons (you can get the won tons in orders of 2 which is perfect for a 1 or 2 person party.) and a lo mein with 1/2 steak and 1/2 vegetables. mmmm so tasty. It even tastes better as leftovers! Pei Wei is my guilty pleasure for Americanized Asian food.
(5)
Jeannine D.
Now, I'm probably biased -- I eat the same thing at this restaurant every stinkin time we go. But, I'm a bit of a foodie, so that should tell you how great I think these things are. CARAMEL CHICKEN W/ EXTRA CILANTRO & CRAB WONTONS!! *drops the mic* That is all. Now, Go! P.S. Oh yea, and this is another place that plays great music..?? It's a quick service restaurant that has me bopping in my seat while I eat. It doesn't get much awesomer.
(4)
Liuyin S.
Think PF Chang's in a Noodles and Company format with Americanized Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, and Vietnamese dishes. Pretty crowded Friday at noon. Good thing we had takeout since there weren't any tables readily available. I appreciate the separate dine-in vs order-out line. Take out took about 10-15 mins to get; remind me to order online next time. Interior is very clean, new and modern with electronic menus and shiny wood tables with black chairs/cushions and red floors. One bathroom for men and one for women (no multiple stalls). Food is palatable, but not amazing. Better than Asian Max. On par with LeAnn Chin's, but less mass produced.
(3)
Nicole P.
I don't like this place! There isn't a "wow" entree in my eyes. I live fairly close to this place and I normally go to Yangtze just a bit farther. PW is pretty slow on take out and Yangtze is always ready to go. When I have dined there, the dining room has been dirty. Not appealing whatsoever.
(2)
Alexa C.
Don't let the fact that this restaurant is a chain scare you away, it's delicious! I've had so many great meals here. They have a full gluten free menu, my personal favorite right now are the Vietnamese Rolls. My husband always gets the regular General Tso's chicken with brown rice and loves it. FYI, pets are NOT allowed on their patio! Their chocolate chip cookies are soft and delicious as well for dessert.
(4)
Melissa S.
I've driven by this place a few times and just decided to try it for lunch today as it is just down the street from my current assignment. I just finished plowing my way through the "Thai Dynamite" with tofu, vegetables, and brown rice. The dish is seasoned with Sriracha, which I adore. My first thought after a couple bites was "this isn't spicy", but my runny nose says otherwise. Still, I'd probably add more hot sauce if I weren't sitting in this awful cubicle right now. The veggies, which include broccoli, carrots, green onions, pea pods, and red peppers, are bright, fresh, and that perfect crisp-tender texture that I love. The tofu is perfectly cooked as well. Their vegetarian dishes are a little bit limited. I had originally asked for a Kung Pao dish with veggies & tofu and the person taking my order advised me that it's made with chicken stock, and pointed out the menu items that are truly veg-friendly. I thought that was nice of her; that doesn't always happen everywhere. The serving is quite hearty for a meal that cost less than $8. I was full about 1/3 of the way through, but being the piglet that I am I kept on going past the point of comfort. I'll still have enough for lunch tomorrow though. If you're looking for fast, inexpensive, fresh Americanized Asian, this is a good bet. Now excuse me while I crawl under my desk for a nap.
(4)
Nathan N.
Decent food, bad service. The manager was running the show when I came in for a take out order. The staff was all hanging out in the back and the phone was going unanswered until the manager felt it was appropriate to yell (literally across the entire restaurant to the back) "Guys, get out here" to which they fled like cockroaches out of the back room. After waiting for more than 20 min for my food, which had been sitting up on the counter uncovered, cooling off, waiting to be lidded and boxed up, I asked what was taking so long. The manager informed me it wasn't taking too long and it will be ready soon. It was already ready - he just needed to bag it. Then upon bagging he realized my ordered had missing items and started yelling at the cook staff to which their response was "It's fine". He yelled back, "it's not fine, this guy is gonna be pissed." So 25 minutes later, my simple order was ready, nice and cooled off, and the only type of apology the manager could make was, "-" oh wait, he didn't.
(1)
Dee J.
I don't know what happened to this place. It used to be great but the past 3 or 4 times I've been there, the staff is downright RUDE. When I walk into your establishment, ready to order, don't make me stand there while you do whatever it is you're busy doing with another employee and not acknowledge me whatsoever. Even a "Hey, be right with you" is fine. The food is good but I can get better Asian food at places where the staff isn't miserable.
(2)
Josh A.
Pei Wei is an expensive quick service restaurant. It tends to be busy during peak times, but the food seems to come up quick. There is little to no order in the To-Go area which tends to be their busiest area. It drives me crazy that people just stand around with their mouth open as if they have never ordered food to-go before. But, you can't fault that on Pei Wei. I do feel the layout is not conducive of what their clientele needs, therefore, it tends to be an awkward experience when ordering or picking up food to go. I've ate there twice and each time my standard order was wrong. The food was good, it just wasn't the food I ordered or wanted. Not the end of the world, just good to know when deciding where to go. Because of price and order accuracy, this is the last place on my list to pick to eat at in the area.
(2)
Mary Jo C.
I meannnn it's fine. Came here after a workout and was feeling motivated to be healthy. I got the lettuce wraps, and they were flavorful, crisp, and satisfying without putting my workout completely to waste. My bf was precious because he never heard of Pei Wei before and found the format super intriguing. He got the special Thai pineapple - it was sweet, spicy, and decent. He was happy with his choice. I feel like all their food tastes the same, and I can probably make it at home. I think their sauces don't expand much further than soy, sriracha, and maybe hoisin? Pei Wei is by no means authentic, but it's not supposed to be. It's for the privileged suburbanites who may wanna feel a little "ethnic" from time to time. It makes the cut for a quick post workout meal.
(3)
Jake S.
It's hit or miss here, even when it comes to the same items from week to week. I've had Pad Thai that was bold and flavorful, but too many times it has come out watery and bland. The Spicy Korean and Thai Dynamite have been more consistent; definitely more flavorful with a little heat. It used to be one-size-fits-all for wok entrees, but they've now implemented two sizes. Let's call them medium and large, since the smaller of the two is plenty for one meal and the larger option will definitely leave you with leftovers if you're of average appetite. Any entree with chicken as your protein, white rice, and water is going to set you back about $7. Not bad, but not great, which sums up my general feelings about this place. The service is fast casual as you order up front, find a seat, and the food is brought out to you. I will say that the staff is always friendly and appear willing to do what it takes to ensure you have all you need, though I am low maintenance and not sure what their follow-through actual would be. I will continue to frequent this place since it is close to my office, with convenience being a greater lure than value and quality.
(2)
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Address :5330 Cedar Lake Road
Minneapolis, MN, 55416
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Drive-Thru : No 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.
Nadine G.
New lettuce wraps are yummie!
(4)Ben D.
Better than Big Bowl, not quite as good as P.F. Changs. There's a lot to like about this little restaurant. I wish there were more around the twin cities, but they just never caught on I guess... The service is very quick, the food actually tastes fresh, and the price is super reasonable! The only complaint I really have, is that they need to wipe their tables off with a clean rag every once in a while... I don't like getting my arm/elbow stuck to the table while I am trying to eat my Sweet&Sour Chicken.
(4)Sunny T.
Whenever I don't have time to make dinner, my family always calls in for takeout and they give you quality food for being a "fast food" joint. Their portions are generous for the price and I love the option of brown rice! Also you can substitute different meats, even tofu. Just great, only complaint is that there's been a couple incidents where I brought my food home and realized the chef used way to much corn starch and the sauce was incredibly thick. Otherwise this is the go-to place for americanized chinese quick take out food :)
(4)Garrett L.
Ate lunch yesterday. Was fine. Fried rice was super onion-ey. Just an overload of onions, my co-worker who was with me was picking them out and had a pretty impressive pile going by the end of his meal. Food seemed worse than last time I had it, like it was really close to Leanne Chin, and I didn't think it was that impressive. Floating between 2 and 3 stars, but since I got home like 4 hours after lunch and my wife could smell the onions on me from across the room, it drops to a 2.
(2)Johnny S.
2.5 stars. Very average as far as the food goes. Not horrible but nothing special. Could use more dining room attendants and not just the counter staff when the counter is not busy. I had a hard time finding a clean table, and the restaurant was nearly empty.
(3)Phillip Y.
I would have to rate this above average compared to most Chinese restaurants. Yes, it's Asian fusion but the food is hot and fresh. All vegetables have nice flavor and you can tell it's not just sitting around. Wonderful beverages like different teas with lemon and orange slices. I got to try them all and it was great. Alot of rice for just an average size dish so I just ate part of it. Overall, I would come here again. It's confusing when you come in since it looks like a sit down but really it's more like a quick trip in and out. I guess its the fast version of PF Changs.
(4)Kat W.
It's like the Noodles of Asian food. It has a nice interior, fast food service and doesn't feel really contrived. I've had the Pad Thai, Orange Peel and Thai Coconut Curry. All are tasty, but none of them turn heads. It's an easy place to hit during lunch hour (provided you are an adept of navigating the traffic in that area) and would be a good place to bring friends who aren't really in to eating ethnic food.
(3)Nate G.
I prefer this place over the more 'formal' PF Chang's. Same food and as far as I can determine, same portion size...well, you get your dish and the scoop of rice on the same plate, instead of a separate bowl. I know, I know...horrors...The rice and main dish mingling before they get to you like that. The service is always rocket-fast, and I've never had to wait to get in here. You can get in and out in 20 mins if you want. I'm not so fond of their egg rolls...the insides are a bit homogeneous and bland and the mustard sauce has no bite whatsoever, and I'm not a spice fanatic by any means. Might have to try their spring rolls one of these days. Other than that, everything I've ever gotten here has been hot, fresh and tasty.
(4)Jillian N.
I really enjoyed this place! Their crab wontons are delicious! I wish their portions sizes were a little bigger though. The staff is polite and helpful!
(4)Adam B.
Pei Wei if great. Don't buy into the negative reviews. If you like PF Changs then you need to come here. It's all owned by the same people. They even have the same amazing lettuce wraps they serve at Changs. Portions are huge too. It's worth every penny. Sooooo Good!!!
(5)Jocelyn G.
I'd turn back if I were you. Food is C- overly salty, sweet and oily. How hard is it to make fresh, healthy Asian food? This is the McDonald's of Asian food.
(1)Adam S.
I'm not sure how someone can say it's not good as PF Changs, it is PF changs, only cheaper. I'm giving it 4 star's based on what it is, fast food chinese that isn't super authentic, but fresh. I love their lettuce wraps. I'm pretty much go here for the lettuce wraps. Definitley a step up from Chin's. You wont be wow'd, but I enjoy it. Their Pei Wei Spicey actually has a bit of kick, it wont burn your mouth off or anything, but certainitly not as bland as some food that is labeled "spicey" If you're in the mood for a quick lunch or dinner, it's a fine place to stop. Dont go in expecting authentic dishes, it's commercialized, but you can expect fresh food served quickly.
(4)Kimberly T.
The prices are beyond reasonable at Pei Wei. I've been a few times but went last week and grabbed a menu. I don't think I saw anything for over $9. I've tried the crab cream cheese wontons, the spring rolls, Pad Thai & a few of the salads. All taste very fresh & the portions are generous. Great takeout option in the area I always forget about.
(4)Dan M.
The food was just not as good as other local places and the prices did not reflect the value.
(2)Jeff S.
Pei Wei has a nice atmosphere. It was up to date and clean and we decided we would feel very comfortable dining there. For this instance though, we ordered some food to go and received it pretty quickly (5 - 10 minutes). The waiting area was small but there were several chairs for those waiting for to-go orders. We ordered the spring rolls, crab rangoon and sesame chicken. Food quality was average. The spring rolls and sesame chicken were of a frozen food quality. The crab rangoon was a little better and is the only item we would order again. The food was very reasonably priced for the amount received. If you're craving Asian food and you want it fast and affordable, it'll probably satisfy you but if you're craving really good Asian food, look elsewhere.
(3)Jon G.
I live pretty close and this place is always a GO TO if you are looking for something quick and delicious!!! Great selection of food and the Lettuce wraps are a favorite! Hot and sour soup is pretty good and the Egg Rolls are average. Pad Thai is a must have and so is the Spicy Korean. I would say for the prices, you get quite a bit! They are usually pretty good on having the food ready at the time you order it for too! Dining area is always clean and usually packed during prime hours. They have options for cheaper and smaller portions too if you don't want to take anything to go. But who isn't hungry 30 minutes after eating asian food?
(5)Kelly S.
the takeout here is a little time-consuming, so i'd definitely suggest ordering online or calling ahead as opposed to just stopping in & waiting. honey chicken dish is delicious! my sister & i don't usually agree on what food we like, but in this case we couldn't agree more - it's awesome! their portions are big & the restaurant itself is nicer than the price-point suggests. i'm pretty picky, but i wouldn't mind sitting down at this place.
(4)Tyler T.
Food is great. I order online every time, and it's NEVER been ready at the pickup time. It's ALWAYS 10 to 15 minutes after the pickup time promised. Now I just go in 10 minutes after it shows it'll be ready... Sometimes it's not even done. I think that's just horrible, to be honest. But the food is good. This place just needs to figure out timing better. Don't promise something if you can't produce it.
(2)Lina H.
It's a quick dinner fix after the gym. Clean and friendly atmosphere. If you don't mind the stir fry smell then def stop by. I typically order the pad thai, mango chicken, Mongolian beef, hot and sour soup and the green tea. Not all in one sitting! Anyhow they allow you to call ahead and order they also got you memorized if you call more than once. It's called caller ID. Also, don't forget the fortune cookie as they got the best ones out of all the Chinese Asian places I've been to. And I don't feel bad about eating more than 3 :)
(4)John G.
Up until earlier this week I'd had fairly good experiences with the SLP Pei Wei. I agree that it sometimes can take forever to get your food, including when the restaurant isn't busy, but that never bothered me a whole lot as I'd come to expect it. What I experienced there on Tuesday night, however, was downright unacceptable as it involved basic cleanliness and food safety in addition to terrible customer service. We ordered two entrees and sat down, waiting for our food to be delivered to us. Ten minutes, nothing. Fifteen minutes, still nothing. After twenty minutes, one of our entrees came out, the one that we had requested gluten free. One bite revealed that it was not gluten free. One small strike for not bringing out our entrees together per normal restaurant procedure, one huge strike for bringing out a gluten free entree and declaring it so when it was indeed not gluten free. At that point we were both frustrated and hungry, so we inquired with one of the staff as to the status of our order and to request that the gluten free entree be remade. This staff member was both apathetic and clueless. I know a lot of restaurants hire high school kids in various roles, which is absolutely fine, but they need to be coached, trained, and encouraged. I then requested a manager and was greeted by a young woman claiming to be the manager but whose demeanor and communication skills suggested otherwise. She had completely lost control of the restaurant. People all over the restaurant dining in were without food looking impatient and there was a long line of people waiting for their take out orders. This "manager" was unable to offer any legitimate explanation as to why our entrees did not come out together and why one of them was not gluten free. I went back to our table to weigh our options, and on the way grabbed silverware in case my entree finally did come out. Looking at the silverware I was shocked to see that it was not at all clean. Not just spots from a dishwasher, but very questionable gross residue, and it was all over the "clean" self service knives and forks. I brought a couple of them up to the "manager" to make her aware of the situation, and she didn't even acknowledge there was a problem. One of the young staff, sensing the urgency of the situation, promised to have the dishwahser redo all the silverware, but after several minutes passed nothing happened, the dirty silverware just sat there for people to grab and use. This restaurant needs an experienced, hands-on manager with adequate food safety training to keep things in order. It was a total disaster with at least one blatant health code violation in plain view (I've since informed Hennepin County). I would advise people to stay away from this place until order and cleanliness is restored.
(1)Gail H.
Ordered lettuce wraps, a favorite, meat tasted very odd. Brought it back, the kitchen replaced it and the new dish tasted odd -- bitter, aa well. Mongolian beef was tasty but we passed on the lettuce wraps. Disappointing.
(1)BK J.
Not even a have a meal on us $10 coupon can redeem this place. Ordered an egg roll and spicy Korean dish with shrimp. First bite into the egg roll and am greeted with a splash of burning hot oil in my mouth and on my face. To top that off the egg roll had NO flavor. The "hot mustard" sauce that was served with it was watered down and sweetened to negate any heat that might be in the mustard. We wouldn't want to upset grandma's delicate stomach, I guess. On to the Korean shrimp - at least the shrimp weren't battered and fried but they didn't have any flavor to them and they were covered in a corn starch heavy and overly salty sauce that while reddish orange had no discernible hint of authentic Korean pepper sauce, also known as gochugang. There was a slight burn to the sauce so better make sure it doesn't get near grandma. The dish was so salty that I could not finish it. I did not contact the manager because I didn't think they could do any better. My best option was to simply leave. I felt very sorry for the shrimp that gave their lives only to wind up in that dish. Who do they use to sample when they develop recipes? Nursing home residents? NO flavor. NO authenticity. NO return.
(1)Brent J.
I like the food here. No complaints about that. However, we recently ate in the dining room and the cleanliness was lacking. You don't have to look close to notice that chairs are smeared with the filth of a thousand diners. And don't use the bathroom if you can avoid it. The door looks like a crime scene. A minimum wage kid and a wet rag would go a long way in this place.
(3)Lakshmi R.
Nice place to get some flavored food. Went there after work. They are out of new sushi rolls. Tried two varieties of sauces. It's PF Chang restura. Food is Good. Nice ambiance (for a middle tier). Try extra spicy (Spicy levels are low here so ask for extra spicy)
(4)Bridgette K.
I have always been happy with the food from this place! I order online, and just pick it up. Always done on time! I usually get the pad tai and it is always super good.
(5)Chris W.
This joint is across from the gym, so I stop in occasionally when I feel I've earned myself a "real" dinner instead of a protein shake. I usually get the beef and broccoli. The stalk of broccoli are HUGE! I wish they'd cut them a bit smaller but at least it's fresh produce. The beef is generally pretty good, and they usually don't put too much sauce on it. They give you a ton of rice, which I try to only eat in moderation (for the carbs), but since it's on the plate I do tend to eat way more of it than I should. The other dishes they have are ok, but not memorable. I feel like Pei Wei really is just a nicer version of Panda Express decor and staff-wise. Food quality seems to be about the same. It's good and all but not stand out special, or stand out authentic. Just westernized fried stuff. It's in a smaller strip mall, and parking is occasionally a challenge.
(3)Erica C.
Pei Wei holds a lot of memories for me. Many highschool hang outs were at a Pei Wei. I met a boy at Pei Wei (he was the cashier) and ended up dating him for a year. Since he worked at Pei Wei he knew the "ins and outs" and with his nice discount.... we ate at Pei Wei quite a bit. What I love about chain restaurants is their ability to keep food so consistent across cities and states. Walking into Pei Wei in SLP was nostalgic of my favorite Pei Wei in Houston. As always, there are digital menus on the side exploding with enthusiasm and showcasing their new dish. This time was some Vietnamese dish. You order at the cash register (there's a separate line for to go), you get a number, and sit down and they bring you your food (almost crazy fast). Pei Wei is in no way, shape or form authentic in any sense. But not being authentic doesn't mean it isn't good. The food and flavors here are so so good. After going here for what seems like 50 dates, I've settled on the things I really like and order those religiously: a cup of hot and sour soup, (2) crab won tons (you can get the won tons in orders of 2 which is perfect for a 1 or 2 person party.) and a lo mein with 1/2 steak and 1/2 vegetables. mmmm so tasty. It even tastes better as leftovers! Pei Wei is my guilty pleasure for Americanized Asian food.
(5)Jeannine D.
Now, I'm probably biased -- I eat the same thing at this restaurant every stinkin time we go. But, I'm a bit of a foodie, so that should tell you how great I think these things are. CARAMEL CHICKEN W/ EXTRA CILANTRO & CRAB WONTONS!! *drops the mic* That is all. Now, Go! P.S. Oh yea, and this is another place that plays great music..?? It's a quick service restaurant that has me bopping in my seat while I eat. It doesn't get much awesomer.
(4)Liuyin S.
Think PF Chang's in a Noodles and Company format with Americanized Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, and Vietnamese dishes. Pretty crowded Friday at noon. Good thing we had takeout since there weren't any tables readily available. I appreciate the separate dine-in vs order-out line. Take out took about 10-15 mins to get; remind me to order online next time. Interior is very clean, new and modern with electronic menus and shiny wood tables with black chairs/cushions and red floors. One bathroom for men and one for women (no multiple stalls). Food is palatable, but not amazing. Better than Asian Max. On par with LeAnn Chin's, but less mass produced.
(3)Nicole P.
I don't like this place! There isn't a "wow" entree in my eyes. I live fairly close to this place and I normally go to Yangtze just a bit farther. PW is pretty slow on take out and Yangtze is always ready to go. When I have dined there, the dining room has been dirty. Not appealing whatsoever.
(2)Alexa C.
Don't let the fact that this restaurant is a chain scare you away, it's delicious! I've had so many great meals here. They have a full gluten free menu, my personal favorite right now are the Vietnamese Rolls. My husband always gets the regular General Tso's chicken with brown rice and loves it. FYI, pets are NOT allowed on their patio! Their chocolate chip cookies are soft and delicious as well for dessert.
(4)Melissa S.
I've driven by this place a few times and just decided to try it for lunch today as it is just down the street from my current assignment. I just finished plowing my way through the "Thai Dynamite" with tofu, vegetables, and brown rice. The dish is seasoned with Sriracha, which I adore. My first thought after a couple bites was "this isn't spicy", but my runny nose says otherwise. Still, I'd probably add more hot sauce if I weren't sitting in this awful cubicle right now. The veggies, which include broccoli, carrots, green onions, pea pods, and red peppers, are bright, fresh, and that perfect crisp-tender texture that I love. The tofu is perfectly cooked as well. Their vegetarian dishes are a little bit limited. I had originally asked for a Kung Pao dish with veggies & tofu and the person taking my order advised me that it's made with chicken stock, and pointed out the menu items that are truly veg-friendly. I thought that was nice of her; that doesn't always happen everywhere. The serving is quite hearty for a meal that cost less than $8. I was full about 1/3 of the way through, but being the piglet that I am I kept on going past the point of comfort. I'll still have enough for lunch tomorrow though. If you're looking for fast, inexpensive, fresh Americanized Asian, this is a good bet. Now excuse me while I crawl under my desk for a nap.
(4)Nathan N.
Decent food, bad service. The manager was running the show when I came in for a take out order. The staff was all hanging out in the back and the phone was going unanswered until the manager felt it was appropriate to yell (literally across the entire restaurant to the back) "Guys, get out here" to which they fled like cockroaches out of the back room. After waiting for more than 20 min for my food, which had been sitting up on the counter uncovered, cooling off, waiting to be lidded and boxed up, I asked what was taking so long. The manager informed me it wasn't taking too long and it will be ready soon. It was already ready - he just needed to bag it. Then upon bagging he realized my ordered had missing items and started yelling at the cook staff to which their response was "It's fine". He yelled back, "it's not fine, this guy is gonna be pissed." So 25 minutes later, my simple order was ready, nice and cooled off, and the only type of apology the manager could make was, "-" oh wait, he didn't.
(1)Dee J.
I don't know what happened to this place. It used to be great but the past 3 or 4 times I've been there, the staff is downright RUDE. When I walk into your establishment, ready to order, don't make me stand there while you do whatever it is you're busy doing with another employee and not acknowledge me whatsoever. Even a "Hey, be right with you" is fine. The food is good but I can get better Asian food at places where the staff isn't miserable.
(2)Josh A.
Pei Wei is an expensive quick service restaurant. It tends to be busy during peak times, but the food seems to come up quick. There is little to no order in the To-Go area which tends to be their busiest area. It drives me crazy that people just stand around with their mouth open as if they have never ordered food to-go before. But, you can't fault that on Pei Wei. I do feel the layout is not conducive of what their clientele needs, therefore, it tends to be an awkward experience when ordering or picking up food to go. I've ate there twice and each time my standard order was wrong. The food was good, it just wasn't the food I ordered or wanted. Not the end of the world, just good to know when deciding where to go. Because of price and order accuracy, this is the last place on my list to pick to eat at in the area.
(2)Mary Jo C.
I meannnn it's fine. Came here after a workout and was feeling motivated to be healthy. I got the lettuce wraps, and they were flavorful, crisp, and satisfying without putting my workout completely to waste. My bf was precious because he never heard of Pei Wei before and found the format super intriguing. He got the special Thai pineapple - it was sweet, spicy, and decent. He was happy with his choice. I feel like all their food tastes the same, and I can probably make it at home. I think their sauces don't expand much further than soy, sriracha, and maybe hoisin? Pei Wei is by no means authentic, but it's not supposed to be. It's for the privileged suburbanites who may wanna feel a little "ethnic" from time to time. It makes the cut for a quick post workout meal.
(3)Jake S.
It's hit or miss here, even when it comes to the same items from week to week. I've had Pad Thai that was bold and flavorful, but too many times it has come out watery and bland. The Spicy Korean and Thai Dynamite have been more consistent; definitely more flavorful with a little heat. It used to be one-size-fits-all for wok entrees, but they've now implemented two sizes. Let's call them medium and large, since the smaller of the two is plenty for one meal and the larger option will definitely leave you with leftovers if you're of average appetite. Any entree with chicken as your protein, white rice, and water is going to set you back about $7. Not bad, but not great, which sums up my general feelings about this place. The service is fast casual as you order up front, find a seat, and the food is brought out to you. I will say that the staff is always friendly and appear willing to do what it takes to ensure you have all you need, though I am low maintenance and not sure what their follow-through actual would be. I will continue to frequent this place since it is close to my office, with convenience being a greater lure than value and quality.
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