Elegant Chinese eatery serving a wide variety of Sichuan & Cantonese dishes in a stylish space.
Hours
| Friday | 10:30 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 10:30 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 10:30 AM–10 PM |
| Monday | 10:30 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:30 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 9621 Mission Gorge Rd, Santee, CA 92071
Phone: (619) 449-7061
Website: https://www.pandacountrysantee.com//
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: pandacountrysantee.com
Order: Order online
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Last Updates
Reviews
Ellen Torres
This review is based on a vegetarian dining experience. While Panda Country doesn’t offer alternative proteins like some other Asian restaurants (mock duck/chx/beef), I always prefer a mix of different vegetables and tofu anyways.
I’ve noticed that some San Diego Chinese restaurants offer fried wonton strips and sauce for appetizer; I thought it was an east coast US thing but we enjoyed them nonetheless. The mustard was odd though, tasted more like horseradish. The plum sauce was good.
Service was a bit slow tonight (Monday) but it was busy and it seemed like only 1-2 people running the whole operation. Staff was very courteous and apologizing for wait times but none of that concerned us. They were being as efficient as they could be. And I grew up dining in Chinese restaurants where staff basically ignored you the whole time.
My husband and I usually order the eggplant and green beans to go and they’re always good. This was our first time dining in and we tried the orange tofu and family style tofu. Sauces were light and flavorful——definitely not catering to heavy salty American taste which I prefer. I can understand why some Americans eat at chains like Panda Express and Pick UP Stix and still add soy sauce to their entrees (insane?!?). But we didn’t get that vibe from this restaurant.
We both left full and including tax and tip under $32. My only suggestion would be to add a vegetable to the orange tofu, like broccoli. Not only did it look kind of sad on the plate just by itself, it would have been a nice healthy filler to complement the tofu.
Very clean and spacious interior. Plenty of shopping center parking.
… moreI’ve noticed that some San Diego Chinese restaurants offer fried wonton strips and sauce for appetizer; I thought it was an east coast US thing but we enjoyed them nonetheless. The mustard was odd though, tasted more like horseradish. The plum sauce was good.
Service was a bit slow tonight (Monday) but it was busy and it seemed like only 1-2 people running the whole operation. Staff was very courteous and apologizing for wait times but none of that concerned us. They were being as efficient as they could be. And I grew up dining in Chinese restaurants where staff basically ignored you the whole time.
My husband and I usually order the eggplant and green beans to go and they’re always good. This was our first time dining in and we tried the orange tofu and family style tofu. Sauces were light and flavorful——definitely not catering to heavy salty American taste which I prefer. I can understand why some Americans eat at chains like Panda Express and Pick UP Stix and still add soy sauce to their entrees (insane?!?). But we didn’t get that vibe from this restaurant.
We both left full and including tax and tip under $32. My only suggestion would be to add a vegetable to the orange tofu, like broccoli. Not only did it look kind of sad on the plate just by itself, it would have been a nice healthy filler to complement the tofu.
Very clean and spacious interior. Plenty of shopping center parking.
Jennifer Fenlason
For the owner/manager, please respond if seen:
Ordered dinner from here to-go as we live about 25 minutes away. My family ate at Panda Country Restaurant in Clairemont for generations back to my great-grandparents. I so miss the old-school decor with the slanted roof, dark woods, tons of rich artwork everywhere. We were sad and disappointed when they decided to close during covid, although they always seemed to have customers when we went for our to-go orders during that time.
Heard through the grapevine that this restaurant had new ownership in Santee. Noticed in the review photos some of the same artwork, metal kettles of complimentary jasmine tea that came with every order for dine-in, same menu and emblem design.
Ordered some of our “usuals” that I was raised on:
– Orange Chicken – tasted nearly the same as I remember but needs more dried orange peels (they make all the difference!) and they used to put whole red peppers. It was tasty but there needs to be more sauce and the sauce used to be thicker and richer in flavor.
– Almond Chicken – had large zucchini slices which was fine and the chicken was in larger slices than they used to be which used to be more of a strip style. Loved that almonds were in it but they used to put tons of sliced, halved almonds. It came with whole almonds with the skin still on, please remove the skins! Again, there could be more sauce as well as thicker and richer in flavor.
– Mongolian Beef – this probably resembled the most to how I remember this recipe. We have had a hard time finding it with green onions elsewhere, which we love! Onions could be sliced a little smaller and the sauce a little thicker and richer in flavor. But it was good!
– Egg Flower soup – very similar in flavor but needs a little more egg in it and they never used to put corn. There were small bits of corn, not bad, but not what I grew up with and miss. Do not overdo it with the gelatin in making the broth too thick. I saw this in another review too.
I think we will order from here again, but would love to see everything resemble the greatness of what these recipes once were. I think everything could use a little more salt too. Sorry to see that some reviews mentioned undercooked food. The meat all seemed well-cooked for our order, so I hope they have since made changes.
P.S. I didn’t see it on the menu, but PLEASE bring back the Shrimp Toast. Also, the ginger slices in vinegar, red cherry applesauce, and hot mustard if you don’t already still have it. Absolutely LOVED the Shrimp Toast as a little girl.
… moreOrdered dinner from here to-go as we live about 25 minutes away. My family ate at Panda Country Restaurant in Clairemont for generations back to my great-grandparents. I so miss the old-school decor with the slanted roof, dark woods, tons of rich artwork everywhere. We were sad and disappointed when they decided to close during covid, although they always seemed to have customers when we went for our to-go orders during that time.
Heard through the grapevine that this restaurant had new ownership in Santee. Noticed in the review photos some of the same artwork, metal kettles of complimentary jasmine tea that came with every order for dine-in, same menu and emblem design.
Ordered some of our “usuals” that I was raised on:
– Orange Chicken – tasted nearly the same as I remember but needs more dried orange peels (they make all the difference!) and they used to put whole red peppers. It was tasty but there needs to be more sauce and the sauce used to be thicker and richer in flavor.
– Almond Chicken – had large zucchini slices which was fine and the chicken was in larger slices than they used to be which used to be more of a strip style. Loved that almonds were in it but they used to put tons of sliced, halved almonds. It came with whole almonds with the skin still on, please remove the skins! Again, there could be more sauce as well as thicker and richer in flavor.
– Mongolian Beef – this probably resembled the most to how I remember this recipe. We have had a hard time finding it with green onions elsewhere, which we love! Onions could be sliced a little smaller and the sauce a little thicker and richer in flavor. But it was good!
– Egg Flower soup – very similar in flavor but needs a little more egg in it and they never used to put corn. There were small bits of corn, not bad, but not what I grew up with and miss. Do not overdo it with the gelatin in making the broth too thick. I saw this in another review too.
I think we will order from here again, but would love to see everything resemble the greatness of what these recipes once were. I think everything could use a little more salt too. Sorry to see that some reviews mentioned undercooked food. The meat all seemed well-cooked for our order, so I hope they have since made changes.
P.S. I didn’t see it on the menu, but PLEASE bring back the Shrimp Toast. Also, the ginger slices in vinegar, red cherry applesauce, and hot mustard if you don’t already still have it. Absolutely LOVED the Shrimp Toast as a little girl.
D. Diamond
Dinner delivered via Uber Eats. Perfect meal. Delivered hot, fresh, timely, and exactly as requested. The portions were plentiful, and the food was simply delicious. Haven’t had good Moo Shu Vegetables since first discovering the dish in the 1990’s at the Golden Peacock in Laguna Beach, and Panda Country’s is just as superb. Also had the vegetable egg rolls, which were perfectly crispy and tasty. The sauces for both dishes were also perfect. No notes. Panda Country is a delightful and most welcomed find, and we will most definitely be ordering again.
… moreRICARDO Rodriguez
Another great place to add to my list of pure deliciousness. Had the sautéed halibut and the bbq pork fried rice & the food was cooked to absolute perfection . The hostess was very tentative & extremely nice. Loved this place, will return again when I’m in the area.
… moreMarta Movido
Don’t waste your money here as it was a very unpleasant experience and the food was the worst chinese food I ever had.. I came with a group of 9 or 10 people and there was only one other table there with patrons. Most of us had the lunch specials I ordered the orange chicken. The orange chicken described in one of the reviews said that it had orange peels in it mine had none . What my first impression of the dish was very unappetizing with what looked like steamed chicken with a runny sauce which had no flavor to it and not fried as stated in the menu very plain. We also didn’t have the option of fried rice as stated in the menu either. The hot and sour soup was terrible and missing the sour element but was so thick with cornstarch and very tasteless. The very small eggroll was extremely soggy in the inside. Our table was not outfitted with napkins or utensils and one of the lady’s at our table was going to get some from the table in back of us. I found the waitress to be very impatient and in a rushed manner when taking our orders which I found to be extremely rude…as I stated before there was only one other couple there in the restaurant. While we were sitting there conversing after the meal she came and was taking our drinks off the table as to say you are done here.when my check came it came to eleven dollars and change so I left 12.00
She then proceeded to point it out as if to say where is my tip?
I just want to point out that I am a generous tipper but the food and dining experience I found to be disastrous and the waitress was extremely rude I will not reward that.
… moreShe then proceeded to point it out as if to say where is my tip?
I just want to point out that I am a generous tipper but the food and dining experience I found to be disastrous and the waitress was extremely rude I will not reward that.
John Kidwell
I’m always impressed with this restaurant. The food is spot on delicious. The Lunch Specials are so affordable compared to many others who are taking advantage of us. It would’ve been criminal of me for tipping based on the national and state standards. They well deserved my tip and then some. I give them 5 Stars for the cleanliness of this establishment and the employees even smile where other restaurants aim to do no such thing. Very professional. Go Panda Country Restaurant here in Santee off Mission Gorge! I love this place and is rated one of my best, with or without family and or friends.
… morePatrick C
Have ordered from here before and it was ok. Today, couldn’t have been worse. The orange chicken was stringy and barely cooked. The hot and sour soup was certainly sour – as in rancid. Even the crackers/fried noodles that came with the hot and sour soup were soft and stale. I’m so disappointed with this restaurant. Do better.
Follow up: my wife and I became horribly ill after eating this. Never again.
… moreFollow up: my wife and I became horribly ill after eating this. Never again.
israel gold
Despite being extremely busy during a (justifiably) popular lunch rush, we were taken care of to the highest degree, given the best possible Chinese Food Experience that East County can offer.
… moreKatelyn Kreitzer
This place is absolutely delicious. My boyfriend and I have ate there 2 times dine in and around 4 times take out. The food is always fresh and the portions are very large. The service is fast, wait times typically low (we’ve been during there less busy days). I definitely recommend this place.
… moreRoni
Coming from a seasoned cook, this place has fallen miserably. Food quality is not good as it used to be which is a sign of the people’s care in the kitchen. They can’t even make hot and sour soup correct which is a staple. Was served a “soup” with so much starch it was thicker than a table gravy. A jelly slop with fillings if you will, and overcooked wontons that left a burnt taste in the mouth. I was irritated to the point I didn’t even accept the refund.
… more