Some fast-food restaurants are trying to retain and even win back customers amid rising prices. McDonald’s and Burger King have both launched $5 meal bundles. More recently, Panda Express launched a $6 mini meal. TikTok foodie couple Aaron and Krista (@sfbayfood) shared their review of the meal, and while they think it’s worth it, some of their viewers aren’t.
This meal comes with half a side dish and one main dish. “It’s the perfect size,” says Krista in a voiceover. “I love it because it’s a generous portion and very satisfying.”
The couple, who live in the San Francisco Bay Area, apparently ordered three mini meals: orange chicken, mushroom chicken, broccoli, and steak in three to-go boxes, with half a side tucked underneath the entree inside the box.
How are mini meals different from regular meals?
Panda Express bowls come with a full-sized side dish and entree. Bowls start at $8.60 in California. Plates come with one side dish and two entrees. Prices start at $10.10. And large plates come with one side dish and three entrees. Prices start at $11.60.
Mini meals are a great deal if you like portions, but the offer was only available at participating locations for a limited time and ended on August 6th.
But that doesn’t mean the sale won’t happen again: other chains have offered various sales over the years, like Olive Garden’s Endless Pasta and Applebee’s $1 Margaritas.
Follow Introducing the Panda Mini Meal! For just $6, you can enjoy 1/2 a side dish and an entree. Perfect size and incredibly affordable. Try it at any Panda Express in the Bay Area 🥡👌 #PandaExpressPartner #sponsor #advertisement #PandaExpress #sffoodies #Chinese food #BayAreaFood #Santa Clara #SanFranciscoFood #Things to do #Achievements #BayAreaFood #sffoodie #yelpbayarea #Yelperite #Yelps #BayAreaEats #BayAreaFood #Gourmet #sffoodie #sffoodies #sjeats #Achievements #sjfoodie #sjfoodies #BayAreaFood #BayAreaFood ♬ Love at Dusk – Muspace
TikTok users’ videos have also generated a lot of interest in the deal, potentially translating consumer interest into profits: The video has been viewed more than 176,000 times.
“This is perfect for me! I love pandas and I love this option!” one viewer wrote.
“I really love this as the bowls are too big for me,” another agreed.
“That’s my size!!!” a third commented.
But others suspected the amount was too small.
“There’s not much pandas to begin with,” one user said.
And the alternative for some was to get a cheap Panda Express.
“You should find receipts on the floor or in the car park and fill out a survey that gives you a free main dish when you buy a plate!” a second person commented.
The Daily Dot reached out to @sfbayfood via Instagram direct message and TikTok comments, and reached out to Panda Express via press email.
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