Panda Garden Buffet - Ottawa

Deciding to go here one lunch time was one of the worst decisions I have ever made! Panda used to be the best buffet in Ottawa. Their food used to be fresh and plentiful. It used to be my #1 go-to restaurant. Though, in recent times, the quality of the restaurant has gone down drastically! My boyfriend and I decided on going to Panda for lunch, as we were craving some delicious North American Chinese food. Once we headed to the buffet food section, we noticed there were hardly any options. The options that were out were almost gone as well. The food looked stale (as if it was out all night since the previous day), and the soups had formed a thick layer of skin (an indicator that it had been out for quite a while and was old). I obviously had nothing of interest, as I didn't come to the buffet to eat a few fries and onion rings, so I asked the manager (a middle aged man), if he could prepare more and fresh food for us, as there was hardly anything laid out. He angrily said there was food, and I said that there was nothing. He spoke in his native tongue to the workers and they went to the back. When the manager told us that the food was prepared, I went to check the options, and they had only prepared more fries and onion rings. Seriously? Is that what they expect people to only eat at a Chinese buffet? It was extremely appalling! I hardly ate anything, paid, and then left. I regret paying them for that experience. They robbed me of my money, but I wasnt looking for a confrontation, and just wanted to leave. It was a horrible experience! My boyfriend and I swore off Panda Garden buffet forever, and it's really sad because I used to be their #1 customer.

We arrived at 3:30pm and we were advised we could eat and that 4:00 pm the buffet shuts down till 4:30pm the dishes-were filled enough for us too eat, however most of the food we choose was almost cold. We did eat but unhappy because of temperature of food, dessert section was lovely which I enjoyed. I think we should have been advised that we may find the food not hot. Although there was steam coming up from underneath yet that didn't keep food hot. Anyway I have eaten there before and it was excellent. I will return but after 4:30 since all food then will be fresh and HOT

Never go there to eat between 3 and 430. Cold and disgusting. Here now and not happy. We got here at 325. Food from lunch apparently. Cold. Yuck Supper at 430. Should be advertised better.

Went for lunch with a group of 15, we ordered waters for everyone before the whole group had arrived, with the intention of ordering drinks after, but we were never given the chance. Server came by twice to clear plates, we asked and she said she would send someone by to take a drink order, and it just never happened. Service was disinterested and uninvolved. Food was, in a word: awful. Limp, sad veggies, brown lettuce for salad, stale and nasty desserts, and a whole bunch of greasy, weird deep fried.... stuff. Selection was limited and not one person at our table enjoyed their meal. Gross.

I am visiting the Ottawa area so not familiar with most of the eating establishments. Spent the evening at the new Tanger outlet mall then wanted to get something to eat outside of the foodcourt. Drove around and realized it was getting late and saw Panda Garden. The place is the typical low budget asian buffet. You walk into the place and receive the typical greeting from the few asian female servers. They give you this look like a wet mop and hustle you to your table. They first put me into this table squeezed right in the middle of a busy area but the place is huge and I see a lot of open booths along the window line and ask if I can sit there. The server reluctantly says ok then rattles a statement in mandarin to the other server. Felt like I was in that moment of Seinfeld when the folks were talking behind Elaine's back about her. They have a little bit of everything and the quality is as good as can be expected. Most of the items appeared to be dried from sitting the the warming pans too long. Service is the typical chinese servers running around and talking to each other in mandarin. Carpets in the dining area is really dirty and the area around the buffet was oily, slippery and as people spill the food, the staff does not bother to clean and mop the area down. Just a slip hazard waiting to find the right victims. The price of an adult buffet with a soft drink was about $21 CAD. This passes if you just want something fast and inexpensive.