PF Chang's . . . what's their problem?

Question

Two weeks ago I ate at PF Chang's in Los Angeles. The food was poor. Last weekend my sisters and I took our dad to PF Chang's in Palo Alto and the service and food again were poor so we ate very little, then left and went to another Chinese restaurant where we had a fine meal. Has anybody else had this kind of experience with this chain? How did it achieve its popularity?

Answer 1

I have only eaten their once for a business party..we had a huge table in the kitchen so we can see them cook. The food was nasty. I didn't care for it at all. Panda Express sounds better than PF Changs.

Answer 2

PF Chang's started in 1993... the original idea for the place was "Up-Scale" Chinese dining, a Chinese Bistro if you will...

Well, I'm sure they started out quite well and ended up expanding quickly just like "Cold Stone Creamery" and "Chipotle" and places like that...

But, if you're dealing with what is "supposed" to be an up-scale place, if the staff is not up to par, you are not going to have a great experience!!  

Besides... when it comes to Chinese Food, don't the local Chinese REALLY do it best, anyway???  You know, the little local spots that have been around forever...

So, I would say what we have here is a restaurant chain that expanded a little too quickly and a bit too far and they have lost that "KILLER INSTINCT" to keep up the standards of a "High-End" Chinese Bistro!!!  

That's what happens with a lot of these so-called chains...

A restaurant is only as good as their staff... and in my area too, that staff has lost it's drive to impress!!!

Answer 3

I've never ate at PF Chang.  This is intresting though because I would think they have good food.

Answer 4

PF Chang's is awesome.  their service is always great and so is their food.  especially steak kabobs and the great wall of chocolate with raspberry sauce and a big glass of milk =D

Answer 5

Their food is great but I stopped going after we showed up for our reservation where I had specified we needed something wheel chair accessible and they tried to sit us at a high top.  Then offered to pull a small lower table over for the person in a wheelchair to eat next to us.  We ended up waiting 45 minutes for them to get us a regular table and they really acted like we were the ones being unreasonable.

The hostess even told me that we hadn't specified accessible when I called but later someone else pointed out to her where it said we had right next to our reservation.

Answer 6

Oh god yes! I hate PF Changs - if you want real fun, look up their health inspections! I had their lemon scallops and it tasted like they were rolled in kool-aid and freaking sugar! It was gross.  The server told me that I must not have a palate for quality Asian cuisine! i told her that she obviously does not have the skills for customer service, and I want to talk to her manager.  I had to have the table NEXT TO US confirm that she said that to me, it was just c**p, all around.  

My one drink had rotten fruit in it, and they sat us next to a family with squealing kids that would have been more appropriate at a McDonald's Playland.  

We didn't need reservations, we went to the open-air restaurant in Tempe, Arizona for lunch.

Expensive white trash cuisine.  PANDA EXPRESS offers better stuff!

Answer 7

I've never had this problem at PF Chang's. Every time I go we get good food and great service-in fact I went the other day and I got a free banana dessert becuase each server gets to pick one free table to get a free dessert every night :)

Answer 8

the one i visit in dallas, tx has always pleased me. i've always had good service and good food. then again, no two restaurants are managed the exact same way all the time.

Answer 9

I really enjoy PF Chang's, but, like many chain restaurants, they have training and quality control issues so the particular restaurant you visit may or may not be up to snuff.

I cannot vouch for all PF Chang's and do not doubt that the one you visited was being poorly managed.  But the one in Oakbrook, Illinois is superb. I wish I lived closer and could go more often.  Lettuce wraps.... yummy.  I make my own but they are never quite as good.