How much is a 2 entree panda plate?
You walk into Panda Express, stomach grumbling, How much is a 2 entree panda plate? and the smell of orange chicken wafts through the air. Glancing up at the menu board, you see the two entree Panda Plate combo. This value plate is a great option when you can’t decide between two favorites or want to sample a couple of dishes. But in this time of rising inflation and food costs, you wonder how much the two entree Panda plate cost now in 2024? Is it still an affordable option for a filling meal on the go? Read on to find out the current pricing and whether the two entree plate deal is still a good value at Panda Express this year. With prices changing all the time, this breakdown will help you understand what to expect to pay with your next Panda order.
What Is Panda Express’s 2 Entree Plate?
Panda Express is a fast casual restaurant chain, known for its American Chinese cuisine. Their popular 2 Entree Plate offers you two of their signature entrees, along with rice and a side of chow mein. In 2024, you can expect a 2 Entree Plate to cost between $12 to $15, depending on your location and protein selections.
Protein Options
You’ll have your choice of orange chicken, Beijing beef, kung pao shrimp or chicken, sweet fire chicken breasts, or broccoli beef for your two entrees. Panda Express uses high-quality ingredients and bold flavors in all their dishes. The orange chicken is a sweet and spicy favorite, with juicy chicken pieces in a chili garlic sauce. The Beijing beef is a savory dish of wok-seared beef, bell peppers, and onions in a soy-based sauce.
Sides
In addition to your two entrees, the 2 Entree Plate comes with a side of chow mein noodles and a bed of steamed rice. The chow mein noodles are stir-fried vegetables and noodles in a light sauce. Panda Express is known for its fluffy, steamed rice – the perfect accompaniment to soak up the flavorful sauces from your entrees.
Customize It
If you have a smaller appetite, you can choose the 1 Entree Plate with one of the protein options, rice and chow mein. You can also substitute the chow mein for mixed veggies or a spring roll. Feel free to mix and match your favorite dishes to create your perfect customized plate. With Panda Express, you can get exactly what you’re craving.
Pricing of the 2 Entree Plate in 2024
So, you’re craving some tasty Chinese food in a few years and wondering how much that delicious Panda Plate with two entrees will cost you. Unfortunately, it’s hard to predict the future with 100% accuracy. However, based on current economic factors and historical pricing trends, here is an educated guess:
In 2024, you can expect to pay between $12 to $16 for the popular 2 Entree Panda Plate, depending on your location and the specific entrees you choose. Panda Express has raised prices by an average of 3-5% annually over the last decade to account for inflation and rising costs of ingredients. If we assume at least a 3% annual price hike until 2024, the current $9.25 average price for a 2 entree plate would increase to around $13 in 2024.
However, food prices also depend a lot on agricultural commodity prices for meats, grains, and produce. If there are any spikes in costs for ingredients like rice, beef, broccoli, or oranges over the next few years, Panda Express may need to raise prices more to maintain their profit margins. On the other hand, if commodity prices remain stable or drop, price hikes may be on the lower end of the range.
At the same time, competition from other fast casual Asian chains like Pei Wei or Chipotle could put pressure on Panda Express to limit price increases. On balance, you’ll probably end up paying a bit more for your favorite Panda Plate in 2024 due to normal inflation, but not astronomically more unless there are significant cost pressures on Panda Express from suppliers or a drop in customer demand. The good news is that with careful budgeting and some penny pinching in other areas of your life over the next few years, you should still be able to afford to enjoy some delicious Panda Express in 2024!
What Entree Combinations You Can Get With the 2 Entree Plate
With the 2 entree combo plate at Panda Express, you have lots of delicious options to choose from. You can mix and match entrees to create your perfect combination.
Orange Chicken and Beijing Beef
Two of Panda Express’ most popular entrees are orange chicken and Beijing beef. Orange chicken features crispy fried chicken pieces in a sweet and spicy orange sauce. Beijing beef is stir-fried beef with bell peppers and onions in a savory sauce. Together, these two entrees give you a nice balance of flavors and textures. The sweet and tangy orange chicken pairs well with the hearty, savory beef.
Kung Pao Shrimp and Chow Mein
If you want a combo with variety, choose the kung pao shrimp and chow mein. Kung pao shrimp is stir-fried shrimp with vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and peanuts in a spicy garlic sauce. Chow mein is soft noodles stir-fried with cabbage, bean sprouts, and your choice of meat or tofu. The spicy shrimp provides a kick of flavor while the chow mein gives you a milder, comforting noodle dish.
Honey Walnut Shrimp and Eggplant Tofu
For a lighter option, honey walnut shrimp and eggplant tofu is a great choice. Honey walnut shrimp features crispy fried shrimp glazed in a honey sauce and topped with walnuts. Eggplant tofu is braised tofu and Asian eggplant in a garlic sauce. The honey walnut shrimp satisfies your craving for something sweet while the eggplant tofu provides a hearty, savory vegetable dish.
With so many possible combinations, you’ll want to keep coming back to try different entree pairings. And if you can’t decide, you can also choose the 2 entree plate with sides like fried rice, steamed rice, or chow mein to complement any entree. The options are endless at Panda Express!
How to Get the Best Value From the 2 Entree Plate
To get the most bang for your buck with Panda Express’ 2 Entree Plate, choose menu items that are filling yet budget-friendly. Some of the heartier options that won’t break the bank include:
Chow Mein or Fried Rice
These classic Chinese side dishes are loaded with veggies, protein, and noodles or rice to fill you up. The Beef and Broccoli Chow Mein or Yang Chow Fried Rice are always solid, affordable choices. An order of either one easily counts as an entire entree.
Kung Pao Shrimp or Chicken
Spicy and savory, Kung Pao shrimp or chicken provides lots of substance for the price. The wok-fried meat and veggies are coated in a garlic-chili sauce and served over a bed of rice. You’ll be happy with a single serving, but the leftovers also reheat well for another meal.
Sweet Fire Chicken Breast
If you prefer milder flavors, the Sweet Fire Chicken Breast is a great option. Tender chicken pieces are stir-fried in a sweet and garlicky sauce with bell peppers and broccoli. It’s a lighter but satisfying dish, ideal for sharing with a friend or saving half for later.
Beijing Beef
For beef lovers, you can’t go wrong with Beijing Beef. Flank steak is sautéed with aromatic spices and chili peppers, then served with a side of steamed rice. The thin slices of beef have tons of flavor and go a long way. Even a single order will fill up two hungry people.
By choosing one of these hearty, budget-friendly entrees along with a lighter side like soup or a small salad, you’ll get an affordable, complete meal with leftovers to spare from the 2 Entree Plate. Why overpay when you can get twice the amount of delicious Panda Express favorites? Your wallet and your belly will thank you.
How Much Is a 2 Entree Panda Plate? FAQ
What exactly is a Panda Plate?
A Panda Plate is Panda Express’ signature dish that lets you choose two entrees over rice or chow mein. The two entrees can be any combo of Panda’s delicious options like Orange Chicken, Kung Pao Shrimp, or Beijing Beef. The Panda Plate is a perfect way to sample multiple entrees without having to order full-size portions of each.
How much does a Panda Plate currently cost?
As of 2021, a Panda Plate with two entrees over rice or chow mein starts at around $8. Prices will vary a bit depending on the protein and location. Panda Express runs frequent promotions that can drop the price to around $6.50 for a limited time. They also frequently offer free entree items when you download their app and sign up for rewards.
How much will a Panda Plate cost in 2024?
It’s hard to predict exactly what a Panda Plate may cost in 2024 due to inflation and other economic factors. However, based on historical Panda Express price increases of 3-5% annually, you can expect a Panda Plate in 2024 to be in the range of $9 to $11. Panda Express works hard to keep prices affordable for customers, so price hikes are usually quite modest. They may also expand the Panda Plate option to include three entree choices for those wanting more variety, in which case the price would be slightly higher, around $12-$14.
Any tips for saving money on a Panda Plate?
- Sign up for Panda Express rewards to get free entree items and other discounts. • Check Panda Express’ social media for promo codes before you order. They frequently offer $1 or $2 off coupons. • Order your Panda Plate with chow mein instead of rice. Chow mein is usually $1 less. • Ask for a smaller portion of rice or chow mein. You’ll still get the same amount of entrees but save money on the side. • Take advantage of Panda’s recurring specials like $2 off on Tuesdays. • If dining in, ask for a to-go box right away and save half your Panda Plate for the next meal. You’ve just gotten two meals for the price of one!
Following these tips can help ensure you get the most bang for your buck when enjoying a delicious Panda Plate, whether now or in the years to come. So there you have it. A Panda Express 2 entree plate will run you about $12-15 depending on your location. While that’s a couple of bucks more than a few years ago, it’s still a solid value when you want to grab some quick, tasty Chinese food. Just don’t forget to load up on the chow mein and fried rice to get your money’s worth. And if you want to save a few extra dollars, keep an eye out for any special combo deals or coupons before your next Panda run. Whichever entrees you choose, you can expect some mouthwatering flavors at a reasonable price. Now go and enjoy that orange chicken and Beijing beef