Along with pizza shops and coffee shops, Elizabethtown is brimming with Chinese and Asian cuisine restaurants. Along Market Street alone, you will find three: E-Yuan, Hokkaido Sushi and Panda Buffet.
E-Yuan is quick, cheap and easily accessible for any Elizabethtown College student. It is a convenient choice and good for your money, but personally, it is not my first choice.
Hokkaido Susho is a bit higher quality, take out and sit down service are both offered. Hokkaido Sushi is a bit further away, sharing a shopping center with the Weis. As the name says, this is a sushi restaurant. While they serve the expected Chinese take-out food, they definitely excel more in sushi. With the higher quality, comes higher prices. While I believe it is worth the cost, it is not exactly within my budget.
Panda Buffet is located at 1575 South Market St, suite 113. It shares a strip with the CVS pharmacy, just past the Giant. It is an easy commute with a vehicle and manageable on foot.
Panda Buffet is take out only. Previously a sit down buffet, the restaurant transitioned to take out only due to a lack of staff members. However this does not take away from their service and quality.
To place an order, call or walk in. If calling, you will be quickly greeted by a friendly voice and your order will be taken down promptly. Once you arrive at the restaurant, wait at the counter and someone will be with you shortly. They do not sell just food at this establishment, you can purchase potted plants to aid a local small business and charity.
Personally, I only go for the food. If you are looking for something really cheap, this may not be the perfect place. They are reasonably priced and affordable, but a bit on the pricer side. This is a once-in-a-while affordability, not multiple times a week.
Whenever I go, I order the same thing, what can I say? I’m a creature of habit, and this go-to is done well.
I placed an order for crab rangoons, white rice, and a large order of honey chicken. With this, I have lunch for at least three days for approximately $25. The food was fresh and hot. The chicken was really crispy and didn’t have that rubbery texture you sometimes get with take out.
Even after traveling back to my apartment with the food trapping heat in the box, and smothered in sauce, the food wasn’t soggy or greasy in any way. It reheats well in the microwave, air fryer and oven.
This restaurant is very good quality for the price, while I can’t say it is the best I’ve ever had, it is definitely my go-to spot here in Etown. Factoring in quality, taste and cost, I’d recommend Panda Buffet to any broke college student looking for cheap and quality take out.
