Jen and I had some gift cards that we haven’t used in a while and one of them was to a place called P.F. Chang’s. P.F. Chang’s touts itself as of the premier places for Asian fusion cuisine. The last time I believe we had gone there was probably pre-Covid. I’m not sure. My mother, when she was alive, really loved P.F. Chang’s and I would take her there usually for her birthday or Mother’s Day or a Sunday dinner anytime she wanted. I would take her because she liked it so much. P.F. Chang’s is definitely known for their appetizer called the lettuce wraps, it was a very good appetizer and truly one of the highlights of the meals that we used to have there.
So, Jen and I decided we were going to use some of the gift cards we had and have a meal at P.F. Chang’s. I was looking forward to it, because again, we have been doing so well on our wellness journey to get healthier. We wanted to maybe splurge just a little but not go overboard, and I was always one to enjoy thoroughly Asian food. Jen made reservations for 5:30 and we arrived about 5:15 and within five minutes were seated at a table. The place was very busy, and we had overheard the hostess tell other people who were waiting that they could sit at the bar if they wanted, but there were no tables available until about 8 o’clock.
P.F. Chang’s was always a busy place every time we went there. Our server came by, her name was Maddie, very affable young lady who took our orders promptly for drinks. Jen again was not having any alcoholic beverages so she just ordered a club soda mocktail if you will. However, I was in an Asian restaurant I felt I needed to have some sake. We ordered some appetizers and dinner and ordered them all at one time and told the server whenever they come out they come out and will be fine with that.
Jen ordered the lettuce wraps, like I said previously, is what the restaurant is known for but she ordered the gluten-free version which I’m not exactly sure what they do differently, but I’m guessing there’s a lot less soy sauce in it. Jen also ordered the pork egg rolls. I ordered the steamed dumplings, the shrimp version not the pork version because the pork version had more calories and I was still trying to be calorie conscious. I also ordered a dinner called the Buddha feast. The Buddha feast consisted of vegetables and tofu. The vegetables were mostly carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, bok choy, and tofu in a white garlic sauce. I was told that my entrée came with a choice of white rice, fried rice or lo mein. I opted for the lo mein, with the intention of not eating it all because it would probably be higher in calories but I definitely wanted to try some. The egg rolls came out and they were sliced in half but almost kind of on a bias. Jen tried one and said it tasted like reheated frozen egg rolls that you would buy in bulk from somewhere. And that she had actually had better frozen egg rolls at home. She was not enamored at all with the filling since she said almost resembled some type of dog food and the reheated egg rolls seemed like they spent way too much time under a heat lamp. I tried them and I agreed with her they just weren’t very good.
When I go to an Asian restaurant and they talking about egg rolls or vegetable spring rolls I don’t want them cut open, I’d like them when they remind me of a present that you’re looking forward to opening before you eat it. It’s enticing to look at it. When it is cut in half for me, it takes away some of the mystery. As for the lettuce wraps, Jen said they just didn’t taste very good. Very bland, she said maybe it had something to do with the fact that they were gluten-free. She wasn’t sure, but I do know this, she has made lettuce wraps before where I have brought the leftovers to my work and people have tried them and said that these were better than anything they ever had it P.F. Chang’s. The dumplings I ordered were very good. I have no complaints there. They were delicious and they were cooked perfectly. I did not have them pan fried which I would’ve preferred but these steamed dumplings were very good, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. My entrée, the Buddhist feast, was good. I have no complaints. The vegetables were cooked al dente nothing soggy, nice crunch to it and I really enjoyed the tofu . And for people who’ve never tried tofu but are afraid of it. I’d liken them to mushrooms in a way where they absorb the flavors of everything else and I happen to really like the taste. I think it’s good.
When the server came back and we told her everything was OK and she then asked me if I liked the lo mein how I liked it. I told her that it was very bland, flavorless, and these were also noodles that to me seemed rather uninspired and sat under a heat lamp for a while. They were dry. I am one of those people that enjoys those packages of Ramen that you buy, you can get them for a quarter or $.50 or whatever at the grocery store and I happen to love those and I’ve never had complaints from that bargain brand Ramen, which to me is heads and tails above what I was served at P.F. Chang’s. The server apologized and promptly said she was going to take them off the check. I told her she did not have to do that. It was not her fault. I ordered them, I should be stuck with them she insisted and took them off the ticket.
Overall, our experience of P.F. Chang’s was below average. If we did not have a gift card and had to pay for this ourselves, I think our review probably would’ve been even more harsh. This is not how I remember P.F. Chang’s. I remember it being much better. Maybe restaurants have not recovered from the aftermath of COVID. I don’t know. What I do know is, that we will not be returning to P.F. Chang’s anytime soon. I know people love the place and the place is always busy and that’s great, but for me it’s definitely not worth the calories and not worth the money to spend an incredibly average Asian food. My recommendation if you’re looking for a restaurant that specializes in Asian fusion there is one in Troy, Michigan called Mon Jin Lau. I think you should go there instead.
Click here for Jen’s soon to be famous Asian Lettuce Wrap recipe!