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p.f. chang’s fast casual eatery, pei wei (pronounced “pay-way”), opened a couple of weeks ago in my neighborhood. i didn’t really expect to write a review of a fast food establishment but we were so impressed, i whipped out the camera a took a couple of shots of our food (only the chicken lettuce wraps turned out).
pei wei seems to have optimized the “fast casual” dining experience. there are two entrances, two lines and two cash registers; one set for dine in, the other for take away. the menu is posted on *huge* light boxes at the entrance and there’s a sign that politely asks that you decide on your order before heading up to the cash register. after you place your order you’re given a round tag with your number on it. you then get your drink, have a seat and display your number at your table. when your food is ready, they find you. i much prefer this option to the “here’s your order number, now it’s your job to worry about hearing us call it out in a noisy restaurant.” like p.f. changs, the food is meant to be eaten family style, large serving spoons come with each entree and there are ample stacks of plates at each table. they bus your table for you and the manager offered to refill drinks for us. nice!
on the menu, you’ll find a few p.f. chang’s favorites, namely the lettuce chicken wraps (pictured) and pei wei (chang’s) spicy chicken. entrees range from $6.25 to $9 and are generously portioned. we had the minced chicken with cool lettuce wraps (the chicken for which i caught a glimpse of them grinding fresh in the back – a good sign), the spring rolls (perfectly crispy and served with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce – seriously yummy), won ton soup (served with wilted spinach, i really liked this) and the pork blazing noodles (just the right level of heat and very tasty).
when our food was delivered, the blazing noodles arrived with chicken rather than pork and just as we were saying “oh well -pork, chicken, who cares?” the manager came over to inform us that he knew the order had just come out wrong and he had an order of pork heading our way shortly. he was extremely helpful and brought us to-go boxes for the heaps of extra food we had. i commented that i thought the food quality was on par with p.f. chang’s and the manager shared that they buy all the same ingredients from the same suppliers as chang’s. it shows, because the food was pretty tasty. this definitely is a good alternative when you’re craving p.f. chang’s and aren’t interested in an hour and a half wait on a weekend or if you’re just in the mood for good pan asian fare.
I know people in other cities who RAVE about this place. Next time I’m out in that area, I need to check it out.
I love puff changs, but, did you ever see the calorie counts for some of these things!!!!
true:
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/306288,chinese032107.article
Anne & I ate here for the first time last night since we were up in that neck of the woods.
First let me say that we enjoyed what we had (Beef Fried Rice and Scallop Lo Mein) and it was more than enough food for the two of us to share. The price wasn’t bad either… $18 for that and fountain drinks, which isn’t bad for a sit-down restaurant for dinner.
But the more I thought about it, the more I figured eating at a REAL Chinese-American restaurant would be even cheaper and sometimes even better. Stir-Fry isn’t something you can really dress up very much, so why bother? I think the experience is part of the meal when it comes to this style of food, and while the decor was nice in Pei Wei and the servers attentative and friendly, I just feel more comfortable eating Stir Fry in a place where no perky suburban teenager comes to see “how everything’s tasting” and ordering your food is done through a minor language barrier.
I’d probably eat here again since I really don’t know any other good chinese places in that area. I think one of these restaurants could fit in well in the Short North or downtown as well. Would kill during the lunch crowd and since they serve a limited alcohol selection could be another draw to the after-hours scene perhaps on Gay Street.
But if one moved into German Village, I’d protest. Happy Dragon is better for the price and the authenticity.
I’ve been a couple times and didn’t think that much of it. I liked it, but it was just ok in my mind. But I will go back because the name is too close to PWEI for me not to :lol:
Have you made it to the Rice Bowl yet Walker??? If not, make it a point.
I have had pei wei once or twice and it was pretty ok. However, I love Sunflower which is essentially right across the street. If you are in the area again and need some good Chinese food check it out.
I’ve also tried Pei Wei, and by far the biggest turn-off for me was the price. The place makes itself out to be an “Asian diner”, but it was more expensive then a lot of your more typical hole-in-the-wall strip mall Chinese joints.
The food was good, but if you’re going to be paying that much anyway, and want that kind of super “polished” Asian food, then just go to PF Changs. If this kind of “polish” (or possibly “Americanization”) turns you off, then definitely stick to the usual hole-in-the-wall place instead.
My only real question, is this place pronounced “pee wee”???
I know you’re joking, but dude – the first line of the first post in this thread:
LOL…no, I actually missed that somehow. I think I’d actually eat there if it was Pee Wee though ;)