Singing Pandas Asian Restaurant & Bar, which offers a mix of Americanized and authentic Chinese dishes, has opened on Chandler Boulevard, a half-mile east of Arizona Avenue, in Chandler.
The mostly Hispanic neighborhood is a somewhat unusual location for a Chinese restaurant, but the owner liked the visibility along busy Chandler Boulevard.
The restaurant actually consists of three small buildings, all connected, one of which was a hole-in-the-wall Mexican joint called Ranchero Mexican Grill.
After extensive remodeling, Singing Pandas has two distinct spaces – a casual and modern restaurant (pictured above on right, with lower roof) and a lounge with a bar and stage.
The bar has six beers on tap and a wine list with eight selections. The stage hosts live performances on weekends from 6-8 p.m.
Singing Panda’s menu has the familiar dishes, like kung pao chicken (pictured) and mu shu pork (both $8.95), as well as the less-familiar, like a Hong Kong-style pork shop ($10.95).
One of the cooks is from Malaysia, so you’re in luck if you like yellow or green curry ($9.95). Instead of shrimp, there are larger prawns with lobster sauce ($10.95) and walnut prawns ($12.95).
The signature entrees, though, involve high-quality beef, such as Mongolian beef and beef chow fun (both $10.95).
There are 20 lunch specials, available until 3 p.m. weekdays, for $$5.95-$7.95.
Singing Pandas is open 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. weekends.
