Asian-Mexican fusion cuisine is a rarity, so when Chino Bandito closed its longtime Chandler location in 2014 you may have thought the East Valley would never see such a combination again.
But you would have been wrong. Panda Libre Infused Restaurant has just opened on the southwest corner of Gilbert and Guadalupe (map) in Gilbert.
First off, it’s important to note Pabda Libre is quite different than Chino Bandito, where a diner could order Asian dishes like spicy red jade chicken along with Mexican items like carnitas or a chile relleno.
Panda Libre, on the other hand, offers a Chipotle-like menu of burritos, bowls, and tacos filled with your choice of ‘‘fusion’’ proteins such as:
- Carne asada infused with Asian spices
- Beef barbacoa infused with Asian spices
- Spicy orange chicken
- Chorizo pork and beef
- Korean short ribs with a Mexican marinade
- Sweet and spicy diablo shrimp
Veggie additions include:
- Peppers and onions
- Cabbage mix
- Black beans
- Refried beans
- Kimchi
(Pictured above: Orange chicken and black beans over brown rice on left, double chorizo pork and beef with kimchi over white rice.)
Burros and lettuce bowls with white or brown rice are $8.49 (add $1.50 for ribs or shrimp). Tacos are $2.99 (add 50 cents for ribs or shrimp).
You also can get your protein with fried rice or chow mein for $8.99.
Panda Libre makes three salsas: traditional, spicy, and Hell’s Fire.
Hours are 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
