Review: Panda Express - Shanghai Angus Steak

So I dropped by my local Panda Express to get my free single serving of Shanghai Angus Steak today.

Shanghai Angus Steak brings seasoned and seared, thick-cut slices of Angus Top Sirloin tossed in a wok with asparagus, mushrooms, and Panda Express's new Asian steak sauce to their menu.

It's a premium menu item and will cost you a $1 more over the normal entrees (i.e. if you buy a two-entree plate, it will cost $7.29 instead of $6.29 at my local Panda Express).

Opening up the chinese-take-out-style box (remember when these had the metal handles that you would accidentally put in the microwave? or so I've heard...), I was greeted by... a mushroom! But after that, thick  chunks of seared Angus top sirloin steak. They looked plump and tender.

Biting into one, I was pleased to discover that it was very tender and cooked to medium doneness (not sure if the "medium" bit was by design)! The seasoning is light and livens up the beef rather nicely. It's quality that's a big step above the regular Panda Express items even as it comes out of the same steam table. These was probably the best steak I've had at a fast food or fast casual restaurant. It pairs quite well with white or brown rice.

The vegetables were pretty good too. Not overly sauced, the asparagus was cooked to a good doneness retaining a nice bit of crispness and snap. I will warn those who don't like mushrooms that the mushrooms are very mushroom-y.

Being that Panda Express does have everything under heat lamps and on a steam table, your mileage might vary; like most foods, Panda Express tastes best when it's just been cooked and that's especially true of steak. I'm not sure when my order of Shanghai Angus Steak was cooked, but I do know that it was really tasty!

Nutritional Info - Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak
Calories - 220 (from Fat - 60)
Fat - 7g (Saturated Fat - 2g)
Sodium - 910mg
Carbs - 19g (Sugar - 13g)
Protein - 21g