Pei Wei Asian Diner

It is a regular place for me to eat since I go to school around the corner. Like the fact that they start serving lunch at 11:00 am. Many times I have noon meetings and a class immediately following and want something prior.  I can always count on fast flavorable food. Atmoshere is nice with the option to sit outside.

Needed a break from the usual lunch options around my office so I took a short drive with my co-worker and chose to pass on Chipotle (a fave) and try it's neighbor, Pei Wei Asian Diner, instead. Little did I know it's owned by or a division of P.F. Chang's. (I should get out more often, huh?)

I walked in to a surprisingly nice spot. I guess I expected a slight step up from a fast food joint but it looked like a simple but elegant sit-down restaurant, which then made me think I'd be paying an arm and a leg for a quick lunch.

Well the menu was a little overwhelming, not because of too many options per se, but perhaps too many combinations. I just needed a second, which turned into five minutes lol...But then I was ready. I ordered a teriyaki chicken lunch special and upgraded to fried rice with some wonton soup (included as a side in the lunch combo). All in all, I believe I paid under $8 for the meal (no drink) and it was delicious! Savory, fresh, and great presentation. Two thumbs up for the patient service staff as well in helping me choose my meal and bringing it out to our outdoor table! In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger...I'll be back!!!

Ok. So this was my first actual trip to Pei Wei, and I have to admit.... I LOVED IT! Maybe it was the niceness of the manager, or the sexy decor. Or maybe, it was simple the fact that the food was fresh and tasty and I don't feel sleep or have heartburn. I had Dan Dan noodles and a spring roll, and I was sorry that I did. But not for reasons that you think... I wasn't sorry because it sucked. I was sorry because I, A) only got 1 spring roll (#epicfail), and B) ate my entire plate of Dan Dan noodles (greed much?) and have none left for dinner tonight! Next time, I just need to put on my big girl panties and order extra food (duh, Lavi)! Anyways, let me fill you in on those Dan Dan noodles: they're thick noodles, almost like udon, but not quite, with a tangy, slightly spicy, velvety sauce, crisp veggies, and chicken. Remember that early 90's song by The Jungle Brothers called "Girl, I'll House You"??? Well, "girl," I HOUSED those noodles! I made those noodles scream for mercy! And it's quite possible that, had I not been in public, I may just have licked the excess sauce up out of the bowl! (Kidding... I'm just kidding... haha... yea, that's it!) Oh, and the spring roll was vegetarian, but the veggies still had a nice fresh crunch to them, and the outer skin was  nice and crispy without being greasy. I was thoroughly impressed and quite satisfied that fast food Chinese was so not fast-foody! I'll definitely be back!