A new-look Panda Express will open next week at 4801 W. 87th St. in Oak Lawn. (Supplied photo)
Panda Express opening new concept location next week in Oak Lawn
By Bob Bong
Panda Express will be celebrating the grand opening of its newest location at 4801 W. 87th St. in Oak Lawn with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony with members of the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, February 15, beginning at 9 a.m.
The first lucky 88 guests to receive a free Panda Express branded T-shirt.
The new location features an updated store design for the restaurant chain, known as Panda Home. The updated model incorporates design elements inspired by traditional Chinese architecture and traditions with modern motifs that tells the unique story of Panda Express. Panda recognizes consumer habits have changed over the last three years and to meet the needs of guests’ evolved lifestyles, the store design creates efficiencies for operators and diners to accommodate the increased demand for online ordering and drive-thru channels.
“The opening of the new Panda Express location is an additional opportunity to give Oak Lawn residents access to enjoy their favorite American Chinese dishes,” the company said in a release. “We encourage everyone to stop by the restaurant to experience the new store design and taste Panda Express favorites, which are all freshly made with quality ingredients.”
The new Panda Express location offers Panda’s iconic dishes, including the world-famous The Original Orange Chicken, award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp and guest-favorite Broccoli Beef entrée.
“Our entire Panda team is grateful to serve the Oak Lawn community by providing new jobs and supporting local organizations through fundraising opportunities,” said Nancy Diaz, Panda Express Area Coach of Operations. “We hope to be a lasting part of the community and welcome all guests into our doors to try our American Chinese favorites and discover their own.”
In celebration of the upcoming Lunar New Year, guests who visit PandaLNY.com now until Feb. 10 may also play The Good Fortune Scratcher Game2 for a chance to win exciting prizes including an $888 Panda Express gift card, $88 Panda Express gift cards, $8 off any Family Meal, free egg rolls and more.
Local store hours are Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (with drive-thru open until 10 p.m.); Friday, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (with drive-thru open until 10:30 p.m.); Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (with drive-thru open until 10:30 p.m.)
For more information on Panda Express, please visit Pandaexpress.com.
Free Home Run Inn pizza
Home Run Inn, the family-owned pizza brand that has been dishing out pizzas in Chicago for more than 75 years, pays tribute to National Pizza Day on Friday, February 9. Available at any one of its nine Chicagoland locations, for dine-in or carry out, guests will receive a free 12-inch frozen Classic Cheese or Sausage pizza (value $7.99 -10.99) with the purchase of any extra-large pizza (limit 2 free pizzas per guest).
Home Run Inn is offering other specialty items for the month beginning on February 5, ranging from their chocolate swirled strawberry daiquiri to heart shaped pizzas to share A-Pizza your heart with your loved ones.
“Home Run Inn is always looking to celebrate holidays with a fun twist,” says Gina Perrino Bolger, Senior Vice President of Home Run Inn and fourth generation family member.
If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.
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