Little Panda
If you're ever in Cherokee, Iowa, and craving authentic Chinese cuisine with a unique twist, Little Panda at 212 W Maple St should be on your radar. Known for its charming atmosphere and mouthwatering dishes, Little Panda offers a welcoming experience that combines flavorful meals with friendly service. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this restaurant has a way of making every meal feel like a special occasion.
A Flavorful Menu with Local Favorites
The menu at Little Panda brings the best of Chinese flavors, with a particular focus on freshness and variety. While the buffet offers a great selection, it’s the freshly prepared dishes that truly shine. The restaurant's offerings include popular options like orange chicken, crispy cream cheese wontons, and savory rice dishes. Whether you’re in the mood for something light or hearty, the menu offers something for everyone, with dishes that are both satisfying and packed with bold flavors.
Customer reviews highlight the generous portions and high quality of ingredients used in each dish, ensuring that every meal is a treat. Freshly cooked items on the buffet are a particular favorite among visitors, as they are always hot and flavorful. The inclusion of appetizers like wontons and chicken wings adds a fun variety to the meal, making it a perfect option for both quick bites and casual dining experiences.
Cozy, Welcoming Atmosphere
Stepping into Little Panda feels like entering a cozy haven, with its relaxed, Chinese-inspired ambiance. The warm decor, combined with friendly staff members, ensures that diners always feel at home. Customers often praise the small-town charm of the place, which adds to the restaurant's appeal. Whether you're dining in or grabbing takeout, the atmosphere is always inviting, creating the perfect setting for a comforting meal.
A particularly noteworthy aspect of the service is how well the staff ensures that everything is freshly made, even in a buffet setting. This attention to detail has earned the restaurant positive reviews, as customers appreciate the consistently high quality and the friendly demeanor of the team.
Customer Reviews: What People Are Saying
Reviewers often mention the exceptional quality of food and the welcoming nature of the staff. One customer, Ryan K., describes the restaurant as offering “extremely flavorful” dishes with generous portions. He emphasizes the friendly, helpful staff, noting that the restaurant exudes a small-town charm with a distinct Chinese atmosphere.
Another customer, Ann T., appreciates the freshness of the buffet items, pointing out that the restaurant prepares small portions to ensure that nothing sits around for too long. The clean, cozy environment further enhances the dining experience, making it a perfect spot for a quick bite or a casual meal. Her review also mentions the tasty selection of entrees, such as chicken wings, wontons, and fresh salad.
Lary F. offers a nostalgic review, recalling a visit that set the standard for Chinese food for the rest of his life. He fondly remembers the excellent rice, orange chicken, and cream cheese wontons. Whether it's a buffet, dine-in, or takeout, Lary believes every option is equally excellent.
Consistent Quality and Service
What sets Little Panda apart is its unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The restaurant’s combination of fresh, flavorful food and a cozy, welcoming atmosphere makes it a standout in Cherokee, Iowa. Whether you're indulging in a buffet or enjoying a sit-down meal, you're guaranteed a satisfying experience.
With its dedicated staff, diverse menu options, and local charm, Little Panda stands as a testament to great Chinese cuisine done right. It’s the kind of place where you can always count on delicious food and a warm welcome, no matter the occasion.
Reviews
Small town Chinese food that is served in a clean restaurant, albeit in an off-the main road restaurant. They cook up small portions for the buffet, so the food is always fresh and not sitting around for a long time on the steam table. The meals are good, even though there is only a choice of about six entrees. There are also chicken wings, wantons, rangoon, orange slices, lettuce salad with a balsamic dressing. Fried rice is the norm, but you can ask for white rice. There is also a menu from which you can order dine in or take out. Friendly, quick service. Prices are very reasonable. It is a popular place.
I was just a kid. 18 years old on a trip back home with a college buddy. Little did I know that that was the trip that would set the standard for all Chinese food for the rest of my life. If you have the time, the buffet is where you should spend your time. But to be honest, whether it's the buffet, dine in or take out, it's all excellent. The rice, the orange chicken, the cream cheese wontons, the egg rolls and much, much more. You won't be disappointed. The staff compliments the food in a way that is difficult to describe but I shall try. Simply put, they treat you like family. They are humble and strive to provide an experience that keeps you coming back for more. Finally, the Little Panda is a legend without our college crew. Everyone who made the trip tells fond stories of the memories created in this small town gold mine. Please do yourself a favor and stop in for a sit down meal and I promise, you will not be disappointed.
I just ate at the Little Panda tonight. One of many times over the years that it has been opened. The food is on the mild side of americanized Chinese food. The buffet has a nice assortment of foods. I especially like their Hot & Sour soup! To it I take 1-2 Crab Rangoon and break them up in quarter sections, and add to the soup. They remain crunchy in the thickened soup, and the cream cheese adds a nice flavor profile to the soup. I tend to rate all Chinese restaurants by their Hot Mustard. The Little Panda make their own Hot Mustard, and it is spicy hot. A real snot melting spicy hot! I also like their chicken wings, and especially their Pepper Shrimp when it's on the supper buffet. They don't serve shrimp on their noon buffet, but the noon buffet costs less too. Supper Buffet is less than $9.00. drinks are extra. This is the only Chinese/Asian restaurant in Cherokee, so they command my attention! To eat Chinese elsewhere you'd have to drive 30 miles to find another Chinese restaurant. So if you're in Cherokee and want to dine at a Chinese restaurant, the Little Panda is the best hands down!
For a small mid-western town, this is a Gem. The food is very colorful, flavorful, and priced very reasonably. The service is very good and you won't wait long to get your food. Family friendly and affordable for an entire family experience!! If in town, this is a worth while experience...
Extremely flavorful, with generous portions. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Location has a very small town feel, with a Chinese ambience.