P.F. Chang’s Chef’s Feast Menu: A Complete Dining Experience

When it comes to casual Asian dining, P.F. Chang’s has long been a go-to destination for many. Their “Chef’s Feast” menu, a three-course meal at an attractive price point, promises to deliver a complete dining experience without breaking the bank. After hearing mixed reviews about this offering, I decided to put it to the test and determine if it truly offers the value it promises.

The Appetizer Course

The Chef’s Feast begins with a choice of two appetizers from three options for two diners. We opted for the egg drop soup and the house salad, leaving the hot and sour soup for another visit.

The egg drop soup, while generously loaded with sliced vegetables, fell somewhat short of expectations. Despite its appealing golden color and silky texture, the broth lacked the depth of flavor one might expect from this classic starter. The vegetables, though fresh and crisp, couldn’t completely make up for the rather bland base.

The house salad proved more interesting, featuring a soy-sesame vinaigrette that initially impressed with its bold flavors. However, the kitchen’s heavy hand with the dressing led to some issues – the crispy wontons quickly became soggy, losing their delightful crunch. A minor but noteworthy detail was the unstable bowl presentation, which made eating slightly more challenging than necessary.

Shared Starter

Moving to the shared starter course, we selected the pork spring rolls from the four available options. This choice proved to be one of the meal’s highlights. The rolls arrived perfectly crispy, well-constructed, and generously filled with a flavorful mixture of cabbage, garlic, and ginger. The accompanying duck sauce, while slightly thinner than ideal, complemented the rolls nicely with its sweet and tangy profile.

Main Course Selection

The main course offers each diner two choices from the available options. We sampled the Crispy Honey Chicken and the Beef Lo Mein.

The Crispy Honey Chicken demonstrated solid execution in terms of texture – the exterior maintained its crunch while the chicken remained tender. However, the honey flavor proved surprisingly subtle, almost too subtle. The dish could have benefited from a more pronounced honey presence and additional spice complexity to elevate it beyond just being well-prepared fried chicken.

The Beef Lo Mein emerged as a study in contrasts. The noodles themselves were exceptional – perfectly cooked with ideal texture and well-seasoned. The abundant vegetables added both nutrition and variety to each bite. However, the beef portion seemed notably sparse, leaving us wanting more of the protein component to balance out the noodles and vegetables.

Value Proposition and Final Thoughts

From a purely financial perspective, the Chef’s Feast menu delivers significant savings compared to ordering these items à la carte. At $50 post-tax for two people, it represents solid value in today’s dining landscape, especially when compared to both traditional dinner houses and higher-end fast-food options.

The newest P.F. Chang’s location at Christiana Mall in Delaware (their first in the state) offers both indoor and outdoor seating options, with a pleasant patio space for those preferring al fresco dining. The restaurant provides both dine-in and takeout services, adding convenience to its list of positive attributes.

While not without its imperfections – mainly related to seasoning levels and sauce consistency – the Chef’s Feast menu succeeds in providing a varied and satisfying dining experience. The highlights, particularly the spring rolls and lo mein noodles, demonstrate the kitchen’s capability when firing on all cylinders. The few shortcomings, while noticeable, don’t significantly detract from the overall value proposition.

For those seeking a diverse Asian dining experience at a reasonable price point, P.F. Chang’s Chef’s Feast menu warrants consideration. While some dishes may not reach the heights of specialized establishments, the combination of variety, portion size, and price point creates an attractive package for casual dining enthusiasts.

Remember to check with your local P.F. Chang’s for specific menu availability and pricing, as these may vary by location.

I tried P.F. Chang’s ‘chef’s feast’ for just $23 a person. It was a legitimately good meal deal with multiple courses.