This Marina Walk branch of PF Chang’s is small. In fact, it probably competes with their City Walk 1 branch in Al Safa as the smallest in Dubai. Although a fraction of the size of the much bigger mall-based branches it is still immediately recognisable as a PF Chang’s restaurant.
I don’t enjoy the food at PFC’s anymore finding it too…um, sweet. But I get dragged along by my family and ‘take one for the team’ by smiling through our default order of Wonton Soup, Lettuce Wraps, Dynamite Shrimp (of course), Mongolian or Wok-Charred Beef, Lo Mein Noodles and my teenage daughter’s favourite, their VIP Duck. Oh, and either their brown rice or, as we ordered this time, PF Chang’s Fried Rice. We sometimes order the Kung Pao Chicken too.
Let me tick off the (obvious) good stuff on this outing; the Dynamite Shrimp and the Lettuce Wraps were as amazing as always. And (thankfully) the lettuce wrap sauce was better this time, and not spiked to the hilt with wasabi as it has been on the last two occasions I’ve visited PFC (why they changed the old system of mixing the sauce at the table, I still don’t know). Okay, the Wok-Charred Beef wasn’t bad either. Nor was the fried rice. But good grief, the noodles were amateurish at best, and the wontons in the soup (including the new dumplings starter) tasted like raw dough – ugh.
Service is all-smiles friendly, fast and accommodating in that franchise America way. Portion sizes remain generous and prices are still quite reasonable if you can keep your order size under control, otherwise, the bill for a table of four could easily cost you north of AED600. Although I am no longer a fan, preferring the authentic Chinese restaurants of International City, I have nothing but praise for PF Chang’s. It delivers consistently high-quality food on every occasion. Its signature dishes, Dynamite Shrimps and Lettuce Wraps are copied by everyone (especially the shrimps) yet no one comes close to theirs. And this little branch in Marina Walk? Forget the lower than usual ratings, they’re either from disgruntled deliveries or…fake. Otherwise, the restaurant is a hit and well worth a visit.
Waste NOT. Want NOT.
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