Going Big, Panda Brew Opens New Bar at Sanyuanqiao with Burgers and Brews
Okay, I promise you this is the last burger blog in our 2017 the Beijinger Burger Cup series. (Though at some point soon, you may start missing these lovely, greasy burgers when you are hit with the upcoming barrage of pizza blogs.) But we thought there was one more little (or not-so-little) nugget of burger news you needed to know: After several years, Panda Brew has gone BIG.
Over the years, Panda Brew has expanded its territory from the bottle shop at Wudaoying, a massive flagship outlet at Beixinqiao in 2014, and the small shop in the basement of the Topwin Center in 2017. This month's opening eclipses all the others, though: its new bar at Phoenix City is massive.
With a nice al fresco sitting area, Panda Brew takes advantage of the relaxing pedestrian zone at Phoenix City. A bar with several taps is located at the entrance, decorated simply with a wall of white tiles, and the names of their beers written on a blackboard above the taps. During our visit, there were ten Panda beers on tap, including the Slo Mo’ IPA, Beyond the Pale Ale, Pure Red Honey Ale, First Hop, Interesting IPL, Mocking Imperial Stout, Barley Wine, Gold Ale, Pilsner and Black Bock (RMB 48-90/pint).
To match the vibe of the outdoor area, the inside bar is spacious, with plenty of room for a large kitchen. Unlike the strict pizza policy at their Beixinqiao location, they serve bar food, salads, and burgers here. The Seasonal Greens Salad (RBM 48) featured cauliflower, red beans, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, corn, shredded carrot, boiled egg, and boiled potatoes, with a choice of three dressings – ranch, Thousand Island, and vinaigrette. It was refreshing, and the beans were quite sweet.
But the burgers rule this roost. The Mexico Burger (RMB 68) is great for lovers of spicy food, with a thick imported beef patty grilled to pink, chopped peppers, chili salsa adding a spicy kick, and sour cream to balance the texture. It was like eating a burger-shaped burrito. The buns were baked crispy with a splash of white and black sesame.
Grandma's Chicken Burger (RMB 58) included grilled pineapple, bacon, brie cheese, tomato salsa, fried egg, onion mayonnaise, and lettuce. It was rich in flavor and contrast – the sweetness of tropical fruits, the spiciness of the salsa, the creamy texture of the onion mayonnaise. A bunch of small fries and ketchup were put aside both burgers and seasoned with spices.
Among the beers, we found the Pure Red Honey Ale (5.5 percent ABV), and Slo Mo’ IPA (6.5 percent ABV) went well with the meals – especially the Mexico Burger – to remove the curb the spiciness. Panda Brew’s old regular brews will be back on tap soon due to the growing demand. There’s no doubt when the most comfortable season arrives, sitting outside will be great for a long autumn weekend afternoon.
Before you go, we send you off with one last gift: if you arrive at Panda Brew within five days of this blog's publication, you can enjoy 20 percent off on all the bills if you show them this blog. Enjoy!
Daily 10am-1am. S07A, Phoenix Business District, Phoenix City, Sanyuanqiao, Chaoyang District (5866 7655)
熊猫精酿：朝阳区三元桥凤凰商街S07A
More stories by this author here.
Email: tracywang@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @flyingfigure
Instagram: @flyingfigure
Photos: Courtesy of Panda Brew, Tracy Wang
