Restaurants & Bars

Rt. 59 Panda Express Gets Big Crowd Opening Night

Panda Express did not mess around. Construction started in late summer and the restaurant opened Friday, Dec. 13.

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Shorewood resident Gerri Carroll Kohlbrecher is all smiles at the new Panda Express restaurant on Route 59. (Image provided to Patch for use )
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Panda Express on Route 59 in Joliet opened for business on Friday. (Photo by John Ferak, Joliet Patch Editor)
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The Panda Express Shanghai Angus Steak is a great meal option. (Image via John Ferak/Joliet Patch )

JOLIET, IL —The city of Joliet's newly built Panda Express on Route 59 near Walmart opened for business on Friday the 13th. On Friday night, the new Chinese fast-food restaurant was busy inside as was its drive-thru window.

There was a steady line of customers waiting to place their order around 7:15 p.m., but to the credit of the new managers and employees, they kept the line of customers moving quickly. There were also some Panda Express employees giving away gifts for children and grownups willing to spin the wheel.

Judging by Friday night's turnout, it seems like the Panda Express will be a big hit on Route 59. The city of Joliet approved the Panda Express construction project in April.

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