Panda Express with Tricia McAlpin

"Panda Express with Tricia McAlpin" is Episode 37 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Panda Express with Tricia McAlpin" was released on February 11, 2016.

## Synopsis

The biggest American Chinese fast food chain gets the fork treatment, as writer Tricia McAlpin (*Brooklyn 99*) joins Mitch & Wiger in studio. And, a special Valentine’s Day edition of Season’s Eatings.

## Nick's intro

In 1858, a group of Methodist ministers founded Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas.

A century and change later, Andrew Cherng met his future wife Peggy, an immigrant from Burma, while both were students at the school. Andrew, himself the son of a master Chinese chef from Jiangsu province, parlayed his knowledge of Far East cuisine into a sit-down restaurant the newlyweds opened in the Southern California city of Pasadena, taking its name from the national animal of China.

The concept was a success and expanded its dine-in table-service locations until, in 1983, UCLA football coach Terry Donahue and his brother, real-estate mogul Don Donahue, persuaded the couple to attempt a quick-service version of their eatery. Together, they opened an 'express' version of their 'inn' concept at one of the most famous malls in America, the Glendale Galleria. In 1987, the chain introduced a Hunan-inspired dish developed by Chef Andy Kao, orange chicken, which would become, and remain, their signature entrée.

The sit-down originals slowly faded away, but the leaner fast-food edition endures and thrives with 1700 locations across North America.

And to many in the U.S., it's the chain that defines Chinese cuisine.

This week on *Doughboys*: Panda Express.

## Mitch's intro

The Great Wall of China: over 2,200 some odd years ago, its first bricks were laid into place. Little did anyone know, this mighty border-defense system would one day become one of the greatest wonders of our world.

A few miles, and a couple of centuries later, in the nearby Jiangsu region, Chinese master Chef Ming Tsai Cherng and his wife gave birth to a son, Andrew, a man who would one day create a wonder all of his own.

Andrew moved overseas to study mathematics in the dusty plains of Kansas at Baker University. That's where he met his future wife, Peggy. Together, they left Kansas for California's Golden Coast, but shortly after their arrival, Andrew was bitten by a bug. However, this was no ordinary California insectoid. No! Andrew had been bitten by the food bug.

Andrew's father joined him in Pasadena in 1973 and together they opened their first restaurant, Panda Inn. Peggy soon joined forces with the father/son combo and in 1983, their fortunes changed forever. That's when they teamed with UCLA head football coach Terry Donahue and his real-estate agent brother to create a fast-food version of the restaurant for Glendale Galleria's food court. The fast-food Chinese counter would prove to be a culinary touchdown that slowly spanned across the United States like a mighty Great Wall.

Today on *Doughboys*: it's Panda Express.

## Fork rating

	+ The Original Orange Chicken
	+ Firecracker Chicken
	+ 1/2 Chow Mein, 1/2 Fried Rice
* Cream Cheese Rangoon
* Chicken Egg Roll
 Mike Mitchell
* Bigger Plate
	+ The Original Orange Chicken
	+ Honey Walnut Shrimp
	+ Firecracker Chicken
	+ Fried Rice
* Chicken Egg Roll
 Tricia McAlpin
	+ The Original Orange Chicken
	+ Honey Walnut Shrimp
	+ 1/2 Chow Mein, 1/2 Fried Rice
* Cream Cheese Rangoon

Since they all ordered basically the same food items, even though they went to the same Panda Express separately, Mitch dubs this phenomenon the **Venn Diagram Friends**.

## Season's Eatings 💘

This is a segment during which the Doughboys try a variety of holiday-themed snacks.

For this episode, the Doughboys focus on Valentine's Day treats: Lindt Lindor Strawberries & Cream White Chocolate Truffles, Life Savers Gummies Message Hearts & Rings, The Perfect Man Chocolate Bar and Reese's Peanut Butter Hearts.

They all agree that Valentine's Day is a bullshit holiday. They like the Reese's best, but generally that all the snacks are just as bullshit as the holiday.

Lindt Lindor Strawberries & Cream White Chocolate TrufflesLifeSavers Gummies Message Hearts & RingsReese's Peanut Butter HeartsThe Perfect Man

## #hashtags

* #SpoonmanWasRight
* #WeRespectZane

## The Feedbag

* Cool Ranch Doritos
 Tricia McAlpin

## Drops and Plugs and Things

 *The Simpsons* / *Big Bang Theory* / Franklin D. Roosevelt / *Saturday Night Live* (tv) / Jay Pharaoh "What Does My Girl Say"
 *Brooklyn Nine-Nine* (tv)
 Guster "Mamacita, Donda Esta Santa Claus?"

 Chankton and Freilbot
 Wootang

## Related Episodes

* 91. Chicken Fight: Small Pieces Region
* DD1. Chicken Fight: Fat Chance Kitchen, Round 1
* 162. Panda Express 2
* 286. Panda Express 3
* DD. The Slice is Right: Fat Chance Kitchen Finals

## Photos (via @doughboyspod)

Plate: The Original Orange Chicken and Firecracker Chicken (1/2 Fried Rice, 1/2 Chow Mein)Cream Cheese Rangoon and Chicken Egg RollFortune Cookie