PF Changs in La Jolla is a pretty good Chinese restaurant. It looks great from the inside and out. And the food is usually pretty darn good too. It is on the expensive side, and they don't take reservations which gets frustrating when it's busy or lunch or dinner. I've been to this restaurant at least a dozen times over the years, most recently a this weekend while shopping at the nearby La Jolla UTC mall. The menu is a lot of standard Chinese dishes, lettuce wraps, spring rolls are good, crab wontons are extra yummy, and the dynamite shrimp is good too. I"ve had hit or miss service, sometimes really great, other times it took forever to get food or drink refills. It is worth visiting, just know that if you go during primetime, you may have to wait.

My 3 year old loves PF Changs. Pretty sure it's because of the big horses outside. I might say it's because she was born in Hong Kong and grew up eating chinese food, but I can't be sure. Anyway, she can take down an entire kids meal of lo mein noodles. I admit, they are pretty good. Kids also get a colorable menu and recently an adapter to the regular chopsticks that makes them kid friendly.

This location has valet parking otherwise it would be a nightmare. Avoid during noon-1pm lunch hour as it's in the middle of a business area. We get there at 11:30 and have no problems getting seated. It's also loud enough so that if your kids squeal, it's no big deal.

I get the lettuce wraps usually. They also have a decent wine selction.

Price: $$
Quality: Average
Service: Good

the better version of pei wei

I was taken to PF Changs for my birthday last week. I love going there more often than I did in the past because they now have more vegetarian choices...and they are yummy! I always get the lightly fried green bean appetizer that can fill you up if you want it as a main course... make sure you get extra dipping sauce...it's so tasty and it has a kick to it. For my main course, I ordered the Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps...it tasted just like the Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Yes, I was not always a vegetarian)...this vegetarian version is terrific!
The branch across UTC Mall always provides great service. Keith so happened to be our server during our last visit...it was service with a smile! With this branch located in the middle of a commercial area, the employees there understand the need to get the food quickly to their customers while maintaining the quality of their food and service.
Here's a tip: Get to PF Changs as soon as they open for lunch or by 4pm before dinner. Otherwise, you willl find yourself waiting from 45 min to two hours. It is fortunate that PF Changs attracts many customers; but it is unfortunate when you have a long wait. If you plan to get there during peak hours, make sure you have a snack because the delectable smell of the emanating from the kitchen will make you hungrier!