Panda Express as your non-New-Mex fallback in Terminal 1
Gate-side in Terminal 1 post-security, Panda Express at ABQ is the “tastes like any other Panda” option when you’ve already had your fill of green chile. Expect the standard steam-table setup with orange chicken front and center and the usual chow mein and fried rice sides. It runs on typical airport pricing, so plates cost more than the city locations along I‑25, but the lineup is familiar and moves faster than most sit-down spots in the terminal.
Portion-wise, the 2‑entree plate is the move: one reviewer mentions splitting a single plate between two people to keep the bill closer to what they’d pay at a mall food court. You’ll find the standard Panda playbook here: orange chicken, Beijing beef, kung pao, plus mixed veggies. Drinks come in the usual fountain sizes, and you’re in and out in under 10–15 minutes if the line isn’t stretching past the neighboring counters at peak times.
Watch out for slow periods, especially mid-afternoon after the 2–3 pm bank of departures and on some late-night flights; several reviews complain that orange chicken and veggies sit under the heat lamps too long and come out dry or mushy. Folks also call out the markup versus town, so don’t expect $8 plates—think more like low teens with a drink. Regulars mainly use Panda when other ABQ spots are closed or slammed, especially on late departures. Ask what’s just come out of the wok before ordering, and pick from the fresher tray.