Gate-side orange chicken fix in Terminal 2
Panda Express in Terminal 2 sits past security near the Southwest gates, so you can grab a hot meal without backtracking toward check-in. It runs through typical flight banks and usually serves through most Southwest departure waves, but lines spike around the 6–8 a.m. and 4–7 p.m. peaks when STL gets busy.
This is the standard Panda setup: steam table, quick service, familiar menu. Expect the usual combo pricing in the $10–15 range for a plate with one entrée and a side, plus a drink. Portions here lean generous compared with some mall locations, so a 2‑entrée plate can easily cover two light eaters on a connection.
Orange chicken is the headliner, and at STL it’s often the freshest because it turns over fast during Southwest boarding waves. The Beijing Beef and Honey Walnut Shrimp rotate in pans less quickly; if you care about texture, ask the staff (politely) what just came off the wok before ordering your two entrées. Fried rice and chow mein both run salty, so pairing with mixed veggies helps balance the plate.
Breakfast isn’t a thing here; doors usually open closer to the first real lunch rush around late morning, roughly 10–11 a.m. If you land on an early flight into Terminal 2 and want food at 6:30 a.m., you’ll need to hit another spot before Panda starts putting food on the line.
One practical tip: if your Southwest flight leaves from a lower‑numbered gate in Terminal 2, check your boarding time, then order a to‑go box and eat at the gate. Seating right in front of Panda fills fast, while gate areas down the hall often have open power outlets and quieter tables within a 2–3 minute walk.