Orange chicken and chow mein in the Main Terminal
Panda Express sits in Tampa International’s Main Terminal food court, after security, near the shuttle entrances to all airsides. It runs long hours in line with most TPA concessions, usually from early morning until late evening flights are wrapping up, so you can grab a plate before a 7 a.m. departure or a late return from Atlanta or Dallas.
This is the standard Panda setup: pick a bowl or plate, then choose from mains like Orange Chicken, Beijing Beef, Broccoli Beef, and Kung Pao Chicken, with fried rice or chow mein. Expect fast-food pricing by airport standards; a two‑entree plate with a side usually lands in the low‑ to mid‑teens once tax is added, and a fountain drink pushes the total closer to $18.
Food here turns over quickly because the Main Terminal sees constant traffic from all four airsides (A, C, E, F), so trays of orange chicken and fried rice rarely sit long. Portions are generous for an airport, and staff keep the line moving during the 5–7 p.m. bank of departures when Delta, Southwest, and American passengers all cycle through at once.
Vegetarians can usually get Eggplant Tofu or mixed veggie entrees, but those rotate; ask what’s actually in the steam table before you commit. If you want to keep it lighter before a 3‑hour hop to Chicago or Houston, half chow mein, half super greens is an option, and you can skip sauce-heavy dishes like Beijing Beef.
There aren’t many seats directly in front of Panda Express, but the Main Terminal food court has shared tables and high-tops within about a 1‑minute walk. Grab your order, then head toward the nearest airside shuttle so you’re already lined up in the right direction when boarding starts.