Fast-casual dining has become a staple of the week for many of us, whether we’re at the office, driving the kids to sports practices, or on a road trip. They’re often a fresher and healthier option than the drive-thru when we want a quick meal.
Our panel of experts narrowed the field of nominees, and then you voted on our Readers’ Choice Award winners.
Winner: Pei Wei Asian Kitchen
Pei Wei Asian Kitchen delivers wok-fired Asian flavors to diners quickly, a service that makes it fitting for a fast-casual restaurant. Launched in 2000 as an offshoot of P.F. Chang’s, Pei Wei lets diners customize noodle and rice bowls with fresh vegetables and proteins. Everything is cooked to order in an open kitchen, which gives the space a livelier feel than the average quick lunch, according to our reviewers. Don’t miss the Mongolian beef or the Kung Pao chicken.
Our panel counts it as one of the early adopters of the fast-casual ethos, offering full flavor and a real meal without the wait of a sit-down restaurant. They also pointed to the mix of speed, customization, and atmosphere as what keeps it in the dinner rotation.