Slideshow: Belmont Panda Express Treats Customers to Free Food

The warm winter afternoon made the wait pleasant for Chinese food lovers who lined up around the block on Tuesday for a free meal from Panda Express.

Panda Express opened its Belmont store on Dec. 15 and the reception has been terrific according to store manager, Lenise Mowry.

"This is our grand opening celebration, so we're giving away free food--two menu items plus a drink--from 11-8 today. And we've had a long line all day, but customers don't seem to mind the wait," said Mowry.

Jennifer Larson was trying Panda Express for the first time. "My friends told me about it, so I thought I'd try it," said Larson. Her friends, Danny Schlesinger of San Carlos and Matt Pray of Belmont had already had their free meals, but were waiting in line with Larson.

"We're already fans," said Cynthia Pena and Marilyn Cummins, who had already waited 20 minutes and still weren't at the front of the line. "But we don't mind the wait," added Pena.

Store manager Lenise Mowry said that the grand opening food give-away is catching on company wide, although it originated in the Bay Area.  The 16 store employees were busy, but seemed to take it all in stride.

Notre Dame High School student Amy Smerdel brought her dad Tony along for a free dinner. "She loves this place," said Tony.

"So when we saw the 'free food' sign, we had to stop in," added Amy.

Panda Express is located at 1050 El Camino Real in Belmont. The grand opening event ends at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday.