Panda Express Barq's Root Beer

Barq's Root Beer is the root beer option at Panda Express: 290 calories with 80 g of sugar in the published serving, $2.20 for a small. It is one of the lighter regular sodas on the fountain, though light is relative here.

Barq's is the caffeinated root beer, which distinguishes it from most of the category, and it runs sharper and less creamy than the sweeter root beers. The vanilla and sassafras notes give it more character than a cola, and it stands up well to salty food, which describes most of this menu.

At 290 calories the cup sits below Coca Cola at 370 and considerably below the Fanta range at 410 calories. It still carries roughly twice the calories of a Super Greens side at 130. Zero calorie alternatives on the same machine include Coke Zero Sugar and Diet Coke.

It suits anyone who orders root beer by preference and pairs well with the fried appetizers, where the vanilla note works against salt and oil. Pair it with Chicken Egg Rolls at 200 calories, or with any savory wok entree. Full sizes and prices are on the Panda Express drinks menu.