Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	P F CHANGS CHINA BISTRO INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001039889
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-01
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 03, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	22,340,166