Panera Bread

Pros: none
Cons: who ever heard of charging for a condiment?

My last visit to the Panera in Wilmette, Illinois I ordered the vegetable soup. When they served it I asked for a few sprinkles of Parmesan cheese on top. The store manager named Mike told me I would have to go back in line and pay $.65 for the sprinkles and that it was corporate policy.

I’ve never heard of such a thing. In all my 58 years, I’ve eaten in just about every kind of restaurant all over the world and if they had Parmesan, no one ever asked me to pay for it.

That was my last visit to Panera.

Pros: Tasty food, convenient, good coffee, nice atmosphere, friendly staff.
Cons: Not as healthy or clean as at 1st. glance. See nutritional info on website!

I have been eating at the local Panera for a couple of years now, and like the food and atmosphere. However,I got curious about the real health value of the food at Panera Bread. I watch fat, cholesterol, carbs & SODIUM.
I looked at the Panera website and after searching long and hard, found their nutritional info. The "healthy" soups, including the low fat and veggie ones, still contain lots of SODIUM. The sandwiches are amazingly high in fat and sodium! Some over 2000 - 3000 mg. Except for the cholesterol levels, you would be better off eating a Whopper from B.K. (I wouldn't tho!)

Also, I took a look at the clear chute on the ice machine one day and saw lots of nasty black stuff on the inside. I told the counter person, and they had a girl clean the chute. Just wonder what is on the inside of the ice bin!!

Pros: Great taste still, for now.
Cons: Much smaller product for same price

Anyone bought a bagel pack lately? It's like they are mini bagels. Sent a note to corp pr and they said "We apologize if they seem smaller to you. Our Quality Assurance > Department said the test is to produce a healthier product > with better nutritional values."
IOW ...smaller bagels, less calories, same price.Have they jumped the shark? It's a tough market out there, just be honest and we will still buy your product.

Pros: Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Cons: price of desserts

I love this place. My husband and I can go to Panera Bread and pay the same as we would at McDonald's and it's healthy. We're truly full when we leave and we're happier.

Pros: Thank goodness for the coupon.
Cons: I thought it was a bit pricey for a small loaf of bread.

I was given a coupon, so I decided to try Panera's. I received a loaf of bread with any purchase. So I picked the semolina with sesame and a cheese bagel. I admit that both were wonderful. Wish I could find more coupons.

Pros: Warm atmosphere, quick and friendly service, nice variety, delicious food, free refills
Cons: end up spending more than you plan!

Panera bread exceeded our expectations for healthy, great tasting food! The restaurant was really clean and the staff very friendly. We were provided with some samples to taste the different cream cheeses while we were making our breakfast decisions. We ended up leaving with bagels and cream cheese to take back to our family! Nice variety of flavors of breads, fabulous smell in the restaurant! Unique pastries that were quite tasty as well (we sampled many different items!)

Pros: Everything about Panera is excellent!
Cons: Nothing about Panera is poor!

Panera Bread is truly the epitome of the perfect restaurant-the food quality is very high, sanitation and cleanliness is maintained thoroughly, staff members are friendly, attentive and knowledgeable, lavatories are easily accessible, seating is comfy and the overall atmosphere is especially charming. The Fuji Apple salad is scrumptious and very rewarding for an exhausting day. Also, the Sierra Turkey is quite exceptional. Compliment it with an I.C. beverage, and an orange scone for dessert for a taste-worthy meal!

Pros: Service and food quality
Cons: Often crowded

I have visited Panera's 3 times for lunch. The service is consistently good and polite. The food is fresh and a good value for the price. The store is often very crowded and yet I don't seem to have to wait too long for service or delivery.

Pros: Filling, quick
Cons: Bland

I ordered a "Four Cheese Egg Souffle" at Panera Bread this morning. While it didn't taste bad, and it was filling, it was quite bland. If it wasn't for the name, I'd never have known there was cheese in it at all.

Pros: Good bread and bagel selection
Cons: Did not honor customer loyalty card

I had been a happy customer of the three Panera's in Dayton, Ohio for several years.  So much so, I used their card wherein if you buy eight dozen bagels (getting a stamp each time), you get one dozen free.  Easy enough.  When I went to buy my last dozen, I was told the program had been cancelled, and I missed the deadline by 60 days.  So, I spoke to the manager and even wrote to the company... no luck (bla bla "...ebay fraud..."..."...thank you for being a valued customer...")  -- I think not any more.

So, it's clear their customer loyalty ends when you hand them the cash.

Pros: Ambiance, selection, and quality all earn an A+.
Cons: My boyfriend is a "big eater" and portions are too small for him.

I live in St. Louis and know Panera as the "St. Louis Bread Company". They are identical though, from what I understand. It's the place to do lunch and a carb addict's dream come true. More creative sandwiches and comforting soups then other places I've found. Many reviewers make mention of the "pricey" meals. Those people must consider that a quality meal costs more then what $3.99 and a drive through will get you.

Pros: Well not a good customer service overall.
Cons: I don't think I will go back again!

If you ever walk in or make phone call order at Panera in Southland Drive, Hayward, CA, do...do...count and check your stuff before you left. I went there yesterday to pick up phone order of 3 sandwiches and 10 cookies. I didn't realize they didnt' stuff in the cookies into the bag. I took trip back to get the cookies. And again I didn't check the box. End up I only got 9 cookies and all cookies were in very soft condition. In addition to that, some cookies were broken into pieces!

Pros: there's nothing I can do to get Panera pay that money, neither get apologies
Cons: well I just can tell that good food should come with good service

Well, Panera Bread , one of everybody's favorit places, good food and healthy, but this place has a big service issues.The other day I ordered something to pick up and I asked my friend to pick it up for me, when she got there, she had to wait 20 minutes on top of the time they said it will be ready, so when she finally got my order and got back to her car , she got a ticket cause she parked at 15 minutes parking spot....

Pros: Nice atmosphere
Cons: over-priced, slow service, small portions and uninspiring snandwhiches and "paninis"

I took a date to Panera the other night and all I could think about during the meal was how I just paid 16 dollars for a turkey sandwhich, an ice water, and a salad.  I had the smokehouse turkey "panini" (the sandwhich with fake grill lines on it thus qualifying it as a panini) which tased like it had been made an hour ago.  The bread was soggy and the cheese was cold.  My vegitarian date had a chicken salad without chicken and still was able to assist in racking up a grand total of 16 dollars.  I think I see a 5 dollar foot long in my furture.

Pros: the bread, sandwiches, soups, souffley free internet and a bottomless cup of coffee
Cons: the panini sucks, very few coupons, and not always the best customer service.

While every item on the menu at panera rocks, there is one exception. the crispani leaves much to be desired and is not up to par like the rest of the menu which is stellar. i'd love to come and do dinner there more often, but they are going to have to scrap the crispani and start over with something that wows. save ur money and get a soup and sandwich.