Panera Bread

I have not been to this location in a long time because they always used to mess up our office's lunch orders. However, I was craving a salad today and thought I would give them another shot. The associate was kind but the portions are SO. TINY. (See photos for expectations versus reality). I was used to getting an actual full salad with lots of toppings, and today I basically received a few condiments that barely covered the bottom of the small bowl. What I used to get was even more than the photo Panera currently has on their menu. Will NOT be back to pay over $11 for some lettuce and a few small slivers of chicken.

Cynthia at the drive-thru is the absolute sweetest. She always has a smile on her face, and no matter what kind of day I am having she puts me in a good mood! I told her last time that her customer service skills are the best and that I would be writing a review. I will continue going to only this Panera. Great spot and employees!

Stopped in for a dessert and drink. The check out clerk was kind, my scone was decent, but the fresh drink containers were absolutely nasty. With an hour before closing time, they were already draining the teas and lemonades so we only has 2 choices to choose from after paying for them. The containers were so caked with residue that you could hardly see through them. Totally out of character for Panera Bread and I would never visit this location again.

This review isn’t necessarily for Panera itself but for the gentleman that was working the counter while I was there. His name is Sean. Sean seems to be the type of person who doesn’t know a stranger and every person was treated like a celebrity. As someone who’s been in the service industry for 20 years, I recognize good employees when I meet them. Sean is the kind of person that people become regulars for. Today, I struggled to get out of bed because I’m carrying the weight of waiting to find out if I have cancer. Sean didn’t know me. Doesn’t know anything about me. Sean greeted me warmly and professionally. He communicated any delays that were happening and did the same with every person I saw him encounter. He made me forget that I’m on this struggle bus I’m on for a little while. I got to talk about being from Saint Louis and knowing Panera as Saint Louis Bread Co. Thank you, Sean. You make a difference.

In a time when employees are hard to come by and the supply chain is absolute chaos, this Panera gets 5 stars from me. If you’re the kind of person who gets frustrated with out of stock this and that, or you’re in a huge rush (this is just me repeating what I’m gathering from other reviewers, not speaking about my own experiences) then definitely stay away from…honestly any Panera location. Maybe any restaurant, ever, at all, right now. I have had nothing but amazing experiences here lately. Everyone I have interacted with has been so incredibly kind that I could have cried haha. A couple of weeks ago I had someone who was so patient and sweet as I chose so many different bakery items, and today someone else was so kind and welcoming, intentionally complimenting me and calling me by my name. It’s these little things that make me want to come back (and this Mexican street corn chowder, wow) Thank you Panera friends for making these long days spent at the hospital visiting my dad suck a little less!!

We went in the drive thru. My daughter ordered a scone and said she had a birthday code for that and I wanted a bagel. The girl read back the order and said lemonade. My daughter said no I didn't order a lemonade. Girl said oh ok. She came back with bag and said it was $10 and change. Maybe she needs more training or better concentration. Did scone free and bagel $1.79+tax