Boy oh boy was this place awesome when it first opened. Over the years it's gotten a little crappier.
The service is AWFUL. Horrible. Terrible. My most recent visit was while I was in town with my family on my second to last day of winter break, and needless to say, it is the last time I'll be going to this Panera.
The girl taking our order was certainly no Miss Personality, but whatever. I get it. It's Saturday night and you don't want to be at work. Well, I'm sorry...but suck it up for the last half hour, put a smile on your face, and don't make me feel like I'm putting you out by making you punch a few buttons and take my money.
Grrr...
My sister and I go to the other end of the restaurant where a worker begins sweeping up around us - she was so close to us that she brushed her gnarly broom against my shoes. The floor was PLENTY dirty on the other side of the restaurant (or even just a few feet away from us!), where she could have moved to while we were waiting for our meal.
Anyway, we get our to-go bag of food which holds my beloved You Pick Two - the Classic Cafe, and Baked Potato Soup bread bowl. Mmmmmm...
Cut to 15 minutes later when we get home. Open the bag, and what do we see??? NO SALAD DRESSINGS. NONE! There were THREE half salads in there with NO dressing. Yes...I know what you're thinking "Couldn't she just use ranch from the fridge or somethig?" NO. No, no, no. I wanted the delish Panera dressing that I'd been craving all day! For some reason my mom and sister didn't seem to care, BUT I DID. I know what's best for them.
I called the restaurant, told them what had happened, and said that I'd be popping in to get my three little containers of dressing. My sister and I get in the car AGAAAAAAAIN and drive to Panera. I was sweet as pie when we walked in, and asked for my dressings. NOT ONE FREAKING APOLOGY! NOTHING! NOT A THING! There was a vein popping out of my forehead from the pure raaaaage, and I don't even get a "SORRY!"
Once we got home, the food was great. Amazing.
Now, let us cut to the next day. Can't get up - my stomach is in knots - cramping - RUNS - more runs - etc, etc, etc. This is the Sunday that I'm supposed to drive back to Los Angeles so that I can go to work the next day! I could not MOVE. All day. I don't remember ever being so sick in my LIFE, and I swear it's from the soup.
Actually...I think it was the flu, since I felt like death for a week...but still. Maybe the stress of experiencing that horrible customer service somehow weakened my immune system and let the flu take over.
Anyway, I had to call in sick from 350 miles away and barely made it over the Grapevine in the SNOW while wondering if I'd make it to the nearest gas station without ruining my car seat...and I'll forever wonder - "if I hadn't gone to Panera...would this have happened?"
Oh, and it gets two stars because the food did taste wonderful, and I ended up losing three pounds. read more