I feel the need to update this review. I'm dropping a star after several visits to this new location.
The samples that were there in the beginning? Gone. No more samples, so there went that excitement. While I still like Panera and I'm still going to be stopping at this one often, here are some issues I've encountered since the opening.
First, the parking and entry is weird. There is no sort of PATH to get to the entrance. You either have to walk across the drive through lane (which so far has been okay since not busy) or weave between parked cars at the curb. it's just strange because most restaurants have some sort of approach or walkway to their front door.
Then, this is so weird, in the morning they never have the lemon bin out at the drink station, so if you want Lemon for your tea you have to ask for it. If you ask for it they give you skinny little slices, so be sure to say lemon WEDGES. Have you ever tried to squeeze a thin lemon slice?? It doesn't work. Today I asked why they don't provide lemon wedges for the drinks (their is a slot for the bin, but nothing in it) and the girl actually said, the person who puts out the lemon wedges doesn't get in that early. WTH??? Seriously? ONE person has that job and they don't come in the morning. Oooookay.
One day I was TOTALLY bummed because they were out of the four cheese souffles, which is what I really wanted, and it was going to take 15 minutes before the next batch was ready, so I tried an egg and cheese sandwich that ended up being good, but by the time the sandwich was made and all the messing around trying to put lemon in my tea, I was there so long that I could have just got the souffle! It seems like every time I am there, it takes forever to get my food, my drink, my lemon and get out. UGH. I do like the new tropical iced tea, though.
Okay, whining aside, the staff is friendly and polite, even if they can't put lemon wedges out and I do love the food.
UPDATE a month later: So, visited again and a person with "manager" on their name tag came out on the floor to make some iced tea since there wasn't any when I went to get my tea at 7:30am and I asked what was up with things not being ready in the morning. Never any lemon - I told her I was told the person who puts out the lemon doesn't come in that eary, now no tea, rarely are the souffles ready when I come in, etc. This person said to me, get this, "we're still a new store. We come in at 5 to get things ready for the drive through because no one comes in the store until 7 and we're still learning what needs to be done." Not an "I'm sorry". No kind of response demonstrating a desire to make things better, just an excuse that they're "new" I know it's a new store, but you'd think that in two months, someone could be assigned to throw some lemons out at the drink bar and make some tea! Seems poorly managed. I'm going to go back to shopping at the store my my house. Very disappointed. I was really excited about this location opening. read more