I have been a Panera customer for a long time, I've always enjoyed going for a salad during lunch time in San Rafael. Did a rapid pick up for dinner at the Novato Panera and noticed I didn't have any dressing for my salad, when I told the young man behind the counter that there was no dressing he snatched the bag out of my hand and was extremely rude! Another lady working there told me it was on the salad already so I asked for a side of it just in case. The young man proceeded to throw the dressing in my bag and throw the bag at me. I could not believe how rude he was. Worst customer service. read more

We have been customers for years but today I had a very embarrass moment we spend $48.00 dollars And they couldn't accept my $100 dollar bill I did not have any other way to pay the cashier told me they can't do anything, I request to speak to the manager and she refused to take the bill, I end up asking the other costumers for help luckily a lady help me, but I think it is ridiculous they don't do anything to help costumers read more

Next time ur in, check out the cleanliness of their silverware and the tray they serve it on.....

Food was good enough, but Staff is slow, uninspired and management was not leading by example. Kitchen was slow and seemed confused. Under staffed led to disgusting pile up of dishes and dirty tables. read more

Panera is ludicrously overpriced for the cafeteria food they provide. There's zero creativity, cuisine, zip, or excitement about their food. Their grilled cheese is laughable - two huge slices of bread with just a little bit of tasteless cheese in the middle. I just paid $15 for a small HALF sandwich and a tiny cup of mac & cheese. The ingredients were scant - there was one teensy dab of avocado in it. It was just all...bland. Now, I'd be ok if I had paid accordingly, but for the price, it makes no sense. Go anywhere else and your money will get you something worthwhile. Panera is really in the real estate business. They give you a comfy, air-conditioned area to sit in. But just buy yourself a small drink or a cookie if you must, then go eat elsewhere. It's not worth it. EDIT: I'm writing this the following day. I don't mean to get graphic, but just to add insult to injury, the aforementioned meal gave me severe diarrhea. There's nothing else I ate that could be remotely suspect. read more

I give 5 stars to the workers here at Panera who does a phenomenal job with being welcoming and friendly; I minus 4 stars for having a shitty WiFi. I came to Panera to enjoy a meal as I read, study, and prepare a presentation with a college colleague, only to find Panera's WiFi as unreasonably restricted in speed. What is the point of advertising WiFi that will be heavily restricted in bandwidth? Are people not welcomed use WiFi as it was intended? Is Panera afraid of lack of seats? This is entirely inconvenient as I now have to search for a new local with the same amenities (first world problem, I know). I guess, I may not be the target market in Panera's demographic; once I'm done with my meal I'll head over to Hopmonk's Tavern, at least I can trust they won't unreasonably restrict my beer. read more

I have been there twice this week and it seems like the staff can't be bothered to ring up my order or answer a question I have. Instead they keep staring at me and continue talking to each other. I am so dissapointed in the lack of customer service here. Im never coming back to this location. I would rather eat the crumbly food at target cause they have better customer service. read more

Meh... For the prices this place charges I'd rather eat somewhere else in novato like rustic bakery. The panera location is massive but the area where they prepare the orders is TINY!!!! Plenty of registers as well but there is a fatal flaw in the design of this place - the actual food preparers. They have an insurmountable task at hand and not enough tools to get get the job done. There was only 1 guy getting all the orders together. I felt sorry his bosses could let this happen. After I noticed this problem I knew I was in for a long wait..... ..... ...... It was a long wait but even more disappointing was the food. The soup was over-salted and the sandwich was just weird. I was able to eat the soup along with a ton of water but I wouldn't eat the sandwich. read more

Panera food is always tasty, but for whatever reason this particular location seems to be staffed by kids who can't be bothered to clean tables or expected to get your order right. If you're used to the friendly service and general cleanliness usually found at other Panera locations, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise here. read more

My experience at the recently opened Panera Bread in the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center was marred by (1) lack of product at 8:30 a.m. and (2) annoyed customer service. My first choice for breakfast was a quiche. I was told in a dismissive tone that they were out of all quiches. My second choice was a bagel with roasted vegetable cream cheese--a choice that was listed on the overhead menu. The Panera Bread employee looked at me with disgust and said, "We don't HAVE vegetable cream cheese." When I pointed to the menu board and read "roasted vegetable cream cheese" as a listed choice, she then rejoined, "Well, we don't have any." A cafe latte completed my order. I was given the bagel immediately, and the server then looked to the next customer without any indication of where I should go to retrieve the latte. I wandered around the counter, finally getting the attention of another server. She indicated that she would get someone to make the latte--and motioned for my "original friend" to make the coffee drink. She fulfilled the order without a word or a glance in my direction. When I got to the table and took off the cup lid to add sweetener, I found that the cup was filled only 2/3 full--that including the frothy milk. Truly I was shocked by this lack of customer satisfaction. Every other Panera experience has included personable interaction, servers circulating in the dining room to ensure that customers had everything they needed, and even offers of samples of featured goodies. As a result of how I was treated at the Vintage Oaks store, I will think twice before visiting any Panera. For sure I will not be back to this location. And I urge you to stay clear of this kind of treatment! read more

Like their food, but slow slow slow! Over 15 minutes for a salad and the steak looks raw. Why oh why isn't Jennie Lows open for lunch on Sunday???!! read more

The menu and quality is good, with ample seating both indoors and out. They have the best coffee and iced tea of any comparable joint, and the prices are really good. Many soups to choose from daily. I have not added the bakery treat to the meal recently but am rather tempted someday. Hats off to the chefs and the whole crew for efficiency and cooked to standard taste. Their frequent diner program is what keeps me coming back over other choices in Novato. Slight drawback is the surprise you get when counting calories and fat...it's not always as lean as it looks! read more

Hi folks, This Panera Bread location just opened today and they have a lot of kinks to work out. The cashiers were not well-educated in the pasta combo meal which includes a soup or salad. Instead of making it part of the pasta combo the cashier added the soup as an a la carte item, adding the extra expense on my tab. I had to explain to her that the pasta price includes the soup or salad in the price. The to-go supervisor eventually came over and helped correct the problem. I also asked for chips and I got a baguette. However, one of the higher-ups came over and I got my bag of chips. I don't like the idea that they use pagers to make you come over to the food counter to get your food (the Northgate location has number stands that you put on your table and the associates will bring the food to you). I will say that the Wi-Fi connection is stronger here than the one at Northgate simply because this Panera is not connected to a bunch of other Wi-Fi sites in the area. The indoor and outdoor seating spaces are fairly large -- be aware that it can get windy at times at the outdoor seats. For now I will give this location an A-OK rating. I will come back in another month to see if they have worked out the kinks. Hours are 6:00 am - 9:00 pm Monday through Saturday and 7:00 am - 8:00 pm on Sundays. read more

Sorry Panera, I absolutely like all the breakfast items but will never go back for lunch! Ordered a combo half turkey and BLT and half Caesar salad. The salad was all croutons, sandwich had two pieces of smashed up turkey and two pieces of soggy Bacon. Absolutely awful! I paid $10.77 and I'm hungry. So glad they put a piece of sourdough baguette in there as that was the only yummy thing in there! read more

Once again I got the response from the owner oF the company saying that they'll fixe the problem but today I got to the restaurant to pick up my food and I was told to wait 4 minutes I waited 15 minutes and they told me to wait another 5 minutes because they were still had to make the fried rice I had to cancel the order because I'd unacceptable that they wait until they run out of food to start making another one ist fast food not a restaurant, plus there were another 15 people waiting for rice and chow mein!!! read more

I am suprised at all the good reviews? Yes they have good bread and pastries. BUT thus far my experience with their soup and salads was less than stellar. Salad (bbq chicken) was disappointing. Just lettuce with a small amount of chicken with a little bbq sauce on top. Very boring. The french onion soup was equally as boring...just the broth with onions, which was good, but no bread on top which is traditional, and literally a teaspoon of grated cheese. For the price, no thanks! I could have done better myself at home. read more

I used to order frequently (rapid pick up online), but they forgot about one order, a second order was completely wrong, and this was repeated again so I decided not to go back. Until today. I am sick and wanted soup but didn't have any. I like their wild rice soup so I ordered the large size. I came home and had a small bowl. I then poured another, dipped my bread in, put it in my mouth, and felt what I though was a long string of celery in my mouth so I tried to pull it out. It was super long, and when I looked at it, it was a long black scraggly hair. Needless to say I almost threw up because I already feel terrible. read more

Mediocre food for a high price, steak sandwich had very little meat, hard bread, the employees are very rude. Go spend your money elsewhere, Panera is definetly hyped up for no reason. read more

I had never been to this eatery. I will never go back. The sandwich I got had meat in 1/2 the sandwich. I had never seen anything like it. Not tasty for the little half that had. My sons who will eat anything were not impressed. The place was clean. Probably due to being new - that is the only reason I gave two stars. read more

First time here and I got the strawberry poppyseed salad and Tortellini Alfredo. I'm inlove with the combo.

Great service. Employees are always friendly and help you choose something if you are indecisive. Food is made quick and presented amazingly! Taste fantastic. Always get the chicken noodle with my sandwich. Only downside would have to be the prices. Very expensive. A whole meal rounds out at $14-15. Worth it though. read more

Used to go to this Panera all the time until they started messing up my order every time I went in. Sent in a complaint and was told someone would get back to me in two weeks. It's been 4 months and still no word from them. Food's fine, customer service might be the worst I've ever had. read more

It's a new location for sure and they have few things to work out for sure but the upside is there. They have a great patio and the stuff were very friendly and they kept checking on us and we loved the sandwiches we go and unsweetened choices of tea. I am giving them 5 stars because i know they will get better and i want to encourage people to hold of any negative judgement till they settle down which it will take a couple of more months i think. Good luck to Panera Bread. Just stay the course. You will be okay.. read more

Colleen went out of her way for us yesterday. Let us know about some great discounts for kids, split a mac and cheese order for my girls and made sure they got their own bowls and spoons and then helped me carry everything to the table. We will totally go back to that location because of her. Thank you!! read more

Exceptional service that went above and beyond this visit. Gentleman at pick up line was very friendly. One small issue with my sandwich being on the wrong bread and he remade the whole order, no questions. Kudos! read more

I've eaten at several Panera's in the Bay Area and happened to find this one on my way home from a trip. While the menus are all the same, this particular Panera really was very stingy on the sandwich fillings. My husband got a steak and cheese Panini and there were two thin slices of meat in it, it wasn't fully cooked and it was $8.99! I got the Napa chicken salad sandwich and I would say there was a scant half cup of filling spread thinly that didn't even cover all the bread, for $7.39. Other Paneras are more generous. I don't think I will go back to this one. The plus side, was that they had a nice outdoor seating area and it was a nice sunny day without much wind. read more

Omg so nice in here. I spilled my coffee, they rushed to clean and mop it up, got me new food and drink, and thanked me for coming in. That's customer service. read more

Believe it or not I have never been to Panera before. I have some people tell me it's good and some say it's just ok. I was with a friend on Sunday. I like the location and I like the interior. But almost $10 for a Panini? Really? Ok granted that it was big enough for both of us to share along with 2 basic coffees (i could have fixed this at home) and a pecan roll so $16 later for both of us. I decided I will only eat here when I crave thier Roasted Turkey with white cheddar panini. Which won't be too often. Should have went to Pasta Pomodro but it's something new. read more

Had lukewarm soup today and the macaroni was barely hot! But, to make matters worse, when I took the mac up to the counter to complain, I was told, with an attitude, that we could heat it up ourselves in the microwave!!! so we had to spoon off all the salsa and avocado first, and then go microwave the macaroni! maybe we can get paid for working here next time! seriously, this is the first time ever I have complained in any restaurant and not had the order replaced, let alone, being told to microwave it ourselves!!! also, I can never get the right bread on the steak sandwich because when I ask what kind of bread do you have the people at the cash register just wave a hand toward the bread shelves and say oh we have all of that! The Panera in Millbrae doesn't seem to have these kinds of problems. Must agree with all the reviews that mention high prices and poor service!!! read more

I had a small catering order for 15 people that I placed 2 hours before scheduled delivery and the lunch was late by almost an hour. I called customer service to figure out what was going on and spoke to the catering manager. She was rude and blamed the late delivery on us. Her exact words, "Oh, I know where you guys are located. You are the ones who usually order last minute." Then she said she was going to call the delivery person and get back to me. Never did. Horrible customer service. read more

The concept is great, but the food is only so-so. The breads are what make this an interesting experience. I actually have a "Panera card", but the ground rules are so arcane I doubt it will ever pay off. Their food is just passable, but it is fresh and prepared quickly. I love the outdoor seating at the Novato location, and on a good afternoon it is nice to sit outside with the birdies and enjoy the quintessential Northern California weather. BTW the waitstaff (cashiers) are a little too young (and clueless) and not helpful at all. The just wanna get your money and make you sit down so they can get on with the next customer. I will return to Panera, especially since Petaluma is about to get its first Panera, but am losing my patience on Panera as a go-to place to eat. read more

Well, I suppose it depends what you're looking for. They have wifi. The have lots of good types of bread. The new Ancient Grains salad was great, I'd have it again. And the Apple Caramel muffin was so moist and big slices of apple, I was very impressed. Great option before a movie. My friend ordered a veggie sandwich and it was really bad, hardly any veggies, just bread, lettuce, a couple tomato and cucumber slices. read more

Excellent food service and management! Very clean and coffee is fresh every hour. Night and day from the Panera in Northgate Mall in Terra Linda which I hear is a Franchise. As a shareholder I have to ask why Franchises are not held to the same standards as Corporate Locations? read more

Food was good. I couldn't order the Mac n cheese through the app. When I picked up my food I was having conversation with the gentleman who worked here and he said I can make you some mac n cheese real quick! I thanked him but declined as I already ordered something else instead. Kudos to your employees and their great customer service! read more

Crappy overly priced food. Staff weren't friendly. Sandwich was of awful quality. Save your money, and go elsewhere.

I come to this place at least 3 times a week and always try something new . I have yet to be disappointed . The service is very prompt and I always find a booth to seat on . read more

Can't say I really like Panera Bread, and this is the one I've been to the most. I've never gone here and ended up being satisfied with what I got. The food is just not worth it for the price because it just doesn't taste good. I only give it three stars because you get great service and the bakery has some good stuff. If I do go to Panera I usually just grab something from the bakery and an ice coffee if I'm not feeling Starbucks. read more

Food is decent. Staff is friendly, but really slow. It looks like there's only two staff, one on register and one in the kitchen. Don't expect too much here read more

The staff here has so much attitude and because I think it's pretty hilarious I gave two stars. It's like ordering from middle school jerks! The food is uninspired but I do like the atmosphere. I'd totally come back to have a coffee and study. read more

It's a nice place and the food is "good," but to my tastes, not VERY good. This last visit I choose French Onion soup, the "large" bowl. The flavors were good, but it didn't have the ambiance of a real French onion soup. It was served in a large bowl, that was only half full, and it most certainly was not hot enough. It was just ok, and for me, not a big eater, I was still hungry after my meal. I must admit, the baguette served with it, was excellent. My previous visit I had their macaroni and cheese. Again, it was good, but not very good. The portion, even for a light eater, was insufficient. Going back a year or so ago, at a different Panera, I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich. I received 2 pieces of bread with an extremely thin layer of cheese between them. It was awful. I most certainly should have sent it back, but I was embarrassed to do so. Other people seem to like the place, so to please them, I will go. It is not the place I would choose to go to. read more