I'm a huge fan of Panera Bread. I've been to locations all across the country and was never disappointed until I went to the Riverside Plaza location. My mom lives in Riverside and while visiting her, I thought I'd take her since she had never gone. I talked it up on their excellent salads and service. To my surprise, the front counter guy was just totally apathetic. It was pretty obvious that it was my mom's first time, but the guy working there didn't care. He didn't even have any recommendations. He wasn't patient or friendly. Just tried to move us along as fast as he could and gave us no direction on where the fountain drinks were. I could understand if there was a long line, but NO ONE else was in line! The food was good, but the place could be cleaner and staff could be nicer. read more

Used this Panera for a breakfast catering order for 20 people this morning. The food was supposed to be delivered between 8:15 and 8:30. Called to find out where the order was at 8:40 and was placed on hold for 15 mins while they supposedly checked to see where the driver was. I finally hung up and called back. It took another 5 attempts to get someone to answer the phone when I was put on hold again! Finally talked to a manager who had no idea what was going on and then transferred me to the driver who said she was 10 mins away. Food finally got here at 9:22!!! Then a few minutes after the driver left, I realize that part of the order isn't here. I call them again and am placed on hold by the same worker for another 10 mins!! I finally hung up and called back demanding to speak to a manager who sent the missing food and said she would make it up to me on my next order. Ummmm ya, there won't be another order. I have been doing this for 15 years and have never had such an awful experience with a catering service. Other Panera's have been fine and the food is good but the catering service here needs some serious work. read more

Great to see Panera Bread isn't holding any type of standards of service during this , they leave the door wide open for you to walk in , with no one at the door to instruct you or take an order , so when you go into place your order one of the workers yells at you in a grouchy rude voice "you're not allowed in here sir!!" Well then how about you come do your job instead of hiding on the phone ,on a personal phone call annoyed a guest came in. I have no problem not entering the facility anyways you then don't reacknowledge me and make me stand in the rain for 3-5minutes IN THE RAIN by this time another customer has walked in decided the waits not worth it and leaves, the worker has no mask on or gloves and is rude taking. My order finally after they wrap up their call doesn't give me my order number or double check my name or tell me how long it's gonna be and when I go to get my food no thank you for your business/coming in/ anything or apologize for making me wait AND GIVES A BAG ALL WET AND PARTIALLY RIPPED WITH NO MASK ON AGAIN read more

15.00 for pasta that tastes like its fresh from a microwave box and a decent salad. Never again. read more

Panera Bread - This is the Chicken Tortellini Alfredo with EXTRA chicken. THIS was 11 bucks. No, I hadn't eaten any of it. This is all I got. Poor quality - Sandwiches Near Me - Riverside, California

I think I eat here to much! I work in the plaza and love eating lunch here! Never have a problem with my online order. Delicious!

Overpriced! And never any seating because people are always working on their laptops instead of just going to eat.

employees seem miserable working at this location. No smiles no nothing. The manager, some asian lady is always rude and I caught her chewing one of her employees out in front of everyone. Seriously read more

I love Panera bread. I don't know if it's just my luck but every time I visit this location, they are out of the soup I want. Today, on a Sunday at 7:15pm they were out of the cream of chicken soup. I got the chicken noodle which was okay but nothing special. After 3 visits of not having what is advertised on the menu, I think I will not be visiting this location anymore. read more

I hate when I order a really good salad (Thai chicken) and order dressing on the side and they don't, but instead load the salad up. Puts a damper on an otherwise pleasant experience. read more

Great welcome by cashier, clean facility. Manager working Wednesday morning seemed very friendly and working hard to make sure all was smooth. Hot coffee served fresh and clean self service station for the coffee fixings. Thanks for a great start to a long day. Oh one more thing, line was long but went quickly....very efficient team. read more

Tried the you pick 2 deal. I got a cup of broccoli cheddar soup and half a Greek salad with chicken. my food came out pretty quick like usual except when my food was delivered, I was missing a fork, I asked the server for a fork and he said he would be right back, and he never came back with it. I had to enjoy my salad with a spoon. read more

Panera Bread - half Greek salad with chicken and a cup of broccoli cheddar soup. - Sandwiches Near Me - Riverside, California

I should know better not to go to this location . But since it's on my way to work I have no other option . They always open a few min late they don't always get my order right and she forgot one item . Wish they open up earlyer . read more

Very disorganized. The manager wanted me to purchase my order all over again because of a flub on their part, I'm shocked. I bought food I didn't even get then they wanted me to pay again with a discount... unreal. Needless to say I passed. Poor customer service. read more

I'm a rewards member but this place keeps getting worse and worse..r... Customer service is none existent. You don't get greeting when you walk in like one used to. I order a drink an a pastry on the kiosk. I get my self-serve drink right away but my pastry takes over 5 minutes although the restaurant is not that busy and only after I remind the person behind the counter. Did I mention the carpet is dirty. read more

Slow. Manager was dressing down employees right behind counter this place has a talent shortage.

We come to this Panera almost every Sunday and sometimes during the week. I'm sorry to report that the service at this store has been degrading over the past months. Today, the toaster doesn't work. The phone app also doesn't allow you to order from your table and only one person realizes that it doesn't work. Hey always run out of coffee and will wait when it's totally out and/or a customer complains before they'll send someone to do anything about it. The employees (not the heavy set one) are not very accomodating. The seats are old, damaged and just worn out. This is a reflection of their management. Other stores are not like this. This is definitely not up to panera standards as I know it. They need to change. I'm so proud of my city of riverside which is why I'm taking time to write this feedback. Facility and service need improvement. read more

I hate coming to this Panera Location as the lines are long and wouldn't you know it, they only have one person working the register??? When I complained to the Manager, she could not provide an adequate explanation other than shrugging. Can Panera please get competent management at this location who actually know how to Manager! Remember, it doesn't matter how much food is available for sale if only one person is working the registers and the lines are long. read more

honestly the only thing that was good there was the bread and the soup just go to subway lol

The food is delicious here. The coffee is also really good. Panera has food that is non gmo items for people that love clean food, this is the place to eat. The oat meal is quite delicious, if you do not like strawberry's (maybe have an allergy to that berry) you can have blueberry's put on top. The soups are really delicious as well. Salads are good, fresh, crisp, and healthy. They also have a selection of other drinks as well (iced tea, hot tea, milk, bottled water sodas). read more

I ordered 18 bagels specifically for a meeting at work. I specified to please cut the bagels. Not only were the bagels not cut, they shorted me two bagels. They would do nothing to rectify the situation except have me go in to get the two bagels. Well since my meeting was not over, that would do me no good. Very poor accuracy and questionable customer service. Do not believe I will use this Panera again. read more

My first experience with this chain. I liked the baked goods and the hot sandwiches. It was a real nice chain to have in our lunch rotations. read more

The food is great, if not slightly overpriced. The last few times I've had to order to go, though, have been very frustrating: * Paid for a cookie, not in the bag. * French Onion soup has a couple of shreds of cheese inside, and none on the side. One time, it was waaaaay too salty, like it had cooked down to the salt. * Burnt Paninis with hardly anything in them. (It also sucks that the paninis are pre-made, because if you want something put in or taken out, you're out of luck). In all fairness, though, when I've talked to the manager, they were accommodating and genuinely apologetic. What's even more frustrating is that if you eat there, the service is pretty good--it should be consistent whether or not you dine in or take out! When I've gotten bread here, it was awesome, they lady was helpful and patient. Bonus points for not charging for slicing bread. read more

The wifi here is awesome. I can't believe I could check my email, login to facebook, watch youtube videos while enjoying a meal at the same. On top of that, their bread is awesome. There is times I just want bread, no sandwich. read more

I am always impressed by the selection and freshness of the menu and food. At 2:45 pm I ordered two (2) of the pick 2 combos for me and my mother. We both got the half classic smoked turkey sandwich and half caesar salad. The total cost with tax was $15.10. The salad came with a roll of fresh bread. I really enjoyed both food items and as I said before, everything was fresh and tasty. The restaurant was clean and the employees were very helpful and kind. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Service behind the counter was excellent. Food was great. Once you're seated, however, the service declined. You won't be disappointed with the food or the service behind the counter but the service on the floor was poor. Would I go there again? Sure. read more

This place is a bit crowded at lunch time. But, the food still got to us really fast! The food was good too! Their salads are really fresh and yummy! I also had a turkey sandwich that was really good. Their food is always fresh every time I go. One thing they can improve is their customer service. The cashiers seem a little rushed. read more

Got the Napa Almond Chicken Sandwich-- meh. Not enough of the chicken salad in the bread, and needed salt. Expected better.

Thank goodness the food is good as the customer service is not. I asked for a knife and the girl responded with "I already gave you one." No you did not and so what if I was asking for a second knife, you aren't handing me a solid gold knife. The love their knives. Corporate must have a tight leash on knives. I ordered 2 dozen bagels for an office function and asked for 12 knives and I literally was asked 6 questions. It's a plastic knife. I'm paying you money for services and I shouldn't have to argue or plead a case to get an extra 8 knives. Really now! And the questions were coming from a "trainer" she was not friendly. Must not be a morning person. None the less she should have just given me 12 knives, or 24 if I wanted them. read more

We have been to this location on 2 separate occasions, most recent last night. On both occasions the dining area both inside and out and the beverage area have been completely filthy. So much so we had to clean off our own table in order to have somewhere to sit. Food was in fact delicious , reason 2 star rating otherwise it would have been lower. Cashier was a bit slow but considering how busy they were we did get our food rather quickly. Clean up your dining and beverage areas. read more

If you want to buy bread, go someplace else, like Creme de la Creme bakery in Woodcrest. For year after this Panera opened, we regularly bought their whole grain miches. Some time ago they stopped baking them in the quantity that they had been, so if we did not get to the store by about 9/9:30AM, we were out of luck. Several months ago they cut back further on the number of loaves baked each day, and we were told to phone in an order for the next day in order to have a loaf available. Then one day a few months ago, we were told that they no longer took phone orders, so we had to order on-line. The last two times we ordered on-line (for the next day), and when we arrived to pick up the bread, there was none available. On the most recent occasion (this week), we were told that they had received a catering order for $3,000, and that all the whole grain miches had been diverted to fill that order. So, our on-line order from the previous evening was bumped by a catering order. The manager merely shrugged her shoulders and said that that is how their systems operate. She said that the best bet (not a sure thing) was to come in the day before, and make a physical (paper) order with them. So, in order to get a bread, you can either follow their protocols, make an on-line order, and roll the dice, or make TWO TRIPS to the store for a loaf of bread. The upshot was that the manager kindly provided a refund (the on-line order requires payment), and also comped a loaf of bread, which she sliced, but apparently did not notice a problem: when we got home and tried to make lunch, the bread was almost completely hollow. We're done buying bread at Panera. We will strictly buy it at Creme de la Creme. They offer a nice variety of breads, some baked daily and others baked on a regular schedule. And if we want one of the non-daily breads, we can phone them and they set one aside. No special orders, on-line orders, extra trips required, and no catering orders taking precedence over a regular customer's order. read more

I love eating here. Their food is absolutely amazing and fresh! Fast, friendly service and the portions are good. I love the tropical unsweetened tea! read more

Ok I just realized that my Asian chicken salad did not come with wontons. I wish I noticed when I ate there. The only thing I told them was if it had tomatoes or onions to take them out. Also, another problem started at the register. I went to the line behind someone who was behind a huge party. However, it seemed that more people were coming from outside and getting in front of myself and the other guy. The store had three registers open and dealing with this group. There was a opening and the guy in front tried to order but the register lady said that they were still dealing with the group. I told the cashier that these individuals had cut in front and the person who was paying said I am paying for all and we are together. I understand that you needed to pay but this store should of had them all in one register and other customers did not need to wait while others in there group continuously come in and take cuts. We were waiting a long time and it seemed never ending. Finally when my turn came they closed all but one line even though there was people behind me. There needs to be better coordination with big groups of people. read more

This location is awful. I phoned in an order on a Saturday at 11 am and waited over 45 minutes for my order. That was fine. When the girl handed me my order which she had just finished packing, she repeated exactly what I ordered and handed it to me and I was on my way. When I got home to a group of people waiting for their food we were missing half of one of the meals which was a bowl of soup (which is much less than the bowl they give you when you order to dine in, about half the amount) and a BBQ chicken flat bread. I had my receipt in my hand when I called to inform them of their error. The girl said "well what exactly was wrong with the order because I packed that bag myself" to which I replied "there is a flat bread missing from the you pick two, I only received the soup and not the flatbread" she claimed there was only 2 on the receipt and I told her "I literally have the receipt in my hand and there are 2 full orders and a half order for the you pick 2 as the last item on the receipt" she then told me to hold so she could look up the receipt because either I'm a liar or just stupid, I waited for about 6 minutes for her to get on the phone and say "I see the other flatbread so there are 2 things we can do, you can come pick up the missing one or I can put your name in our book for you to pick up on your next order" I was floored. She didn't apologize for HER mistake and didn't offer any other compensation for my trouble. No a cookie, no refund for the item no free meal on the next visit, nothing. Basically it was come out of your way to get the item you paid for that we forgot to give you or come get the item you are entitled to at another date. It's absolutely awful customer service and I will not return to this location. Well I'll go get my BBQ flat bread only because I paid for it and to be honest, I'm petty. read more

manager traded out my drink when I ordered the wrong one, super understanding and nice!!

Cathy is super nice and extra helpful!! Thank you for great customer service :) :) This was my first time here and I will definitely be coming back thanks to her thank you read more

Worst Panera! tables not cleaned or picked up. Nowhere to sit because tgry are full of the dirty plates. They take long. And food is cold. Some works have a little attitude when u ask for stuff that missing from your plate. Disappointing read more

I went today and ordered broccoli cheddar soup with a soft dinner roll. I received a super hard French baguette instead and had to spit out the broccoli soup because it had a piece of chicken in it. I'm vegetarian. read more

Take my advice, skip this location for lunch. The parking is insanely overcrowded. I parked in the 5 minute zone, since there was nothing else. A worker gave me ration, grilling me about the spot. Then the Manager gave me a load of CRAP, for being there. Do your self a favor, go to Wendy's $4 lunch deal instead, save $11 and a huge hassle. I like the food, but not worth the trouble at Riverside store. read more

I love panera bread! I enjoying having their frontega chicken or the tomato & mozarella. And the free wifi is a plus.

I love Panera Riverside. However, the manager Jeremy is a total drip. The other workers are wonderful and have great customer service skills, but Jeremy needs to brush up a bit....I can tell he does not like his job!!!!!!! read more