I used to live in Jackson, so Howell was my closest Panera, and you can see my review of that in my profile. This Panera, I was SO excited about, and I am so far, very pleased with their service and selection. There is an Atlanta Bread Company directly across the street, and that was the closest thing I had to it being a Panera to my job. So disappointing there. Food was oily. I just wanted my Panera back. But, I digress! This Panera in Toms River is located right next to a brand new Buffalo Wild Wings. It is a bit smaller than the usual PB's I have been to, but they make up for this, significantly, with a DRIVE THRU! It may be a bit tricky to see the lane at first, but just pull into the very small lot they have and keep going straight, bearing right. I was a little confused by this at first, but it's probably because I have never had the luxury of a Panera drive thru before. The food is basically the same as what you can expect from any other PB. What I did like, though, was that there were little-to-no kinks to be worked out from them opening so quickly. Food was on point, no mistakes, service was excellent. I have also eaten in their dining room with my cousin, and I love that the staff seems to promote community in that they really seemed to interact with the customers, chatting it up as they checked on their food and cleared their plates. Overall, I wish nothing but the best for this establishment and plan to frequent them as much as possible with my Panera Rewards Card. read more

Yummy lunch today! Absolutely love My broccoli cheddar soup with chips and Habiscus tea! Toms River staff is always pleasant but did not have my macaroons today which are my fav! read more

Yikes. First review. Do I give 4 stars or 5? The pressure is real. This place is more updated than Howell's location and I like the cubby holes your food sits in as it waits for you to pick it up if you called in your order ahead. Yes....yes... it's a franchise but it will always hold a special place in my heart over Atlanta Bread because my first encounter with it was in Philly while I was on an awesome museum outing with my art class in grade school. We came in the last ten minutes it was opened and chose the option to go. The people were still super cool and chill.The food was super good. The food quality is always a step above ABC's and has healthier options. Since the place is newly opened one should take advantage of the newness while they can. Long story short, I'll take this place over Atlanta Bread. read more

Drive thru today- ordered Fuji Apple Chicken Salad-there was no chicken in the salad! Second time it happened. Called, spoke to manager named Matt. He offered me $3 towards my next order! Needless to say we won't be back. Unprofessional, poorly trained staff! read more

Debbie is one of the most thoughtful and excellent service providers I have met. She always goes above and beyond and I am grateful for her cheerful demeanor. May everyone at Panera hope to be as great as Debbie! read more

Very clean location with fresh food. We had the Pick 2 and I had the Fuji apple Salad with chicken noodle soup. Nice artwork on the walls. High Tech, it's the first I have been to a Panera where we we given a device to place on our table and the server found us based on the location of the device. it's much better than my regular Panera were they yell out your name. Awesome. read more

Panera Bread - Great art work! Clean location. High Tech. - Salad Near Me - Toms River, New Jersey

Very disappointed. Ordered 2 sandwiches, Mac & cheese, and a cup of soup. Got home only to find out they forgot one sandwich. Called the number on the receipt two times and couldn't get through. Each time I called the phone disconnected me after five or so rings. So I couldn't even tell them my problem. So I'm left to leave this message on Yelp. Awful! The staff was too busy talking about personal matters to realize what they did. So tonight no dinner for me! So how do I get my refund? read more

Food is amazing but employees are the rudest and dumbest people you'll meet your lucky if you get the right thIng you order other then that foods great read more

This places rocks it! We love Debbie out server. Food always on point employees excited about working their. Very accommodating place A must eat at when u r in town. read more

Good staff good environment good place to chat and meetings. Def will be back the managers are very nice also.

Ceasar Salad and french onion soup. I've been getting the half and half for yearssss. My only complaint about Panera is they got rid of their very delicious turkey spinach artichoke panini and that was a huge disappointment. read more

I do like the food. Plus, we've always gotten great, friendly service from the manager, Debbie. Whenever someone mixed up our orders or omitted an item, which was often, she always made good on it, which I really appreciate. That said, we will not be coming back. One of the reasons we've been coming to this Panera for years is because of the table service (and we always tipped generously). On a nice day, like today, we would place our orders and go outside. We were looking forward to enjoying the sunny day. Upon placing our orders, we were informed they no longer have table service and we would have to wait inside, in line with our masks on, to pick up our food. I asked why and was initially given the standard answer: "because of the pandemic." Huh?? Then wouldn't it make sense to have people spread apart and outdoors, instead of lined up inside? Talk about counter-productive! Not believing that answer for a minute, I asked one of the managers and was told they just stopped doing table services because "none of the other Paneras" in this area were doing it. I don't know if that's true or not, but I never went to the others. I went to this one, BECAUSE of the table service (and the outdoors). When I heard that I left no tip - why pay for a service they took away? Now we will not be coming back at all. read more

I have not always had best experience with Panera, but today's experience has changed my outlook completely. I encountered 4 different people (2 different people while calling in) and then 3 separate people picking up... each of the 4 people were extremely helpful and nice! It was a large order, it was ready when they said, and it was fabulously packed and correct!! All provided with genuine smiles!! Thank you!! read more

I love Panera. It is my go to whenever I'm on the road. Ordered the Napa chicken salad sandwich - a favorite. Had the same issue with this sandwich when I had it in the Ramsey location. Not Enough filling. Either the bread is too big or the scoop of chicken salad has shrunk. Even if you mush it down it won't cover the bread. This is not a cheap sandwich. I can buy a whole chicken, or course I would have to cook it, for the price of this sandwich. read more

Panera Bread - Here's my tiny chicken salad on super large bread - Salad Near Me - Toms River, New Jersey

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There food was amazing and I really enjoyed the outdoor seating. The flatbreads are so delicious and the bean soup was so tasty. I would recommend Panera bread to anyone looking for a good meal. read more

I love Panera they are so clean and make me so so happy every time i come from fresh food to breakfast to dinner and a snack and dessert i love this Panera i can't wait to come back to this location again read more

Overpriced for soups and salads, coffee is barely drinkable. I love the autumn squash soup.

This place is notorious for forgetting an order and screwing it all up.. 0-2 and they say third times a charm but honestly I'd rather go to McDonald's. Not to mention when they gave me my panini which was so burnt the bread was drier than saltine crackers and the cheese was so burnt it left the taste of cheeze-its in my mouth. If you just so happen to order from this place do yourself a favor and don't. read more

Please gat a gluten free menu! The menu looks deliclous but nothing I could eat. There was a blurb on the menu making note about a few items that you would probably be ok with???? What???? I am an organizer of a meetup group and I am always looking for GF menus for myself and other members. You are leaving $$ at the door. Get a GF menu if you want our business. read more

As someone who has eaten at multiple locations I figured let's try the new one next to home. Was not impressed. Service was just ok, nothing special. Food was ehh. I am grateful there is an Atlanta bread across the street. Their chili bowl is amazing. read more

Ordered a Pick 2 and two other whole sandwiches. Order got a little mixed up, but the cashier ultimately helped to resolve the confusion along with the kitchen staff. What is keeping my overall rating at just three stars is that I think I was overcharged, but the original receipt was taken to resolve the issue and couldn't be recovered, which just leaves me to wonder about it. This is just a minor hiccup in an otherwise enjoyable visit. The staff was very friendly and worked together to correct the order quickly and the food was very good. Will go back again, but will be paying extra attention to the order and price. read more

I usually enjoy a quiet, diverse and bustling crowd at a Panera but today a Christian men's prayer group and Christian music set the tone. Too bad the thoughtful music didn't help them get my order right. What I got tasted fine, and was delivered fast, but I ordered my breakfast sandwich without egg, and got an egg. My latte tasted a bit more like steamed milk than a triple espresso latte ought to. People sometimes reply, "why didn't you complain to management and get it fixed?" Well, I'm sick and tired of not getting what I ordered. If I complained I'd have to wait again and I don't have that kind of time to give to a manager that seems to think they're running a religious retreat instead of a restaurant. Good luck and best regards. read more

Great stop for delicious and relatively healthy "fast food". Cashiers and servers are always pleasant and recognize regular customers. There is a varied menu with something for everyone that changes frequently. Also, the bread here is awesome. To go service can be slow, so stop inside and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere. read more

it was my first time coming and i enjoyed every moment of it! the food was very good and the place was very cleanly. 10/10

Beside the fact that the food always comes out quick and is consistently good, the staff here work so hard and are so friendly. This Panera is such a great place to come at any time. Nothing to complain about here. read more

Very friendly staff and the food is always consistently good! I am a big fan of their salads in the summer and their soups in the winter. Considering that I also have a food allergy, it is very easy for me to find out what dishes I can and can't have. read more

My wife and I stopped by on a Friday night before running a few errands. I got a bowl of French Onion Soup and my wife got soup and a sandwich. Food was ok, but the service was poor. My soup was served like warm at best. When I asked to have it warmed up, I was told that there was a microwave oven up front and that I could do it myself. Needless to say I probably won't be coming back. read more

Five stars for the food runner today. She was so sweet. She was talking to everyone and making sure the orders were being put in right before the food was in the window. She was so friendly to everyone she brought food to. read more

they have a drivethru ! they bring your food to the table and my cashier Emeria was awesome. so excited there is one so close to me now. all service was awesome. manager was smiling and happy to be there. FOOD WAS THE BEST PANERA I EVER HAVE. made my day so much better just being there. read more

Panera Bread - the best - Salad Near Me - Toms River, New Jersey

Excellent service by Amanda (Toms River location.) Each staff member very pleasant and helpful. Food quality was excellent, warm pannini, hot soup, fresh bread. read more

This is the New Panera's! Order have a seat and be served. When you finish the staff will take you tray away. It's a great dinning experience young students who are so helpful. read more

The Asiago and Three Cheese Breads are addictive. Sandwiches and Baked goods are amazing

My wife and I spotted this new Panera last week, and we decided to have lunch. As we entered I noticed in front of us were two women who both were using walkers. The cashier, Joseph was kind of amazing with them; funny, friendly, and patient. He made these two women feel special. You don't see this kind of human kindness much these days--and certainly not often at a strip joint restaurant! But I digress- the two women asked if with their meals it would be possible to have just a cup of water with lemon in it. He, without being asked, mind you, said they could pick their seats and get comfortable- and that he would make them each a water and bring it to them before their meals came. My wife and I ordered after the women, and Joseph was the exact same way with us. He actually cared that we had a meal we would love. We got two of the soup and sandwich/soup and salad combos (he recommended the combo I got) and they were spot on delicious. Mine was the Thai Salad (I took his suggestion and added Gorgonzola cheese to it as well--winning!!) and Tuna Sandwich. Incredibly good and just the right size portion to fill me up. We sat near the ladies who were in front of us- and sure enough this cashier "Joseph" kept his word-came to their table and gave them their lemon waters. They were smiling ear to ear. His attentiveness surely meant more than the meal itself. My wife mentioned we should come back because the service and food were off the charts. Personally restored my faith in mankind and food kind....and she is not always pleased...LOL read more

So happy Panera opened near me and the best part is they have a drive thru! I love there food and live knowing I can get something healthy for me and my family on the go. My favorite is the pick 2 Greek salad and half of Napa chicken salad on whole grain toast. Kids love the grilled cheese with yogurt or Apple read more

Another great lunch date at my favorite panera I just wanted to say thank you for making my day Amazon with my trusty lunch spot! As always The food was excellent And the service was awesome!!! Specially Debbie who Attended to all my needs and more!! Such a wonderful person I look forward to my next trip there. read more

The service is excellent especially Debbie, she's very friendly and helpful! Food is always good too especially the tomato soup!

Having lived in St. Louis and being a regular at St Louis Bread Co., we were excited when Panera opened in Toms River......1st time we went we were disappointed in the food. Second time we went through the drive threw and the skinny vanilla latte I ordered was way to sweet....had to throw it out. This time we had Courtney wait on us......what an attitude she had, she never asked what side option we wanted with our meals, never asked if we wanted a drink or pastry/bread item, never asked for our Panera #. These are all the things that are the standard we have come to expect when we go to Panera. We are used to waiting for our pastry order and drink cups. She went in the back after she took our order and came out to give something to another customer who was waiting she looked at us, rolled her eyes and said "What are you waiting for, I told you I would bring your pastry/bread to you". It was the way she said it....so rude and condescending. We went up to order something else and Amber waited on us, she was very polite as we would expect from an associate working for Panera. Yeh Amber!!! Courtney needs an attitude adjustment and some training in Panera customer service. Overall our food was better then the first two times, and closer to what we are used to from St Louis. read more

I love Panera's food but this particular Panera location seems to always get my order wrong or not have my order ready at the selected time when using rapid pick up. My first rapid order experience I ordered my food for 8:40am, and it wasn't ready when I showed up at 8:45. It took a fair few minutes before anyone would even acknowledge me to question why my order wasn't ready. Finally someone said "oh our online order system isn't working". Fine, it happens, but I've had similar experiences since where I was told nothing other than "it's being prepared". Also, I'm a mocha latte fan, and I've had multiple orders when my drink was made hot when it should have been iced, or frozen when it should have been hot....? And today I ordered an iced mocha and a ham/egg/cheese sandwich. I received a frozen mocha and egg/cheese/roasted tomato sandwich. I have gone to several Panera locations in PA and NJ, and this one is not recommended if you're ordering via rapid pick up unless you want to be late for work or wasting time reordering because the staff is incompetent. The employees clearly can't read orders properly, and tend to ignore you when you try to get an incorrect order rectified. Again, incompetent and not properly trained in customer service. I only gave 2 stars because the food is still good (when it's right). read more

Have eaten here several times already,I must say although Atlanta Bread is across the highway, that is my choice for the taste of food and friendliness of the staff. Although Panera is newer I'd rather spend my money were the food is better and prices pretty reasonable! read more

I am a BIG Panera fan and was so excited when this store opened. The space is clean and neatly organized to make your trip in and out as smooth as possible. My favorite sandwich by far is the nappa almond chicken salad sandwich - so delicious! read more