Panera Bread used to be a regular stop for me back when I worked in town, but today was the first time I've stepped inside this location in a few years. I hesitated to return after reading some recent reviews, but I went anyway because I've always loved their Creamy Tomato Soup and Apple Crisp Salad. When placing my order, though, I called an audible and went with the Greek Salad instead. My disappointment is not with the food. Just as it was years ago, the quality remains excellent. If I were grading this place on food alone, it would be an easy 5-star experience. Unfortunately, the cleanliness brings my overall score down to a 3. The floors were littered with food crumbs, napkin pieces, straw wrappers, and other trash. Many of the tables needed to be wiped down, and the dish drop-off area had stacks of plates and bowls left from previous guests. I can only hope the kitchen is cleaner than the dining area. I understand many franchises are moving toward kiosk ordering, and that's fine, but it's still nice to see a friendly face when you walk into a restaurant. And if I'm placing my own order on a machine, picking up my food at the window, fixing my own drink, and finding my own seat, please don't ask me for a tip at checkout. I can't go into the kitchen and prepare my own food--so being prompted for a gratuity feels unnecessary. Now, back to the positives: the tomato soup and baguette were fabulous--comforting and delicious on a cold Alabama Friday night. I've become a fan of Greek salads over the past few years, and Panera's version is top-notch. Next time, I may try the full salad with chicken. The background music was a nice touch, too--Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes, Please Come Home for Christmas by the Eagles, and even Texas Hold'Em by Beyoncé helped set a pleasant atmosphere. Final Score: 3 out of 5 stars Food: 5 stars Cleanliness: 2 stars Still worth a visit for the flavors--but I hope management gives the dining area some attention. read more

Panera Bread - Creamy Tomato Soup - Sandwiches Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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The service at this location was great. The attendant was kind as she took my order. The food was fresh and seasoned well; the bread of course was the star. However, I have a hard time paying $18 for a moderate-to-small sized grilled chicken sandwich, small bag of chips, and a drink. Upon paying, of course, the screen asked for a tip, though, there is no table service of any kind. (I despise this). Another reason for the mediocre review is that at 4:40 in the afternoon with 4 guests seated, the trash needed taken out in two separate cans, and the shelves above the service are needed organized. A few minor improvements could make this location a fantastic one. Edit: Next Day after initial visit (03/13/2025). Clean. Less clutter. A friendly, genial staff. There are still some minor items which could use some attention that could easily take this location from average or good to great. Like: dusting the window sills, vacuuming under booths, and wiping the chair rails. Doing these things along with keeping the trash taken out would keep this location full of customers. A paint touch-up here or there would be stellar. I've changed my initial review from 3 to 4 stars. read more

Panera Bread - Half of what remained of a grilled chicken sandwich, kettle chips, and unsweetened tea for $18. - Sandwiches Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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Food was okay, but it was far too sticky and filthy for this early in the day (11AM). The floors were sticky. The condiment packets which are in small bins next to the drink fountain machine were all stuck together and gross. They left a cleaning bucket out in plain sight in the dining area completely unattended the entire time we were there eating. Everything needs to be cleaned. read more

Person at the counter was happy and helpful. I love the food here because it it healthy and tasty. Enjoyed the experience this morning. read more

Panera Bread - Suzette loves the fresh coffee - Sandwiches Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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Have you not had a Cinnamon Crunch Bagel, sliced and toasted, from Panera? If not, then you haven't lived. Breakfast today was that bagel with a coffee, quick and easy and hot. The bottom half of the bagel doesn't have the crunch on it and even it's delicious. The price for both was UNDER $5. Try that at you-know-where competitor and see how much you pay. I usually don't post reviews on these "big chain" restaurants but Panera is awesome...couldn't resist. read more

Panera Bread - Cinnamon Crunch Bagel, the top half - Sandwiches Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The whole place was so dirty and disgusting although it wasn't busy at all so I'm not sure what the employees were doing. I got the chicken avocado melt and they barely put anything on it. It is so dirty to not come here. read more

Not much to choose from So o decided to take my family after church to a Panera in midtown village. I order a ham and cheese day and informed they don't have ham, I order a blt and no bacon or avacado. Also no croutons for salads. Im like what do you have? Surprised they are packed out after a game day and they have nothing to serve. read more

Hands down WORST Panera Bread location.. Nearly $50 order, and received everything wrong - not to mention, we were yelled at. I don't know if it's an entitlement situation with the black gentleman who took no responsibility for the continuous yelling of our name (muffled vocals due to his mask), but he made his point by giving us a caesar salad with no croutons, and vinegar dressing.. wrong soups, and the squash was 1/3 of a bowl.. tomato soup was added instead of potato, don't know how that happened since we ordered on the kiosk at the front.. the infuriated black individual's last name was "McKinley"... WILL DEFINITELY BE CROSSING PATHS WITH HIM AGAIN. See ya soon, bud! read more

Food is great service is good at times and then sometimes they see you standing in the front but they are all on there phones so they end up taking 20 min to get your order that you don't like and ask them to refund the nasty new chicken sandwitch and they say there is nothing wrong with it so no lol but sometimes it's good read more

I love Panera Bread but NOT this location. First thing when we walked in and ordered, the lady at the front was very rude and clearly did not want to be there. We ordered a "you pick two" and she did not ask if we wanted bread or chips with it. It was really just an awkward experience. She was very short. Next, when we got the food, one of our sandwiches was ICE cold. Just think about that for a second, biting into ice cold mac and cheese. So what does one do? They go take it back. When we took it back, the lady behind the counter...I kid you not, told us to MICROWAVE it, and pointed to the microwave. Just awful customer service all around. read more

We usually love Panera's food but this location is filthy. We had to ask a woman handing out orders for something to clean table with. I used napkins and water from the soda fountain to wipe out chairs and table. The floors are disgusting. Too sad. read more

I have always loved panera but the past few experiences I have had at this location have been horrendous. This is my steak and white cheddar panini I ordered and paid about $12 for got home and saw this. This is the amount of steak and cheese to bread. This is unacceptable. Panera y'all need to really start caring more about your customers and stop half fasting your job. read more

Panera Bread - Steak and White Cheddar Panini - Sandwiches Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The soup was quite good, the only reason I gave it 3 stars is because they didn't have hot water for coffee or tea.

Yet again it's dinner hour and this specific panera is completely out of most of their bread variations and their french baguettes are out of stock for the day. No matter what time of day it is I don't think they've ever had most of their basic menu items in stock (i.e. french baguette, country rustic sourdough bread, everything bagel). Whoever runs inventory at this location does not take into account the number of people who want their popular menu items. read more

We love Panera...the cook on this breakfast was spot on. Front cashier Cody was about the sweetest and nicest clerk we have ever experienced. We were driving thru and will go out of our way coming thru to stop at this Panera to and from Dallas. read more

Every time I try to order, they're out of what I want! Bread bowls are awesome but they're NEVER available here. So frustrating.

Place is refurbished so it looks wonderful. I was with a friend in a wheelchair and she had a difficult time getting to the wheelchair designated space. The person working the floor said the tables got moved but in looking at them, this cannot be the case as all of these tables in this row are supposed to be accessible. There was not enough room for wheelchairs. The other tables were all high seats, again not accessible for elderly folks with movement difficulty. There simply is not enough accessible seating. They bring the food to your table. My order was incorrect. They did fix this. So, looks nice. But not accessible for people in wheelchairs and not enough seating for others with other movement concerns. Sorely disappointed as the older layout was accessible for everyone. read more

went here a few days ago and got there lemonade with almost no sigh of how much caffeine was it me and my 72 year old grandmother each got one after leaving this location we started have terrible heart palpitations after several hours of the same problems we called them to see how much caffeine was in it and they worker didn't seem like they didn't cared at all please don't order this lemonade read more

first off if I could do -10 I would the bread was soggy and it was cold. I found a hair in my sandwich and a toenail. deserve to be shut down read more

The staff was slow, I waited at least two minutes for someone to come take my order. The sandwich was good as usual but the French Onion soup was not hot at all. Kinda ruined my day. read more

Poor service, we ordered rapid pick up and got there only to find out our order wasn't ready. Apparently they ran out of avocado! At 7 in the morning? That's poor planning. Also, why wouldn't they call or contact us to let us know when you have our information on the order. We were very disappointed and hope another (better) cafe opens up and gives them a run for their money. read more

This Panera is the worst. I keep saying I'm never going back. You must have to be a moron to work here. I told them 4 times my order was to go, I told them I didn't want my bagel toasted...well guess what got toasted. I complained to Jessica, the manager. She could have cared less what I thought. Not good customer service at all. Corporate needs to step in! read more

I love Panera. I love their food. I don't love how every time I order something on the app they call me 10 minutes later saying that they are out of it. Please figure out a way to make your app better and I will give you another star! Also the mugs that I like to use to not waste plastic are always dirty and I have to get someone to get me a clean one. read more

My daughter and I ate here on October 2, 2018. I hadn't eaten at this Panera since it had been re-modeled in March 2018. The remodel was much needed! The restaurant looks so much better with the whites and grays instead of the old bolder colors of orange. The floor plan is much more open and airy. When you first walk in, there are screens conveniently set up so that if you already know what you would like to order without standing in line and talking to an actual person, you can "do it yourself", or you can still order at the counter. Since I had multiple questions (being vegan, I ALWAYS have questions! Ha!) I ordered at the counter. I ordered the veggie Mediterranean sandwich on sourdough without feta. The guy who took my order had to ask the manager which bread was vegan. The manager had no idea and he started by looking it up in manuals that were in the back, then he finally just used his phone and looked it up somehow on that. Anyway, it finally got figured out. The sandwich was "ok". I don't like anything spicy, and there were some red (pimentos?) on the sandwich that were pretty hot. At least they did have a vegan option! read more

Panera Bread - My vegan sandwich, Mediterranean Veggie sandwich on sourdough! - Sandwiches Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

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Years ago, I would've given Panera a two-star rating. Little did I know, I was evaluating Panera inappropriately. Their sandwiches are garbage and I guess that's what I was basing my opinion upon. However, whenever I was asked how I liked their bagels, cream cheese, and soup, I would always say that it's "so amazing!" Do you notice the discrepancy? The pumpkin pie bagel with hazelnut cream cheese is the closest a female species can reach to carbohydrate heaven. No other combination will ever compare. The pumpkin pie is like a mixture of a cookie and a bagel. It doesn't remind you of pumpkin but it was divine. I can't remember the individual soups I had. When I had them though, they were excellent. Stay away from sandwiches, and you have the best bagel place ever made. read more

I normally love Panera but the service and food quality at this location is way below average. I have the Panera app and normally order to go pick it up, it's never ready on time or my order is wrong. They also don't tell you they're out of things and then just assume a substitute or don't give it to you at all. They are always out of lettuce, bread, condiments etc. While it's very clean and a great atmosphere and newly renovated, the lack of attention to detail regarding customers is very dissatisfying. read more

I wish I could day I'd be back. I love Panera, but recently I've visited this location multiple times at different times each visit and they are always out of something (usually bread). The customer service is not up to par and some of the cashiers should be behind the scenes, not the face of the business. Rude. Rude. Rude. This location has such potential with a nice interior/exterior but the employees will run this into the ground no doubt if stricter management isn't enforced soon. read more

So upsetting- but I guess this is what I get for knowing I was going to be disappointed before it even happened. Should've stuck to what I know. I was really craving a soup and salad, so I placed a rapid order pick up for my roommate and I. I ordered two soups and two salads. Around 9. The salads are we're, I asked for extra veggies and it looks like they just put the same as always. My Fiji apple salad has no apples, and again an issue with extra veggies. And the salad dressings don't match the ones I asked for or that go with the salad. Also my French onion soup is not a French onion soup, it's some type of tomato with corn soup. On my receipt they had checked off that they gave me my drink, and there was no cup in the bag when I got there. It's really upsetting as someone who used to be in the service industry, I understand that it's late in the night and you just want to get out but that's hard earned money that I'm spending on food that came out wrong. read more

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I love Panera but this location is ALWAYS out of cinnamon crunch bagels. I have been going to this location for 4 years now and I can only think of 1-2 times where they have actually had them. One would think that if they are constantly running out of something, they would know to restock it better for next time or the time after that. read more

Absolutely awful! I love panera back at home but this panera is the worst one I have ever been to. The people are the rudest and they don't care about you or your "fast" pickup. I ordered online and figured it would be fast. Waited an hour for my food and they said they forgot to make it and started to laugh. Recently went again and they gave me this dark colored mac n cheese and it tastes like ass. Hate this place. read more

Panera Bread - Yum... Thanks for the bottom of the pan. - Sandwiches Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

There were only three people waiting for food and it took almost 15 minutes for me to get a toasted bagel. Probably would've been faster if the two people in the kitchen hadn't been so busy talking to each other. I worked in a Panera that was a very very busy in Tennessee and this is inexcusable! read more

This is a great spot in Midtown Village to take a break from shopping and get a delicious pastry, coffee or bread bowl of soup to help you catch your second wind. The bagels--cut, toasted and cream cheesed to order--are quite good, and I'm a huge fan of the sourdough bread bowls. There is plenty of seating inside for parties up to four, after that you have to get a little creative with the tables and booths to find everyone a seat. There is a little patio area outside, too. read more

Unfriendly and slow. Also no quinoa in the Quinoa Salad.....hmmm. Food was ready before smoothie was and still waiting on bagels after eating. read more

Panera Bread - Sandwiches Near Me - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

This Panera is always out of something being bread, lettuce, or toppings. Every time I go and pick up my order without double checking it it's wrong. I just got home to find a box with just iceberg, kale, and olives and onions when I ordered a modern Greek with quinoa salad and when I called to speak with someone it rang over 20 times with no answer. read more

Great atmosphere and friendly staff. Recommendations: Breakfast = Mediterranean Egg White Sandwich Lunch = Roasted Turkey Artichoke Sandwich w/Greek Salad read more

Sunday morning. Service incredibly slow! Everyone knows Panera not much to say other than they either need more people or people that work faster read more

For a restaurant with bread in their name, they sure do run out of it quickly. All the time. Seriously, don't do dinner here and expect to get their full menu. But the autumn squash soup is great. read more

The problem is I placed an order over 48 hours in advanced for an event and they wait to call me and tell me 2 hours before I was to pick my order up that they won't have my order. I am VERY upset now what am I supposed to do? I wish I could give them no star at all read more

Ordered Almond chicken salad sandwich - no chicken salad, then ordered the avocado BLT but no avocado, then ordered the chicken apple and cheddar sandwich. When came to the table - no apples. Ordered Diet Coke and was not told they only had Diet Pepsi so was stuck because had already paid. This place needs new management! What a mess! read more

This was the worst service from a Panera I think I've ever received. I waited an hour plus for delivery before I called to check on the order. I refreshed my order form and as it turns out the driver was headed the opposite direction so the time continually increased. After an hour and a half I called as I had to get to work and they told me it wasn't an issue they would remake my food and I could pick it up on my way out. I went to pick the food up when they said it would be ready and they told me oh just one second, let us get that started for you. So I left panera, after a two hour wait with no food late for work. By far the most disorganized I've ever seen a staff. Sadly this isn't my worst experience with this Panera delivery team as last time they literally forgot my food at the restaurant. I would give this team and this restaurant no stars if I could. read more