I love sandwiches. You can hardly go wrong with them. And you know I'm really not a picky eater and normally aim to stay optimistic in everything and see the good in things regardless, but I was just plain disappointed today and have to say something. I'm not a Panera regular, just it's not on the way usually, but the last couple I've been to, (in Cali) were good, and one time at my work they brought in various bagels from Panera which were delicious. Today my coworkers decided to stop at the marketplace location for a quick bite on the way to the DPS officer's funeral today in Temple, my old coworker's father-in-law. It was already a sad day to begin with, but it was even sadder when I got my Italian sandwich. First, I paid $12.75 for a full sandwich and a drink - which gave me sticker shock at first because the menus didn't actually show the prices of full sandwiches up front - just the prices for the Pick 2 deals or whatever, so for example if the customer sees for example $5.49 for something and decides to get a full sandwich he might get caught off guard get surprised. ($9.19 for the full Italian sandwich.) Maybe I was just not accustomed to this menu approach, but it might be better to be straightforward on prices. Now I'm not expecting a sandwich from Katz's or Carnegie Deli stacked a foot high with meat, but for that price point you'd expect something comparable to the other leading sandwich makers out there, a decently sized sandwich with a reasonable amount of meat. However what I got was less than expected, a thin-in-stature baguette sandwich with a layer of greens and few scattered pepperoni and a slice or two of ham that looked like one you'd get on an airplane flight for a snack. The taste wasn't bad per se, but the bread was hard and there was a lot of plain white space in the bread without any corresponding meat/cheese/greens. It was unforgettably unforgivable. I should have taken a picture for record but I was busy trying to contain my disappointment and be civil. My fountain drink was good, though, mmm Mountain Dew. But for real, I'm not asking much, just make the sandwiches commensurate with the pricing..that's all I'm asking. A little more meat will go a long way. Thank you so much. I hope for improvements in the future. Sincerely, Hopeful Sandwich Lover read more

We are usually Panera fans but... we were on a road trip and stopped at this one for a late breakfast (10:40 AM) and were told breakfast ended at 10:30. We wanted to order a breakfast sandwich or something (not lunch). But the lady at the counter just moved on like we weren't even standing there when she realized we only wanted breakfast. Didn't offer an alternate or suggestion. Isn't this a bakery type restaurant that always has pastries and bagels? Can they not make an egg after 10:30? Did the bacon leave the building at 10:31 A.M. read more

This really is the only place to study and work in Waco. Barnes and Nobel can't touch this place. The food is good. The lighting is good. The Wifi is good. If you're in Waco and need a place to work, Panera is a no brainer. Go get your stuff done! read more

This is an average Panera, the food is good for the price, nothing special. We were disappointed that they didn't give us the option of bread, apple, or chips with our pick2 meals. We all got stuck with bread when we would have preferred an apple, the bread ended up in the trash because we didn't need it with our sandwiches. read more

Slow service, expensive meal, soggy sandwich, and it gave me food poisoning. Won't be back.

Poor service on a consistent basis. Today it took them over 25 minutes just to make a coffee. Just avoid this place if you can, otherwise plan to spend a lot of time waiting for your order. read more

Service is awful. They do not care about the customers, even with that fake smile they half of the time have.

Just a regular Panera Bread. You get what you order wherever you go. The cashiers were pretty fast an food was right at out table in no time. read more

Lowkey this is the worst Panera I've been to. I had to ask for half of my order after I didn't get it. The tomatoes on my grilled cheese were cold. And my cheddar broccoli soup was kinda chunky. They're out of baguettes and they're a bakery. SHOULD'VE GONE TO IN N OUT. Don't waste your pretty penny here! read more

My 1st experience at a Panera Bread was great! I had the Italian Combo. Very good! The atmosphere was great as well.

My first time in and really didn't know what to order. I did a togo order. My cashier was Gailey, she was very helpful in my choice and also offered a pastry but since she didn't eat sweets she didn't know what to tell me. So she went and got me one that is a good seller and told me if I didn't like it she would get me something else. It was cinnamon roll of some sorts. And dang it was good. So way to go Gailey! I had the turkey BLT, bread soft and outside crispy. Veggies in sandwich was fresh, bread wasn't over dressed with mayo. Had the chips, chips are chips. Speed of the order was good and they checked the order. So for sure I will go again! read more

Food was good and staff was friendly. Unfortunately the restaurant is NOT clean...disgusting in fact. The fabric on the benches is really bad. The floor is horrible. What disgusted me the most was the soda machine!! Ewww!! Never seen a Panera like this. Usually they pretty clean. read more

Food: Love, love, LOVE Cleanliness: no complaints So why just 3 stars? They close at 9pm; if you arrive by 8pm, no problem. BUT if you arrive at 8:30 or a few minutes after....not so good. Arrived at 8:35, walked in, and the guy sweeping up and one other woman working looked at each other, like "oh crap... customers." I asked, "are you closing? " because they acted like they were. And again they look at each other as if trying to decide if they can get away with "yes." The guy behind the counter taking orders--he's always great-- said "No, you still have time." I think he got "the look, too." We went ahead and ordered, but we're pretty uncomfortable, feeling like we were intruders. We are very quickly and left. This happened again, it was about 8:25. We walked in, got the same "look," so we just turned around and left. Way too many other places that welcome customers. Funny, because I'd just talked my daughter into going back here for our once-a-week dinner. She started refusing to go in there because of some inappropriate remarks between a couple of the guys cleaning up and delivering orders a while back. If you decide to eat here, go early so you don't impose on them. read more

Not a super huge fan of this place. Its not bad, but nothing to brag about. I know it would be a great place to eat and get work done if I was still in college. Love the lemonade though. read more

Can you give 1/2 a star? Strike 1: I went here 3 weeks ago to get a toasted Bagel. How long does it take to slice a bagel and put it through a toaster? Well that day it took 10 minutes. When I asked to speak to the manager, they said he was busy, but if I wait a few minutes he would be able to assist. Strike 2: I receive an offer from Panera for free bagels for the month of April. I thought, ok, give them a second chance. I order my bagel and while I was waiting, I saw the cook take a knife and scrape the burnt edges of a bagel. What really shocked me was when I saw her put it in a bag and then called my name. I made a comment to an employee standing at the window that they should probably turn down the heat on the toaster as I just saw the lady behind the counter scrape the burnt edges off my bagel. Burnt is Burnt, the bagel still tastes burnt. Strike 3: Ok, I'm a gluten for punishment. I went in this morning to give them one last chance. Order a bagel, sliced and toasted. I walked over to where I was told to wait. While I was there, a gentleman with a headset behind the counter asked me after a few minutes what I was waiting for? Not "Can I help You" What are "YOU" waiting for. I said, I order a bagel and had been here for a few minutes. His response: "Your order has only been on the screen for 3 minutes and 47 seconds" "We'll get to it in a minute" WHAT!!! Hold On here. The last time I checked, the reason they get to stand there and work is for people like me that come in and order something. If I'm not there, guess what, YOU don't have a job. A minute later, I saw someone go over and put my bagel in the toaster. It got stuck and actually caught on Fire!!! At the point, I just went and asked for a Refund... It should be noted that at the top of every receipt it states: Accuracy Matters, Your order should be correct every time. If it's not, we'll fix it right away, and give you a free treat for your trouble. Just let any associate know." I let them know 3 times. Not that I want anything free, but stand by your Word. Make it right. Find out how you failed as a company and make it right. Your problem is in the Kitchen. You might want to start there. Panera, Your Out!!! Going to Jason's Deli for Soup and Sandwich, (much cheaper and bigger portions) Going to Einstein Bagels if I want a bagel. read more

I came into this Panera on a quiet Sunday morning. I ordered the Pumpkin Spice latte and it was great. The service and servers were very kind and sweet. read more

Eaten at this establishment twice and twice I have left hungry and very disappointed that I spent 10 plus bucks for something I could have made better at home. read more

Had been going there at least once a week for 2 months and every week getting a 30 to 40 dollar order with seriously only soup and macaroni and tonight for the second time they got it wrong and made me mad. The service was way worse this time. I get a big order so I don't expect it to be really fast, but tonight it took literally 45 minutes and the girl who runs the food was really rude and not just when my order came up. She was rude to everyone around here and when I checked my order she was really rude. I also heard the people in the back complaining about Other customers or employees it was very uninviting. The customer service has been downhill we will stick to the one by Baylor! read more

I went thru the drive-thru a few weeks ago. It was a lady with a dog infront of me. The girl working the drive thru cashier,,, pet the dog while the dog licked her hand. Next, I pull up to the window... the drive thru cashier counts down till money then starts cutting bread with no gloves. She made my drink and put a piece of bread in my bag with no gloves. Just wow. It's nice I didn't get the almost eye rolling at ya drive thru girl thing that I've gotten too often when you just want to mind your business, pay and go without downloading their food day blues. Otherwise, overpriced. Tiny portions. Bland taste. The tea is usually weird tasting but sometimes it's actually good. I believe they've changed up the ingredients for this effect. I don't remember it tasting this way nor the smaller portions when it first was opened. read more

I ordered the chicken alfredo and it was overcooked and hard, they also gave me a very small portion. The sweet tea has a strange taste as well. Do not recommend. read more

We eat here a lot but have noticed that things have really gone down lately, in quality and service. The last straw was this morning. We went there for breakfast. My husband ordered the egg and sausage on ciabatta. The order taker asked if he wanted it over easy or scrambled - he said over easy. I ordered the avocado and egg white sandwich. My husbands sandwich came with the egg scrambled and my egg white was missing altogether. And what is the deal about asking for tips when you pay? I tip generously when eating out but here you order at the counter and are expected to bus your own table - really?! read more

We love Panera Bread. My daughter LOVES this place. THe Chicken berry salad is AMAZING. I also love their business philosphy. They have GREAT customer service. THey have great summer experiences for kids. read more

Passing through on our way to Arkansas. We like Panera, and this restaurant didn't disappoint. Fast service, and the food and drinks were great. No complaints at all - and they were very busy. read more

Came in for a quick dinner to go for the family (6 people). I thought before this was a nice fresh place, so I was shocked to watch the "cooks" warming packages of precooked Mac'n Cheese in boiling water. That can't be healthy-boiling water and plastic, yuck. No surprises that our order was wrong. The amount of food we got and what we paid for it was wrong. You'd think for what they charge they could afford to pay someone to actually cook it there, not warm it up. read more

Stopped in for a quick Mac n Cheese while I traveled between Dallas and Austin. They were out of Mac n Cheese so I ordered the Butternut Squash Ravioli. Never had it before and wasn't sure if it was a long wait (I'm new to Panera Bread). The young lady at the cash register asks for me and returns with a less than 5 minutes. Hearing this I decide not to go get my computer from my car and just wait. I walk to the wait area just in time to hear a young girl in the kitchen say, in a hateful sarcastic demeaning voice "How long for the ravioli? Like I can't wait". I stopped and explained why I asked then spoke to the manager. To his credit he was professional, polite and responsive. No one likes to be made fun of, demeaned, or embarrassed in public. My suggestion, if you can't manage to work in public, don't. Buyer beware, unhappy hateful people handling your food here. read more

Drive thru is painfully slow, customer service is pretty poor and they are always out of things. Pretty pricy but I LOVE the tomato soup. Grilled cheese is not good and bagels are very bland. They need to put in other cafes at Centex Marketplace. read more

I love Panera, their salads are delicious!!!! And I love their soup bread bowls!!! They can be a little more on the expensive side for a sandwich place but I think it's worth it! read more

No lemonade, no bakery items and coffee machine had been shut down at 9:30 that night. They also only had two kinds of bread. Ridiculous!

over priced and little do it given. never understood why they put the piece of bread randomly in the bag to go and not cover it. the mac and cheese use to be good but they don't had the crusty layer on top any more. the kids don't like it . ordering system neat. read more

Definitely a long time fan of Panera Bread here. The only reason for the loss of 1 star is due to the pricing. It's quite expensive if you are trying to dine out with kid in tow. By yourself, it's still pricey but more doable. My absolute favorite here is the Greek Salad with the baguette bread. I sometimes do a choose 2 combo and try a sandwich or soup and have liked about 80% of what I've tried. A couple were just okay but not favs. But, my go-to order is always Greek Salad. And, their tea is always fresh & tasty! read more

We sat before ordering today because the line was very long and tables were in short supply. A Panera employee (young white male with tattoos on his arms) asked the four of us to move because they were "seating from the line." Several four top tables had single students reading books without food in front of them but we had to move. We explained that we would place our order shortly but he insisted that we move. We walked to Panda Express. No problems with seating there. Very disappointed by our treatment at a franchise we love. read more

Usually come here on Sundays to get some work done and have a cup of coffee and an occasional bagel or sandwich. The food is great, employees are generally welcoming, and there is a good atmosphere for relaxation. Only problem I have are the prices of the food. Too high for what you get. read more

Tried the grilled cheese sandwich at Panera Bread. The cheese was non-existent. It disappeared into the dry bread and left an orange residue that must have been the cheese. Was served cold with nothing but cheese and bread. I didn't think anyone could mess up grilled cheese! read more

You shouldn't need me to tell you anything about this chain. It represents everything I hate (and kinda like) about modern, sanitized, suburban society. There are some healthy and sometimes tasty options, and they have wifi. But every time I go here I feel like I'm trading the health of my soul for that of my body. read more

Visited this Panera today. Very familiar with Panera, will not return to this one. It was not busy in there at all. A few people sitting, no one in line as we walked in. The floors were extremely dirty. We ordered our food and waited quite a while. As my son went to refill his drink he saw what seemed to match our order sitting at the window for service. We continued to wait 5 additional minutes with no sign of anyone having any intention of serving us. My husband finally walked over grabbed our meals and brought them to the table. Both children ordered hot food so it isn't as if it was simply salad just sitting there. We ate and no one ever came over to acknowledge that we were forced to serve our selves. When cleaning up our plated and returning them to the service bins provided I noted that they were not only overflowing with dirty dishes but food and trash were all over. It was quite disgusting. As we left we walked out thru the patio area where there was the same mess around the return area located there along with several tables where dirty dishes had been left. No doubt due to lack of anywhere else to place them. I never saw a single worker come out from behind the counter or any other area to tend to the dining areas. They clearly don't take pride in their job or their facility. read more

I would say 4 times out of 5 they mess up my order inside. The two times I've gone through the drive-thru and ordered a sandwich, they don't ask what I want for my side. Hoping I won't know that I get a side with it. When I ask for it, they are put out. I ordered a tuna salad on a croissant. She asked was lettuce, tomato, salt & pepper okay. I said I wanted lettuce and tomato. Did I get lettuce and tomato? NO. But I got onions (not mentioned at all), which I hate. They also didn't bother to cut the croissant in half, and threw a ton of mayonnaise on it, and 1.75 x too much tuna salad - oozing way out of the sides and the croissant was falling apart. Panera Bread does not hire the best. Also, the speaker in the drive thru is facing in the wrong direction, away from your car window instead of toward it! read more

Debatable on stars to be given so you get 3. I went here the other day to get 4 soup bread bowls... the soup was great... the bread was a little over done and I believe we wetr missing the little rolls that are supposed to come on the side. Not to mention when my niece and I got there they only had us down for 3 soups and it took yall 10 minutes to figure out the issue-AFTER I waited 20 minutes to come get my food!!! Tsk tsk get it together and listen when people phone orders in and dont overcook the bread!!! Other than those flaws excellent flavor of the onion soup-wont go anywhere else now!! :-) read more

food was okay but the worst part was the customer service from the drive through rep & the 'manager' over the phone. very nonchalant about missing food items. as if having to drive 20 minutes back was no big deal. i don't go often to panera bread and tonight i was reminded why. read more

Panera is great but this one is not the greatest... sometimes the food is really good and others times it is very average..

A couple of week ago I ordered the " French Onion " soup and a tuna sandwich. the sandwich was suburb, but the soup was a sloppy congealed mess with no cheese. When I think of " French Onion " soup it is a layered soup of toasted bread, cheese and the the sweet onions in broth. So yesterday I Ordered the same thing and told them I must have gotten a bad batch of the soup the other day because there was no cheese in it, we'll the guy said it was because they had started to add the cheese to the soup, and it was there somewhere. """"SOMEWHERE"""", how about not anywhere, unless you count 2 white pieces I found towards the bottom , and I am still wondering if that was cheese. Hey Panera guys, re-read the recipe on " French Onion" soup, because what I got was " hands down the worst in my life",where you use to be the best. Rest of the stuff there is great, congealed no cheese onion soup was atrocious . read more