Since Panera is a chain, the food is typically pretty consistent. At this location the food quality is pretty consistent, but the service is poor. I live around the Waltham area and typically will come in to pick up a quick coffee and pastry (usually a cinnamon scone), but 75% of the time my order has been wrong. I ask for a cinnamon scone and I get a frosted blueberry scone. I ordered a chocolate chip cookie and I got a Sugar cookie. I was reluctant to give this place up despite the mistakes, because it was convenient- but based on my last visit- we must part ways. I was getting ready to leave with a friend after we had lunch there, when a group of high school kids walked in and were deciding what to order (and joking like high schools kids do... And there was no one in front or in back of them waiting to order). One young man ordered a cookie and the rest begin to follow suit. A manager then leaned over the partition and yelled "buying a cookie doesn't mean you can sit here all day!" WTF. I was livid. A manager would never tell that to a customer- I myself have gone in and done homework for three hours and have only purchased a coffee. It was clearly a racial issue as the kids were all black and the women was an ugly, grumpy, white woman. Not cool. This cost my loyalty. Your dollars have power- make good choices. read more

I am from Los Angeles and the service here is different. You do not get a number for the table and it is self served. I ordered panini with mozzarella and sin dried tomatoes, classic salad and coffee later. The quality was good. I think the reason for bed reviews here is because if you come to the location, you need to be prepared and know exactly what you are ordering. My friends ordered shuffles / and servers were mistaken in one ingredient, which a friend thought it was a big deal. :) but I guess some people in the mornings are just naturally angry :). I also made a little mistake because I forgot to ask dressing on the side. Location has plenty of parking. Sittings inside (which is extremely cold, so I had a jacket). And outside on the side. Just ask servers, do not expect people to read your mind. read more

I haven't used my Yelp account in awhile, but this place deserves a major "buyer beware" at the moment. In short - this place currently is NOT a good option for a lunch break when you have limited time. I will happily change this review if/when they improve. I am one of many hundreds (thousands?) of office employees who work in close proximity to this location. Since there are few options nearby for fast, healthy lunches, I was thrilled when I saw that this Panera finally was scheduled to open. I have been to many other Panera locations and have a fair idea of what comprises their standard service. I excitedly visited this location within the first few days that it was open. The layout was a bit odd, and the store seemed small considering size of the potential market. My food was decent but clearly prepared by someone who still was figuring out the menu. Still, the staff was friendly, and I excused the hiccups as normal for the first week of operation. I returned today for lunch to find a madhouse. My concerns about the odd layout were apropos, as the store was buckling under the pressure of the lunch rush. Wait times were huge - and completely untenable for someone who wants a fast lunch in the middle of the workday. The staff clearly were working as quickly as they could - I felt equally badly for the customers and the staff. When I finally received my food, there were other people who had been waiting over 35 minutes. One of these orders included an espresso drink - I can't imagine waiting that long for a needed caffeine fix! I want to become a regular at this location, as I often find myself in search of a good salad for lunch. However, I definitely am not going to return again during a lunch break from work until they can get their wait times down to a more reasonable length. read more

I feel weird reviewing a Panera, since it's a chain but this location deserves a review for its customer service. Every time I've gone there when it's busy, they've gotten my order wrong and have never bothered to fix it (the waiters say they'll fix it, and don't). It's a disaster and while their waiter system seems like a good idea in theory, it's never worked like its supposed to. When it's quiet, good luck finding an employee. You have to order at their cafe register on the side, but there's nothing to direct you there. The food usually will take a while, even though there are barely any customers in the place. They only use the waiter system to bring you your food when it's busy so it's super awkward waiting for your food since it wasn't built with space for that. Essentially, the place seems to be really bad about figuring out how many employees they need during each shift. I wouldn't ever come to this location, but my husband loves the Chipotle a few doors down, so I keep coming. The Panera on Lexington St is much better at customer service. read more

I'm so disappointed in Panera. I did curbside pickup here and while I was waiting in my car I noticed customers coming in and out not wearing masks. Actually I didn't see a single person go in there with a mask and they were pretty busy. Then when the employee brought me my food he wasn't wearing a mask or gloves. At that point I didn't even want my food but felt like it was too late so I took the food but never ate it. I can't believe employees in a restaurant aren't wearing masks or gloves during the peak of the coronavirus. Every other restaurant I have been to the staff has been wearing masks. I am disgusted and will never go back here. read more

I go here quite often for lunch and dinner and I always have a good experience. The service is good, and I've always loved the food at Panera. I think it is worth coming here if you live in the area. read more

Hey Panera: PLEASE find some new management for this location. I work nearby, so I have been to this location many times. The best experience I ever had was during a busy lunch, when they give you the table service. It wasn't even a great experience, rather the least bad. Every time I come in, it's a disaster. It takes them forever to complete the simplest tasks. The employees are all chatting with each other and joking loudly with management... Look, I don't care if you want to chat at work, but when you clearly have no sense of urgency, it just looks like you don't have any respect for your customers. I once witnessed a woman wait a good 15 minutes for them to refill the iced coffee. Not only was her lunch cold by the time she got to it, it goes to show I was waiting around for a lot longer than 15 minutes. I am so glad Waltham denied them a drive-through. What a joke that would have been. This morning I ordered a muffin and a drink. There was no line. The place was a ghost town. It still took them TWELVE minutes to make my one drink. And they forgot my muffin, so I had to go back and remind them. Grabbing me a muffin and throwing some ice into a blender should not be that difficult, nor should it take that long. The prices are comparable to Starbucks, and I wait way less time for the same thing there- even taking into account that Starbucks usually has a line out the door. The only reason they're getting a second star is for the convenient location. Right next to a Chipotle and Five Guys. That way, when this Panera inevitably disappoints you, you can go eat next door. Side note: Does anyone else feel like the smoothie straws are comically large? I feel like I'm performing fellatio when I drink out of those things. read more

Panera's food is always solid, but every time my office makes a catering order, at least one person's order is missing or incorrect. Thsi has happened the last three times we have ordered, at least, which is disappointing, as we have a number of folks who really enjoy the restaurant. read more

If you like Panera, you'll like Panera. Really nothing surprising here if you've been to another one of this chain. The people are reasonably nice, the lunch hour is super busy. I recommend ordering online for rapid pickup. They have that DOWN. Check everything in the bag before you leave, double check utensils, and you're golden. Bring it back to your desk because you'll have a hard time hearing yourself think in there. read more

Like many said, this place is pretty bad. Management is awful there's nose se of urgency even on the express pick up line. The soups are either boiling or cold and they consistently forget an item on my order. I'm not asking for good quality food or freshness. Just consistency and efficiency. read more

OMG..... Kid just dropped my sandwich...picked it up and put it on my plate. I looked at him and said "really?" He said oh do you want me to make you another one? Sorry dude...lost my appetite. Panera, you just lost a customer because you failed to train your employee. read more

Until very receutly, this Panera had the slowest, least attentive customer service I've experienced. I come here weekly, so I know it was consistent until a week ago. They are suddenly so fast. Their food is solid - I hope they keep it up! read more

Panera Bread - Lentil chicken broth - Salad Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

I come here every other Friday for lunch. The first few times after grand opening were great! I ALWAYS get the tuna salad and a soup when I come here. Sometimes when I want to try other sandwiches, I get both sandwiches and no soup. The tuna salad sandwiches were beatifully crafted and assembled...until recently. The last three tuna sandwiches were awful. The maker would roll the wrapping paper fo tight that the sandwich woudl turn into a ball. There's no way to hold it as there's always tuna leaking out all over the place. Deli meat sandwiches never have this problem as they can be easily reassembled. Tuna salad and chicken salad, not so much. I thought the first time was due to lunch time rush, so I started going at 11am to avoid all that. Despite being the only person there, the sandwich seemed rushed. I like it here though. I like the foods, the people are nice, and their rewards card gives some nice freebies. The long waits at lunch time and the tuna salad sandwich assembly really let me down. read more

Does this Panera do curbside pick up or not? You can choose it while placing an order online. But twice I've seen people arrive wanting to pull into the curbside pick up space and some one has parked there and left the car there. Shouldn't the people working there stop people from using it as a regular parking spot? If they don't offer curbside anymore then take down the sign. ALSO and more important is the fact that people shouldn't park in that spot! read more

Friday night I waited way too long (20 minutes) for soup and salad. The onion soup was borderline cold, so it must have been sitting around for a while-like me. The whole pick 2 thing is a bit confusing and something of a gimmick. Not really a bargain. The staff is trying, but both the kitchen and the servers are overwhelmed. They need a better manager and more help quick. read more

So because I read all the terrible reviews I decided it was about time to write a good one because I literally go there every day. My husband works across the st in the Bank of America building so I go there to chill every day for like the 30-45 minutes I have to kill. They are a new location and while they have had many things to work out, i.e. Staff, food service etc. I never have had an issue with the people or the food. If something is wrong I go back and tell them they fix it immediately. They have gotten quicker with their turnaround times and have worked out of some of the kinks. Its all about patience with me, unless the food is legitimately terrible or people treat you like crap it deserves chances. This Panera gets super busy around dinner time and morning, depending on when you go in but they have manages to get it together lately and serve everyone on time. I bring my tablet have a cup of tea and sometimes a pastry and its great. People get annoyed and stupid things, one example is the people at the registers get you your pastry immediately when its a to go order so they leave the register and go around to get your pastry, or toasted bagel whatever. People behind me in line have actually gotten impatient with this. This is is good customer service. I'm glad this place opened up so I have a place to bring my tablet use the free WIFI and have a treat! Loyal customer! read more

Ordered tuna with avocado and extra mayo. Got tuna and nothing else on dry bread. Frustrating.

This is a follow up to Caroline S.'s review. I agree that this location is small and strangely laid out. However, that is not my problem. My issue is getting my food in a timely fashion with a minimum quality. I don't think that these excuses can hold up anymore, as the cafe has been open over a month. I will say that I went during dinner on a Saturday, but consistency is the brand power of Panera. It shouldn't matter when I go, with the exception of longer wait time during lunch hour on a weekday. The wait time was 20-30 minutes when the restaurant was empty. The manager began to give out orders for customers who arrived after I had placed my order. This location already needs a shake-up from upper management. Either figure out a way to make it work, or I could see this place closing real soon. read more

I have a severe nut allergy, and today when I went to Panera in Waltham I ordered a tuna salad sandwich on the kiosk (they didn't have anyone at the register). In the special instructions I wrote "nut allergy" as I always do. My order was to-go so I picked up my sandwich when it was ready at the counter, and drove home. As I arrived home, I took the sandwich out of the bag to have lunch, and it said "Napa" on the sandwich wrapper, which I thought was the Napa Chicken Salad Sandwich with almonds, and I was correct. Had I not read handwritten words on the packaging or if I was a child and couldn't read what it had said, I would have gone into anaphylactic shock. The good news, is that I am fine, as I didn't eat anything. The bad news is that this is a gross mistake on Panera, and the response that I got from the manager, Yahya, when I called, was unsatisfactory. He apologized, and said that he yelled at the person preparing the sandwiches who made the mistake, but to me that isn't enough. He somewhat excused her as well saying "they were very busy" (they didn't seem to me to be that busy, just careless). I explained that she needed allergen training, so that she could understand the horrific repercussions of her not being careful when preparing food for customers with severe allergies. He didn't respond to that, and offered for me to come and pick up another sandwich (I was already home). No, I do not want another sandwich, and I will never be patronizing Panera again after their error and poor response to a very serious matter. read more

I know it's 6:00am and all, but when you put the wrong cheese.. and forget the egg on a bacon egg and cheese.. I'm the one who has to feel it when I get to work and open the sandwich asking myself wtf just happened. How do you forget egg...? Ridiculous. read more

Very clean and nice location right near Route 20. The staff was very friendly, however I did wait a long time for my latte even though I was the only person in the restaurant waiting for a drink at that time. There is plenty of parking. It is located in a strip mall with other stores and restaurants. I am not sure if it is pet friendly, but they do offer outside seating. read more

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Normally i enjoy Panera no matter what but this Panera can be tricky. The overall quality of the food usually runs below average and the staff can be unwelcoming. For instance last week a few friends and I went to get a snack a little before 6 and Panera closes at 7. However, when the four of us and probably 10-12 others came in around the same time the man on duty rudely announced to the crowd "we close at 7 just so you know." Thank you for the update sir, but why should that be announced an hour before close, 30 minutes sure, but don't turn around somewhere close to $100 in revenue simply because you don't want to take orders anymore. Additionally, when we dis get our food the buzzers weren't going off, and our food was semi warm. In a town where so many college students are coming in and out and theres constant traffic from the shopping center Panera should not be turning away customers or serving cold food. Chipotle and Five guys are two doors down and if they are serving warm food id rather go there. Disappointed by this Panera and will now be going to the other Panera in Waltham if I get a craving for mac and cheese or a good sandwich. read more

This location is most likely the worst Panera in the country. With the terribly prepared food coupled with absolutely the worst customer service this place will only leave you angered. If you can get past that you will find they are constantly out of stock on items. This location is consistent in ruining your experience of Panera bread. read more

I get takeout from this Panera about once a week, and it's generally about the same as any other Panera, but today there was a fly in my salad. I won't be back. read more

I would have given zero if I could. First of all the order was not correect. I asked for a sandwich instead of flatbread and I was given half sandwich. When brought it to the notice of the manager he said it was the right order and that I should have asked for a full sandwich, an option I wasn't given. And to make matters worse I'm home and to my horror missing the sandwich I had shown the manager. I read the negative reviews but had to go as it was 9:15 pm and no other cafe in sight. I am writing this review holding my hunger as we cook dinner although we paid just for that. Hope Panera fixes this franchise location and get new management. read more

This panera is good but the portions are teeny tiny. I got a "you pick 2" with chicken noodle and a steak and arugula sandwich. The sandwich bread was about 3" across with a small amount of meat. The cup of chicken noodle was comically small. I finished it in 5 scoops of the spoon. This was all for $14. Sad. Not fake news. read more

Super slow counter service leads to some crazy-long lines, but accurate and fast with pickup using phone app. Often low on bagel selection as this Panera feels more like a satellite location. I think the managers may be competent but dealing with lack of trained staff, at least during first half of 2017. read more

Really awful Panera. I keep going there thinking it will improve, and it never does. The wait is always slow and the employees always seem unhappy. Once I waited over a half hour for my food it was not even busy. Another time they told me they'd bring my food to my table, but they never did and then I saw it sitting there getting cold on the counter. Another time they gave me a plastic fork for an egg souffle which doesn't cut the souffle, so I asked them for a knife and the knife was dirty. Most recently, their internet was down. When I asked the manager, he said it had been down for FOUR days. How hard is it to put up a sign that says that the wifi is down at the front of the restaurant so customers don't waste their time and money? That's usually the only reason I go there - it certainly isn't for their mediocre food! I thought maybe the manager would offer me something for my troubles (a free pastry or tea or something) but all he did was offer a half-hearted apology. At first I cut them slack because they were a new location, but after a year, they should have these kinks ironed out. And their abysmal customer service is inexcusable. read more

This Panera Bread is in between my office and my apartment and is an easy place to grab breakfast/lunch during the work day....one would hope... Last week I ran in to this location to grab some lunch around 1:45pm. There were 3 cashiers at the registers horsing around with one another. One of the cashiers was giving another one a back massage, ignoring that I was standing in line waiting to order. I had to prompt the cashiers by asking if anyone wanted to actually take my order to which I received a snotty reply from an employee. I placed my order which proved to be difficult because the cashier was more concerned with talking to the other cashiers than actually listening. I looked around for a manager and could not find anyone while I was ordering. After ordering, I waited, at a non-busy time, for my food for over 10 minutes. I thought the benefit of Panera was it was supposed to be fast? I'm sorry it doesn't take that long to take the macaroni and cheese out of a bag and put it into a cup (yes for everyone who didn't know their macaroni and cheese comes in in individual pouches and is steamed for eating in a vacuum sealed pouch...something I hate knowing). The store managers appeared to be enthralled in preparing a large catering order in the back so they were not paying attention to the line and how the staff were just standing around. i wouldn't mind but not everyone can waste time in the middle of the day. I finally got my food and returned to work, only to find that my salad was inedible because the lettuce was dead. By dead, I mean brown, wilted, and virtually inedible. I contacted Panera customer service who could not help me and referred me to someone else. It took some other district representative almost 3 days to get back to me (sorry I've always been taught in customer service a 24 hr turn around) and then would not issue me a refund based on the concerns listed above--she wanted to send me a coupon. Not so much. I have now requested my refund twice. First, customer service wanted me to email them my credit card number through a non-secure email server. Hi there morons, this is 2016 and I don't need my identity stolen just because you're unable to download the previous day;s receipts from NCR and void the transaction. It is baffling that that would be even considered. Next, I was referred to the accounting department to have my refund processed after speaking with a customer service rep, whose name I believe is Candace. It appears the accounting Department did not process a refund but however charged me for this horrendous meal a second time--something Panera said well you didn't mention being charged twice just wait another 10 days for your refund. Seriously, go elsewhere. It's not worth spending your hard earned money here because honestly throwing it away might be a better option. There are dozens of other places in the Waltham area to grab lunch and it just is in everyone's best interest to frequent one of those places. Maybe if we all realize how awful this Panera franchise is they'll actually train their staff and constant complaints will not continue. read more

The only reason I'm giving this Panera two stars is because I love their food. But the service at this particular location is horrible. The people who work at the registers seem like they are being forced to work- they don't even put a smile on their face. read more

Why I rate this Panera Bread 5 stars in my book. I went to this Panera on a Friday night at 9:30pm (30 minutes before closing). I was looking pretty rough because I had just finished working out. Talking to the cashier, he was more than friendly and helpful with my questions and order placement of my food. There were people eating and finishing their food and headed out the door. I am the last one there and will be eating my food there. My wait time was not long at all. I ordered a cup of broccoli cheddar soup and a frontega chicken panini. Both items were hot! Excellent. I finish my soup and it was very savory. I finished 1/2 of panini. The other half was burned on the back and was very hard for me to bite down on. A girl came out from the back and saw me struggling with my panini. She asked me if I was having too much trouble eating my burned food and offered to make a new one. I said no that I don't want to bother them from cleaning up and trying to close while I get another panini made. She said that it was not a problem with her and anyone else. I was almost done eating! I was okay not eating the burned part. I was getting ready to leave when she came back to me and placed a bag on my table. She said it was a new non burned panini. I was really SURPRISED. I was not expecting it at all! What excellent customer service that was. Most places would have packed up everything and is kicking you out the door when they close. Nope not the night staff here. No employees here we're rushing to leaving or is grumpy that a customer is still there. As I was leaving I waved bye and said thank you to whomever I saw, and everyone was said that it was no big deal and that they were happy to do it. I will be going here more often. Fantastic customer service even if I wasn't wearing a suit and tie. read more

This staff has been super whenever I go in. Friendly and sometimes they throw in something for free, for no reason. I really appreciate the random acts of kindness. read more

This probably is the worst Panera bread store I have been to!!! First they mess up order. I asked for a roasted turkey sandwich and they make me wait for almost 15 mins before telling that they were out of roasted turkey. I change that to chicken and then I wait another 15 mins and then I get a sandwich and not with my side, and also they forget to press my sandwich. I return and ask them to press the sandwich and ask them for the side. Next they burn the bread. Worst experience trust me!!!! read more

Panera Bread - Burnt bread!!! - Salad Near Me - Waltham, Massachusetts

I love Panera, I don't mind paying extra for having good quality food, but this place let me down. Had a avocado chicken melt made to me like I don't deserve any respect. Ridiculous. Ordered ice green tea and when I went to get it, there was only water, I told the lady on counter and she was dismissive. End up getting lemonade and writing this review unfortunately. read more

I had a very pleasant first experience here this morning. The staff and customers were very friendly. I received my meal by the time I filled my coffee cup! I had the bacon, egg, and cheese on ciabatta, which was delicious, and a hot, hazelnut coffee- both were on point! I definitely understand the odd layout other reviewers referenced and can understand how the front would be crowded during a rush but I didn't experience any inconveniences during my visit. read more

First of all, I would like to say that my review is based on customer service, not the food. Panera Bread is great--love their food and always will. But the service...just no. I was in last night and there was a couple in front of me taking their sweet time ordering. Which is fine, I know there are a lot of choices and they had a child with them. But there was also only one cashier, until the manager (an older guy with white hair and black glasses) finally came to the front and was taking his sweet time setting up his register. No joke took at least 5 minutes. So I finally get up there after he talks to some lady and the people are piling up behind me in line. I give him my order and it took me THREE times to get my order through to him. He looked directly at me the entire time I talked and its like there was no lights on because he asked me to say it all over again and then rang it in wrong. I had to correct him. Then while I was waiting for my food I am pretty sure he took over in the back making my meal for some reason and the people behind me were receiving their meals before me. Sorry if that's just a little pompous of me but kill me for enjoying efficiency and order in my life. But that's where these two stars really kick in...after calling my name that my order was ready, I reach for my bag of food (I got takeout) and as I gripped it HE RIPPED THE BAG OUT OF MY HANDS!!!! He wanted to check to see if he f***ed up. Then he hands it back to me without apologizing. Luckily I didn't trust him so I double checked and he forgot to put in utensils. With a salad. ...and this was all done by a MANAGER. Panera Waltham on main street really needs to amp up its Management staff. read more

giving this place a one-star actually caused me to sign up for yelp. I've been waiting for my food for 30 minutes and it's a complete cluster behind the preparing counter. no one knows what they're doing here. avoid this panera at all costs read more

Took over 15 minutes for a sandwich at 8:30pm while 2 other workers stood around and did nothing...

Do not go here on a lunch break unless it's an hour lunch and you don't mind shoveling your food in a 10 minute time frame!! Every time I've gone there I order a turkey Sierra with American cheese..and every time I am given a you pick two which is only half the sandwich with a side of Mac n cheese. So clearly everyone who rings out my order (which it's been a different person each time) are either deaf or inept. I then ordered a salad to be told by the food prep girl that they were out of the shrimp. Love that the girl at the front didn't tell me that. I had to waste 15 minutes to have them return my entire order and then they re rang it. While waiting for my incorrect food order before I noticed the error there was a worker who I assume was on break near the soda machines having a conversation on her phone on speaker for the whole restaurant to hear about how she was pulled over by a cop for blasting her music too loud and talking trash about it with a ghetto attitude tone. VERY unprofessional. I understand she was on break but she was still in the restaurant and in the uniform representing the panera bread brand. I worked next door for about four months, and I could never eat there for lunch for the wait itself was ridiculous for the food. I do have to say Charlene in food prep is amazing. once I wasted 15 minutes of my time to have them return everything I ordered she finished my food in less than two minutes. You need more employees like Charlene working the front! read more

Working on the side of Waltham that I do, this Panera and the plaza in general is the closest thing to picking up a quick lunch. However, the service is ANYTHING but quick. I have gotten smart and usually call my order in before heading out. Even so, I have been given wait times of an hour! My order is not usually complicated and straight from the salad menu. Parking is also terrible at lunch time, though this is not their fault. I write this review because of how slow the service can be in the morning. Most of us who are out at 7am are clearly on their way to the office. I ordered my breakfast with their new online option, which gave me a pick up time of about 10 minutes. I arrived at the location about 15 minutes later and was happy to see my order was bagged for pickup. Luckily for me, I checked the bag. At this point my fruit cup was missing. I had to stand in line in order to find a staff person to see what had happened. Considering this was morning rush time, and the place wasn't full, one would think that this took only a minute. The problem is/was that there never appear to be enough staff behind the counter or making food, which can cause the huge back up. I can say that the staff, at least in the morning, are very friendly. The woman who took care of my issue this morning was friendly and attentive, though it did take a good 10-15 minutes for them to rectify the missing part of my order.... which then caused me to race off to the office to make it on time. All in all, it's Panera food, but with the wait time of a sit down fancy place. I will mention that they have only been open for a few months, so hopefully the kinks will work out. If you are in Waltham and need your fix.... go to the Lexington Street location! read more