You can't go wrong with Panera. There's a ton of options for everyone; soups, salads, speciality sandwiches, baked goods. This particular store is a spacious, with lots of seating, so you're not competing with the tech-y coffee drinkers taking up valuable space. This particular location also has decent outdoor seating which is a bonus. The food here is always good in my opinion, but the service here can be spotty when it comes to orders. I am a fan favorite of the classic salad with chicken, chicken frontega, and french onion soup (it's not your traditional melted cheese version but still yummy). It's a good place to grab lunch, especially if you have kids. One of my faves for me and my little one. read more

I finished selecting the food for my order but when I got to the payment screen, it kept saying "swipe card" even though I was swiping my credit card. I swiped the card (and other cards, too) over and over again, but I still got that same "swipe card" message. I had to go to another kiosk and do the whole order over again. My card worked the first time at that one. But that kiosk didn't have any pagers. And after all that, I didn't even get my chocolate chip cookie, even though the cookie was listed on the receipt. read more

Had to walk out!!! First tip off should have been it was pretty empty at 1pm on a Sunday. Ordered take out for my daughter and myself. When I got into the car my daughter looked into the bag and saw my sandwich all dumped out in the bottom of the bag. Clearly when hey tried to pack my daughter's Soup bowl they accidentally flipped my sandwich container. Walked back in and the kid at the register (place is still fairly employ ) apologized and takes the bag back to the kitchen. Tells me to wait a minute and they'll make me a new one. Few minutes later he Asks me to wait toward the back. 6 minutes later ask WHERE my FOOD is?!?! And hey look at me like they don't know what I'm talking about!!!! My kids in the car, her lunch is getting cold and I've got things to do. F-it!!! Walked out pissed and WILL NEVER GO BACK to his over rated crap Pit. read more

Love this location. Everyone's so nice! The bus boys are constantly moving and making sure the place is neat. There may be a bit of a wait but you'll get past that once you get your food. I've tried almost everything from the Bacon Turkey Bravo, to their Steak and Cheddar sandwich which is absolutely delicious. It's thinly cut steak with Vermont white cheddar with a slightly tangy horseradish sauce all pressed together on a beautiful, crisp, French Baguette. It comes with onions too but I always get it without. The soups are also great! Try them in the sour dough bread bowl!! read more

I ordered my usual here at this location. I am visiting from California so I expected roughly the same experience. The staff was nice, friendly, professional, etc. However, my meal was not. I ordered a tuna sandwich, pick 2. When I arrived at my hotel to eat, I unwrapped the sandwich and it looked like it exploded all over the paper. I could barely eat it because there was tuna everywhere. It is one of the most poorly prepared simple meals I have ever had. If I were not super tired from traveling, I would have taken it back. If you get something to go, you better check it before you leave the restaurant. read more

The cashier was very rude. She also was working bagging the food. She mixed up the order of the food. We had to wait a long time for a soup and a sandwich. Other customer orders were called before ours. I didn't have a spoon in my bag. When I asked the same young lady for a spoon. She asked me what kind of soup I had ordered. I told her and then she gave me a spoon. Wow. I didn't like the chicken noodle soup. But, the broccoli and cheese soup was very good. This Panera bread I will not return my business but I do like other sites. read more

I would give four stars just based on taste alone. I am a relatively new customer of Panera Bread and have only ordered salads. I'm convinced there are some hidden ingredients in their salads that are not healthy. They probably use some kind of preservatives that make the food look fresh and to extend the shelf life and probably some kind of taste enhancers. It's funny but if you look around in there you will find a sign that says Panera will stop using artificial ingredients by the end of 2016. read more

The absolute worst panera bread...and I've been to a bunch of them. The food is good, but the service is a ZERO star rating. The staff ignores the line and takes whoever they feel like taking, allowing others to cut in line. Staff is always rude. They are clueless. The set up is awful. I always try to go back because it's near by and almost always walk out. read more

I love Panera, but this one is awful. They're very slow, even when it's not busy. Came here last night and ordered two Fuji Apple Chicken Salads. The dried apples were broken and crumbled, just maybe four pieces of chicken and there were NO pecans in either salad. As I was waiting for my food I noticed it was not very clean in there. Very rarely see management on hand which is probably part of the problem. Several years ago a gentleman named Mike was the manager it has not been the same since he left. read more

I have visited various Paneras throughout the area. Generally, I find that this chain is heading downhill. Most of the restaurants are dirty, especially the rt 23 location but more about West Orange. I ran in just to get a bagel and cream cheese to go. The first area is the bakery but a sign above says "phone in and fax order pick up" but it's confusing because that's where the que is to line up. So I went around to the regular cashier but in reality probably cut in line. Anyway, I place my order, the cashier toasts the bagel without asking if I even wanted it toasted, throws it in a bag with a plastic knife and a container of cream cheese, NOT EVEN WRAPPED IN WAX PAPER. WTF! I stopped by the coffee counter, spread the cheese on the bagel and wrapped it in a napkin myself all for 4 bucks. I didn't dare go back as the line was long and I value my life. read more

Extremely overpriced for how they make their sandwiches. I have come here for years and recently they have become stingy with their meat and cheeses. Ordered a meal to go and got home to find a jumble of meat in the middle of the bread, a tiny sliver of cheese, & the mustard smack in the middle, not spread at all. read more

We waited 20 plus minutes for two bagels. Then half way waiting the cashier tells us the bagel in which we ordered they donot Have- after waiting 18 minutes. When we finally got the bagels they were only cut in half nothing on them. Also no platic knife inside bag to add the butter. Poor service. Adding that there was no one ahead of me, nor anyone else for them to attend to during that time. East Hanover NJ location, will not be returning. My advise focus more on Time and communication, no efforts were made for quality/TIMELY customer service! read more

I've been here a few times while on lunch break. This location has very quick and friendly service. The "pick-2" option is always a go to that I take advantage of consistently. read more

I like the Panera chain. This one has a friendly staff but a slightly disorganized setup. Reliable for a bite on the run.

Panera Bread is a good chain restaurant for a quick sandwich or salad. I really like their half and half combo where you can choose two items out of a cup of soup, a salad, and a half of a sandwich or flat bread. Their soups are really good. I love the tomato soup and the broccoli and cheddar soup. I also like their greek salad and all of the warm flat breads. We come here all the time on our lunch break and the service is pretty fast. This place is really big, clean, and it has a lot of great menu options. I also like that they tell you the calories for everything. It's a little pricey, but I think the quality is worth it. read more

I mean, it's Panera... Pretty much expected what I got. Busy lunch crowd and I grabbed a sandwich... Only problem was they forgot the avocado that I was really looking forward to. Otherwise it would have been good. read more

9 times out of 10 I'm satisfied with my experience here but the portions have gotten smaller and smaller every time I visit. This particular visit the bathrooms were out of toilet paper, looked and smelled like they haven't been cleaned in weeks. I went in to wash my hands and came out feeling disgusting. read more

I love coming to this Panera, the staff is friendly and attentive. They always get my order right. The manager is awesome and very hands-on. Lost my debit card the other day while eating there, they were kind enough to put it in the safe for me. read more

I still love Panera, but during "peak times" (not sure the exact hours), you can only use the internet for 30 minutes at a time. Kind if annoying if you came there to... use the internet. I understand they don't want people sitting there for 8 hours after just buying a coffee, but it's still annoying. read more

I love panera bread. Its a wholesome place that has a healthy menu and are usually friendly to their customers. Plus, I love how they donate their left- overs to shelters! read more

This is your typical Panera Bread, nothing more, nothing less. Everything at this location is just average. The actual set up of the restaurant is a bit awkward when you walk in and it is a pretty small Panera with cramped seating. The service is typical - not too friendly, not too efficient, but not a disaster. The food is consistent and that is where Panera is always a safe bet. If you need a quick bite before a movie and don't want to pay double for the food at the Dine-in, it's a good option to have at Essex Green, read more

You don't have many choices around this area (aside from a TGIF and a Coldstone) but its a decent place. It gets busy around noon time (long line) and the soda fountain area didn't look cleaned up. read more

This is a convenient location for after AMC (which is nearby). It was is good, got an oversized chocolate chocolate chip cookie. Overall service was good but this place lacks an oomph, hard to put my finger on what it was. read more

Last review was in 2007. Same cool service, now they added kiosks so you can order, take a seat and they bring the food to your table. At this location, you can opt to eat outside. read more

Always good!! Great lunches, haven't tried their breakfast yet, sounds good though.

Am I the only one who thinks that Panera is a bit overpriced? I had half turkey/avocado blt for 4.99 and a cup of chicken noodle soup for 3.59. Add my iced tea at 1.99, and my meal came to 11.31. I admit that the food was tasty, fresh and of high quality, I just didn't expect it to cost over 11 dollars. Just sayin'. read more

Back in Jan I went to Panera Bread with my mom and my brother and I order a soup and they did so fast wow! I ordered a broccoli cheese soup and it taste so good. That when I was on pintrest and they showed how to make a homemade broccoli cheese soup which its grate. read more

I love this Panera but my biggest tip for takeout is to preorder online. This is a busy location and it can take time to get an order so why waste time? You can order online, specify a pickup time and it is ready and waiting when you arrive. Salads are always fresh and tasty. read more

Love the very friendly and patient staff. They indulge my son and remember what he likes all the time. Very special people work here.

Really bad service, I ordered catering service from them for a lunch meeting that was set for 12p so I figured to have it come in 30mins before the meeting. When I followed up on the order it was completely missed and never received a phone call that it was missed or that it would be running late. My meeting runs from 12p-1:30p which really leave my colleagues with minimal time to even eat. I thought I would of expected a heads up on this coming from a company like this at least and this is not the first time this happened but I thought I should give it another chance and trust them with there services again. There catering communications are horrible and the staff/managers need better training. read more

Overall FANTASTIC!!!!! i LOVE the associate Francis and Brianna if that's how you spell it!! they were completely helpful now I'm a Panera regular!! read more

Terrible .. still waiting for my food 20 minutes later and I can't even sit in a booth because their employees are sitting in the booths. Even after I said something they didn't even lift their heads to acknowledge me. Terrible. Only good thing was the manager(I think his name was christian) seemed to be the only person in the place who actually care and wanted provide customer service. Other than him everyone else has terrible customer service read more

I placed an order at the counter for take out. When I got the sandwiches they were squished and sloppy. The bread was soggy from them putting too much mayo on it. They looked gross! They forgot the chips and my smoothie as well and gave me an attitude when I asked for another. The portion of the salad not a full but half...very porr...soggy with dressing and wilted lettece. The place is crowded with inconsiderate people who are just drinking a 1.50 coffee taking up all the seats, on their computers and not leaving space for people who actually spend $$$ on food! 1 person in a booth or table that can seat 4. This is a place to eat NOT to conduct class or business, with that being said... I will def go somewhere else . read more

It is a mistake to come to this establishment and expect that you will receive quick service.

Sandwiches and salad was good. But, Panera got both my wife's and my orders WRONG. Very disappointing!

Its a good thing the food was tasty otherwise this would have been a one star review. Came here a little before 3pm on a monday and the place is filthy. Most of the tables had sticky messes and looked like they hadnt been wiped down all day. Dana, the girl who took my order was rude as could be. With the blenders and commotion going on behind the counter, i guess i didnt hear her when she asked what side i wanted and then leaned forward to yell her question in my face whilst rolling her eyes. read more

I love this Panera. I usually come here before I have class. I love the usual cashiers like Jackie, noemi, and Brandon. They are so friendly and kind. But today feeling under the weather I decided to get myself a tea. My Cashier Karen was absolutely horrible. She had an attitude, she didn't greet me, and looked unkempt. I don't usually leave bad reviews , it's not that serious but she really ruined my morning. She didn't ask for my Panera card. And didn't apologize when I reminded her after it was too late. Love this Panera but maybe Karen would do better somewhere else. read more

Standard fare... Busy & noisy but no surprises. Disappointed I couldn't get an egg sandwich at 11:00 am... On a Saturday!

This Panera is one you should check your food prior to leaving on take outs. They have made more than one mistake on our takeouts it seems to be a continuing problem. read more

The floor and the tables are filthy. Certain sections have cramped seating. Otherwise it is a typical Panera.