Panera Bread — Restaurant in Albany

Good food, nice employees. “Fun” story that happened: my girlfriend (who is Hispanic) and I were waiting for our food, and we were sitting near these people who were talking clearly enough that anyone nearby could hear them. They brought up “title 42” (they were very apparently conservatives by the political conversations they were having) and pointed at my girlfriend, saying, “like this one.” (He was implying she was an illegal immigrant just because she was brown). They also stared at us quite often. We’re from Arkansas, and we have never experienced/witnessed such confident and direct racism. At least Arkansans have the decency to keep it to themselves until they’re home! My girlfriend has for sure experienced plenty of racism in her life being brown, but it’s hysterical that they were so OPEN about it. They didn’t even try to hide it! (I realize this is not the worst type of racism. My girlfriend was unbothered by it and was primarily just amused by it accompanied by a feeling of disbelief. It’s just quite amusing in a distasteful sort of way that they were so, as I said, open about it.) To all the POC workers at this restaurant, I am very sorry because you probably interact with these types of people often, but that sorry means nothing in the long run. Keep up the hard work! The food industry is literally one of the worst to work in. Constant disrespect from customers and only to get a non-livable wage. For every rude customer there is, just remember that they are privileged ignorants who don’t utilize logic or morality in their ways of being. Thanks! The...

I am usually one to only review when it is a goo done, but I am so disappointed with me experience at Panera Bread today. I arrived at the drive thru and gave my order around 7:40 Am for the steel cut oatmeal with berries. The young lady did not ask for my Panera card no. when I placed my order or when I got to the window. So I gave her my number and my money and she closed the window. After waiting for 12 minutes at the window, i attempted to get someone's attention by waving knocking on the window and I blew my horn. I can see them waking around but NO ONE acknowledged me!!!! So I pulled around and walked in. When I walked in, I asked another young lady if I could speak with the manager (at this point it is 7:57 AM). The manager comes out and before I blew it, I took a deep breath and said "good morning". And she just looked at me. I explained to her that I had been waiting at the window and attempted to get someones attention and no one acknowledged me. Her response was, "well she had your food ready and you drove off." That's it?????? No apology, no explanation for the delay, NOTHING!!!! I said that's because I drove around to come in. I asked for my money back. I have been a loyal customer of Panera for years but this is the second time at this location I have had slow and poor customer service. They weren't friendly or apologetic for anything, which is disappointing and...

I recently visited Panera Bread for the first time here in Albany. There were two ladies already seated there. I placed my order....waited....waited some more...waited some more...then I just started walking around as I grew more impatient (only ordered two bagels and cream cheese). As I walked by the window of the kitchen, I noticed a bag. I asked if it was mine. The employee said "did you order bagels?" I said "yes". He says "oh, then these are yours". I asked "Why didn't you call my name as it's on the order". He said "well I thought it belonged to those ladies over there and they would eventually pick it up". What? Then I got halfway back to work and looked in the back.....no cream cheese! I had to turn around and go back. I received no apologies.... hummmmmmpppppffffff! Then I read on the receipt "Accuracy Matters" - "your order should be correct every time. If it's not, we'll fix it right away and give you a for treat for your trouble". I did not receive an apology nor did I receive a free treat! Doubt I will be back! ...