Panera Bread — Restaurant in Ankeny

This location has an open service counter and drivers from third party delivery services, or 'regulars' with sip club will speak with the associates while food is at chest/mouth level waiting to be picked up by other dine-in customers. This should be discouraged, it's gross, I don't want some random guy's spit all over my food.

Overall, Panera isn't what it used to be. Baguettes are smaller. The bread and cheese is sliced thinner, ingredients have changed making the bread taste as mass produced as Subway's. The prices continue to grow to pay for executives lifestyles, no doubt. It's cheaply made soup with bread, food once considered to be eaten by the poor. For a turkey sandwich, the cheese is now cheddar instead of Gouda, and sliced half as thick. The tomato basil bread has only remnants of strussel-like sweet topping on it in part because the bread is sliced half as thick as it once was. And you'd think the lettuce and tomato cost them as much as saffron- the most expensively priced seasoning in the United States.

I cancelled sip club because I found that I wasn't going anymore because of the poor value. Panera leaves me feeling taken advantage of, so now I enjoy Oscar Meyer Smoked Turkey Breast, with regular thickness bread, and soup that is more reasonably priced... It comes from a can, something that holds freshness longer than the plastic bags the soup is delivered in and warmed. 😄 .... Your greed will be...

Great staff & good service is why I return to this Panera Bread. The exterior is your basic Panera Bread, but with a bit of a cramped parking area. Just be aware that larger/wider vehicles might have some issues finding comfortable parking. You can get it done, but not without some effort. The interior is clean and of quality. The interior space feels just about right, with a hint of being on the smaller side especially the serving area. The staff are always welcoming and helpful, and the food is prepared fresh and in good time. The only aspect that prevents me from rating this place 5 stars is due to the pricing. I understand the food is of good quality, but the pricing seems quite high for what is presented. The portions feel a bit on the smaller side, but the taste is excellent. With a good variety of fresh bakery items, as well as a wide assortment of beverages, and other foods, Panera Bread offers a great selection for quick snacks...

Walked in and busy. We had never been there. 2 people taking orders. One straight in front of door by bakery and one on the left. No one really knew where the line was. So stood in line behind a couple being helped and as soon as they finished the lady behind register just went to the other side to a register. I’m like what? They lady that was on that side then sai line was over there. They were not courteous and or nice. I reacted not nice either as left me over there after waiting for sometime. Then when we ordered Alex the one who took order gave cup to my daughter which asked for water also. I said can I have a cup for water? She responded they are over there! Rude. My chicken in my sandwich which is suppose to be warm was cold. I will never go back there. Not...