Panera Bread — Restaurant in Bakersfield

So I am truly disappointed. Today was my first experience with Panera Bread. I was excited because I liked the idea of getting a sandwich, salad and baked good in one stop.

I have friends that have given mixed feelings about Panera and I figured I needed my own opinion. So I drove down and spent $45.00 ( plus tip )on 2 sandwiches, 1 whole chicken Caesar salad and a one 1/2 Cobb salad as well as 2 pieces of coffee crumb cake.

I haven’t tried the baked goods yet but the quantity and quality of the sandwiches tonight that have me so disappointed.

Steak and white cheddar sandwich: the sandwich comes on ciabatta bread and I had asked for regular white bread and regular mayonnaise. There was a small ball of thinly sliced meat in one spot of the sandwich and the white cheddar was melted into 1 half of the sandwich. It also still came on the ciabatta bread and there was Just nothing to my sandwich.

Tuna Salad Sandwich: the easiest way to explain this sandwich is where was the tuna? There was a thin spread of what my wife is guessing was tuna but there was not enough on there to confirm.

1/2 Cobb salad: the salad was fair however I asked for extra avocado and there was a small little chunk on the whole salad. In addition there was more pickled onions then anything. I am not sure if the dressing is supposed to be some kind of of avocado dressing but when you stir it funny little air bubbles come out, kind reminded of when you pour epoxy.

Chicken Caesar salad: this was the best thing of the night. However the chicken should have been little chunks not little thin slices.

The worst part about this experience is that the food does have good flavor and the customer service was really good. I just can’t see paying that kind of money for such poor quality and quantity of food. I could have gone to 7-11 and bought one of their pre made sandwiches and had a better meal for much less.

Lesson learned!

PS. Just tried the baked goods and those were actually very good. Just...

Unfortunately, for this location in Riverwalk, I can’t give it a good review. The problem is that in two sequential visits, there were problems with our orders. On both occasions, I had ordered online for the food to be brought out to your car. The first visit, about a month back, the tried several times to let the staff know that I was waiting outside, both by using the email app, “I’m here” button, and by calling. My calls were never answered, and so I had to walk in and wait to speak with a manager. The manager checked and could not find our order and so I had to wait the extra ten minutes for my order to be made, which was now 25 minutes after the time it should have been brought out to me. Then today (July 31, 2022), I also ordered online for pick up at my vehicle to avoid moving my sore back, and again, when we arrived and I hit the “I’m here” button on my email app, no one responded. And again, I had to call into the store. This time someone answered. However, upon checking my order, they found that the slip was received by them in the store, but never printed and brought to the kitchen for preparation. So, again, I had to wait 25 minutes until after my 4:45pm order to receive our food, making it 5:10pm when I finally had the bags in my hand. This location is somehow not getting the oversight it needs to provide what the restaurant offers it’s customers who are ordering online. Something...

I used to work for The St. Louis Bread Company which is the parent of Panera. I am happy to see that they have kept the general feel and look of the St Louis stores. I would have to say the food and service is consistent with the brand. Each time I visit the place is clean and cared for. (A core value of the SLBC brand) Sometimes the condiments have not been restocked in a timely manner, but overall they are on top of things. The core favorite is the Soup and Salad combos. Each time I have ordered them they have been consistant, warm, and tasted good. Their take out is good as well and they seem to get their orders correct. (A big plus) As always Panera has the bread. I wouldn't say they have the full variety we had in St. Louis. and often they do not anticipate their sales as well so their often out of many kinds. But it is always fresh as expected. Overall, located just down the street from CSUB, they are a great place for college students who want to eat, work on assignments, and have access to WIFI while waiting for...