Panera Bread — Restaurant in Barrington Township

I visit the Panera Bread in South Barrington almost every day—yes, I’m that regular. At this point, I think I’ve earned unofficial “local fixture” status. The team there knows me by name, and I’ve come to know them just as well. They’re a genuinely kind and welcoming bunch, and today I want to shine a little spotlight on one of them: Chaka. Chaka is one of those people who instantly brightens your day. Every time I walk in, he greets me with a smile so genuine, it feels like the sun decided to clock in for a shift. We chat often, and recently he shared that he’s studying to become a commercial truck driver. I told him, “That’s the American spirit right there—work hard, stay dedicated, and good things will come.” What stands out about Chaka is how much heart he puts into everything he does. You can see it in the way he interacts with customers, the pride he takes in his work, and the positive energy he brings to the team. He’s not just doing a job—he’s making people’s days better, one sandwich and smile at a time. This is just the beginning. I plan to write about several other amazing folks at this Panera location—there are about seven or eight team members who deserve a shoutout for making this place feel like more than just a café. It’s a community. So here’s to you, Chaka. Thank you for being you. Wishing you all the best on your journey ahead—you’ve got a fan in me. The staff at Panera Bread significantly enhance the dining experience. From the moment you enter, you are greeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality, making you feel immediately welcome.

In summary, the staff at Panera Bread exemplify excellent customer service. Their professionalism, friendliness, efficiency, and dedication to customer satisfaction ensure that every visit is a delightful experience. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a regular, you can always rely on the Panera Bread team to brighten your day.

I would like to acknowledge a few team members, including their General Manager Brian, as well as Sandi, Robin, Celece, Chacka, Maria1, Maria2, Stach, Jeniffer, Abby, and others. They even...

Had a rather unpleasant experience today at Panera Bread today. I ordered for pickup thru DoorDash. I came at the time the app told me to arrive for pickup. I waited in line initially because it seems they got rid of the pickup table/section which we have become accustomed to seeing.

After getting to the cashier, they mentioned I needed the actual DoorDash app open on my phone and to show the name on the receipt for the order. My wife ordered thru the app on her phone so I went along and walked to my car to get my wife's phone with the app open. Waited in line once again and then showed my wife's phone and Order receipt through the DoorDash app. Cashier asked for the name so she can see if the order is ready. I also asked if it's not ready can you check how long it will be until it's ready.

Then the other cashier came by who said oh is this a Door Dash order? To which I replied yes and said I confirmed the order through the app to the other cashier. I said I just had the app open and we verified the order. The initial cashier stood there without reassuring anything while the secondary cashier asks to verify again. They said I'll need the app open to verify otherwise that can't check the status.

By this time my wife's phone had locked. They said they can't go by just the name. Essentially meaning I have to go back to the car and have her unlock just to confirm what I've already confirmed.

I kept my cool through everything but the worst part about it is on the app it showed still in progress so either way they didn't have it ready yet. We had to be somewhere so we left and checked the app an hour later where it still said in progress.

I can't imagine having to wait an hour and half for a Panera order for pickup. Doesn't make any sense. Needless to say I will not be going to this location because one shouldn't have to wait an additional hour past the pickup time. On top of that I felt like the cashier's didn't even try to see where my order was or how long it would take...

I'm not a big fan of most of the menu items at panera, but I LOVE the atmosphere.

I started coming to this panera recently, I had signed up for the sip club so I get the coffee from here whenever I come here.

I never buy food from paneras unless I'm catering for an event, never had a problem at any other location but I have gotten a quite bit of rudeness and dirty looks from the staff here when they see I came for the coffee.

Every other panera I've gone to has been great in this regard, and I buy food to give to the homeless sometimes at other locations I've been to. But I will never give my money to this location for catering or getting food for the homeless.

I like the atmosphere but the way the staff act gives me a bad taste in my mouth. the food doesn't match my goals very well so I don't get food from here when there is a steakhouse within walking distance, that is much tastier and aligns with my goals more.

A shame, I wish the staff were as nice now as they were on the first day I came here.

Will not be coming here regularly and DEFINITELY will not cater or host events here with the way they scorned me for using a subscription that I paid for.

But on the bright side if you like breads and sandwiches and things like that, the staff will treat you with great hospitality. So you will get good service like the...