Panera Bread — Restaurant in Bloomington

I used to adore Panera Bread. Once a week—sometimes twice, occasionally even three times—I would indulge myself in a comforting soup cradled within a bread bowl.

But one crisp Autumn night, as I lay in bed with the window slightly ajar, letting the cool air kiss my cheeks, a thought crept into my mind: perhaps I had gone too far. I awoke abruptly, jolted by the rich aroma of freshly baked bread. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I was met with a sight that took my breath away—a soft, cream-colored glow filled my vision. The walls around me appeared plush, inviting, as if they were made of the most delicate dough. I was captivated.

Drawn by curiosity, I began to move from the center of what I now realized was a circular room. My hand reached out to touch the wall, and it yielded under my fingertips—a pillowy surface that bounced back from my gentle touch. I looked up, but beyond the edges of these breaded walls, there was only darkness, an abyss that seemed to stretch infinitely.

I shut my eyes tight, hoping I’d wake in the comfort of my own sheets. Instead, I felt a rush of liquid warmth coat my body. I scanned the room, noticing a pool of orange forming under my knees. Panic surged within me as the liquid continued to rise, creeping up my body until it reached my collarbones. I hesitated, then let the warm liquid touch my lips. Just as I feared—it was Autumn Squash soup.

Just as the cursed Autumn Squash soup engulfed every strand of hair on my head, suffocating me under its weight, I jolted awake. Gasping for breath, I found myself still in my pajamas, standing at the register of my neighborhood Panera Bread, a crumpled $20 bill clutched in my hand. My eyes flickered to the menu, and a shiver ran down my spine at the mere sight of soup. At that moment, I knew—I was better off without this sick indulgence. That was the last time I ever set foot in a...

I hesitated to write a poor review the last couple times I purchased food here, but there seems to be a consistent pattern with receiving poor service and/or quality of food. One of the most recent times I visited Panera's drive through, the lady taking the order told me to go ahead and order, paused for two seconds and said to go ahead with my order again. That in and if itself wasn't an issue, but then when I started to list what i wanted i went too fast and was told to start over again. The problem was the tone of voice in which she said it that was irritating. After waiting at the window for 10 minutes for 2 sandwiches and 2 drinks, we realized our sandwiches were wrong. In addition to that, the cups were completely full to the top with ice, leaving little room for the drink itself. I dismissed all these issues and went back again.

The next time, I ordered some bagels and requested to have them sliced and toasted with a tub of spread and asked for easy ice in the drinks. The same lady was there again and my bagels weren't sliced, despite the spread being in the bag. The drinks also were full to the brim with ice again. I again dismissed the issues and continued on with my day.

The most recent time (today) i ordered 2 sandwiches and 2 drinks. We waited in line for 20 minutes as i watched my sandwiches sit on the counter waiting to be bagged. I watched as she filled our cups to the brim with ice again, so this time i asked if they remembered to do easy ice. She said no she forgot and said she could just put some more of the drink in an extra cup. In addition to that, the Asiago bagels barely had any Asiago cheese on them, which is the best part. Overall, I'm not impressed with the service (I don't appreciate an attitude when they make a mistake) and the quality of food has declined since...

EDIT - Mapachi gets 5 stars - not the cafe. Not even 24 hours later I’m at work and order lunch. Order a bread bowl BBQ chicken macaroni with extra chicken. (Let’s note that while waiting for my food I have an unanticipated hypoglycemic attack) My food is delivered. Yay. Get to the break room. No bread bowl, just a small cup. Definitely doesn’t look like extra chicken - more like barely any chicken. Whatever, I have to eat or I’m gonna pass out. TRY to call the cafe 5 times. No answer. Call corporate - they can’t get them to answer either. They offer me a $10 gift card...my bread bowl with extra chicken was 10.19...plus delivery fee and $3 tip. Corporate says sorry about the bowl. Continue to call Panera here. Finally get someone - they apologize and say they’ll have a bread bowl out. Stupid me to think they would resend my order. I get an EMPTY bread bowl. I’m just dumbfounded and honestly done. Going to have to find another Panera somewhere out of town I guess.

Mapachi is awesome! I ordered a rapid-pick up order. When I got to store it was noticeably busy and short staffed - it’s ok, that happens in food service. I know, I’ve worked it. Anyway - got home with my food - had added tomato sufrito to my sandwich. It wasn’t on there. I was like it’s ok - no biggie. Ate my dinner. When to reach for my pastry - had not been placed in the bag. So I drove back to the store and asked to speak with a mngr. He listened, he understood, and he made it right - by more than I was expecting - girl just wanted her pastry. Lol. 5 stars to Mapachi - corporate I hope you encourage his growth and support him as a manager - good managers are necessary for...