Panera Bread — Restaurant in Charlotte

I have a severe gluten allergy; while I wasn't too fond of going somewhere with "bread" in the name, my friends really wanted to go.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to Alex, a remarkable employee whose dedication and assistance made my experience truly outstanding. As someone with a severe gluten allergy, finding safe dining options can be challenging, but Alex's expertise, attentiveness, and unwavering commitment to my well-being surpassed all expectations.

From the moment I stepped foot into Panera, Alex greeted me with a warm and friendly demeanor. His genuine concern for my health and safety was evident as he proactively inquired about my dietary needs. I was immediately put at ease by his knowledge and understanding of gluten allergies, knowing that I was in capable hands.

Throughout the ordering process, Alex proved to be an invaluable resource. He guided me through the menu, highlighting the gluten-free options available and offering valuable recommendations. His thorough understanding of Panera's ingredients and food preparation procedures showcased his exceptional expertise in catering to individuals with dietary restrictions.

What truly distinguished Alex was his meticulous attention to detail and dedication to preventing cross-contamination. He took the time to explain the potential risks involved and shared Panera's stringent protocols for maintaining a gluten-free environment. His commitment to ensuring my safety was both admirable and reassuring.

When it came time to place my order, Alex's expertise shone through. He patiently walked me through the customization options, carefully selecting ingredients and ensuring that my meal would be completely free from gluten. I felt valued and supported throughout the entire process, knowing that Alex genuinely cared about my well-being.

The outcome was a delectable and worry-free meal that exceeded my expectations. The care and precision with which Alex and the Panera team prepared my food were evident in every bite. I appreciated his diligence in handling my order separately to minimize any risk of cross-contamination, allowing me to enjoy my meal with complete peace of mind.

What truly set Alex apart was his remarkable empathy and genuine care. He went above and beyond to check in on me during my meal, ensuring that everything met my satisfaction and addressing any additional concerns I had. His compassion and attentiveness created an atmosphere of inclusivity and warmth, making my dining experience truly memorable.

Alex's exceptional service at Panera exemplifies his remarkable knowledge, dedication, and compassion in assisting individuals with dietary restrictions. His commitment to ensuring a safe and enjoyable dining experience for those with gluten allergies is commendable and deserving of recognition.

In conclusion, I cannot praise Alex enough for his outstanding service and unwavering dedication during my visit to Panera. His expertise, kindness, and ability to create a safe haven for individuals with severe gluten allergies were truly remarkable. Thanks to Alex's exceptional assistance, I enjoyed a delicious meal without any concerns about my health. He is an invaluable asset to Panera, and I wholeheartedly recommend his exceptional service to anyone in need of a...

I went to this location yesterday, August 16, 2021, hoping for a great lunch with my daughter on our day out. The smell of the location was off putting from entry. I should have walked out then, but, I gave it the benefit of the doubt. There was one staff working the register and another who seemed to be doing support stuff - cleaning buzzers. She had to be told to help with the busy, almost out the door line, by grabbing the pastry items for orders. No manager ever surfaced to the register area, even when the line was quite long. I ordered 6 bagels, split and a tub of cream cheese to go; a pepperoni pizza and a turkey bravo w/ a fruit cup; kitchen sink cookie and a brownie. The floor was sticky (thinking the stench was the fact that the floor was probably mopped the night before with dirty water that had sat all day), and it took about a 1/2 hour to get our food - dine in. I'd understand if it were lunch time, but it was after 1pm. Did I mention the floor was sticky? The whole floor. I walked from the front register to a table in the back by a window. Even the carpet was sticky. The restrooms needed a good cleaning as well. I had to go back to the front counter to get my bagels and cream cheese and noticed then that there were gnats in the bakery area. The line was still quite long and it was filling up in the dining area because people were waiting for their orders. All the one worker did was get bakery items, so, not sure how it took her 15 minutes to split 6 bagels, but it did. SMH The food counter: there was a worker standing outside the counter to hand people their orders. Umm, he would have been used much more efficiently in prepping the orders. It was a major manager fail to have him standing there doing nothing in between orders. The food: I ordered a pepperoni pizza w/ onions. I know that they have raw onions. Did they put raw onions on my pizza? Nope. Made too much sense. Pickled red onions were placed on my pizza. Disgusting to say the least. I didn't want to go through returning because it was already a hot mess. I watched a couple of people go get their money back and leave. I should have followed suit. This location needs a lot of help, starting w/ a 24 hour shut down to totally clean and sanitize. Followed very closely by a new manager and staff who will understand what...

Used to love Panera, years ago... Good coffee and bread offerings, but over time, was more and more dissatisfied with the food quality, and impersonal service, so I mostly stopped visiting. Tried them again today for the first time in years. Same Panera, same dissatisfaction. Purchase overpriced food, wait until it's cold before it reaches your table (or walk up and get it myself while it's still hot), eat in cramped surroundings, take your dishes up to a dish station yourself. You even get to clean your own table before eating. (What service did I pay for that would warrant adding a tip to the purchase checkout screen?) Ordered a 4 cheese croissant, which was served barely warm. When I asked the staff member if they could heat it (in an oven or toaster) she pointed to the microwave and said I could do it myself. Nothing like the taste of microwaved pastry... soggy and unevenly heated. I also ordered a cafe mocha, and after the first taste, remembered why I go to Starbucks so often. The coffee was warm not hot, drenched in a chocolate syrup that gave an almost medicinally sweet taste. The whipped cream had mostly dissolved because it sat on the serving...