Panera Bread — Restaurant in Chelmsford

Sometimes there can be a language barrier. This is when ordering on the app doesn't work out or the kiosk doesn't apply my rewards properly. When I ordered a broccoli cheddar bread bowl for example, it got entered as just a normal bowl. However, I was given a bread bowl after bringing this up -- the staff can work with you if something comes up.

However, when I order on the Panera app, it usually turns out well. You're best off ordering from the app or the kiosk.

I would like the Chipotle Chicken & Bacon Flatbread Pizza more if it didn't skimp out on the toppings. That flatbread is $11. The amount of chicken they serve on this flatbread is ok, but the bacon not so much (it's very small). For "extra bacon" (i.e. a "normal" amount) you pay $2 extra.

Unlimited sip club is an amazing deal. The Colombian roast is usually hot. Hazelnut coffee can be lukewarm sometimes. If the coffee dispensers don't come out showing the steam, you'll likely get slightly warm coffee which will then turn room temperature after putting in cream. Bring this up with staff if it happens to you.

A few things I do want to point out: The Drum Hill location tends to be "Sold Out" of items frequently. While I do usually arrive around a couple hours before close (like 7:30/8 PM), it's not common to see even bagels sold out along with other sandwiches or food items you might have wanted. I don't know who found it a good idea to price a small tub of cream cheese the same as a bagel. Pay $2 for a bagel, then $2 for a small tub of cream cheese. Seriously? There's literally a Hannaford in the same plaza where for a little more than $2 you get a FULL tub of cream cheese. This is just nonsense. Signature Chicken Sandwich, while it was delicious to me, is definitely not worth $12-$13. This is not a good company decision as there is a Five Guys in the same plaza where you can get a bacon burger for slightly less. The warm bowls are insanely overpriced. The teriyaki chicken & broccoli bowl was pretty good, but definitely not worth $13. Just get chicken teriyaki at your local Chinese restaurant.

Most of my visits here do tend to be good, but the above observations...

Failed order and rude staff.

Ordered online and was told by the website that the order would be ready for pickup at 12:10PM. I got there at 12:15PM and asked where the order was. They said they never got it, got rudely defensive almost immediately, and asked me for a confirmation email if they were to help any further.

I checked my email, and couldn't find one, but showed them their webpage saying my order was confirmed due for 12:10PM. At that point they claimed that because I didn't have the confirmation e-mail, that they weren't obligated to remedy the situation and told me to get in line, which was 30+ people long.

Obviously I left, as my lunch break is only 30 minutes long and they had already wasted 20 minutes of that time.

It should not be the customer's obligation to double-check that their website isn't presenting false information. The customer should not have face rudeness from the staff when their order was failed to be fulfilled.

I will not be returning to...

I was incredibly upset when Panera announced they would be getting rid of their classic grilled cheese. There are only certain foods I can consume due to a condition, and that was high up on my list of favorites. I even reached out to the company personally to express my disappointment, and see if there was anything that could be done. They informed me that I could still order the kid's grilled cheese. However, they failed to mention that they would be completely removing the classic white bread from their menu, so this would not be a viable option for me.

I received no apology, and the staff really couldn't have cared any less about my extreme disappointment. They offered me one free entree of my choice, and probably hoped I would go away and never come back.

Horrible service and genuine lack of care for their patrons! I highly recommend you get your lunch or dinner elsewhere. Have you tried Pressed Cafe? Nashua and Burlington locations....