Panera Bread — Restaurant in Des Moines

Once upon a time, not so long ago, I was distraught- Pained, nay! Tormented! By that most old and foul of human terrors.

The terror you ask? Hunger.

I sought out a place suitable of supplying the weapons needed to defeat this terrible villain and discovered the proud entrance of a place adorned by the name "Panera"

I had heard the name before but had never considered entering those tall glass doors to beseech help from those who maintain such clean carpets and walls.

Upon entering I was greeted by the warmest and friendliest of "Hiiiiiiiii's" from a small person peeping over the countertop of a veritable array of pastries.

I approached, each footfall resonating with the remarkably clean tiled flooring.

"What can I get you today?" The cheery voice requested, instantly brightening my mood as this ally had thrown herself towards my cause without hesitation or trepidation.

My eyes scanned the list but only one thing caught my eye... It glimmered in the radiant light of the sun pouring through the monumentous glass windows. A single orange scone. The last of it's kind.

It's brethren must have fallen in battle during a time before my arrival, for there it stood atop a clean piece of parchment paper where the dismembered remnant crumbs of it's family strewn in patternless piles around it.

"THE ORANGE SCONE!!!" I cried making sudden piercing eye contact with my new ally in this quest.

Without missing a beat "Is that for here or to go?" she responded with a tone so humble yet confident that I knew she would not fail me.

"FOR HERE" I responded as quickly as the words could be formed and escape my mouth.

In an instant she set to work. Snatching the last orange scone before whatever monster had destroyed the rest could return to decimate its body and claim its soul.

Onto a tray as white as the breast of a dove were placed two napkins and to grace this throne of fabric the scone was placed by the delicate hands of my self enlisted squire without so much as a crumb shattering from its fragile form.

"By what name do they call you?" I inquired to this tiny gorgeous pastry angel.

"Danny!" She spake with a peppy poise.

I exchanged a fair amount of my precious pocket treasures for the priceless life of this moist scone, the aroma reaching my nostrils already.

I bid my fair feminine friend farewell and she skipped gayly away as I departed with my delicious orange delight.

At a glance I located an inviting place to rest beside the warmly lit hearth. The fire burning equally with the yearning in my heart to satiate the demon in my stomach.

My weary limbs found respite upon a chair of substantial height and I placed the scrumptious scone before myself on the immaculate table, my mouth prepared to become the reliquary of this treat.

The next few minutes are a blur in my mind as the consumption of such a morsel put my heart and mind into a state of ecstasy that has left my taste buds in harmony and my mind racing with the olfactory sensations of such a precious pastry.

If you should ever have the fortune of being near this location and neglect to enter then you have committed a folly, doubly so if you fail to impart some token of your worldly wealth unto the determined and skillful workers that make such a luxurious place possible.

10/10 - Scone was good, Danny...

This was my handicapped grandmother's experience TODAY at the Fleur Dr location. The employee should be fired as they are not competent enough to work in the food service industry. Your employee was extremely rude and unaccommadating to my almost 80 year old handicapped grandma over bakery items in the drive through. Somewhere she frequents often and has given alot of business to over the last 10-15 years. Welcome to the viral world of social media!

Here's what happened.

I just went to the drive thru at Panera on Fleur dr. I was placing a small order from the bakery. Bread, muffin and scone and the lady interrupted me to tell me to leave drive thru and come inside if I was only ordering bakery bc there are other cars behind me There were 2!!! I said WHAT are you saying!!! She repeated for me to go inside. I said no, i really can’t. I have a handicap. She didn’t offer to take my order after that and so I left!!! I guess you know I called and talked to manager. Told him exactly what was said, told him I could get inside but the problem was then not able to carry it to car. He said he would certainly take some action bc that is not their policy. I would certainly think that getting me a few bakery items would be faster, it was drive thru, then how long I’ve waited bf with people ordering sandwiches and salads and all that stuff. I have went thru that drive thru for probably 12-15 years and never been treated like that!! Am I crazy...

It’s probably been more than five years since I was in any Panera, and I was certainly hoping for a better experience. The staff are friendly. They got my coffee order wrong; I asked for an Americano with heavy cream, but I received a an Americano without any cream. On the receipt, I can see “Americano plus half-and-half“ so the order got into the computer correctly, someone just didn’t make it right. The bacon on the “bacon, mac & cheese” was great, but the mac & cheese was almost entirely flavorless, it was just texture, definitely creamy, but I couldn’t discern any actual cheese flavor and I could not detect any seasoning in it at all. The espresso isn’t strong/bold, just tastes like regular coffee. I was surprised (and disappointed) for salt & pepper they only had those little packets you see at fast food restaurants, thought Panera was a bit above that. Lastly, the receipt says “accuracy matters, your order should be correct every time. If it’s not, we’ll fix it right away and give you a free treat for your trouble. Just let an associate know.“ Unfortunately, by the time I see the inaccuracy in my order after I’ve left the restaurant, it’s not possible to just let an associate know. Not being negative, just sharing my experience. I prefer providing this kind of feedback privately through a restaurant’s “tell us how we did” form on their website, but Panera...