Panera Bread — Restaurant in Dublin

If you are a subscriber to "Sip" membership, unlike other Panera places, you can't just take a cup from the counter even though the Kiosk says so. We have to wait for somebody and ask him/her to give it to you. That's totally understandable as they want to save the cups. But, there are things they are asking, if I actually order it already and my first and last name. Today is one of those days the Panera's electric system is not so fast. The counter didn't see my order in the screen, so the lady at the counter is hesitant to give the cup. Keep asking the questions. I showed my mobile app. And she asked again, if the order really went thru or not. I put my app to her face to show her. Even then, she seems so afraid to give me a cup as if I took a million dollar cup. There is a chance the store is actually losing money from "SIP membership" customers. Here is my suggestion. If so, please make a sign outside, ""SIP" Members Not Allowed", instead of treating a customer as a thief.

I ordered 4 beverage + family breakfast. A white lady accused me of taking beverage cups for free. Even after I told her I have already paid and showed the receipt in my phone, instead of saying "sorry", she again accused me of taking more than I paid. I had to take my phone very close to her to show all my orders. Still, without saying "sorry", she just shrugged her shoulder and walked away. Her attitude successfully ruined our weekend family breakfast. Somebody needs to train her how to approach customers when her feeling gets...

EDIT: This location needs improvement. Today I had my husband pick up a to go order for chicken noodle soup, a turkey bacon sandwich, and blueberry muffin. As you can see from the pictures, there was more lettuce on it than anything else! I picked most of it off because it was way too much! There was hardly any bacon at all, and again, from the pictures, the only piece of bacon I found was mostly fat. Hardly any turkey and super small piece of gouda cheese that didn't even cover the slice of bread! For the prices they charge, this is completely unacceptable! They better step it up on their food prep before they start losing customers. I won't continue to pay high prices for crappy food.

Overall, Panera is a good, healthy place to eat. Their breads are good, and they have the best blueberry muffin ever. Recently I made an online order for two southwest chicken broth bowls. I did not care for it at all, and neither did my husband. There are other good food items on the menu though, and they have a nice assortment. Also, the online order system is really fast and easy. My order was ready in 10 minutes and waiting in a special section when I walked in. Since you pay online, you can just walk in and get it without any interaction with employees, which makes it even faster. I'll definitely use that again. I also joined the rewards program and got a free pastry since I...

This place is gets a solid meh from me.

The people behind the counter are either helpful or surly. The food is either well put together or a mess. Some things, like the baguette side, are unreliable in portion size. I've had a huge chunk or a tiny chunk ripped apart by hand, or small or medium pieces cut with a knife.

I've also had to-go orders messed up. Missing baguettes or chips, wrong entree, that kind of thing. It's made me one of those people who gets the bag, and then has to rummage through it to make sure I've gotten what I ordered. Anyone who has or had a moody teen knows that if you open the bag at home and it's not what they asked for sets the tone for the rest of the evening.

I really do like the bakery part though. The baguettes are reliably good, my son is bonkers over the muffies (think muffin batter treated like a cookie) and as I've sampled through the other things presented in the window I've been happy.

This place would be four stars if it the service and food presentation ware more reliable. I've been close to rating it two stars a few times, so that's why I've waited to make my review. I like Panera as a place. The menu is good, the food (when prepared well) is good, I just wish this location were more reliable from a service and kitchen standpoint. I'll keep going and hope that the service...