Panera Bread — Restaurant in Maryland

Updated review from July 30, 2023 Well, things have really changed at this Panera location. It has slowly been on the decline over the years and today put the final “nail in the coffin” so to speak. We placed an online order for our dinner and received poor food and customer service.

The people working the counter did not acknowledge my 20 yo son when he asked for an item that was missing from our order. Just handed over the crisps and walked away. The employee morale seems to be very low and they’re letting customers know with their general demeanor.

The food… completely unacceptable. My wife’s salad had a handful of brown lettuce hidden in the middle of the greens. (Photo for reference) The chicken topping the salad was rubbery and bland as if moved from the freezer to microwave. My turkey sandwich had so much mustard on it that it was too soggy to eat by the time we got home. And last of all, the chicken noodle soup was very greasy and contained about 20% noodles, chicken, and vegetables. The rest was just chicken stalk.

We decided to treat ourselves to a nice Sunday evening meal at Panera and that was clearly a mistake. I sure do hope they improve whatever issues they’re having; whether it’s hiring better personnel, addressing supply chain issues, or otherwise.

Original review from 2018 I love Panera! The grilled chicken Caesar salad is my favorite. Wish they'd open a second location. I find myself ordering from the app more frequently so I can get in and out without fighting the insane crowds typical of Southern Maryland. Panera does a pretty good job considering. Keep up the good work...

The place is not well kept. I'm not sure what's hard about emphasizing the necessity for being extremely tidy and clean when it comes to public eating establishments. Store should cleaned corner to corner every night, folk preparing food should wear masks and cover their hair and change gloves frequently, bathrooms cleaned twice per shift, customers advised not to lean at the food service counter or stand over the food while waiting, tables promptly cleared, and area bussed quickly after customers dining or even partially bussed as customers finish eating, floor vacuumed frequently. Each day, every day, from door open to door close. People are watching and simply going somewhere else. No one's that hungry to put up with stomach-turning sights when visiting a Panera. Panera brand used to stand for gourmet dining, and that proffer reflected the higher pricing compared to the other competitors for a time. But now it seems that panera has forgotten what gourmet means, which is not only bespoke and quality food but also a dining experience. Management, please spend the money, pay the workers more, hire more skilled supervisors and managers, pay the well-experienced trained supervisors and staff more, and create the dining experience. The people who value it will come. What else isn't there to do with...

I visited what was, unfortunately, the dirtiest Panera I've ever encountered. While I have always enjoyed their food, this experience left me questioning the overall hygiene standards of the establishment.

Upon entering, I was greeted by the tempting aroma of freshly baked goods and hearty soups, but that quickly faded as I took in the surroundings. The floors were in dire need of a thorough cleaning, and the tables were messy and unkempt. It was disheartening to see so many employees working behind the counter, yet no one seemed to take the time to clean the dining area.

One particular server caught my attention—while I appreciate individuality, I was surprised to see a staff member with long hair and a beard, both of which were not secured with a hairnet. This raised serious concerns about food safety and hygiene. In a restaurant environment, especially one known for its fresh ingredients and healthy options, I expect a higher level of cleanliness and attention to detail.

Despite the quality of the food being good as always, the lack of cleanliness overshadowed my experience. It was disappointing to see such a reputable chain fall short in this regard. I hope this location can address these issues promptly, as I would love to enjoy my favorite Panera meals in a more pleasant and hygienic...