Panera Bread — Restaurant in Mentor

I came in to get food for dine in at 840, waited a few minutes for the girls to stop talking to a couple getting phone numbers ect, finally noticed us, we ordered then as I was getting my drink waiting for food natalie the manager said we have to put it in to togo bags and you have to be out of here by 9 we lock the doors we close then, i said ok and agreed, they handed me a loaf a bread with nothing to put it on, no silverware I had to ask 3 times , I asked for a plate she said no dishes bc they dont want to wash anymore this late at 8:50 so I asked for a salad lid to use to place my bread on, as she was mentioning no dishes she said again bc we close at 9 I sat there for quite a few long minutes as they ran to the back to get more soup I politely got my food sat down and we ate as fast as we could. Then the stares came and one guy very loudly said ya bc we close in a minute to make sure we heard. Another guy who made our food had his hair all In his face serving us . I have never been treated like that and usually if a place is open til 9 and you order before 9 you can still at least order , eat and finish your food in a quick timely manner without being told it a few times to leave by 9,they could have locked the doors and let us have a few while they cleaned. Myself knows this because I run a restraunt I know this and I was very upset . I asked for her name from one of the girls and as I was leaving she was chasing behind us to lock the door . I cannot believe you let your manager act this way. I come there quit often and I wont be anymore . We came to support your business have a quick bite to eat or else I would have went somewhere else if I knew I was gona spend 50 bucks and be treated like that. I will make sure to spread the word also. There was another lasy eating alone in the separate room and she wasn't even up and out before is she was there when they locked the door . Pretty sad sad situations to be in when your kids have games late and you just wana get food real quick...

Once you get to your table, it’s fine. But before then, the store’s layout includes a series of narrow halls, only wide enough for two people who aren’t socially distancing. No matter where you stand, you’re going to be in someone’s way, and more often than not they won’t say “excuse me,” just invade your bubble; the employees were as guilty of this as the guests.

It doesn’t help that the queue area is confusing; there are two separate register areas, and it’s unclear what the difference is. The smaller area is very close to the entry door, so if you get into the line there, you end up standing near the door, where it gets cold, and where you’ll have a constant flow of DoorDash drivers running up behind you. It’s also right next to the coffee station, and right in the middle of the main walkway.

So while you’re trying to read the menu, you’ll have to concern yourself with (1.) Every DoorDash driver, (2.) Every person trying to get coffee, (3.) Every new guest who enters, and (4.) Every guest trying to leave. I sure hope they never have a fire.

EDIT: I have removed one star, because it is a year later and the queue area has not changed at all. Today innocent other guests cut me in line, because there were 2 registers open, and the lady at the first one said “be with you in a minute” and gestured me to join a different queue where people who walked in behind me were already waiting. Then the lady ran off. Pretty frustrating! Actually I decided to lower my rating to 2-stars, because this queue area needs...

Probably the WORST Panera I have ever visited. The 2 stars is for the food, because the service is appalling. Upon arriving to pick up my order, I was told it wasn’t ready, it was on the “screen” (whatever that means by the manager). The manager (or I assume she was as she was wearing a checkered shirt unlike anyone else working) was the most rude individual I’ve had the displeasure of speaking with. Told me to move to 3 different areas while I waited and proceeded to ignore me if I asked a question. Nearly 29 minutes after I was told the order was going to be ready did I finally get it. The iced coffee was made ahead of time so it was now mostly melted ice and coffee. As it was lunch and I had no time, I was forced to leave with my order as is. When walking out, another customer coming in held the door for me as my hands were full. An employee of Panera ran, literally ran through the door almost knocking me down. He said “I’m trying to work here!” Can you believe it? Avoid this Panera at all costs, as there are many choices in Mentor, with far better service to...