Panera Bread — Restaurant in Muskegon

With as much as Panera charges, one would think they should put SOME KIND of wrapper/packaging on the individual food items, other than the outer bag. Even just a napkin, for goodness sake! At least wrap my toasted (if you can call a few brown spots "toasted") sesame bagel to help retain some of the heat. Or to keep it from getting powdered sugar from the pumpkin muffin on it.

The sesame bagel, the cinnamon bagel, and the pumpkin muffin were in the bottom of the bag, and they put the chocolate chip cookie on top of the sesame bagel. Well, put chocolate next to something hot, such as a bagel that was just taken out of the toaster, and what do you get? Yep. MELTED. Thankfully, the cookie, at least, had a wrapper. As did the brownie. Only 2 of 5 items had a wrapper.

Also, isn't it a bit presumptuous of them to think that people will not mind if someone else could, potentially, need to touch their food in order to get to an item underneath? The last time I ordered from Panera, nothing was wrapped/packaged, but I figured it was just a one-time thing. I didn't mention it in my review, nor did I deduct a star from the rating (at that time). Well, today, I DID deduct a star from the rating. And if it happens again in the future, I'll deduct yet another. ORIGINAL (6 MOS ago): If it weren't for the prices, I could easily rate Panera with 5 stars. Pretty much everything I've had from here over the years has been good. However, most things are way over-priced. The thing is, though, I find it hard to resist the pumpkin muffins (I miss the pumpkin Muffies) and the cinnamon crunch bagels which, to me, are closer to a pastry than a bagel (and that is meant as a compliment). Back when I still worked (I've been disabled for 10+ years), I used to love their lattes, too, but I rarely drink caffeinated beverages anymore. The souffles are pretty good, as well, but I don't get those often because I find the muffin and bagel too...

My mom and I meet for lunch every Friday. During Autumn Squash Soup season, we always go to Panera. This Friday (10/14/2022) we left Panera on Sherman Blvd. in Muskegon, MI without being waited on.

Several points:

The cashier that works every Friday at lunch is about the rudest cashier at Panera. She never greets you, never smiles, never wishes you a good day. She stares at you until you order, say your total, and gives you the buzzer. That's it. I joke to my mom that she's Panera's "ray of sunshine." Not a deal breaker, but certainly contributes to us passing on the "add a tip" screen.

On Friday, 10/14, just before noon, we arrived for our traditional lunch. The ray of sunshine was preparing a bagel. She's busy, I get it. But, she looked right at us, picked up the bagel and then walked off. No greeting, no, "I'll be right with you."

A second employee walked right past us at the register and straight into the kitchen. No, greeting. No, "someone will be right with you."

A third employee walked out of the kitchen, stood 2 feet from us and facing us for about a minute, actively not making eye contact. My mom stared at her. She walked off into the dining room. Did not acknowledge us. Did not let us know that someone will be with us.

*A fourth employee, walked past us into the kitchen, then walked past us out into the right side where the food is served. Again, no greeting, no acknowledgement that we are standing right at the register waiting.

*I don't mind waiting. I understand when businesses are busy and am usually very happy to wait patiently for my turn. What I cannot stand is to have 4 (FOUR) employees walk past me, look at me, and NOT Acknowledge me. Unacceptable.

*We went across the street to Subway. There was a line, but as soon as we walked in the door, the sandwich artist greeted us and assured us someone will help us in a moment. Subway has better customer service than...

What a wonderful, warm, fuzzy, friendly place to eat at in Muskegon. When you walk in the doors you are greeted with warm friendly smiles and a pleasant attitude. Being an over the road truck driver from Pa does not give me a lot of interaction with others during the week and food choices are very limited due to Covid. Panera bread is my main source of nutrition and sustenance while I am away from home 2 weeks at a shot. A hot meal and a warm friendly conversation is what I look forward to when I grab my food to go since I work for a company 1 mile away. I just wanted to reach out and say how blessed I am to be able to grab a healthy meal that is hot and with a sweet treat for dessert. From a little trucker to my favorite place to eat in Muskegon, thank you. Your warm fuzzy atmosphere is very relaxing and your smiles are such a nice touch. What can I say, I am a huge fan and love to support a business that values its customers as well as the employees.

Lord, please bless the Owners, employees, and customers at Panera. Wrap your loving arms around them as they travel to and from work and to eat. Please watch over our families as we support the loved ones at home. Thank you for all the blessings in our lives. In your precious name we...