Panera Bread — Restaurant in Normal

Panera Bread continues to build on their success of a more complete menu of sandwiches, salads, soups and mac, warm bowls, flatbread pizzas , sides and spreads, beverages and breakfast, and a line of baked goods. Once known for their made from scratch meals the company has switched to a streamline commercial approach that eliminates artificial preservatives, sweeteners and flavors from all their products. Staying true to their to bakery roots trained bakers continue to stock the shelves with freshly baked cookies, pastries, bagels, and a range of breads. One of my go to favorites is their You Pick Two, with a choice of a half sandwich, soup, salad, pizza and/or warm bowl. My first choice was the Half Toasted Frontega Chicken with smoked, pulled chicken, fresh mozzarella, salt and pepper, sliced tomatoes and red onions, fresh basil and chipotle sauce on Black Pepper Focaccia. Toasted on the outside with flavorful ingredients and a little extra tang on the inside. Second was the Half Asian Sesame Salad with Chicken. Chunks of cold chicken, crisp romaine, cilantro, toasted almonds, sesame seeds and wonton strips tossed in Asian sesame vinaigrette. Salad was fresh with all the right healthy ingredients. A chunk of French Baguette is one of the free sides and an enjoyable treat with its hearty chewy crust and soft inside. Standard interior with adequate seating, patio dining, self pay kiosks, soda and drink fountain, coffee bar and plenty of baked goods on display. Overall dining area was in need of a good cleaning as dirty tables went unattended and bored staff stood behind...

What is the point to make an addition to the order, if you do not read what is written there in the order? I made a special order myself in a fast kiosk to avoid mistakes! Still, 4 times returned to the kitchen !!! Initially, my husband did not put olive oil in the salad, then I discovered that he had been decided not to put a plate of fruit, for which I had paid! When I’m came to the kitchen to say that there was no oil, the woman turned away and said that she was serving the Drive line, and there was no one else besides her! Had to go back to the cashier! Who returned to her anyway, since there was no one else besides her! 🤦🏻‍♀️ In my order was a sandwich and yogurt, and of course she did not put yogurt to me! When I said this, she offered to take him from the refrigerator, where he was all in the water from the fruit! Of course, I asked to remake it new! And then she gave me yogurt with fruit but without granola! Choose either with water or no granola, she told me!! Terrible service! Even with a dissatisfied face, she gave me fruits, which they forgot to put! And when people eat inside, they need food in plates, not in containers !!! Avoid this place! Especially in the morning! I was there at 7 in the morning and only spoiled my mood! So many things, and in fact I just wanted to have breakfast calmly, without going to the kitchen...

I had an interesting situation at the Bloomington normal location. I had just traveled from IA and arrived to my hotel around 7-8 pm went through the Panera drive thru service and food were great as usual. The next day I was heading back to IA around 4pm and I realized I had used my Company Credit card and did not receive a receipt with my drive thru purchase.

I entered the store during was seemed like a very busy lunch/dinner rush and the manager working at the time seemed to be covering multiple positions while staff could go on break. Only one register seemed to be working and I had such a bizarre request with needing a receipt from the night before. Though the manager obviously had many things on his plate he was polite and professional to me and my situation and gave me his time to understand the request and was upfront that it may be a bit while he finishes up his current tasks. After about 10 - 15 mins I saw him move from the back to the front stopping in between to resure he had not forgot about me eventually he returned with a print out of the exact transaction.

Absolutely excellent customer service while...