Panera Bread — Restaurant in Rancho Santa Margarita

Stopped going here in june of 2023. I was a regular and placed pick up orders regularly but my last 3 experiences were not pleasant. The 1st of 3 they had my order sitting behind the counter although I had already received a message saying my order was ready and it took about 5 minutes to get the attention of a young man with glasses who was on his phone to get my order as the two food handlers were busy and uninterested in helping but I dont think its their job. 2nd incident food was ready but there were bugs in my salad. Not 1 or 2 but a colony. How do you miss this? Some flew some crawled but this was disgusting. Pb and J it is. 3rd times the charm as once again got a message food is ready and once again sitting behind counter. 2 cooks too busy talking about a killer gaming session the night before made it impossible to get their attention to get my food and when I finally did I must have upset them because the enthusiasm in her voice was gone that had just previously existed when talking about overwatch2. This individual then alerted phone boy from the back to fetch my bag so I could make a final exit from this location but the last laugh would be paneras to have as the amount of damage I did to that poor toilet at 2:47 a.m. is I am sure illegal in some...

The food isn’t terrible, but the portion sizes for what we ordered are relatively sad for their price. A pick 2 combo for almost 15 dollars is the plate for the grilled cheese, and the salad was fine to mediocre at best. Under seasoned, with some cold parts and others burnt. Almost feels microwaved like others have said.

Now, that’s not what causes me to write the review. The team leader, Alfonso, is the reason I decided to write one. He seemed serious, unenergetic and somewhat troubled by the fact that we even came in at all. As me and my sister waited to order, we were talking and he gave us dirty looks, pressuring us to order. While ordering, he just kept the talk to a minimal, not even asking what I wanted for my side, or if I wanted a drink, or anything. When we went to pay cash (although it was a $100 bill I understand), he asked if we had change because he didn’t have any. I ended up paying with card since I didn’t want to bother.

Honestly, microwaved dinners and poor management makes this place a bummer. The music just makes it feel like a doctors waiting room. Avoid this place, and beware of Alfonso if you want to...

Came to Santa Margarita for a job interview a few blocks away. First, the agave lemonade has alcohol in it (for certain.)

Now for this morning, came in at 6:30, store was open but I got a dirty look from the manager, and possibly heard him talking negatively behind the counter about myself. I was unable to order on the app because the app is marked closed until 7:00am. I asked for a small coffee with the sip club, employee handed me a large cup. I had a stomach ache/headache, Around 7:30am a customer at the pick up counter says “don’t you hate the people who sit here and don’t order anything.” I have heard the exact same line at Lake Forest. I then asked for a small cup for soda because I had the sip club, the Hispanic lady said “No.” as I fiddled with my phone to order the soda. Another employee asked what was going on and handed me the cup.

I have rated ever Panera in Orange County I’ve been to 1 star. I would say do better but I don’t think that they can. After having my phone charger stolen in Lake Forest Panera I will surely be taking continued action to protect myself. I have worked at Panera, I want...