Panera Bread — Restaurant in San Dimas

Not sure why the reviews are so bad here. My experience was pretty good. Service was the standout part for me as the food typical fast casual, so wasn’t expecting to get wow’d but when I want a chicken salad sandwich, Panera is my go to. Bread to so soft in the middle but with an awesome chewy crust. Added a cucumber salad to make half and half order for an extra $1.99 and won’t make that mistake again. It wasn’t bad, but it was a little bland and paying extra and not getting their chips (which are the best kettle chips ever) or their bread (which is also pretty awesome) was a disappointment. For the other half sandwich, we tried the chipotle chicken and my GF loved it. Great way to share a quick bite for lunch.

As for the service, I did pre-order while getting gas at Costco next door. When I walked in, I really didn’t know where to go or what to do. There were people standing around and there were signs to line up, but was a bit confusing because people weren’t really lined up. So I asked someone if they were in line and he explained that he was waiting for his name to pop up on the order screen which had one half of the screen for ordered being prepared and orders which are completed. Makes sense, right? If only I knew. So I scan the screen for my name and didn’t find it. A kid that helped me earlier came over and asked if I had questions and when I told him that I prefer-ordered but didn’t see my name he offered to check. He promptly came back and said my order was ready and being bagged which is why my name wasn’t up there. Cool. Walked up and got my order.

Last but not least, why did I need help earlier when I already pre-ordered? Well I love the baguette and since I wasn’t getting any due to the salad, I wanted to buy one. Unfortunately, the website didn’t have the option for adding a baguette even though other bakery items are and it was an option for a side. Some minor kinks to work out, but nothing that will keep me away from their chips, baguette or chicken salad. Not add chipotle chicken to the list for my GF.

Pro tip: this location has a drive through!!!! Had I known I would have tried that, but this is not my local Panera and drive through a are...

I'm normally a rave reviewer for all things Panera but this time I cant say that's the case. I order the steak, egg, and cheese on everything bagel; little did I know that apparently as I was later advised by the manger when I called to complain that it practically served rare, barely cooked, bleeding into your sandwich making it soggy and gross. I mentioned that it might be good practice to advise customers that it's served that way and if they don't want it bleeding to request to have it cooked/microwaved longer. I've ordered the steak before and it was not served that way, so I didn't think to ask them to cook it a little more to consumption for the masses that don't like their steak still mooing.

When I asked the manager for a refund she said to bring the sandwich in for a refund, I told her I'm at work can't leave and now will have to go without breakfast for their lack of advising people that the meat comes so bloody and barely cooked. She essentially responded with something along the lines of that's not my problem. I threw it away and I truly don't plan on going back to deal with a manager with such poor...

I had a pretty good experience here. I can tell you I was actually worried since it has been years since I’ve been back to a Panera Bread. For those that don’t know you can get breakfast, sandwich, salad, bagels and much more here. When I arrived there were two machines where I can self order. There was also a gentleman that was extremely nice and helpful that mentioned that if we were to order something from the lunch menu, it would only be through them and not the two kiosks.

Me and my family gave a few items a try, the bacon egg and cheese croissant, the lunch pick two, apple salad and the steak ciabatta, and the Steel Oat Oatmeal. Surprisingly everything was pretty good, as I have not remembered any of the food we have tried from the past. I believe the best thing was that the cost was under $40, where most breakfast places would be $40 and above.

The place looked clean, and the AC was blasting(which I like) and there was plenty of seating inside or outside. I would come back again and try other locations more close to me in the future....