Panera Bread — Restaurant in Sarasota

I never wrote bad review before but today I had horrible experience! Panera was always one of the places that my family loves to go too. Expecially this location. First of all there where only couple tables busy during the time we came . It was 5:40. Person who took my order was not patient was rushing to get it done even that there where not much people in line . I had a group of 3. We waited for our order for a while. Usually it comes very fast . This time it took a while. Food came at different times. First mine with the soup for my toddler. My husband food came around 5 minutes later. The rest of food for my toddler also came with his order. Let me tell you my favorite broccoli cheddar soup was not hot and barely warm. My daughter's soup was also was warm. Soups are very hot usually and it is way better when it is hot than just warm. I was surprised that Chicken ceasar salad had two dressing containers for one salad. I love that dressing so it is great to have that extra . I often had salad already mixed with dressing . When I opened container I realized there almost no dressing and second container was almost empty . Same was with my husbands salad. Now lastly , I would not write review but after my husband in his BBQ chicken Mac & cheese got a piece of plastic from packaging I was done with it. It was not small piece . He was chewing it. What if he chocked on it? Ridiculous!!!! I give it to the kitchen. They asked me if I just want to replace the meal! I told them no. My husband was done at that point and very frustrated. How he would want to eat another meal when he almost chocked ? We spend $ 40+ dollars on this awesome experience. At home I realized on the check that my daughter meal was charged as 2 separate kids meals . Why? I asked for kids you pick 2 . Also was charged .99 cents for "undecided" what is that??? I did not ordered anything else. I regret now that I even tip a person !!! After that experience I will never ever again go to Panera expecially after that plastic. I am just wondering why didn't kitchen told manager about our accident and he did not even come to talk to us . Again ,the place was almost empty. Not going back ever again. That's it! You have a staff , you have a team but you are irresponsible. No one asked us if we are ok after what happened with that stupid piece of plastic from wrap. I worked in restaurant business and this is...

Very clean and great staff here. Honestly, all the Panera stores in the area are very clean, great staff which are always kind and helpful, the food is consistent and great.

Panera is a restaurant which did an amazing job at innovation and changes in 2020 due to the COVID-19 virus. Obviously this shut down MANY MANY restaurants as well as many other businesses - but Panera added the following in 2020 to help:

— Curbside Pickup - contactless curbside pickup where you can stay in your car at ALL locations. I believe you use the app to tell them when you arrive and at which pickup spot (they are numbered) and they bring out your food. (Full disclosure: I have not used this yet, but I watched it be done).

— Deliveries - I noticed a ton of delivery drivers as well as deliveries all over town with Panera now. Not with a 3rd party like Uber Eats even though that may be possible - Panera has their own delivery.

— In-Cafe Orders - This is a feature which honestly I LOVE as due to 2020 issues with COVID-19, many places closed. I do agree with many actions taken to slow the spread and Panera is one of the few places which REQUIRE MASKS - they are not mean though, they just ask the customers if they need a mask kindly which is obviously hinting that a mask is needed. They will provide you a mask if you need. Obviously when sitting at your booth/table you are not require or expected to wear a mask as you are eating and the tables are ALL 6’ minimum apart - they have stickers on EACH table in the restaurant which say “This seat is available” or “This seat is unavailable” and they zip tie the chairs for the people who don’t read or ignore the signs (good idea). I work from there commonly and find it very peaceful. I wear my mask even if I’m getting up to order more food or fill my drink out of respect as well as protection myself. I love that they allow people to come indoors and this is what separates Panera from many other similar restaurants. Not only just offering in door seating and eating but...

worst ever!!!! I ordered bread bowls for each meal and was told to use the option of customize for that - I did but there is not an option for bread bowl, it just allows for special instructions- I did not get a call that stated they would not send them or even a call to ask me for a choice to pay or not have the bread bowl- instead they waited for the delivery man to break the news!!!!!! I have called about this before and it has been taken care of but they do not change the online issue!!!! Just told me to order the way I have been. SO now no bread bowl for any of my orders!!!! When I called I spoke with Tiffany who told me she was a Manager, RUDE- she put me on hold without even listening to me, just put me on hold with out even stating she was doing so and did so in the middle of my sentence!!!! then she passed the phone to another Manager, Carrie- even more RUDE than the 1st manager- they talked over and told me that I was wrong!!!! Really????? The man who was delivering watched and told the lady that what I was telling her was the truth. He was very patient and I would score him a 10 out of 10! His name was Carlos- SO Carlos THANK YOU for being patient and to the General Manager, Jasmine I know you were there when I called and did not take the call or that Tiffany lied - YOU are doing a horrible job if this is how you are taking care of your customers!!!!!! I give the three of you negative 10 out of 5. Worst Customer Service Ever, you need to learn to give respect and how to listen to the customers issues not speak over them and tell them they are wrong - clearly Carlos needs to be your boss!!! Final topper - they could not even get my sandwich correct- I did not order any thing special on that it is what you offer with no changes!!!! There is not mayo on the Turkey...