Panera Bread — Restaurant in Solana Beach

I recently visited this Solana Beach, CA Panera store after not having visited for a long time. I placed my order with a woman at the counter and was presented with a terminal that asked what size tip I wanted to leave. Since my order was for a take-out order, I declined to leave a tip. The woman taking my order must have seen that because she was not very friendly and did not say anything. My order included a coffee but she did not say to wait, or that she'd prepare my coffee, so I went to the other end of the store to pick up my order. Eventually the bagel came, but no coffee.

I asked someone behind the pickup counter where my coffee was, and she came back a bit later with my coffee. The coffee cup had a lid loosely placed on top. I tried to push the lid on tighly but it would not stay on. The rim of the paper cup was kind of crushed all around. This should never be the case with a new cup. I took a new cup from the pick up area and went over to the sugar area and poured my coffee into a new cup, unfortunately creating more waste to end up in a landfill.

Upon reflection, I firmly believe the woman I paid was angry or annoyed that I didn't leave a tip (for a take-out order!) and didn't tell me whether or not I should wait there for my coffee. Then when I had to ask for it at the pickup counter, she squeezed the rim of the cup so the lid would not stay on and I'd spill the coffee all over myself in the car. Nice.

She was short, kind of round shaped, hispanic, borwn hair, in her 40s or 50s. I hope the manager can use this info to fire her for her very awful behavior. I do not feel I need to leave tips for take-out orders. It's the business's job to provide a living wage, not mine. If I had eaten in the establishment, I would have left a tip, but having a tip expected for a take-out order is just extortion, and I will not be intimiated. Buyer beware. For all I know, she may have also spat in my...

Mac & Cheese. Some of the best around using Vermont white Cheddar, white American cheese blended with a little cream and butter. Is something everyone should get every time they come here, that is unless your like these kids that study here for the wifi like a Starbucks.

I used to love their bread, but have learned that it is very good, but not great. I've found some M/P show operations that do artisanal to the next level. The whole mass production of Panera has soured its reputation in my book. Oh I'll still come here for the mac & cheese and eat a sandwich while I'm there, but it's part of growing up. I'll still look upon Panera fondly, but when you get your meat from a salumeria and bread from an artisan baker places like Panera fall from favor a little.

Parking lot sucks, but it's mostly the terrible drivers trying to...

Big shout out to Crystal for helping me today. Don't get me wrong I LOVE Panera Bread! My go to is the half Southwest Chile Lime Ranch Salad with chicken and it comes with chicken, romaine, arugula, adobo corn blend, quinoa tomato sofrito blend, fresh cilantro, feta, avocado, and tortilla strips. However today I ordered on the Panera app and asked for no feta or tortilla strips. Instead I picked up my salad with nothing but cheese, chicken and lettuce. I was disappointed. I called and Crystal immediately offered a full refund and delivered me the correct order. Wow I did not expect that. I was so amazed by the amazing customer service I received. I really appreciate her and her team going above and...