Panera Bread — Restaurant in Springfield

Panera has pretty good food, definitely better than fast food. However, much like Chipotle, it exists in a limbo between a fast food restaurant (with a drive thru) and a sit down restaurant with a wait staff. I'm not a huge fan of this model. I would rather spend a bit more for a traditional restaurant experience, or I just want fast - so fast I don't even need to get out of my car, which is a plus so I don't have to haul in my 2yo just to order food, wait for it to be made, and then go. To be fair, ordering from the app and curbside pick up has somewhat solved that problem. It only took a pandemic to make it happen (obvious sarcasm is obvious).

But that's not even the worst of it for me, when it comes to Panera. The food is just downright overpriced. Like, a lot. There's no other way around it. $10 for a bowl of mac and cheese that probably has a $0.75 ingredients cost is absurd even on planes of existence that haven't even been theorized yet in a physics lab. $5+ for a very small smoothie... that thing better be made out pure unicorn and leprechaun glitter. $10 for a sandwich, speaking of which, have gone downhill quite a lot. Panera sandwiches have always been expensive, but were quality. Now they're cardboard with rubbery ingredients that are obviously sourced elsewhere now to cut costs. Even the grilled cheese kids sandwich I get for my daughter was two pieces of partially cooked bread with a paper thin slice of cheese. This was how that sandwich was for her not once, not twice, but three times. I would bet money the apple that came as a side was more expensive, from a food cost perspective.

Positive... their new pizzas a pretty darn good, and surprise good values, too! The Margherita pizza is quite tasty with quality cheese, and a nice pairing of basil and cooked cherry tomatoes. The size of the pizza is bigger than what I would expect from...

I have been beyond patient with Panera. I order delivery at least twice/week lately so I can work through my lunch. One time I had something missing, Once they delivered our food to O'Conner's instead and now for the 2nd time, I have no idea where my food is. When I called in they said I'd have to take it up with Door Dash if I wanted my food or a refund and I informed them, no I don't, that is their issue not mine. They did cancel my order to refund my money but when I went to re-order, where I'd have to go pick it up myself (defeating the entire purpose). Instead of offering a free meal or discount, they wanted me to pay over the phone. For a Customer who orders literally at least a couple times/week lately......this is terrible Customer Service and very unfortunate because I often work and eat so a company with decent food that delivers makes a lot off me. Any other suggestions on better places to eat with delivery would be appreciated. I would advise Panera Corporate to not partner with Door Dash if this is the consistent outcome because it's only hurting their business.... ~Obviously I am hangry while...

I was really disappointed. My order was 15 minutes late coming out curbside, and it took me calling to make it happen. And that really wouldn't have been such a big deal, but I ordered a blended cold brew mocha, and by the time it got to me it was half liquid. I also couldn't taste any coffee in it. It was like the chocolate syrup and ice was all that was there. My cream of chicken wild rice soup was not creamy at all, and when I opened it, it splattered all over my leg and was incredibly hot (like soup is supposed to be). Instead of a cream base, it was a really oily broth. I'm not from around here and my Panera back home has a much creamier base, so I was not expecting this, and did not open with the caution a broth soup requires. Ow. They did get my bread change correct on my sandwich though, which is something that I fight with all the time. So kudos for that. But I'm now going to drive home with soggy pants, a cup of soup I don't want, and a half drank cup of chocolate...