Panera Bread — Restaurant in Town of Big Flats

I travel all over the state but visit Panera more often than any other chain. This Elmira Panera is far superior to the other Panera Bread locations for so many reasons. The service cannot be beat and visibly starts with the management, John, Pat, Chandler and Christine who can always be found right down in the thick of things engaging fully with their crew and customers alike from opening hour to rush hour to closing hour. I have never had a bad experience while they're working, which seems to be always. The staff are incredible at this store even without management, which is a great testament to their training and atmosphere of their working environment. I have grown to befriend most of these people from my daily visits and look forward to interacting with them which is unique when you consider that restaurants and cafes of any sort can become boring after you've grown accustomed to the food and drink but I have religiously frequented this location for years on a daily basis long after the food became boring. It's the modern day real life version of the cafe in the sitcom "Friends". Staff shoutouts at the Elmira store (and I'm sorry for those I miss) Sara, Christian, Kara, Marie, Jack/John Jr. and the 2 older female cashiers(older, not old) that always keep me laughing and engaged so much that I miss their name tags. I know their are many I'm not remembering right now that have been a critical part of my experience but it's 5am and I know this won't be the only opportunity I have to sing their praises. PLEASE, if you get the chance spend some time in this location and see the difference, I've been to so many of them and this is really the only location that gets it right 100% of the time and offers an experience you're not going to find at the other stores, yet. Thank you Elmira Panera, see you in a...

They like to sell drinks that kill people! Oh and When I dine in at Panera its great. When I get takeout everything is half of the size it is when I dine in. It's ridiculous. Why would the sizes be different? WHY WOULD YOU WANT MORE PEOPLE IN PERSON?!

Is this a universal thing or just this location? Someone please help me out here. I don't get it. Why would the sizes be different? Why am I getting punished for getting takeout? It doesn't make sense. KEEP THE SIZES THE SAME!!!!

When I get takeout I get a thimble of soup for $7. The portions are ridiculous. I would love to see what a half soup looks like when I get take out.

Update 6/20/22 I lowered my review a star because Panera advertises PICK 2! Great but guess what when you pick 2 ITS THE SAME PRICE as if you bought both things individually. It's shady and cheap and carny to advertise a pick 2 when...

I am the coach of an out of town college volleyball team. Usually when we walk into any type of restaurant we get the look of doom as we sport about 17 girls. This was the complete opposite. The gentleman at the counter took immediate control, went quick, and didn't hesitate or mess up one thing! The manager than thanked us so much for coming in and gave us a complimentary item for the coaches! In my many years of coaching I can say that an experience like that has never happened. Our food came out organized and perfect and they even told us that we can just leave our plates on the table that they can clean it up. I couldn't morally let my girls do that, but even the suggestion from them alone with knowing they are not a full service restaurant is going above and beyond. Thank you Panera for an...