Panera Bread — Restaurant in Valparaiso

The service here was the best and the staff is so nice. The restaurant also seem pretty tidy what I am upset with is what a joke Panera bread has become. I have not eaten here in a very long time. Are used to love this restaurant. I love the healthiness. I love the options but the fact that I just went for a small warm supper for my family & Purchased 4 bowls of soup, a single sandwich and a small cup of macaroni and the bill was $62 DOLLARS BLEW MY MIND!! The portion sizes were TINY the food quality that (i used to be something to look forward to) now looked like sizes of something off a dollar menu from BK! Not only were they small, they were skimpy and more processed that it EVER used to be and the bread wasn’t even wrapped it was just ripped Off and thrown in the top of the bag I was completely disgusted appalled and upset. I don’t know about you, but I got a French onion soup for my mother. when you order a French onion soup, it’s supposed to be a French onion soup topped in croutons and covered in provolone or Swiss cheese. Their soup tasted canned and had MAYBE, (this is not a joke or an exaggeration at all) but it had again, MAYBE, a HALF teaspoon of some cheese product that didn’t even melt. Im serious. HALF TEASPOON NOT tablespoon.. if they’re going to charge $10 for maybe 6 ounces of soup that taste like the inside of a can, the least they can do is at least make it look like a decent cup of the way its supposed to be served. Im not even going to rant an bout how disappointing everything else food wise was. And again. The staff was wonderful. I feel Horrible for them. I’m sure they get paid next to nothing and they’re only making the product the way they were taught to. The franchise Panera absolutely disgusts me and their markup is absolutely horrifying. I will never eat at this chain, nor my family as long as I live that is a promise. what I show in the picture here is the only bit of cheese that was in that soup. Me nor my mother would eat it. any cheese that does not melt is not cheese. PERIOD.. it’s only time before Panera is caught just like Subway for making things out of rubber and sawdust and everything else that is not edible nearly just to make a profit if they were a cheaper restaurant sure I can understand it because the FDA allows it, but it just took me an entire day to pay for four bowls of soup and a sandwich as a treat for my family. that is a joke. The only reason I am even giving this restaurant one star for food is because the food was edible didn’t even have any taste. It was edible. I apologize for sounding like a rude person I NEVER write reviews but this restaurant is a complete rip Off and taking advantage of the failing economy and the people that work for them and it makes me absolutely sick to my stomach....

This was our first visit here, and everything was great right up until the end. Otherwise this would have been a 5 star review. The staff we interacted with were extremely friendly, food came out prepared well and tasted great! However, upon finishing our food, we both went to use the restroom at the same time before we departed. The bathrooms here aren't single use with a locking door, there are two stalls in each. Obviously I went in the men's and my wife went in the ladies, they're very clearly marked. There was a man in the ladies bathroom already, and he had a workers uniform on. A male staff member was in the ladies restroom, both bathrooms were completely empty of anyone else. My wife hurried out, and waited. I walked out not knowing she was out, and witnessed the man come out of the ladies restroom, and I had to do a double take as it alarmed me at first. He walked back behind the counter to presumably return to work, saying "excuse me" in a deep voice as he passed. Granted, no weird exchange happened between the man and my wife, which I am grateful for.... But I am confused as to why a male staff member was waiting in the women's restroom, when both were empty, and I think this is enough to make me not want to return to...

Service was kind of slow here. Just had a few people in front of me in line but it took so long, I placed my order online and received my food before people in front of me did. I was disappointed with the broccoli cheddar soup. It was rather runny, almost like it was watered down. The flavor was still good though. I was a little disappointed with my sandwich too. The lunch meat didn't seem like the quality I'm used to at Panera. The baguettes are always delicious. I didn't receive a cup for the drink I ordered. Had to ask for one and retrieve it myself. Employees were friendly. There was a lot of seating. Parking lot was almost full (just two or three spaces open) and had to walk a little way to enter the business. They share a parking lot with several other businesses. I spent a little over $18 for a 'pick two' (half sandwich & cup of soup) and a small/medium soda. It seemed like a bit much. I don't know if the prices are more online or if this is...