Panera Bread — Restaurant in Vernon Hills

Readers be forewarned when I'm talking about Panera Bread. My step dad worked as the head chef for years at the primary one in downtown Chicago so I'm a little put off at the sight of the place let alone the all too familiar smells and tastes (you would be too if this was 75% of your diet for at least 4 years.) Never the less no other place was open so I decided to try it out after removing Panera Bread and it's numerous imitators from my diet years ago.

What to expect with Panera Bread:

Stupidly High Prices for Simple Things Good, albeit could definitely be better food Great service when they're not busy A overly strong, familiar smell akin to Subway

It was 8:30AM so like I said no other place was open except for this. I walked in, was greeted by the cashier and ordered some OJ and a sausage, egg & and cheese sandwich. I grabbed my OJ directly from the ice laden container so it was nice and cool and proceeded to walk down to the pick-up counter. The whole time I was thinking I should've ordered something else since they might put cheddar cheese on the sandwich (I can only tolerate some white cheeses.) I waited for awhile before I noticed the plate with what seemed like a half made sandwich with only egg and cheese before I realized they never called my name to let me know it was ready.

When the server noticed me over there she grabbed the receipt hanging over the counter and called my name even though I was literally right there (and the only person as well.)

To my delight the sandwich was actually finished (the sliver of sausage was hidden) and tasted great with the mozzarella cheese they put on it. I sat there for awhile and drank my delicious orange juice before I left. On the way out one of the cashiers yelled "See you later darling!" out of the blue so I had to awkwardly stop, turn around and wave, but it was nice.

Altogether it was $7 for the sandwich and a small OJ which is more than I'd like to pay, but it's expected...

Don't know what it is about this location but the service is lackluster at best. The employees are not engaged in what they are doing and don't seem to care about anything. On top of that my order is wrong every time. If it was once or twice it would be one thing but every time something is missing or just wrong outright.

Walked in this weekend with the family. The dining area was pretty empty but there was someone waiting to order in front of us...but nobody there to take his order. He was patient and waited a good 5-10 minutes for someone to slink out of the back but we decided to go with the self-serve kiosk. The presence of these kiosks (and there is a pair practically in front of the registers blocking the way) should not mean there isn't someone waiting to help.

IMO this is a management issue. They are not motivating their staff nor does there seem to be any kind of oversight or accountability. The food is fine but these days the experience is what sets places apart. If I'm going to pay $8 for the same sandwich or salad or soup I can get at another place, I'm going where I don't have to wait for someone to show up and then bring me...

I usually go to the restaurant in Libertyville/lake Bluff. But this day, i was closer to this one so i stopped here instead. Something told me to just go to my regular spot but no. I didn't listen.

I ordered about $18 worth of stuff. First, the cashier put two pecan rolls in a paper bag. No box, just in a bag. I literally had to ask the manager, for two boxes. Which he said, they should've been put in a box. So, the same cashier watched me do her job.

I ordered some kind of steak sandwich, it was sour, gummy and disgusting. I at least thought, my bread and soup would save the day. But guess again. The bread was light, soft and obviously not baked all the way....

So i tried my pecan roll, which tasted like they had the front door open, which gave them this outdoor air taste.

It was a clean establishment and i loved how the place it made. Order in the front, pick up in the back. But not enough for me to go back. I wish i would've got my receipt from the cashier,...