Panera Bread — Restaurant in Waltham

There I was, standing last in line after rebelliously walking past the new Order Kiosks, determining to place an old fashion order and get me some human interaction. When I met the cashier she was very polite and I placed my order for a cinnamon crunch bagel (really the only reason I was even at Panera) and a bacon egg and cheese on a brioche. I was then told that I ordered the last brioche, "I'll take it!" I said with enthusiasm, excited about my privilege to the lonesome brioche!

The cashier confirmed the order, but I happened to notice the words "sausage" appear on the top of the LED screen on the register. I proceeded to inform her gently that I noticed that seemed inconsistent with my current order and she apologized. She went and got a manager to override the order. Finally, she presented me with the order total in U.S .Dollars. I immediately noticed the amount to be high enough to have possibly bought out the entirety of the business, and so I responded with an inquisitive "That seems a bit high?" To which she responded "oops, I gave you cream cheese on accident." "No harm done" I thought to myself, happy to have noticed that I would have otherwise been swindled over cream cheese.

Again, manager approval was needed to move our affairs forward. Still I maintained a smile, for I was still happy; for I did not yet know that this moment, would indeed be my final moment of enjoyong happiness at the Panera Institute.

Approximately 10 minutes passed. Sitting in front of the large processing monitor that depicts my own very name screamed out in all capital letters "CORY". I enjoyed the thought of my order, as it was currently under the category of "preparing". I imagined they could be so far as to actually be placing the bacon atop a warm brioche as they prepare to ship it off wrapped in layers of love and paper. Finally, my name appeared in the "Ready" category. I rushed to the counter top, only to be dismayed at a lack of any form of food and or bags ready. "Have I been duped?" I thought. After an additional eternity of waiting I realized that obviously my own idea of "ready" was not what Panera had in mind, that in fact the form of readiness they had placed my food under was: Not Ready. Realizing that established rules of language we're out the window, I took matters into my own hands. In fact "CORY" was no longer even shown in the ready category, it was now as if I never even had placed an order at all; which ultimately would have been a preferred choice based on the proceedings that followed.

Urgency gripped me as I questions the workers on the state of my sandwich "Good sirs, can you determine the current state of the sandwich associated with the man Cory." One of the workers said "oh yeah, we are out of brioche" to which I said " Glad am I to inform you, that on fact I laid claim to the last of the brioche."

At this point the entirety of our adventure had been over 30 minutes with a current sandwich status of: Missing. At this point a manager (I assume) asked of me nonchalantly, "What do you want your sandwich made on".

The shattering reality finally hit me in full. Not just had my new potential brioche not gone through the necessary process for manifestation, but In fact I had been lied to as to it's very existence! Worse still, it could have been made for another, imagine the infidelity?

My patience was gone and so was a hope of enjoying a brioche I certainly was promised. I told the manager "No, I have waited long, give unto me the full amount due for the withdrawal of my commitment" The funds were transferred in silent witness to such an affair.

With the only worthwhile product of Panera in hand, my Cinnamon bagel and I left with a resolute desire to never again return.

(Sadl, humor was my only way to make this very unfortunate experience a bit more bearable. Panera has but one means of restoring my commitment; that of a lifetime commitment (supply) of Cinnamon Crunch...

If I could give negative stars for this place I would. It used to be a great Panera several years ago with great service. But in the past year or so things have changed. This morning was the final straw. I went in at about 9:00 a.m. to order a yogurt and strawberry parfait which always used to be already made and chilled on ice by the cash register. No more. Someone had to go in the back and make it. I also ordered iced coffee. While they were making the parfait I went to get it only to discover the ice machine was broken. An employee walked by and confirmed that indeed there was no ice. She didn't seemed especially concerned. I informed the guy at the cash register that there was no ice and then he went to find the manager. Wouldn't you think the manager would already be aware of the situation? ? Eventually someone gave me some ice from behind the counter; however the coffee was so bad that I wish I hadn't bothered. (There was of course no cream or milk placed out so I had to request that, too.) Finding a CLEAN place to sit was another challenge. Two booths were littered with plates and old food and the floor was dirty with bits of paper and other trash. Meanwhile the jovial employees behind the counter played basketball with napkin wads and exchanged jokes. Did I mention there was almost no one in the place? The overall impression was of sloth and general untidiness, whereas a few years ago it was bustling, industrious, efficient and super clean. I am sorry but this experience has colored my perception of the entire chain. My advice: just save your time and money and go to the...

Hate to leave poor reviews unless they are warranted. I went here with my girlfriend for lunch. We waited at the register for 8 minutes before we were greeted at all. Once a team member came up to take our order, they were unpleasant and rushed through the process. It was clear that the store was understaffed, but the customer service didn't need to suffer as well. Why drill holes in your already sinking ship? The drink machine was not regularly maintained / cleaned (I worked in QSRs for years, I tend to check these things). After my partner and I finished our meals, we returned to the counter to purchase warm cookies to go. A. Same team member, did not give us the warm cookie (may sound petty but it was the whole reason we waited until after), and B. dropped one of the cookies on the counter, so gave another one but put it in the same bag? I don't know. I just think good customer service goes a long way, and I'd be much more willing to excuse a long wait / be patient and understanding if I were treated with more...