Panera Bread — Restaurant in West Melbourne

The absolutely first thing I noticed when I walked in was all the young people with phones, gaming stations or computers quietly occupying some of the tables. It reminded me of a local Starbucks where a single person occupied an entire table alone for hours without ordering anything. Nothing against young people. I used to own a coffee shop so I know how frustrating it is for an owner to have a person sitting for hours at a 4-place table without spending a dime, other than for a drink.

The whole operation is a bit unusual. So, here's how it goes: You walk in and are greeted by a human cashier, tell him/her your order by speaking to him/her, make your payment, receive a receipt and a buzzer thingy, then take a seat and wait to be buzzed. In the meantime you can go to a dispenser to get your own drink, that was determined at the cashier, and sit down. I opted for just water, which was free. When the buzzer buzzes loudly, you get up, go to another counter, collect your meal, take your seat again (or another), and eat. When you're done you bring you dirty plates to a dirty plate station, separate plates, eating utensils and trash into different bins and leave. Okay, so here's the rating: It's new, very clean and efficient (sorta), if you like that thing The cashier was patient, can actually speak back, and very friendly They have a large selection of menu items, bread and pastries The system is efficient, though a bit on the impersonal side Other than the cashier, there is no interaction with any other human, if you're alone, like I was, don't expect any The food is absolutely excellent and served on real plates, not paper or plastic...except for the drinks (not all is "perfect") Maybe things would have gotten more human if I purchased a loaf of bread or a cookie on the way out.

I had a cup, I think, of broccoli & cheddar soup and 1/2 caprese sandwich. The soup was excellent. The sandwich was very tasty. I could have sat down with strangers, but that's frowned upon in our society. I'll definitely come back, but I'll bring...

Have been a frequent Panera Customer since this location first opened. Last night my husband and I went in around 7:45, both had pick 2's with soup/Italian sandwich. My soup was broccoli cheddar, my husband ordered cream of chicken with rice. I know it was an hour before closing yet the food seemed hot and fresh to me. My husband took a bite of his soup and said "something in the after taste seems funny," thought it was his taste buds and ate half the bowl. At 5am this morning he was in the bathroom sick as a dog. We are now in the hospital with what the Dr is saying is food poisoning. We own a business which keeps us outside all day till around 4:30_5, so this was the only meal besides a granola bar he's eaten all day. (Had he eaten something previous to Panera I wouldn't even have thought the soup was the issue.) I've called the location to see if this was an isolated incident or had anyone else reported sickness. (Says it was the only call) Spoke with Vicki, she was extremely empathetic to my husband, and even took an incident report. I'm hoping no one else was affected by this soup. I still love the cinnamon crunch bagel, and will be back for just pastries from here on out. Seemed like the staff was in a rush to get closed down for the evening, so food safety and handling wasn't a priority. The Hazelnut coffee had a ticket time posted on the urn reading 4:30! (Like I said we came in around 7:45) so coffee was Luke warm before any cream was added. I had to use the microwave to heat my coffee. Haven't ever had an issue like this before, so now I have some reservations about patroning this establishment. All in all a miserable night that's continuing to be a miserable day in the hospital. I hope this review helps. But Thank you Vicki for being sympathetic towards my husband's sickness. Wasn't offered a free coffee or pastry, which I feel should have been done especially after the $30 it cost for 2- 1/2 sandwiches and 1/2 soups plus a...

I wanted to post a great& positive bragging review, sadly this is not the case. Sorry it's a little long, but detailed.A few things but the most I made a special order for the Asiago focaccia bread. Having tried going in several times, more than one location. I had to wait 3 actual days, starting the next day also. I expected a day maybe 2. I placed my order waiting on my nicely cheese covered loaves. The result was not what I hoped for. I still have yet to taste it. Another thing bothering me with the order I had to wait from Thursday until noon Sunday. Which is no problem, but maybe it was a bad batch, but the other one on the shelf looked fine from my spot. To continue, They are in same bag stacked on top each other & together only look slightly thicker than one loaf on any other previous visits. When cutting inside it very dense with hardly an air bubbles Then the top one barely has cheese on it. Meanwhile the one still on the shelf looked very cheesy. I cannot say much for thickness but it was not noticeably thinner. I will post photo. I hate to soubd picky but it was a special order 3 DAYS WAITING. SIDE NOTE: There always seems to be several extra salt & pepper, but no cheese Early in the day also. I would do a trial & add one cheese every few days & one less pepper if it actually turns into waste. I would buy one at least once a week. While I was there at noon. There was a lady ready to buy the one left. You could earn more money, done right that is. Disappointed in...