This is a great Panera. I got hooked on Parera when us salespeople would always meet up at one whenever traveling across the U.S. This Panera follows the same high standards as the rest of the chain. The employees at this location are very friendly and they do a great job checking on the customers and restaurant cleanliness. The food is always delicious, even to some of my picky friends. It's a great place for lunch with friends, or in the evening hanging out with the computer.
(5)
Al J.
I've been here a few times before. Sometimes to study, cause they have free wi-fi. But on majority to grub. My favorite sandwich is the smokehouse turkey. On this last visit I had the Turkey/Artichoke Panini. It was yummy. A little disappointed on Broccoli Cheddar soup though. It was watered down. Prices could be a tad bit lower. They have a good variety of sandwiches, soups and even a few desserts. Overall, fresh sandwiches to order and the service is fast and efficient.
(3)
CJ C.
Get a rewards card and get free items. Also there is wifi, so it makes for a nice studying environment. the food is not the greatest, but its not half bad. i come for the bagels and desserts. i usually get a box of their bagels, for a nice quick and yummy breakfast on the go.
(4)
Brad P.
My wife and I come here a lot when we are bike riding. The soups are great and the sandwiches are okay, due to the great bread. It would be more healthy if they did not offer chips.
(3)
Sarah H.
Love their soup selections but they don't have the best tasting options for vegetarians.
(4)
Aileen T.
Stopped in for a little breakfast date with my 20 month old son. I had the spinach artichoke souffle ($3.79) with a cappuccino, my son had the pre-made fruit parfait ($3.99) with apple juice. The souffle was cooked within a flakey crust - new to me.. and it worked out really well. I guess I'm just baffled that my sons fruit parfait was freakin $4.
(3)
Felipe G.
Went there once and that was it for me. Got the tuna salad sandwich. The sandwich was so small it probably wouldn't even fill up my little nephew. The taste was ok from the two bites i got. Not worth the time or the money.
(1)
Alissandra L.
Here's my question: Do people actually eat the bread bowls when they order soup-in-a-bread-bowl? Usually it's this gigantic hunk of sourdough bread with a 1/2 cup of soup in it. Can this be possible, to eat a whole round loaf of crusty bread, partially soaked with your favorite soup? Fuck it, I ordered the bread bowl of tomato soup w/ a salad on the side. Why? Because they offered it for the same price as the soup-in-a-cup. I figured I could eat the whole inside of the bread bowl and leave the crusty exterior, but after my soup was gone, it was too much of an effort. No more bread bowl for me. They have a variety of salads, soups, sandwiches, cookies, bagels, muffins, breads, souffles, "morning" pastries, a few vegetarian choices of the above, and probably some other stuff that I overlooked. I like panera bread, because they usually give the perfect portion. I find it better than going for fast food, where you can get a grease-soaked value meal for less. I wasn't going for grease-soaked, I was going for perfectly-full-without-feeling-nauseous. It worked. Tomato bisque-bread bowl, salad, apples, iced tea, and I brought home a brownie-like cookie. All delish. The only thing that bothers me is: They have a variety of savory souffles, but they only serve them in the morning. Which means, I'll probably never try their souffle. Blah.
(4)
Jack C.
I usually go to the Panera Bread in Mira Mesa or Point Loma, but since we were in the area, thought I'd eat and do some work here. Everything seemed great for a while. The manager kept coming by to check up on us to make sure we were OK. But all of a sudden, after I pull out my Netbook with my big Jesus Geeks sticker on it, the service starts to change! haha! The manager no longer came by to check on us AND he takes everybody else's empty plates around us, but leaves our empty plates right in front us! He just kept on passing by. So after an hour, I decide to take the plate to the counter myself. I'll settle for the Mira Mesa one. On the upside, the food was still good and since i forgive the guy, they still get two stars. :)
(2)
Jason And Leslie G.
I love panera bread, it's definetly stick to your ribs, make you full food. I love ordering the "pick two combo" 1/2 a sandwich and a cup of soup. The food and soup is always delicous and I love having the side of bread to dip in the soup! Not to mention that the food is mostly organic and healthy. It can be pricy ($30 for my wife and two kids to eat there) but the food is always satisfying. As for this particular location, very clean and quiet and the staff was friendly and efficient.
(5)
S. M.
I have eaten here many times over the last few months. The food is consistently the same. They have a variety of soups salads and sandwiches. The service is friendly and straight forward. Its good for lunch and I love the free WiFi.
(3)
Alyssa W.
Super morning Atmosphere. Good coffee and breakfast options besides muffins.
(4)
scott p.
I'm sorry but if you are eating lunch at Panera- you're eating lunch at Panera. It's open at 6 AM, people. And you get breakfast there? I think that's pretty much unique in the downtown area last time i checked. Five stars.
(5)
Sarah C.
A few people have mentioned that Panera makes tasty sandwiches so what do I do? I order chicken tortilla soup (sometimes I just don't make any sense) and what do you know!? The soup was not very good. The chicken and tortilla must have ran away with the flavor since the soup was lacking all three. I think I'll stick to making my own tortilla soup. I give Panera 3 stars since I was the idiot who ordered soup when I was advised to order a sandwich which I will do the next time around.
(3)
juren p.
I used to work here, It was cool while it lasted but If I had my way I would Change ALOT OF THINGS AND I MEANT A LOT. The only reason why I go here is because my friend likes their soups and bread, and to visit friends. I go to subway now and save 10 dollars more lol.
(1)
Angela C.
Okay. I heard SOOO much woo-hoo about this place, I finally broke down and went. I had reservations as, in my head, "Panera Bread" seemed the equivalent of Starbucks, but with sandwiches and bagels. So, I went, and, drum roll please... totally a Starbucks but with sandwiches and bagels. That said, not impressed. The food was stupid expensive, and not that great. I had the turkey asiago sandwich, and it tasted a whole lot like airplane food. My kids, ages 5 and 9, both opted for the mac n cheese, and they did enjoy that. So points to PB for their mac. I also had their "fresh lemonade" and it didn't taste all that fresh to me. As for the restaurant itself, meh, pretty worn looking. It is however located in a mall, so perhaps it's the number of people they serve that keeps this particular restaurant a bit in the icky-- hard to keep up appearances when you're so busy serving a large number of people. I must give points to their counter help though, the girls were sweet and quick. Sorry Panera Bread, but unless my kids are hounding me for your mac, which they've not made a fuss about yet, we won't be back.
(2)
Tomas H.
It's got WiFi. The place is pretty big for a fast food place. The bread tastes short of salt. So, to compensate their sandwiches are full of flavor. It's clean. It's very clean, but then again it's new. The manager is constantly "communicating" with her staff in a loud voice sometimes called shouting. I came in with a headache; it wasn't exacerbated by my wait experience. I appreciate that I'm walking away with more scratch in my pocket than if I were to patronize the subway or especially quiznos. In my head all that resounded was the mantra, "Jeez, how're they gonna pay their rent and other expenses?" Maybe it was a slow night, but the store didn't look like it had too much of a lunch crowd judging by the condition of the floor. Oh, well, while it lasts the chicken pomodoro panini was excellent but unevenly distributed through the bread. Apparently these are made ahead of time and grilled when you order them. So, you can't have no onion. And now a word from Surfer Toxico, el Luchadore mas Popular con chicos sin seissos "I write un libro. Es con el proud sponsorship de Coors Crucible Manufacturing of Golden, Colorado I write, "Beers that go best with fast food." Por Panera es "The Silver Bullet" Coors Light. "Ahorita, Damelo las cervesas gratis!" Yeah, thanks Surfer... Catch him at Blanca's Fiesta Hall one of these upcoming Saturdays. Salute!
(3)
Alex T.
Love this spot, go check it out for yourself and see why. just awesome!
(5)
Seb W.
Worst service ever. They brought us soup but no spoons, and salad but no forks. On asking for it they said all silverware was being washed at the moment and we had to wait another 10 minutes before we could even eat our food. Frustrating experience. Never going back there
(1)
Bianca V.
Panera is my life! Green tea, salads, soup bowls, everything from panera is delicious, they are pricey but there food is great, you dont get that full feeling after eating there food. which is good cause i always get a food coma from other fast food places. but i still have enough energy after eating soup bowls and a pastry lol. five stars for panera, its clean in here and there staff is nice and friendly
(5)
Robert C.
I usually don't eat at Panera Bread but I had a coupon for a free meal. Service was pretty good. I ordered the Roasted Turkey and Avocado on sourdough bread but the ran out of bread! I ended up getting Asiago bread. The sandwich wasn't spectacular. In all honesty the bread wasn't that great, it was a bit soggy. The broccoli cheddar soup was just average as well. The only reason I would eat here is because I had the free mea coupon. The meal would have costed me $9.48 for half of a soggy sandwich, a cup of soup, and some chips. There are better stuff to eat for that price.
I used to eat at Panera occasionally, but recently I fell back in love with this place! Fuji apple chicken salad with mac and cheese and their green tea is always my go-to meal. I cannot express how much I love their green tea! Their fuji apple chicken salad tastes amazing. Their mac and cheese is wonderful as well! Except it may be a little too cheesy for me, but I'm sure other people love it that way and it doesn't really bother me! Shoutout to Lyn, she is the sweetest one there! Jenny is also very sweet and very helpful!! I will definitely be back as much as my wallet allows me.
(5)
Roxanne J.
I came here Monday and it was not too busy. The place was clean and organized. I got a salad with bread and I have to say that coming here for the first time, I am very happy with the quality of the salad. I did not know what to expect at all and all of the ingredients were spot on!!! The bread was yummy also! You will pay about $10 for a salad but it is well worth it! I couldn't finish the whole salad because I got full and the filling in my stomach lasted surprisingly! The service was not great. The service was ok. People don't really smile they're just "working". Anyway, all and all I will definitely be coming back and I will try the coffee next time!
(5)
Karina L.
I ate at Panera Bread last night at Chula Vista mall. I finished my meal, go grab a soda refill, turn around and behind the kitchen counter, on a tray there's a roach just casually walking around. I called the attention of the cooks and handed them the tray. I spoke to the manager who seemed to know they have a critter problem. After not feeling satisfied with her lack of interest in the matter I decided to call customer service. They were very nonchalant about the whole issue which prompted me to go back inside and ask for a refund. I just couldn't get around the fact that my son just ate there and there were other children eating there. If you know there is a problem why would you let customers walk in there and think they are eating a healthy meal? I'm usually one to let things go but this I can't.
(1)
Cindy H.
Panera Bread-C V Mall: Forgot my husband's smoothie. His ham and cheese breakfast sandwich was greasy and the top piece of bread was sliding off. Found a lot of trash between the seats of our booth. Pointed it out to the waitress--she said that they were cleaning the place later that day--as she wrinkled her nose at the debris! My food was nothing to brag about either! I had a chocolate croissant which was on the small side and served on a huge plate. The croissant was just barely a step above Vons' 10 for $5 deal. It was also very overpriced!
(1)
Jazmin S.
No, just a big no to this particular Panera. This place has gone way down hill over the years. This is located at the Chula Vista Mall. I used to come here with my parents and always seemed to enjoy our meals here. To my surprise I recently came here for a quick dinner with my parents and I could right away see that it wasn't going to be great. The place looked dirty, dirty plates at several tables which left us with no place to sit. We stood at the counter waiting for someone to take our order for about 5 minutes. The staff seemed to be having some sort of break time or something since there where about 5 of them I. The back just chilling. I had to go the back and asked if anyone could take out order. I guess I was completely out of place because the guy who rolled his eyes while taking our order seemed to be bothered with helping us. At this point I would walked out but I thought maybe it's just an off day and the food would come quick since that's what we needed and I like the other Panera's that I've visited. We had to literally clean a table ourselves!!! This was just ridiculous and when they brought our food it wasn't even hot nor warm. Overall I would not come back to this particular Panera. This place puts the others to shame.
(1)
Mike C.
It's Panera, what else can I say? This location in particular is usually busy but the service is very quick and accurate.
(5)
Paloma M.
Came in July 20, 2015. Had lunch in the back dining area with my sister and my cousin. We were finishing up our meals when we noticed a man facing us with his leg up on a chair, with his hand inside of his pants. I yelled out, "Oh my God!" Trying to process what was happening, and he immediately went to the bathroom. When he came back he said, " I can't believe that just happened...." While laughing! And proceeded to sit and wait for his food. 2 servers came to remove our plates and silverware and we let them know about him. I really hope this disgusting creep never harms a child, or I encounter something like this ever again. Please be on alert for him. He's a tall mid sized white man in his mid to late 30s.
(2)
Jack M.
This Panera location is quite the busy one. I stopped in early morning for a cup of their drip coffee and a cinnamon scone, and I am stilled bugged that they make you heat up your own scone in a microwave of all things. They need to change that. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pane… ) At any rate, the coffee was pretty good and only a few dollars with bottomless refills, so that is good. The scone came with an abundant sugar and cinnamon crusty topping which was good, but perhaps a little excessive ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pane… ). I really liked the moist and flavor center of the scone, and I found my self dipping and dipping it into my coffee. It was not as dense of moist scones, but good nevertheless ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pane… ). The service at the counter felt a little rushed with not much small talk. I like to pursue small talk because that is just who I am, and I like to observe the demeanor of the employees to provide feed back. In this case, it was okay, as was the rest of the experience.
(3)
Anne M.
Not much selection left by 7:30 pm. Every dessert and baked breads were already wrapped in plastic bags and removed from shelves.
(1)
Chris M.
Food is good. I only get a bbq chicken salad. They messed up my order once. Asked them to hold a few toppings but they didnt. No big deal though. Bread is always fresh and warm. Salad is fresh. Never had a bad experiance with the food. Order online to avoid a wait. Friendly and clean place.
(4)
Francisco R.
Tried to call in an order and was hung up on. That is after waiting five minutes on the line. They need better customer service. CV location needs to be ran better.
(2)
Carlos M.
For clam showder it sucks not like in san fransisco pure clam showder..Here they fill it up with nothing potatoes an clam showder ewww
(1)
Marisol A.
Love the breakfast sandwiches, love the pastas, love the soups, love the salads, love the pastries!! What's NOT to LOVE about PANERA!!?
(5)
Mollie D.
I found a huge toothpick in my salad... And when I told the manager she had no idea where it came from. Because they didn't use those... Uhmmm... Yuck.
(2)
Frankie M.
Every time we've been here the food has been pretty consistent. Staff is friendly and helpful when it comes to any questions or concerns.
(3)
Sherry F.
Got the broccoli cheddar bread bowl and mac and cheese. This Panera is the closest to my house so I come for convenience. The broccoli cheddar soup was a tad too cheesy in comparison to the amount of broccoli, but the bread was delicious given that it was soft and fluffy. Also, had a duel cookie (chocolate and walnuts) and it was so flavorful and chewy with a good proportion of walnuts.
(3)
Rachel L.
I love this place and now with the option of ordering with the app love it even more... Always clean.... Friendly staff... Love that I can order online and just walk in and pick it up with no wait time.
(5)
Rachel K.
The cashier was nice... I got a Fuji apple chicken salad. Delicious, very flavorful. Will come here again.
(4)
Michelle V.
First time here. Not impressed. Got the Broth Bowl like I had been seeing in all the commercials that looked so good. I understand some people like a lot of salt. I AM one of those people - but this thing was waaaaay toooo salty even for me; I would have prefered it if they let me add my own additional sodium. Yuck! My son who loves a lot of salt made the sour face when he tried it.
(2)
Gloria A.
Nice, quiet atmosphere. All employees possess great customer service, especially Ruben, who went out of his way to bring us extra condiments we needed for our delicious meal. Good quality comfort food! Only one complaint, fly on the deserts ewwww
(3)
Emi L.
Panera has great tasting breads and bakery items (just like the name implies.) Lunches are tasty and filling. Their drinks, coffe and otherwise are really good! Only this location leaves a lot to be desired. This is located in the mall. Always busy. Sometimes I'd stop in and pick up breakfast (sandwich or pastry) with coffee before work. Well, now starbucks wins. This location is usually busy, even in the morning before the mall opens. One morning. There was a looonnnggggg line to order. With 1 cashier. So the manager helped out and rang up some customers. And then closed down the register right as it was my turn (and still a customer behind me.) Really? So I have been waiting 15 minutes already, and they shut the register down. Already 3 patrons had left. And so did I, making it 4. Sorry panera. Good food. Crappy service. I can go elsewhere.
(2)
Dana M.
Just another ordinary panera, except this one is pretty busy. One of the managers is such a B (you now the rest). She was being rude to her employees in front of customers. I think he name is Karina and she also got my order wrong. Other than that its okay. Tables are dirty though.
(3)
Jeanette S.
I enjoy dining at Panera Bread, especially because of the menu that's offered. I'm not a hard sell when it comes to bread, so coming to Panera is always an easy no-brainer trip to get a quick bite. I do enjoy their specialty sandwiches, especially the turkey artichoke panini and smokehouse turkey sandwich. I've had both sandwiches as a combo with an added specialty salad. The only gripe I have about Panera is that a meal can eventually become pretty pricey here for the amount of food you're getting. For instance, I just recently ordered a kids mac-n-cheese meal for $4.99. The price does not include a drink, but what it does include is a very small bowl of mac-n-cheese, perfect portion for my niece, and a choice of yogurt, baguette or apple. That's it. When her kids meal arrived, it wasn't much food. Because of it's high price tag, I opted to just get a cup of water rather than adding on a drink for a $1+. However, I will say that her mac-n-cheese was delicious and she was a big fan of her baguette. Totally like her aunty, because we both love bread so much...LOL. As far as salads, I do love their seasonal strawberry salad, as well as their other usual stuff. It's a hit or miss as far as the portion size. Sometimes it's pretty descent and sometimes it can be pretty sad. Aside from the food, I love their bakery section. You can choose anything from bagels, baguettes, breads, muffins, cookies, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, etc. If you're thirsty, Panera also has a pretty good selection of different drinks from lemonades, teas, soft drinks, smoothies, coffee, and blended drinks. I love their seasonal blended frozen mango drink and blended mocha.
(3)
Kealani B.
Came in for coffee and pastries. Wasn't busy, order was taken promptly. Got our muffins right away, but they were eaten long before the drinks came. Took over twenty minutes for coffee! Had to go back to the register to get them ordered. Apparently delivering food orders of people who arrived after we did was more important than our coffees.
(1)
Annie A.
I have to give this Panera location 5 stars only because KARINA was there to help my friends and I with our orders. Silly us, we placed our orders online at the wrong location and waited at this location about 15-20 mins wondering why our food was taking so long. Thank God for Karina for helping us out with getting our food to us fast and ready & canceling our orders we placed at the other location! Thanks Karina! You are the best!
(5)
Chabela S.
Go to this location very often to get breakfast sandwiches for my staff. I just call in the order & pick it up on my way to work. Very good breakfast & convenient. I have to Thank Karina because she always welcomes you with a smile & provides excellent customer service. Great place to go!
(4)
Rachel D.
Came in right before closing and working in a restaurant I know that's a pain. But I was ordering to go. So I wanted soup in a bread bowl and the cashier told me that they were out of bread bowls. Staring at the wall of rolls, I think she meant that they weren't cutting bread anymore. Then as I was changing my mind, the manager said that the staff could take something home because they had a lot of extras. All hell broke loose and all they wanted to do was chat about what they all wanted. And the manager let them go on and on til she realized that I was standing there. Then she told them to piper down. Meanwhile 2 girls walk in but without hesitation, the manager tells them that they're closed and makes them leave. Literally you just said how much food you had.... What's two more guests. Love the food but the staff is lacking.
(2)
Johana T.
I had never been to Panera and I was a bit excited to try it out, although my friends had all told me it was no good and overpriced. Truth is, my friends were right. A damn half sandwich with out-of-the-box-taste mac n cheese and a tiny bag of healthy potato chips cost more then $10!!! That didn't even include a fountain drink! I could have fixed myself a better tasting sandwich at home for a 5th of the cost. Totally not worth it. I can't speak about any of the other food items, but as far as sandwiches go, NOT WORTH THE PRICE. My friend was the one with a sandwich and I got a half panini, which was ok.. but again, not worth the price. Now, they do have a 2nd star from me because of their super friendly customer service. I told the cashier I was a first time customer and she explained to me how it kind of worked and suggested a few items :) Another thing I did like, was that it is a mostly quiet place so it's a good spot to take your computer to and do some work without anyone bothering you.
(2)
John K.
Walked in at around 9:30 am for breakfast. Amazing aesthetics for this Panera Bread location. Very roomy with lots of service options. The bakery has a plethora of sweet treats from croissants to muffins. In addition to the roomy atmosphere is the friendly service. Cashiers are kind and food is delivered in a sweet fashion with the person serving the food asking if you need anything else. By the way, I ordered a small coffee (filled with dark roast) and a sausage, egg, and turkey sandwiched between 2 slices of toasted bagel. Hmmmm tasty!!! Total: $6.28. Definitely worth the price.
(4)
Britt H.
My bread bowl was sad. I asked if the cup of soup came with bread and the lady told me that for a few cents more(maybe it was a dollar more) I could have a bread bowl. This sounded pleasing to me. I ended up with a hardly hallowed out sourdough bowl filled with about half a cup(maybe less) of soup! This was all disguised with crouton toppings and cheese. As I'm writing this review, I'm looking at another customers' order of a giant bowl of soup with a side of bread. Why didn't Panera lady tell me? I'm new here, I don't know this. For the love of God, don't go breaking my heart. But Panera, oh you have.
(1)
M J.
I come here at least once a month. The service is great and very friendly. I recommend the steak and egg bagel. It is served on an everything bagel with slices of steak. Some times I will get the chocolate croissant which melts in your mouth! The coffee is pretty good as well. No complaints at all.
(5)
Lindsey B.
Nice place for a pretty healthy meal. All of the menu items tell you the amount of calories which is nice when you're trying to be mindful. The kids meals are nice and filling. And everything is delicious!
(4)
Yvette L.
I feel like Panera is and always will be Panera anywhere (food wise). They're food is good and I can see myself here w/ a group of friends, on a date, or studying. Their frontega chicken and tomato mozzarella panini are great options if you ask me. I'd usually order either one or I'd get half of one w/ the "you pick two" and grab the clam chowder bowl as my other side. Their bread and pastries are yum, especially the cinnamon crunch scone *drooling*
(4)
Nette B.
I wrote this review a couple of years ago.... 12/4/2010 Don't get me wrong the quality of food for Panera Bread has always been a great one. However my experience at the Chula Vista location was the worst yet. I will give them 2 stars just for the baguette bread. I ordered a ham/swiss toasted sandwich with a cup of chicken noodle soup. They brought my food to me and the sandwich was not toasted. So, I asked them to toast it. Which was fine I didn't hold it against them for making that error. What got to me is this: They toasted my sandwich with the lettuce and tomatoes still in it. HUH? Why did they toast my lettuce? It was wilted and destroyed. I had to ask them to take my soup back and warm it up or give me another bowl. It was super cold and I stuck my finger in it and felt no warmth. I watched the staff behind the counters and notice all their laughter etc that obviously she did not pay attention to what I have ordered and trying to fix her mistake toasted my lettuce. (I looked at my receipt to see if the cashier made the mistake but it was there). I don't think I'll ever return to this Panera Bread ever again. Like I said the quality of food is always good but the sandwich artist did not pay attention to my order at all. If I had her name I would really put her on blast for it. I would recommend you folks visit the other Panera Bread locations.
(2)
Marylou G.
Every time I come here the staff is awkward and rude. They are not friendly whatsoever. They don't greet you as you walk to the register to order or thank you when you're done ordering. This has happened to me at least 3 times at this location. It is mostly young college students working here and they don't have a clue what customer service really is. Also, they take forever with the orders. Two thumbs down!
(1)
Elle P.
I found a hair in my tuna salad sandwich and when I asked for a refund, the cashier who helped me was nice but when the manager came, he said, "is US currency OK?" Like WTF... What else am I supposed to receive? He only asked me what was writing with my sandwich AFTER he insulted me and gave my my money back. I wrote corporate but they did nothing about it after sending my complaint to whomever owns this. I'm never eating here again
(1)
Kelly M.
Ate there a week ago. Still not over how dirty the bathroom was. The dining room had not been straightened up either. The cashier didn't tell me about a special to get my pastries for .99 if I got a drink, but the lady next to me got hers at a discount. Food was at its usual high quality but atmosphere was not up to par. Clearly no pride in the management at this location. I've been to much busier locations and they rocked.
(2)
JJ W.
Worse PB in town. Avoid at all cost. Bad everything!!
(1)
LJ L.
No news flash here - you know what you are getting. It's fresh yes, but I question the quality of the highly processed food. It comes in a huge truck and basically it is just baked on site. No one is doing any "cooking". But it's a great spot to meet up with people any time of day to grab a small bite and drink - if stuck for options. I do feel it's over priced for the lack of quality ingredients. Again, you know what you are getting - it's like the McDonalds of coffee shops; perhaps between McDonalds and Dennys? Remember - this is my two cents :) I get the sense that most people come here to plug in and eat a bit more than they could at Starbucks. Not really because either food or coffee is great.
(3)
Lauren W.
My partner and I took an impromptu visit to this panera on the way back home from our travels. We usually get the same thing every time so we phoned in an order. Long story short when the bag got back to the car one of the sandwiches was incorrect. This 5 star review goes to the red headed employee working around 7:30 pm tonight (9/26/13). My partner went back into the busy store and the error was quickly and professionally fixed. She got back saying that was the best customer service she had ever had! The girl was so pleasant, didn't even make a face like most staff in a busy environment having to remake a sandwich!! Nothing but smiles! Two repeat customers right here thanks to you, Red!
(5)
Jamie P.
Came in for the first time 2 days ago and it was something else. I was impressed with the cleanliness and the amount of people that are inside. It was my first time coming in and didn't know what to order. Me and my brother were the last ones in line and when it was our turn we weren't quite sure what to order which seemed to annoy the cashier. She made a weird face and it made me feel uncomfortable. All she has to do is stand there and take our order she is not going anywhere so why the long face? Anyways, we ordered a broccoli soup and a sandwich and it was delicious! it was not very expensive and the quality of the food tasted amazing. They were pretty fast to take our food to the table and the guy that took it was very nice. I had a great experience and will definitely come back. I would've given it a 5 star but the cashier killed it for me.
(4)
Muriel M.
(I'm writing this review as a comparison to other Panera Bread establishments.) Stopped in early afternoon and was quickly greeted and I chose the "Pick Two" (Mediterranean Veggie & Broccoli/Cheddar soup) along with a hot tea and chocolate cookie. The cup of water & cookie were given to me immediately, so I grabbed my choice of tea from their counter and grabbed one their two-seater booths. The food came out in just a few minutes and my issue is very rarely with their food as their broc/cheddar soup is consistently good (especially with a slice of warm baguette for dipping) and their Mediterranean veggie sandwich is delish with crispy cucumbers and a hearty bread. The location though was a little messy. Tables were not wiped down and there were food, napkins & wrappers on the floor. I spilled a little of my tea on the table and had to ask the counter for more napkins. I wish they had napkin dispensaries so one would not have to ask an attendant, but maybe they keep them behind the counter because people were stealing stacks of napkins. I'm not exactly sure. There are lots of available outlets along the wall tables and there are a lot of sitting space. Free wi-fi, plenty of parking available (since it sits on the exterior wall of Chula Vista Mall) and the service is friendly. I will come back because it's in the neighborhood and they have a healthy food selection, but please clean it up a bit.
(3)
Justin F.
This place is disgusting. I've been here 3-4 times and something is seriously wrong with the health standards of this particular location. They have a fly problem - as I sit here typing this review, I am looking at dead flies adorning the window and live ones crawling over tables and the window panes. One glance at the management here and you'll realize quite quickly why maintaining food service AND cleanliness is probably too much to juggle for this team. Someone should invite the CDC out for inspection here; I'm sure they'd have more fun here than I did.
(1)
Ryan B.
Pick 2??? What a scam,. They still add up the price so what is the point of pick two, why not pick three or four or None?? Normally they use pick two or whatever in restaurants to offer a fix rate deal. They just make you think it's a fix rate and they still add up the price for whatever you pick.
(1)
Hayley S.
Gross.
(1)
Meaghan M.
I am literally sitting at this Panera right now and am just astounded at the actions that people think are okay. I have been to this Panera a few times and always had a good experience. But today, for some reason, the horrible lack of customer service is what stood out to me. We stood at the counter waiting to have our order taken for a solid five minutes. Then, the manager "Kimi," came to take our order and was completely rude. She seemed so annoyed to answer our questions or even take our order. She was short, and very unwelcoming. I almost asked her if we had done something wrong but she just generally seemed unpleasant. Then, we waited for our food for at least fifteen minutes. They only had one guy serving, clearing and cleaning tables and I felt horrible for him. I don't know if fifteen minutes is normal but I have never waited that long at any Panera ever, and there was almost no one else in the establishment. Basically, if the manager is rude, I can't imagine what kind of customer service she is teaching her employees. Completely disappointed.
(2)
Ana C. A.
Stopped here for a quick bite.....I don't know why I never been to a Panera before, I'm always passing by the one in Downtown and Hillcrest. For a place I didn't care much about, it was pretty good! I had the Pick 2, and had the black bean soup with the turkey sandwich and an apple, all three items were very good. And what I loved was that the cashier actually asked me if I wanted mayo on my sandwich or just mustard, most places just slather the mayo, so plus for me. The serving of soup is descent, I expect the typical half cup serving when you do those types of orders, but it was a good serving. The apple was crisp, not old and disgusting. I was left perfectly full & happy......oh yeah, and my lunch was served pretty fast :)
(4)
A M.
Another lunch time favorite. Food is good,friendly service and a nice place to sit down and have a good meal. However,the reason they earned my 5 stars, is due to their customer service. I often call in early morning to order a coffee carafe and scones to pick up on my way to woke. When I arrive, everything is ready,nicely packed and have never had to ask for anything. Everything is ready to go, cups, creamer, stirrers, sugar (all types), plates for the scones, napkins and everything else you can think of. On special occasions, they even provide the rounds dish dollies for a nice presentation.
(5)
Carlene R.
My Bacon Turkey Bravo sandwich was really good. I just wished I ordered a sandwich instead of a pick two deal. The bread was fresh and really soft. The ingredients were superb too. No complaints. My sister said the Cheddar and Broccoli soup was salty and boy, was she right. If it had less sodium, I would eat it again, but next time I will avoid it. The potato chips were okay, nothing too special. Overall, I will come here again and just get a bagel and/or sandwich. Oh yea . . . free wi-fi. :-)
(3)
becca s.
I'm a huge fan of panera, but this particular location seems unorganized, the portions are smaller then the other panera restaurants. $13.00 for a salad & drink? Mmmm..not so thrilling.
(2)
Joe A.
This place was amazing. I'm going to come back again & again. First timer here, I ordered the French onion soup bowl & A sandwich with a drink all for $15. It was damn delicious. I had friendly service as well from cashier to waiter. I'm going to be back for more, cause there are still alot more things to try out.
(5)
Matthew A.
We eat here at lest five size times a week! The staff is great here and the food is always fresh and at top quality!! Have no complaints here at all!! Great job Panera!
(5)
sofia r.
the food is good - just another franchise that has good and healthy choices. Most staff is friendly and quickly to attend you. NOt always so clean but very busy since in the mall.
(4)
Jenny B.
This Panera in general can't seem to get their act together in the weekday mornings. 1/2 the time the are out of multiple items to make specific breakfast sandwiches, the other 1/2 they forget to turn on the grills, or make the eggs ahead of time causing either burnt sandwiches or it takes 20 minutes to get your food to go. Can't take it anymore, gonna just have to go to other branches.
(1)
Rosana Q.
I don't know why it took me so long to review this place, I come here all the time! I agree with many people that not all Paneras are created equal. This is one of my favorites though because I come here to study, and there are certain things that make Panera perfect: -Jazz, classical, placid music always playing -Free Wifi -Unlimited refills on coffee and tea -Lunch or pastries available, and unlike a library, I don't have to leave when I get hungry -Plenty of space and outlets This Panera can get very busy during lunch hour, but the rest of the day there are always seats open and the noise level is relatively low. I often come here so this is as to why the staff practically know me. They're very friendly and sometimes bring me cookies or give me free drinks :)
(5)
Raudel E.
I believe this is my favorite spot to have a healthy lunch at, which i happen to look for most of the time. They have the order 2 deal where they let you get half a sandwich and a soup or salad...so you pick 2, and that to me is the perfect amount of food. I highly suggest the mediterranean veggie sandwich which comes with hummus inside and feta cheese :) and the black bean soup, which is also one of my favorite ones. They happen to have all their pastries for 99 cents at the moment when you get the meal with a combo (when you include a beverage) so that is also really cool as some of them go for 4 bucks, so 99 cents sounds pretty good. People have business meetings here most of the time because it has a free wifi, so take your laptop, meet with coworkers and fellow students and enjoy.
(4)
Jaime S.
I drive from San Diego to go to this location since it is the closest to my home. The staff are fantastic, all knowing about their menu and so very friendly. They always have a clean facility which I appreciate. The meals are a little pricey in my opinion being that this is a deli. But the bread is always fresh and tasty and the meals are prepared with much attention to presentation. The soups are delicious and taste homemade. I have had the brocolli and cheese and chicken noodle. I will continue to go here for the innovative sandwich combinations and great customer service.
(4)
Juje J.
As many times as I've came by and eaten here, I can't believe I haven't written a review on this place. This Panera Bread has always given me TOP NOTCH SERVICE. I'm not being bias and this is in no way showing any favoritism to a place I come by from time to time. I usually order a "Pick 2" which consist of a 1/2 Classic Sandwich, your choice of soup, a roll and chips. I ordered the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich which was extremely fresh to the taste and the Creamy Tomato Soup. Both were delicious and the cost was a little under $8 bucks. And the beauty of it all...it didn't take long for my order to get to my table. This place is always well kept (very clean) and the coffee is always brewed fresh. The people that work here are extremely friendly and the atmosphere is very cozy...I love this place. 5 Stars!!!
(5)
Alexis D.
It's good to have a Panera Bread near by. There is absolutely only on thing that I hate about this place, their prices. I strongly believe their prices are too high. Every time I come here, I'm always greeted nicely and I feel welcomed. Their customer service is on point, friendly and strong in deliverance. The establishment is always clean and well stocked. I've had several breakfast bagels and paninis, romaine salads, soups, baked egg souffles, fruits and random pastries and every single item I've enjoyed so much! Everything taste fresh, well done and good! I can't complain about any of their food items. I don't come here a lot because it's quit expensive but I do enjoy a solid meal once in a while.
(4)
Michael H.
My wife and I come to this location about once or twice a month. We like the place. Very nice atmosphere. Today however, we get here about 8:45am and they do not have any bagels. What?! The place is called Panera Bread! To me that means they should have the bread you want anytime. jmo
(4)
Jeff L.
Wifi and decent but not great bagels are what it is about for me. I have never had anything else. Decent clean place and at times it is crowded. There needs to be more places with wifi in San Diego.
(3)
Angel L.
Panera is one of my favorite places to eat, but for some reason this location isn't up to par with the other locations I have been to. I've only been here once, and will not go back. I went with my boyfriend for dinner since we were in the area, and they were out of the sandwich he wanted. I know they run out of bread sometimes, but a whole sandwich?! It was pretty early in the evening too. It's not as comfortable as the other Panera places I've been too, and isn't decorated that well either. I also was not treated to the same level of service I've gotten at other places. If you are in Chula Vista, it's definitely worth the drive to go to the one in Eastlake!
(2)
Patty C.
Panera is never my first choice for lunch, unless I have work to do. I came here on a weekday after lunch time while doing work in Chula Vista.. the bread was fresh, and the tortilla soup was luscious - a lot of veggies, beans and meat for once. One thing I noticed while sitting here was an older customer being really rude to a couple employees. He sent his food back and when he received it back, the employee started to walk away, but then the customer whistled to get his attention and handed him the spoon and just said "its dirty". In my books, that's pretty damn rude and I probably would have spat on his spoon and gave it back. But the employee just apologized and took it back happily. Now that is customer service. One thing I guaranteed always get outta Panera: free wifi and good customer service.
(4)
Teri C.
My past experiences with ordering here to-go have been great, because they usually get your food out within 5 minutes. This time we waited for about 15-20 minutes, but this was probably because they were slammed about the time that we ordered. I ordered the black cherry smoothie and while the taste was delicious, the consistency was nothing like a smoothie - too runny. The asiago bagel was good. My husband ordered the chipotle sandwich - they forgot to put the tomato on the side and it did not come with a pickle, which I believe they normally do.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Escape C.
This is a great Panera. I got hooked on Parera when us salespeople would always meet up at one whenever traveling across the U.S. This Panera follows the same high standards as the rest of the chain. The employees at this location are very friendly and they do a great job checking on the customers and restaurant cleanliness. The food is always delicious, even to some of my picky friends. It's a great place for lunch with friends, or in the evening hanging out with the computer.
(5)Al J.
I've been here a few times before. Sometimes to study, cause they have free wi-fi. But on majority to grub. My favorite sandwich is the smokehouse turkey. On this last visit I had the Turkey/Artichoke Panini. It was yummy. A little disappointed on Broccoli Cheddar soup though. It was watered down. Prices could be a tad bit lower. They have a good variety of sandwiches, soups and even a few desserts. Overall, fresh sandwiches to order and the service is fast and efficient.
(3)CJ C.
Get a rewards card and get free items. Also there is wifi, so it makes for a nice studying environment. the food is not the greatest, but its not half bad. i come for the bagels and desserts. i usually get a box of their bagels, for a nice quick and yummy breakfast on the go.
(4)Brad P.
My wife and I come here a lot when we are bike riding. The soups are great and the sandwiches are okay, due to the great bread. It would be more healthy if they did not offer chips.
(3)Sarah H.
Love their soup selections but they don't have the best tasting options for vegetarians.
(4)Aileen T.
Stopped in for a little breakfast date with my 20 month old son. I had the spinach artichoke souffle ($3.79) with a cappuccino, my son had the pre-made fruit parfait ($3.99) with apple juice. The souffle was cooked within a flakey crust - new to me.. and it worked out really well. I guess I'm just baffled that my sons fruit parfait was freakin $4.
(3)Felipe G.
Went there once and that was it for me. Got the tuna salad sandwich. The sandwich was so small it probably wouldn't even fill up my little nephew. The taste was ok from the two bites i got. Not worth the time or the money.
(1)Alissandra L.
Here's my question: Do people actually eat the bread bowls when they order soup-in-a-bread-bowl? Usually it's this gigantic hunk of sourdough bread with a 1/2 cup of soup in it. Can this be possible, to eat a whole round loaf of crusty bread, partially soaked with your favorite soup? Fuck it, I ordered the bread bowl of tomato soup w/ a salad on the side. Why? Because they offered it for the same price as the soup-in-a-cup. I figured I could eat the whole inside of the bread bowl and leave the crusty exterior, but after my soup was gone, it was too much of an effort. No more bread bowl for me. They have a variety of salads, soups, sandwiches, cookies, bagels, muffins, breads, souffles, "morning" pastries, a few vegetarian choices of the above, and probably some other stuff that I overlooked. I like panera bread, because they usually give the perfect portion. I find it better than going for fast food, where you can get a grease-soaked value meal for less. I wasn't going for grease-soaked, I was going for perfectly-full-without-feeling-nauseous. It worked. Tomato bisque-bread bowl, salad, apples, iced tea, and I brought home a brownie-like cookie. All delish. The only thing that bothers me is: They have a variety of savory souffles, but they only serve them in the morning. Which means, I'll probably never try their souffle. Blah.
(4)Jack C.
I usually go to the Panera Bread in Mira Mesa or Point Loma, but since we were in the area, thought I'd eat and do some work here. Everything seemed great for a while. The manager kept coming by to check up on us to make sure we were OK. But all of a sudden, after I pull out my Netbook with my big Jesus Geeks sticker on it, the service starts to change! haha! The manager no longer came by to check on us AND he takes everybody else's empty plates around us, but leaves our empty plates right in front us! He just kept on passing by. So after an hour, I decide to take the plate to the counter myself. I'll settle for the Mira Mesa one. On the upside, the food was still good and since i forgive the guy, they still get two stars. :)
(2)Jason And Leslie G.
I love panera bread, it's definetly stick to your ribs, make you full food. I love ordering the "pick two combo" 1/2 a sandwich and a cup of soup. The food and soup is always delicous and I love having the side of bread to dip in the soup! Not to mention that the food is mostly organic and healthy. It can be pricy ($30 for my wife and two kids to eat there) but the food is always satisfying. As for this particular location, very clean and quiet and the staff was friendly and efficient.
(5)S. M.
I have eaten here many times over the last few months. The food is consistently the same. They have a variety of soups salads and sandwiches. The service is friendly and straight forward. Its good for lunch and I love the free WiFi.
(3)Alyssa W.
Super morning Atmosphere. Good coffee and breakfast options besides muffins.
(4)scott p.
I'm sorry but if you are eating lunch at Panera- you're eating lunch at Panera. It's open at 6 AM, people. And you get breakfast there? I think that's pretty much unique in the downtown area last time i checked. Five stars.
(5)Sarah C.
A few people have mentioned that Panera makes tasty sandwiches so what do I do? I order chicken tortilla soup (sometimes I just don't make any sense) and what do you know!? The soup was not very good. The chicken and tortilla must have ran away with the flavor since the soup was lacking all three. I think I'll stick to making my own tortilla soup. I give Panera 3 stars since I was the idiot who ordered soup when I was advised to order a sandwich which I will do the next time around.
(3)juren p.
I used to work here, It was cool while it lasted but If I had my way I would Change ALOT OF THINGS AND I MEANT A LOT. The only reason why I go here is because my friend likes their soups and bread, and to visit friends. I go to subway now and save 10 dollars more lol.
(1)Angela C.
Okay. I heard SOOO much woo-hoo about this place, I finally broke down and went. I had reservations as, in my head, "Panera Bread" seemed the equivalent of Starbucks, but with sandwiches and bagels. So, I went, and, drum roll please... totally a Starbucks but with sandwiches and bagels. That said, not impressed. The food was stupid expensive, and not that great. I had the turkey asiago sandwich, and it tasted a whole lot like airplane food. My kids, ages 5 and 9, both opted for the mac n cheese, and they did enjoy that. So points to PB for their mac. I also had their "fresh lemonade" and it didn't taste all that fresh to me. As for the restaurant itself, meh, pretty worn looking. It is however located in a mall, so perhaps it's the number of people they serve that keeps this particular restaurant a bit in the icky-- hard to keep up appearances when you're so busy serving a large number of people. I must give points to their counter help though, the girls were sweet and quick. Sorry Panera Bread, but unless my kids are hounding me for your mac, which they've not made a fuss about yet, we won't be back.
(2)Tomas H.
It's got WiFi. The place is pretty big for a fast food place. The bread tastes short of salt. So, to compensate their sandwiches are full of flavor. It's clean. It's very clean, but then again it's new. The manager is constantly "communicating" with her staff in a loud voice sometimes called shouting. I came in with a headache; it wasn't exacerbated by my wait experience. I appreciate that I'm walking away with more scratch in my pocket than if I were to patronize the subway or especially quiznos. In my head all that resounded was the mantra, "Jeez, how're they gonna pay their rent and other expenses?" Maybe it was a slow night, but the store didn't look like it had too much of a lunch crowd judging by the condition of the floor. Oh, well, while it lasts the chicken pomodoro panini was excellent but unevenly distributed through the bread. Apparently these are made ahead of time and grilled when you order them. So, you can't have no onion. And now a word from Surfer Toxico, el Luchadore mas Popular con chicos sin seissos "I write un libro. Es con el proud sponsorship de Coors Crucible Manufacturing of Golden, Colorado I write, "Beers that go best with fast food." Por Panera es "The Silver Bullet" Coors Light. "Ahorita, Damelo las cervesas gratis!" Yeah, thanks Surfer... Catch him at Blanca's Fiesta Hall one of these upcoming Saturdays. Salute!
(3)Alex T.
Love this spot, go check it out for yourself and see why. just awesome!
(5)Seb W.
Worst service ever. They brought us soup but no spoons, and salad but no forks. On asking for it they said all silverware was being washed at the moment and we had to wait another 10 minutes before we could even eat our food. Frustrating experience. Never going back there
(1)Bianca V.
Panera is my life! Green tea, salads, soup bowls, everything from panera is delicious, they are pricey but there food is great, you dont get that full feeling after eating there food. which is good cause i always get a food coma from other fast food places. but i still have enough energy after eating soup bowls and a pastry lol. five stars for panera, its clean in here and there staff is nice and friendly
(5)Robert C.
I usually don't eat at Panera Bread but I had a coupon for a free meal. Service was pretty good. I ordered the Roasted Turkey and Avocado on sourdough bread but the ran out of bread! I ended up getting Asiago bread. The sandwich wasn't spectacular. In all honesty the bread wasn't that great, it was a bit soggy. The broccoli cheddar soup was just average as well. The only reason I would eat here is because I had the free mea coupon. The meal would have costed me $9.48 for half of a soggy sandwich, a cup of soup, and some chips. There are better stuff to eat for that price.
(3)David Z.
Love Paneras but this CV location needs help. Staff are not very friendly and no tables were available because all dirty and not bussed. Then go to fill coffee and light roast and hazel not booth empty. Very disappointed today. By the way they ran out of their soufflés and said would have to wait 20 mins. Poor stock management.
(2)Allie T.
I used to eat at Panera occasionally, but recently I fell back in love with this place! Fuji apple chicken salad with mac and cheese and their green tea is always my go-to meal. I cannot express how much I love their green tea! Their fuji apple chicken salad tastes amazing. Their mac and cheese is wonderful as well! Except it may be a little too cheesy for me, but I'm sure other people love it that way and it doesn't really bother me! Shoutout to Lyn, she is the sweetest one there! Jenny is also very sweet and very helpful!! I will definitely be back as much as my wallet allows me.
(5)Roxanne J.
I came here Monday and it was not too busy. The place was clean and organized. I got a salad with bread and I have to say that coming here for the first time, I am very happy with the quality of the salad. I did not know what to expect at all and all of the ingredients were spot on!!! The bread was yummy also! You will pay about $10 for a salad but it is well worth it! I couldn't finish the whole salad because I got full and the filling in my stomach lasted surprisingly! The service was not great. The service was ok. People don't really smile they're just "working". Anyway, all and all I will definitely be coming back and I will try the coffee next time!
(5)Karina L.
I ate at Panera Bread last night at Chula Vista mall. I finished my meal, go grab a soda refill, turn around and behind the kitchen counter, on a tray there's a roach just casually walking around. I called the attention of the cooks and handed them the tray. I spoke to the manager who seemed to know they have a critter problem. After not feeling satisfied with her lack of interest in the matter I decided to call customer service. They were very nonchalant about the whole issue which prompted me to go back inside and ask for a refund. I just couldn't get around the fact that my son just ate there and there were other children eating there. If you know there is a problem why would you let customers walk in there and think they are eating a healthy meal? I'm usually one to let things go but this I can't.
(1)Cindy H.
Panera Bread-C V Mall: Forgot my husband's smoothie. His ham and cheese breakfast sandwich was greasy and the top piece of bread was sliding off. Found a lot of trash between the seats of our booth. Pointed it out to the waitress--she said that they were cleaning the place later that day--as she wrinkled her nose at the debris! My food was nothing to brag about either! I had a chocolate croissant which was on the small side and served on a huge plate. The croissant was just barely a step above Vons' 10 for $5 deal. It was also very overpriced!
(1)Jazmin S.
No, just a big no to this particular Panera. This place has gone way down hill over the years. This is located at the Chula Vista Mall. I used to come here with my parents and always seemed to enjoy our meals here. To my surprise I recently came here for a quick dinner with my parents and I could right away see that it wasn't going to be great. The place looked dirty, dirty plates at several tables which left us with no place to sit. We stood at the counter waiting for someone to take our order for about 5 minutes. The staff seemed to be having some sort of break time or something since there where about 5 of them I. The back just chilling. I had to go the back and asked if anyone could take out order. I guess I was completely out of place because the guy who rolled his eyes while taking our order seemed to be bothered with helping us. At this point I would walked out but I thought maybe it's just an off day and the food would come quick since that's what we needed and I like the other Panera's that I've visited. We had to literally clean a table ourselves!!! This was just ridiculous and when they brought our food it wasn't even hot nor warm. Overall I would not come back to this particular Panera. This place puts the others to shame.
(1)Mike C.
It's Panera, what else can I say? This location in particular is usually busy but the service is very quick and accurate.
(5)Paloma M.
Came in July 20, 2015. Had lunch in the back dining area with my sister and my cousin. We were finishing up our meals when we noticed a man facing us with his leg up on a chair, with his hand inside of his pants. I yelled out, "Oh my God!" Trying to process what was happening, and he immediately went to the bathroom. When he came back he said, " I can't believe that just happened...." While laughing! And proceeded to sit and wait for his food. 2 servers came to remove our plates and silverware and we let them know about him. I really hope this disgusting creep never harms a child, or I encounter something like this ever again. Please be on alert for him. He's a tall mid sized white man in his mid to late 30s.
(2)Jack M.
This Panera location is quite the busy one. I stopped in early morning for a cup of their drip coffee and a cinnamon scone, and I am stilled bugged that they make you heat up your own scone in a microwave of all things. They need to change that. ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pane… ) At any rate, the coffee was pretty good and only a few dollars with bottomless refills, so that is good. The scone came with an abundant sugar and cinnamon crusty topping which was good, but perhaps a little excessive ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pane… ). I really liked the moist and flavor center of the scone, and I found my self dipping and dipping it into my coffee. It was not as dense of moist scones, but good nevertheless ( yelp.com/biz_photos/pane… ). The service at the counter felt a little rushed with not much small talk. I like to pursue small talk because that is just who I am, and I like to observe the demeanor of the employees to provide feed back. In this case, it was okay, as was the rest of the experience.
(3)Anne M.
Not much selection left by 7:30 pm. Every dessert and baked breads were already wrapped in plastic bags and removed from shelves.
(1)Chris M.
Food is good. I only get a bbq chicken salad. They messed up my order once. Asked them to hold a few toppings but they didnt. No big deal though. Bread is always fresh and warm. Salad is fresh. Never had a bad experiance with the food. Order online to avoid a wait. Friendly and clean place.
(4)Francisco R.
Tried to call in an order and was hung up on. That is after waiting five minutes on the line. They need better customer service. CV location needs to be ran better.
(2)Carlos M.
For clam showder it sucks not like in san fransisco pure clam showder..Here they fill it up with nothing potatoes an clam showder ewww
(1)Marisol A.
Love the breakfast sandwiches, love the pastas, love the soups, love the salads, love the pastries!! What's NOT to LOVE about PANERA!!?
(5)Mollie D.
I found a huge toothpick in my salad... And when I told the manager she had no idea where it came from. Because they didn't use those... Uhmmm... Yuck.
(2)Frankie M.
Every time we've been here the food has been pretty consistent. Staff is friendly and helpful when it comes to any questions or concerns.
(3)Sherry F.
Got the broccoli cheddar bread bowl and mac and cheese. This Panera is the closest to my house so I come for convenience. The broccoli cheddar soup was a tad too cheesy in comparison to the amount of broccoli, but the bread was delicious given that it was soft and fluffy. Also, had a duel cookie (chocolate and walnuts) and it was so flavorful and chewy with a good proportion of walnuts.
(3)Rachel L.
I love this place and now with the option of ordering with the app love it even more... Always clean.... Friendly staff... Love that I can order online and just walk in and pick it up with no wait time.
(5)Rachel K.
The cashier was nice... I got a Fuji apple chicken salad. Delicious, very flavorful. Will come here again.
(4)Michelle V.
First time here. Not impressed. Got the Broth Bowl like I had been seeing in all the commercials that looked so good. I understand some people like a lot of salt. I AM one of those people - but this thing was waaaaay toooo salty even for me; I would have prefered it if they let me add my own additional sodium. Yuck! My son who loves a lot of salt made the sour face when he tried it.
(2)Gloria A.
Nice, quiet atmosphere. All employees possess great customer service, especially Ruben, who went out of his way to bring us extra condiments we needed for our delicious meal. Good quality comfort food! Only one complaint, fly on the deserts ewwww
(3)Emi L.
Panera has great tasting breads and bakery items (just like the name implies.) Lunches are tasty and filling. Their drinks, coffe and otherwise are really good! Only this location leaves a lot to be desired. This is located in the mall. Always busy. Sometimes I'd stop in and pick up breakfast (sandwich or pastry) with coffee before work. Well, now starbucks wins. This location is usually busy, even in the morning before the mall opens. One morning. There was a looonnnggggg line to order. With 1 cashier. So the manager helped out and rang up some customers. And then closed down the register right as it was my turn (and still a customer behind me.) Really? So I have been waiting 15 minutes already, and they shut the register down. Already 3 patrons had left. And so did I, making it 4. Sorry panera. Good food. Crappy service. I can go elsewhere.
(2)Dana M.
Just another ordinary panera, except this one is pretty busy. One of the managers is such a B (you now the rest). She was being rude to her employees in front of customers. I think he name is Karina and she also got my order wrong. Other than that its okay. Tables are dirty though.
(3)Jeanette S.
I enjoy dining at Panera Bread, especially because of the menu that's offered. I'm not a hard sell when it comes to bread, so coming to Panera is always an easy no-brainer trip to get a quick bite. I do enjoy their specialty sandwiches, especially the turkey artichoke panini and smokehouse turkey sandwich. I've had both sandwiches as a combo with an added specialty salad. The only gripe I have about Panera is that a meal can eventually become pretty pricey here for the amount of food you're getting. For instance, I just recently ordered a kids mac-n-cheese meal for $4.99. The price does not include a drink, but what it does include is a very small bowl of mac-n-cheese, perfect portion for my niece, and a choice of yogurt, baguette or apple. That's it. When her kids meal arrived, it wasn't much food. Because of it's high price tag, I opted to just get a cup of water rather than adding on a drink for a $1+. However, I will say that her mac-n-cheese was delicious and she was a big fan of her baguette. Totally like her aunty, because we both love bread so much...LOL. As far as salads, I do love their seasonal strawberry salad, as well as their other usual stuff. It's a hit or miss as far as the portion size. Sometimes it's pretty descent and sometimes it can be pretty sad. Aside from the food, I love their bakery section. You can choose anything from bagels, baguettes, breads, muffins, cookies, cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, etc. If you're thirsty, Panera also has a pretty good selection of different drinks from lemonades, teas, soft drinks, smoothies, coffee, and blended drinks. I love their seasonal blended frozen mango drink and blended mocha.
(3)Kealani B.
Came in for coffee and pastries. Wasn't busy, order was taken promptly. Got our muffins right away, but they were eaten long before the drinks came. Took over twenty minutes for coffee! Had to go back to the register to get them ordered. Apparently delivering food orders of people who arrived after we did was more important than our coffees.
(1)Annie A.
I have to give this Panera location 5 stars only because KARINA was there to help my friends and I with our orders. Silly us, we placed our orders online at the wrong location and waited at this location about 15-20 mins wondering why our food was taking so long. Thank God for Karina for helping us out with getting our food to us fast and ready & canceling our orders we placed at the other location! Thanks Karina! You are the best!
(5)Chabela S.
Go to this location very often to get breakfast sandwiches for my staff. I just call in the order & pick it up on my way to work. Very good breakfast & convenient. I have to Thank Karina because she always welcomes you with a smile & provides excellent customer service. Great place to go!
(4)Rachel D.
Came in right before closing and working in a restaurant I know that's a pain. But I was ordering to go. So I wanted soup in a bread bowl and the cashier told me that they were out of bread bowls. Staring at the wall of rolls, I think she meant that they weren't cutting bread anymore. Then as I was changing my mind, the manager said that the staff could take something home because they had a lot of extras. All hell broke loose and all they wanted to do was chat about what they all wanted. And the manager let them go on and on til she realized that I was standing there. Then she told them to piper down. Meanwhile 2 girls walk in but without hesitation, the manager tells them that they're closed and makes them leave. Literally you just said how much food you had.... What's two more guests. Love the food but the staff is lacking.
(2)Johana T.
I had never been to Panera and I was a bit excited to try it out, although my friends had all told me it was no good and overpriced. Truth is, my friends were right. A damn half sandwich with out-of-the-box-taste mac n cheese and a tiny bag of healthy potato chips cost more then $10!!! That didn't even include a fountain drink! I could have fixed myself a better tasting sandwich at home for a 5th of the cost. Totally not worth it. I can't speak about any of the other food items, but as far as sandwiches go, NOT WORTH THE PRICE. My friend was the one with a sandwich and I got a half panini, which was ok.. but again, not worth the price. Now, they do have a 2nd star from me because of their super friendly customer service. I told the cashier I was a first time customer and she explained to me how it kind of worked and suggested a few items :) Another thing I did like, was that it is a mostly quiet place so it's a good spot to take your computer to and do some work without anyone bothering you.
(2)John K.
Walked in at around 9:30 am for breakfast. Amazing aesthetics for this Panera Bread location. Very roomy with lots of service options. The bakery has a plethora of sweet treats from croissants to muffins. In addition to the roomy atmosphere is the friendly service. Cashiers are kind and food is delivered in a sweet fashion with the person serving the food asking if you need anything else. By the way, I ordered a small coffee (filled with dark roast) and a sausage, egg, and turkey sandwiched between 2 slices of toasted bagel. Hmmmm tasty!!! Total: $6.28. Definitely worth the price.
(4)Britt H.
My bread bowl was sad. I asked if the cup of soup came with bread and the lady told me that for a few cents more(maybe it was a dollar more) I could have a bread bowl. This sounded pleasing to me. I ended up with a hardly hallowed out sourdough bowl filled with about half a cup(maybe less) of soup! This was all disguised with crouton toppings and cheese. As I'm writing this review, I'm looking at another customers' order of a giant bowl of soup with a side of bread. Why didn't Panera lady tell me? I'm new here, I don't know this. For the love of God, don't go breaking my heart. But Panera, oh you have.
(1)M J.
I come here at least once a month. The service is great and very friendly. I recommend the steak and egg bagel. It is served on an everything bagel with slices of steak. Some times I will get the chocolate croissant which melts in your mouth! The coffee is pretty good as well. No complaints at all.
(5)Lindsey B.
Nice place for a pretty healthy meal. All of the menu items tell you the amount of calories which is nice when you're trying to be mindful. The kids meals are nice and filling. And everything is delicious!
(4)Yvette L.
I feel like Panera is and always will be Panera anywhere (food wise). They're food is good and I can see myself here w/ a group of friends, on a date, or studying. Their frontega chicken and tomato mozzarella panini are great options if you ask me. I'd usually order either one or I'd get half of one w/ the "you pick two" and grab the clam chowder bowl as my other side. Their bread and pastries are yum, especially the cinnamon crunch scone *drooling*
(4)Nette B.
I wrote this review a couple of years ago.... 12/4/2010 Don't get me wrong the quality of food for Panera Bread has always been a great one. However my experience at the Chula Vista location was the worst yet. I will give them 2 stars just for the baguette bread. I ordered a ham/swiss toasted sandwich with a cup of chicken noodle soup. They brought my food to me and the sandwich was not toasted. So, I asked them to toast it. Which was fine I didn't hold it against them for making that error. What got to me is this: They toasted my sandwich with the lettuce and tomatoes still in it. HUH? Why did they toast my lettuce? It was wilted and destroyed. I had to ask them to take my soup back and warm it up or give me another bowl. It was super cold and I stuck my finger in it and felt no warmth. I watched the staff behind the counters and notice all their laughter etc that obviously she did not pay attention to what I have ordered and trying to fix her mistake toasted my lettuce. (I looked at my receipt to see if the cashier made the mistake but it was there). I don't think I'll ever return to this Panera Bread ever again. Like I said the quality of food is always good but the sandwich artist did not pay attention to my order at all. If I had her name I would really put her on blast for it. I would recommend you folks visit the other Panera Bread locations.
(2)Marylou G.
Every time I come here the staff is awkward and rude. They are not friendly whatsoever. They don't greet you as you walk to the register to order or thank you when you're done ordering. This has happened to me at least 3 times at this location. It is mostly young college students working here and they don't have a clue what customer service really is. Also, they take forever with the orders. Two thumbs down!
(1)Elle P.
I found a hair in my tuna salad sandwich and when I asked for a refund, the cashier who helped me was nice but when the manager came, he said, "is US currency OK?" Like WTF... What else am I supposed to receive? He only asked me what was writing with my sandwich AFTER he insulted me and gave my my money back. I wrote corporate but they did nothing about it after sending my complaint to whomever owns this. I'm never eating here again
(1)Kelly M.
Ate there a week ago. Still not over how dirty the bathroom was. The dining room had not been straightened up either. The cashier didn't tell me about a special to get my pastries for .99 if I got a drink, but the lady next to me got hers at a discount. Food was at its usual high quality but atmosphere was not up to par. Clearly no pride in the management at this location. I've been to much busier locations and they rocked.
(2)JJ W.
Worse PB in town. Avoid at all cost. Bad everything!!
(1)LJ L.
No news flash here - you know what you are getting. It's fresh yes, but I question the quality of the highly processed food. It comes in a huge truck and basically it is just baked on site. No one is doing any "cooking". But it's a great spot to meet up with people any time of day to grab a small bite and drink - if stuck for options. I do feel it's over priced for the lack of quality ingredients. Again, you know what you are getting - it's like the McDonalds of coffee shops; perhaps between McDonalds and Dennys? Remember - this is my two cents :) I get the sense that most people come here to plug in and eat a bit more than they could at Starbucks. Not really because either food or coffee is great.
(3)Lauren W.
My partner and I took an impromptu visit to this panera on the way back home from our travels. We usually get the same thing every time so we phoned in an order. Long story short when the bag got back to the car one of the sandwiches was incorrect. This 5 star review goes to the red headed employee working around 7:30 pm tonight (9/26/13). My partner went back into the busy store and the error was quickly and professionally fixed. She got back saying that was the best customer service she had ever had! The girl was so pleasant, didn't even make a face like most staff in a busy environment having to remake a sandwich!! Nothing but smiles! Two repeat customers right here thanks to you, Red!
(5)Jamie P.
Came in for the first time 2 days ago and it was something else. I was impressed with the cleanliness and the amount of people that are inside. It was my first time coming in and didn't know what to order. Me and my brother were the last ones in line and when it was our turn we weren't quite sure what to order which seemed to annoy the cashier. She made a weird face and it made me feel uncomfortable. All she has to do is stand there and take our order she is not going anywhere so why the long face? Anyways, we ordered a broccoli soup and a sandwich and it was delicious! it was not very expensive and the quality of the food tasted amazing. They were pretty fast to take our food to the table and the guy that took it was very nice. I had a great experience and will definitely come back. I would've given it a 5 star but the cashier killed it for me.
(4)Muriel M.
(I'm writing this review as a comparison to other Panera Bread establishments.) Stopped in early afternoon and was quickly greeted and I chose the "Pick Two" (Mediterranean Veggie & Broccoli/Cheddar soup) along with a hot tea and chocolate cookie. The cup of water & cookie were given to me immediately, so I grabbed my choice of tea from their counter and grabbed one their two-seater booths. The food came out in just a few minutes and my issue is very rarely with their food as their broc/cheddar soup is consistently good (especially with a slice of warm baguette for dipping) and their Mediterranean veggie sandwich is delish with crispy cucumbers and a hearty bread. The location though was a little messy. Tables were not wiped down and there were food, napkins & wrappers on the floor. I spilled a little of my tea on the table and had to ask the counter for more napkins. I wish they had napkin dispensaries so one would not have to ask an attendant, but maybe they keep them behind the counter because people were stealing stacks of napkins. I'm not exactly sure. There are lots of available outlets along the wall tables and there are a lot of sitting space. Free wi-fi, plenty of parking available (since it sits on the exterior wall of Chula Vista Mall) and the service is friendly. I will come back because it's in the neighborhood and they have a healthy food selection, but please clean it up a bit.
(3)Justin F.
This place is disgusting. I've been here 3-4 times and something is seriously wrong with the health standards of this particular location. They have a fly problem - as I sit here typing this review, I am looking at dead flies adorning the window and live ones crawling over tables and the window panes. One glance at the management here and you'll realize quite quickly why maintaining food service AND cleanliness is probably too much to juggle for this team. Someone should invite the CDC out for inspection here; I'm sure they'd have more fun here than I did.
(1)Ryan B.
Pick 2??? What a scam,. They still add up the price so what is the point of pick two, why not pick three or four or None?? Normally they use pick two or whatever in restaurants to offer a fix rate deal. They just make you think it's a fix rate and they still add up the price for whatever you pick.
(1)Hayley S.
Gross.
(1)Meaghan M.
I am literally sitting at this Panera right now and am just astounded at the actions that people think are okay. I have been to this Panera a few times and always had a good experience. But today, for some reason, the horrible lack of customer service is what stood out to me. We stood at the counter waiting to have our order taken for a solid five minutes. Then, the manager "Kimi," came to take our order and was completely rude. She seemed so annoyed to answer our questions or even take our order. She was short, and very unwelcoming. I almost asked her if we had done something wrong but she just generally seemed unpleasant. Then, we waited for our food for at least fifteen minutes. They only had one guy serving, clearing and cleaning tables and I felt horrible for him. I don't know if fifteen minutes is normal but I have never waited that long at any Panera ever, and there was almost no one else in the establishment. Basically, if the manager is rude, I can't imagine what kind of customer service she is teaching her employees. Completely disappointed.
(2)Ana C. A.
Stopped here for a quick bite.....I don't know why I never been to a Panera before, I'm always passing by the one in Downtown and Hillcrest. For a place I didn't care much about, it was pretty good! I had the Pick 2, and had the black bean soup with the turkey sandwich and an apple, all three items were very good. And what I loved was that the cashier actually asked me if I wanted mayo on my sandwich or just mustard, most places just slather the mayo, so plus for me. The serving of soup is descent, I expect the typical half cup serving when you do those types of orders, but it was a good serving. The apple was crisp, not old and disgusting. I was left perfectly full & happy......oh yeah, and my lunch was served pretty fast :)
(4)A M.
Another lunch time favorite. Food is good,friendly service and a nice place to sit down and have a good meal. However,the reason they earned my 5 stars, is due to their customer service. I often call in early morning to order a coffee carafe and scones to pick up on my way to woke. When I arrive, everything is ready,nicely packed and have never had to ask for anything. Everything is ready to go, cups, creamer, stirrers, sugar (all types), plates for the scones, napkins and everything else you can think of. On special occasions, they even provide the rounds dish dollies for a nice presentation.
(5)Carlene R.
My Bacon Turkey Bravo sandwich was really good. I just wished I ordered a sandwich instead of a pick two deal. The bread was fresh and really soft. The ingredients were superb too. No complaints. My sister said the Cheddar and Broccoli soup was salty and boy, was she right. If it had less sodium, I would eat it again, but next time I will avoid it. The potato chips were okay, nothing too special. Overall, I will come here again and just get a bagel and/or sandwich. Oh yea . . . free wi-fi. :-)
(3)becca s.
I'm a huge fan of panera, but this particular location seems unorganized, the portions are smaller then the other panera restaurants. $13.00 for a salad & drink? Mmmm..not so thrilling.
(2)Joe A.
This place was amazing. I'm going to come back again & again. First timer here, I ordered the French onion soup bowl & A sandwich with a drink all for $15. It was damn delicious. I had friendly service as well from cashier to waiter. I'm going to be back for more, cause there are still alot more things to try out.
(5)Matthew A.
We eat here at lest five size times a week! The staff is great here and the food is always fresh and at top quality!! Have no complaints here at all!! Great job Panera!
(5)sofia r.
the food is good - just another franchise that has good and healthy choices. Most staff is friendly and quickly to attend you. NOt always so clean but very busy since in the mall.
(4)Jenny B.
This Panera in general can't seem to get their act together in the weekday mornings. 1/2 the time the are out of multiple items to make specific breakfast sandwiches, the other 1/2 they forget to turn on the grills, or make the eggs ahead of time causing either burnt sandwiches or it takes 20 minutes to get your food to go. Can't take it anymore, gonna just have to go to other branches.
(1)Rosana Q.
I don't know why it took me so long to review this place, I come here all the time! I agree with many people that not all Paneras are created equal. This is one of my favorites though because I come here to study, and there are certain things that make Panera perfect: -Jazz, classical, placid music always playing -Free Wifi -Unlimited refills on coffee and tea -Lunch or pastries available, and unlike a library, I don't have to leave when I get hungry -Plenty of space and outlets This Panera can get very busy during lunch hour, but the rest of the day there are always seats open and the noise level is relatively low. I often come here so this is as to why the staff practically know me. They're very friendly and sometimes bring me cookies or give me free drinks :)
(5)Raudel E.
I believe this is my favorite spot to have a healthy lunch at, which i happen to look for most of the time. They have the order 2 deal where they let you get half a sandwich and a soup or salad...so you pick 2, and that to me is the perfect amount of food. I highly suggest the mediterranean veggie sandwich which comes with hummus inside and feta cheese :) and the black bean soup, which is also one of my favorite ones. They happen to have all their pastries for 99 cents at the moment when you get the meal with a combo (when you include a beverage) so that is also really cool as some of them go for 4 bucks, so 99 cents sounds pretty good. People have business meetings here most of the time because it has a free wifi, so take your laptop, meet with coworkers and fellow students and enjoy.
(4)Jaime S.
I drive from San Diego to go to this location since it is the closest to my home. The staff are fantastic, all knowing about their menu and so very friendly. They always have a clean facility which I appreciate. The meals are a little pricey in my opinion being that this is a deli. But the bread is always fresh and tasty and the meals are prepared with much attention to presentation. The soups are delicious and taste homemade. I have had the brocolli and cheese and chicken noodle. I will continue to go here for the innovative sandwich combinations and great customer service.
(4)Juje J.
As many times as I've came by and eaten here, I can't believe I haven't written a review on this place. This Panera Bread has always given me TOP NOTCH SERVICE. I'm not being bias and this is in no way showing any favoritism to a place I come by from time to time. I usually order a "Pick 2" which consist of a 1/2 Classic Sandwich, your choice of soup, a roll and chips. I ordered the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich which was extremely fresh to the taste and the Creamy Tomato Soup. Both were delicious and the cost was a little under $8 bucks. And the beauty of it all...it didn't take long for my order to get to my table. This place is always well kept (very clean) and the coffee is always brewed fresh. The people that work here are extremely friendly and the atmosphere is very cozy...I love this place. 5 Stars!!!
(5)Alexis D.
It's good to have a Panera Bread near by. There is absolutely only on thing that I hate about this place, their prices. I strongly believe their prices are too high. Every time I come here, I'm always greeted nicely and I feel welcomed. Their customer service is on point, friendly and strong in deliverance. The establishment is always clean and well stocked. I've had several breakfast bagels and paninis, romaine salads, soups, baked egg souffles, fruits and random pastries and every single item I've enjoyed so much! Everything taste fresh, well done and good! I can't complain about any of their food items. I don't come here a lot because it's quit expensive but I do enjoy a solid meal once in a while.
(4)Michael H.
My wife and I come to this location about once or twice a month. We like the place. Very nice atmosphere. Today however, we get here about 8:45am and they do not have any bagels. What?! The place is called Panera Bread! To me that means they should have the bread you want anytime. jmo
(4)Jeff L.
Wifi and decent but not great bagels are what it is about for me. I have never had anything else. Decent clean place and at times it is crowded. There needs to be more places with wifi in San Diego.
(3)Angel L.
Panera is one of my favorite places to eat, but for some reason this location isn't up to par with the other locations I have been to. I've only been here once, and will not go back. I went with my boyfriend for dinner since we were in the area, and they were out of the sandwich he wanted. I know they run out of bread sometimes, but a whole sandwich?! It was pretty early in the evening too. It's not as comfortable as the other Panera places I've been too, and isn't decorated that well either. I also was not treated to the same level of service I've gotten at other places. If you are in Chula Vista, it's definitely worth the drive to go to the one in Eastlake!
(2)Patty C.
Panera is never my first choice for lunch, unless I have work to do. I came here on a weekday after lunch time while doing work in Chula Vista.. the bread was fresh, and the tortilla soup was luscious - a lot of veggies, beans and meat for once. One thing I noticed while sitting here was an older customer being really rude to a couple employees. He sent his food back and when he received it back, the employee started to walk away, but then the customer whistled to get his attention and handed him the spoon and just said "its dirty". In my books, that's pretty damn rude and I probably would have spat on his spoon and gave it back. But the employee just apologized and took it back happily. Now that is customer service. One thing I guaranteed always get outta Panera: free wifi and good customer service.
(4)Teri C.
My past experiences with ordering here to-go have been great, because they usually get your food out within 5 minutes. This time we waited for about 15-20 minutes, but this was probably because they were slammed about the time that we ordered. I ordered the black cherry smoothie and while the taste was delicious, the consistency was nothing like a smoothie - too runny. The asiago bagel was good. My husband ordered the chipotle sandwich - they forgot to put the tomato on the side and it did not come with a pickle, which I believe they normally do.
(3)