Ah, good ol' University Panera. Definitely a much more comfortable Panera Bread to be at in East Orlando. This Panera Bread is spacious, and therefore perfect for study groups or really groups of any type to meet up during the week. My only complaints are, once again: Drawback #1: I find myself missing the way Panera used to be before they became successful. Meaning when they actually handmade the paninis and had the ability to take ingredients off of them (they are now pre-packaged). Drawback #2: Those beepers. What am I, at Outback waiting for my table to be called?! The thing about using them at Paneras is that the food is made relatively quickly. Sometimes I will see my food and grab it before the beeper even starts buzzing. Alright. Now here is a list of the things I love about Panera: Love #1: Their coffee. The quality of their coffee is above average, and of course makes for an excellent pairing with one of their pastries. Love #2: Free wi-fi. Panera Bread was one of the first restaurants I can remember who ALWAYS offered FREE wi-fi. Although beware of the fact that sometimes in the mornings they will limit it to a half hour. Love #3: Paninis. They are delicious. Enough said. Love #4: The recently instated MyPanera card. As much as it frustrates me that you get "random" perks, I will still say that because of this I have gotten more free here than at any other place I have a "rewards card" for. Free pastries, free smoothies--you never know what or when you're gonna get something. Except when you sign up you get something. And during your birthday month too. Love #5: Iced green tea. Try it. You'll love me for it. One last tip: only time you would not like to be here is during UCF Finals week, when this Panera becomes the UCF Library 2.0.
(4)
Sabrina B.
The Panera at UCF is pretty standard for a Panera. It is located on University, not far from the main entrance to the university. We have visited a few times, parking can be an issue, as students definitely hang out here for extended periods, and the WiFi is extremely slow. The food has been consistantly average. The restaurant and restrooms are clean. It is OK stop for a fast food alternative with fresh baked goods, but don't plan on whipping out the laptop while here.
(3)
Michael K.
Enough is enough. There have been far too many times that this location has failed to properly prepare orders. Even worse the manager Collin does not seem to care. He answered the phone as "manager" and not his name. To me that's the behavior of someone wanting to dodge a complaint. He was unapologetic after hearing the complaint and did not offer to make it right. Here's a list of issues from my most recent visit but note that some of these issues have happened repeatedly. The Frontega Chicken should come with chopped basil on it but this location never seems to add basil to this sandwich. If you specifically order it with more basil, they still forget. If they are out of it, they certainly will not bother to tell you. They will forget your chips. They will forget your roll. Ask them for a fruit cup instead of chips and they will forget the fruit cup. Ask them to customize a sandwich and it's a gamble on what you'll get. Save yourself the trouble and avoid this location. Another Panera may be more attentive to orders and receptive to customer feedback.
(1)
Nick G.
We have been to this location numerous times. The food is average tasting but priced higher than other panera bread locations due to college campus. We return because it's a fast and easy option. I can't say the service has ever been "GREAT"! I would recommend the Chocolate Pastry with Hazelnut Coffee! Great & Inexpensive option!
(2)
Daniel C.
Their avocado salad is the best! Slightly pricey, but I still come, so that says something. Love their Mac and cheese!!
(5)
Laura C.
Their chicken cobb avocado salad is delicious, as is their tomato soup. Their staff is very friendly. Their bread is so soft and fluffy!
(5)
Elizabeth B.
This Panera has excellent service and the food is up to Panera's standards. Always served fresh and quickly. The cashiers are knowledgeable of the menu and have helped me try new menu items. My favorite You Pick Two combination is the Chicken Caesar Sandwich with either Mac n Cheese or the Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. I really have an addiction to this place although it is pretty pricy, you won't be disappointed. There is also a lot of seating so you should be able to sit even when it is busy!
(5)
Dave W.
I dropped by to get breakfast food for my friends, since we were popping over to their house. 12 bagels. Easy, right? No, they were out of 90% of the bagels... We ended up with six everything and six asiago since those were the last 12 bagels in the shop. I understand the desire to have freshly made bagels but... fail. Not being one to give up easy, we tried again the next morning and got 12 assorted bagels with no problems. Perhaps it was an aberration.
(2)
Katie K.
Not a happy camper. The cashier was not friendly and just stared at me blankly when I approached the counter. Then, they also ran out of bagels at 10:30. No asiago, plain, etc. Only had cinnamon crunch, cherry vanilla and sesame. Why is a bread/bagel shop running out of bagels? Disappointing. Oh yeah, also ran out of oatmeal. So much for breakfast.
(2)
Mateo M.
It's Panera Bread. It's a chain. It's consistent. Not a whole lot to say here. I had several breakfasts here during my stay in Orlando and I ordered the same food each time. Boring, I know, but consistent. It's this type of suffering that I put myself through to give you the best reviews possible. The egg, bacon and cheese bagels were grilled Panini style and were good. The orange juice was bottled and fresh. The price was about $7. The seating was nice, pleasant, clean and conducive to starting the day off well. The staff varied, but consisted mostly of the local USF college kids. No problems here however; they were friendly and helpful. This is my first or second experience with Panera and I'd go back - it was good.
(4)
John D.
Alwys great service with a smile.
(5)
Frank L.
Nice location near UCF. Good for breakfast and lunch. I'm not typically a fan a chains, but I like to enjoy a scone and free wi-fi here.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Heidi B.
Ah, good ol' University Panera. Definitely a much more comfortable Panera Bread to be at in East Orlando. This Panera Bread is spacious, and therefore perfect for study groups or really groups of any type to meet up during the week. My only complaints are, once again: Drawback #1: I find myself missing the way Panera used to be before they became successful. Meaning when they actually handmade the paninis and had the ability to take ingredients off of them (they are now pre-packaged). Drawback #2: Those beepers. What am I, at Outback waiting for my table to be called?! The thing about using them at Paneras is that the food is made relatively quickly. Sometimes I will see my food and grab it before the beeper even starts buzzing. Alright. Now here is a list of the things I love about Panera: Love #1: Their coffee. The quality of their coffee is above average, and of course makes for an excellent pairing with one of their pastries. Love #2: Free wi-fi. Panera Bread was one of the first restaurants I can remember who ALWAYS offered FREE wi-fi. Although beware of the fact that sometimes in the mornings they will limit it to a half hour. Love #3: Paninis. They are delicious. Enough said. Love #4: The recently instated MyPanera card. As much as it frustrates me that you get "random" perks, I will still say that because of this I have gotten more free here than at any other place I have a "rewards card" for. Free pastries, free smoothies--you never know what or when you're gonna get something. Except when you sign up you get something. And during your birthday month too. Love #5: Iced green tea. Try it. You'll love me for it. One last tip: only time you would not like to be here is during UCF Finals week, when this Panera becomes the UCF Library 2.0.
(4)Sabrina B.
The Panera at UCF is pretty standard for a Panera. It is located on University, not far from the main entrance to the university. We have visited a few times, parking can be an issue, as students definitely hang out here for extended periods, and the WiFi is extremely slow. The food has been consistantly average. The restaurant and restrooms are clean. It is OK stop for a fast food alternative with fresh baked goods, but don't plan on whipping out the laptop while here.
(3)Michael K.
Enough is enough. There have been far too many times that this location has failed to properly prepare orders. Even worse the manager Collin does not seem to care. He answered the phone as "manager" and not his name. To me that's the behavior of someone wanting to dodge a complaint. He was unapologetic after hearing the complaint and did not offer to make it right. Here's a list of issues from my most recent visit but note that some of these issues have happened repeatedly. The Frontega Chicken should come with chopped basil on it but this location never seems to add basil to this sandwich. If you specifically order it with more basil, they still forget. If they are out of it, they certainly will not bother to tell you. They will forget your chips. They will forget your roll. Ask them for a fruit cup instead of chips and they will forget the fruit cup. Ask them to customize a sandwich and it's a gamble on what you'll get. Save yourself the trouble and avoid this location. Another Panera may be more attentive to orders and receptive to customer feedback.
(1)Nick G.
We have been to this location numerous times. The food is average tasting but priced higher than other panera bread locations due to college campus. We return because it's a fast and easy option. I can't say the service has ever been "GREAT"! I would recommend the Chocolate Pastry with Hazelnut Coffee! Great & Inexpensive option!
(2)Daniel C.
Their avocado salad is the best! Slightly pricey, but I still come, so that says something. Love their Mac and cheese!!
(5)Laura C.
Their chicken cobb avocado salad is delicious, as is their tomato soup. Their staff is very friendly. Their bread is so soft and fluffy!
(5)Elizabeth B.
This Panera has excellent service and the food is up to Panera's standards. Always served fresh and quickly. The cashiers are knowledgeable of the menu and have helped me try new menu items. My favorite You Pick Two combination is the Chicken Caesar Sandwich with either Mac n Cheese or the Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. I really have an addiction to this place although it is pretty pricy, you won't be disappointed. There is also a lot of seating so you should be able to sit even when it is busy!
(5)Dave W.
I dropped by to get breakfast food for my friends, since we were popping over to their house. 12 bagels. Easy, right? No, they were out of 90% of the bagels... We ended up with six everything and six asiago since those were the last 12 bagels in the shop. I understand the desire to have freshly made bagels but... fail. Not being one to give up easy, we tried again the next morning and got 12 assorted bagels with no problems. Perhaps it was an aberration.
(2)Katie K.
Not a happy camper. The cashier was not friendly and just stared at me blankly when I approached the counter. Then, they also ran out of bagels at 10:30. No asiago, plain, etc. Only had cinnamon crunch, cherry vanilla and sesame. Why is a bread/bagel shop running out of bagels? Disappointing. Oh yeah, also ran out of oatmeal. So much for breakfast.
(2)Mateo M.
It's Panera Bread. It's a chain. It's consistent. Not a whole lot to say here. I had several breakfasts here during my stay in Orlando and I ordered the same food each time. Boring, I know, but consistent. It's this type of suffering that I put myself through to give you the best reviews possible. The egg, bacon and cheese bagels were grilled Panini style and were good. The orange juice was bottled and fresh. The price was about $7. The seating was nice, pleasant, clean and conducive to starting the day off well. The staff varied, but consisted mostly of the local USF college kids. No problems here however; they were friendly and helpful. This is my first or second experience with Panera and I'd go back - it was good.
(4)John D.
Alwys great service with a smile.
(5)Frank L.
Nice location near UCF. Good for breakfast and lunch. I'm not typically a fan a chains, but I like to enjoy a scone and free wi-fi here.
(4)