This Panera has a drive thru which has further enhanced my love for Panera! Unfortunately, they keep removing menu items that I love, such as the Big Kid Grill Cheese and are not open as late as I would like. Luckily, their awesomeness in other areas mostly make up for these disappointments. They are a great place for meetings and they don't rush you out if you need or want to stay longer like other establishments do and they play nice, calming music and have modern decor. Good job, Panera!
(4)
Jeff P.
Panera Bread is a great restaurant that has proven to be a lasting institution for over a decade. I have been eating at different locations for many years and cannot honestly remember having a bad experience. They are constantly tweaking the menu items and improving as much as possible. While this might mean that a favorite item might disappear. Rest assured that what replaces it might be just as delicious or even better. The newest Panera Bread locations have added the drive thru area and, while it's not exactly "fast food", the convenience of the service cannot be denied. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, Panera Bread is a great place to eat!
(4)
Kathy G.
Very disappointed with my black bean soup order. I ordered it through drive through. It was basically a bowl of black liquid and few beans thrown in. Could not even eat it it was so thin and poorly made. Not sure about all panera's but this one in particular seems to skimp on its ingredients.
(1)
Lisa W.
It's nice to have a Drive Thru Panera! I will buzz through here in the mornings on occasion and the wait is minimal, ordering easy and have not had a problem with orders. I usually am just snagging a coffee or something easy, which is why it's nice to avoid the longer process of parking and dealing with the morning crowds inside. Each of my trips through drive thru have been very quick and hassle free!
(4)
Jacquelynne B.
If you're giving this Panera any more than one or two stars, I'm not sure you have been to any other. I had a Panera near me in high school and go when I travel, and every other location I have been to makes this one look like a knock off-not to mention a rip off. I am not sure how the owner or management benefits from skimping on ingredients and fulfilling orders incorrectly, but they do it. No drive thru order of mine has ever come out properly. I went again tonight out of necessity, and despite spending $17 on a half salad and 2 cups of macaroni and cheese, I was given a not-even-half-full tiny ramican of dressing, two strips of chicken, and NO Cheese. I also requested butter, and it wasn't put in the bag (no specifications are ever accomplished here). I wish I had a store near me that I went because I enjoyed it, and that didn't make me feel like I overspent. This is on the much lighter end of their transgressions of course-numerous breakfasts of things I didn't order, watery versions of the soup and macaroni, dry chicken Caesar sandwiches, and cold grilled cheese. Oh, and then the rudeness of the employees-making fun of customers in the window. Time for a new manager.
(1)
Random P.
I had a great meal here, for an affordable price. The you pick 2 deal, can't beat it. The manager Ashley here was very helpful explaining the nutritional facts / ingredients to my mother who has special dietary needs. Will be returning for sure.
(5)
Cecille R.
Great location for Winter Park residents that don't want to deal with the parking fiasco that is Park Ave. Plus they have drive through! Hubby and I stopped by for a quick lunch on Sunday before running errands. Order process was seamless. I also mentioned that I had a rewards card and they looked it up with my number. Because of that , I received an automatic discount on my order! Order was ready as soon as we walked over to the waiting area. So that was fairly impressive. Seating is rather spacious and there is free wifi so that explains the students occupying many of the tables/booths. Food is good and hearty. I always get the pick 2 , choice of sandwich and soup. The broccoli cheddar is soo amazing! And you can't leave here without picking out a pastry. That's always my downfall. Haven't used the drive thru but I'm sure I will when I don't feel like dining in. Great choice for dining options when you want something quick but don't want fast food!
(4)
Tracy N.
Not impressed with this location. Appreciate the large dining room but it is often dirty. Staff is unprofessional and I have had my order messed up multiple times. One time the chicken was left off a salad with chicken in the name... Yesterday I had to wait several minutes to order despite being the only customer in sight because the staff was too busy joking around in front of/behind the counter. Will probably continue to go here because the location is convenient for me and I like to study here but I will not hurry back. Management needs to better select and train their employees. I don't want to pay $10-15 for a meal and get McDonalds quality service.
(2)
Kari S.
I love Panera, but this particular Panera is terrible. Unfortunately it is the only one in a convenient location between where I live and where I work so I have put up with them much longer than I would have if they were in another location. They have messed up my order more times than I can count. One morning I ordered the egg white bowl with turkey, spinach, peppers and pesto and after opening up the box at work to find nothing but a sloppy pile of egg whites and nothing else, I contacted corporate by email. They forwarded my concern over to the general manager of that location who apologized and said he would send a gift certificate to me to make up for it. After a month and no gift certificate, I re-sent my address and it showed up a week later. They majorly messed up my breakfast order again; I wrote to corporate who sent my message to the manager who told me that since school is back in session, they now have a bunch of college kids working for them who don't know what they are doing yet. (Not my problem) Several days ago, I stopped in to pick up breakfast to go, ordered a sandwich and a latte. The sandwich was done promptly and I was told the latte was on its way. There were 2 employees just standing around, talking and joking around. I waited and waited, but needed to get going to work. I asked the guy who made my sandwich where the latte was and he started calling for someone to make it because it had not even been started. At that point, I was going to be late for work so I said forget it and had to leave. When I went back the day after, I explained to the girl taking my order what happened, told her I paid for the latte and not only did I not receive it, but they never made it. I asked that she would comp this one today to make up for it. She said no. As writing to Panera to complain does nothing, I figured it was time to write a review. When I was in high school I worked at Panera so I know how easy it is to get the job done right. I never considered working at Panera to be challenging, but apparently it is for some. Moral of the story: Go there only if you have lots of time and lots of patience. At 8:00 am Monday through Friday, I have neither so I now wake up earlier to go to Einstein's.
(1)
Kat A.
This location obviously has poor management. I picked up a you pick two, Caesar salad and French onion soup, and a regular sized Caesar salad to go. When I got home the first thing my boyfriend noticed was that his soup had no cheese and no croutons. It was just broth and onions. Then he realized his salad also had no cheese. Luckily mine did. These things we were willing to overlook, but the real problem came with the croutons on our salads. I noticed they had a weird color but didn't think much of it. At first I thought they were stale but then I realized that stale bread is still somewhat crunchy, not soggy. They seemed almost as though they had absorbed some sort of liquid, been left to dry, and then used anyways. I can only hope that whatever they absorbed was at one time edible. I never usually leave reviews, but if it weren't for the fact that I ordered to go, I would've demanded a refund.
(2)
mark j.
They messed up our order very badly and when I returned the rude cashier told me they were busy so please have some patience. I wasn't being impatient but her lack of concern was noticeable. It took a long time to remedy the situation and once again the cashier demonstrated no customer service skills when she simply handed me the new order..no apology, no thanks for visiting just a cold stare..she also told me there wasn't a manager to address my concerns. I've had it with this location..see ya
(1)
Carl G.
This is a new location located in Winter Park. Pretty much the standard Panera Bread and food but one of the best features is the drive thru. Now you can get your Bagel, Coffee, Sandwiches on the go. Line moves very quick which is surprising being that I have been a CHECK-IN critic of other locations that all seem to have the same speed "SLOW" I have used the drive thru twice and both times it's been QUICK and efficient and hope it lasts. I will be a big FAN/Customer to the drive thru. An added note I will say that the two times I have been thru the line service it was quick, friendly, and peppy! 1st time Natalie worked the window and the 2nd time Sophia worked the window and they were both very friendly and chatty and make it a very pleasant experience.
(4)
Rosie P.
Yummm Yummm Yummm!!!!! My favorite is the Frontega Chicken with Broccoli and Chedder soup. Panera Bread never disappoints me. =)
Every Sunday after we leave the dogpark on Lakemont, we and our friends stop by the Panera on Aloma for breakfast. 95% of the time our order is wrong. When we bring it to the attention of the person assembling our food, they say "Oh, it says such and such on the receipt" to which I always respond by showing my CORRECTLY printed receipt. You'd think they would just say "I'm sorry" and move on but no, they're too quick to blame someone else. Also, how can a Panera be out of at least 3 kinds bagels EVERY Sunday at 9AM??? I can understand being out every once and a while, but everytime??? That's just poor planning! It seems like we always have to wait in line while 3-4 employees walk around doing nothing too. The food is always good, when they have what we want to order; but then again, it's a chain so the food is pretty consistent no matter which Panera you go to. If this wasn't the only Panera on the way home from the park, we'd probably never return.
(2)
John T.
The ONLY business I know that has time restrictions on it's internet (I'm assuming it's to deter you from staying too long and them losing business because you may be there an hour or two). Not to mention their food is average and extremely over priced. Additionally, their restaurant was dirty was the restroom was out of order. Never visiting any Panera Bread. I'll stick to Starbucks who doesn't restrict their internet, has clean and working restrooms and a clean eating area.
(1)
Maureen D.
Love this place. Great rewards program. Delicious food and the tomato soup is the best!
(5)
Lynette D.
A panera with a drive thru?? Who doesn't love that? I actually have never been inside this one but have been through the drive thru. Service is great, and food is pretty standard.
(4)
Lauren D.
Very nice new clean restaurant, love the drive thru!
(5)
Elle L.
I'm an overall fan of Panera. This location is great because it's on the small side and there's never a line at lunch. Even better, there's a drive-thru. I haven't tried it yet but in a pinch I would. A great place for lunch! Always!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : 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
Desiree A.
This Panera has a drive thru which has further enhanced my love for Panera! Unfortunately, they keep removing menu items that I love, such as the Big Kid Grill Cheese and are not open as late as I would like. Luckily, their awesomeness in other areas mostly make up for these disappointments. They are a great place for meetings and they don't rush you out if you need or want to stay longer like other establishments do and they play nice, calming music and have modern decor. Good job, Panera!
(4)Jeff P.
Panera Bread is a great restaurant that has proven to be a lasting institution for over a decade. I have been eating at different locations for many years and cannot honestly remember having a bad experience. They are constantly tweaking the menu items and improving as much as possible. While this might mean that a favorite item might disappear. Rest assured that what replaces it might be just as delicious or even better. The newest Panera Bread locations have added the drive thru area and, while it's not exactly "fast food", the convenience of the service cannot be denied. Breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, Panera Bread is a great place to eat!
(4)Kathy G.
Very disappointed with my black bean soup order. I ordered it through drive through. It was basically a bowl of black liquid and few beans thrown in. Could not even eat it it was so thin and poorly made. Not sure about all panera's but this one in particular seems to skimp on its ingredients.
(1)Lisa W.
It's nice to have a Drive Thru Panera! I will buzz through here in the mornings on occasion and the wait is minimal, ordering easy and have not had a problem with orders. I usually am just snagging a coffee or something easy, which is why it's nice to avoid the longer process of parking and dealing with the morning crowds inside. Each of my trips through drive thru have been very quick and hassle free!
(4)Jacquelynne B.
If you're giving this Panera any more than one or two stars, I'm not sure you have been to any other. I had a Panera near me in high school and go when I travel, and every other location I have been to makes this one look like a knock off-not to mention a rip off. I am not sure how the owner or management benefits from skimping on ingredients and fulfilling orders incorrectly, but they do it. No drive thru order of mine has ever come out properly. I went again tonight out of necessity, and despite spending $17 on a half salad and 2 cups of macaroni and cheese, I was given a not-even-half-full tiny ramican of dressing, two strips of chicken, and NO Cheese. I also requested butter, and it wasn't put in the bag (no specifications are ever accomplished here). I wish I had a store near me that I went because I enjoyed it, and that didn't make me feel like I overspent. This is on the much lighter end of their transgressions of course-numerous breakfasts of things I didn't order, watery versions of the soup and macaroni, dry chicken Caesar sandwiches, and cold grilled cheese. Oh, and then the rudeness of the employees-making fun of customers in the window. Time for a new manager.
(1)Random P.
I had a great meal here, for an affordable price. The you pick 2 deal, can't beat it. The manager Ashley here was very helpful explaining the nutritional facts / ingredients to my mother who has special dietary needs. Will be returning for sure.
(5)Cecille R.
Great location for Winter Park residents that don't want to deal with the parking fiasco that is Park Ave. Plus they have drive through! Hubby and I stopped by for a quick lunch on Sunday before running errands. Order process was seamless. I also mentioned that I had a rewards card and they looked it up with my number. Because of that , I received an automatic discount on my order! Order was ready as soon as we walked over to the waiting area. So that was fairly impressive. Seating is rather spacious and there is free wifi so that explains the students occupying many of the tables/booths. Food is good and hearty. I always get the pick 2 , choice of sandwich and soup. The broccoli cheddar is soo amazing! And you can't leave here without picking out a pastry. That's always my downfall. Haven't used the drive thru but I'm sure I will when I don't feel like dining in. Great choice for dining options when you want something quick but don't want fast food!
(4)Tracy N.
Not impressed with this location. Appreciate the large dining room but it is often dirty. Staff is unprofessional and I have had my order messed up multiple times. One time the chicken was left off a salad with chicken in the name... Yesterday I had to wait several minutes to order despite being the only customer in sight because the staff was too busy joking around in front of/behind the counter. Will probably continue to go here because the location is convenient for me and I like to study here but I will not hurry back. Management needs to better select and train their employees. I don't want to pay $10-15 for a meal and get McDonalds quality service.
(2)Kari S.
I love Panera, but this particular Panera is terrible. Unfortunately it is the only one in a convenient location between where I live and where I work so I have put up with them much longer than I would have if they were in another location. They have messed up my order more times than I can count. One morning I ordered the egg white bowl with turkey, spinach, peppers and pesto and after opening up the box at work to find nothing but a sloppy pile of egg whites and nothing else, I contacted corporate by email. They forwarded my concern over to the general manager of that location who apologized and said he would send a gift certificate to me to make up for it. After a month and no gift certificate, I re-sent my address and it showed up a week later. They majorly messed up my breakfast order again; I wrote to corporate who sent my message to the manager who told me that since school is back in session, they now have a bunch of college kids working for them who don't know what they are doing yet. (Not my problem) Several days ago, I stopped in to pick up breakfast to go, ordered a sandwich and a latte. The sandwich was done promptly and I was told the latte was on its way. There were 2 employees just standing around, talking and joking around. I waited and waited, but needed to get going to work. I asked the guy who made my sandwich where the latte was and he started calling for someone to make it because it had not even been started. At that point, I was going to be late for work so I said forget it and had to leave. When I went back the day after, I explained to the girl taking my order what happened, told her I paid for the latte and not only did I not receive it, but they never made it. I asked that she would comp this one today to make up for it. She said no. As writing to Panera to complain does nothing, I figured it was time to write a review. When I was in high school I worked at Panera so I know how easy it is to get the job done right. I never considered working at Panera to be challenging, but apparently it is for some. Moral of the story: Go there only if you have lots of time and lots of patience. At 8:00 am Monday through Friday, I have neither so I now wake up earlier to go to Einstein's.
(1)Kat A.
This location obviously has poor management. I picked up a you pick two, Caesar salad and French onion soup, and a regular sized Caesar salad to go. When I got home the first thing my boyfriend noticed was that his soup had no cheese and no croutons. It was just broth and onions. Then he realized his salad also had no cheese. Luckily mine did. These things we were willing to overlook, but the real problem came with the croutons on our salads. I noticed they had a weird color but didn't think much of it. At first I thought they were stale but then I realized that stale bread is still somewhat crunchy, not soggy. They seemed almost as though they had absorbed some sort of liquid, been left to dry, and then used anyways. I can only hope that whatever they absorbed was at one time edible. I never usually leave reviews, but if it weren't for the fact that I ordered to go, I would've demanded a refund.
(2)mark j.
They messed up our order very badly and when I returned the rude cashier told me they were busy so please have some patience. I wasn't being impatient but her lack of concern was noticeable. It took a long time to remedy the situation and once again the cashier demonstrated no customer service skills when she simply handed me the new order..no apology, no thanks for visiting just a cold stare..she also told me there wasn't a manager to address my concerns. I've had it with this location..see ya
(1)Carl G.
This is a new location located in Winter Park. Pretty much the standard Panera Bread and food but one of the best features is the drive thru. Now you can get your Bagel, Coffee, Sandwiches on the go. Line moves very quick which is surprising being that I have been a CHECK-IN critic of other locations that all seem to have the same speed "SLOW" I have used the drive thru twice and both times it's been QUICK and efficient and hope it lasts. I will be a big FAN/Customer to the drive thru. An added note I will say that the two times I have been thru the line service it was quick, friendly, and peppy! 1st time Natalie worked the window and the 2nd time Sophia worked the window and they were both very friendly and chatty and make it a very pleasant experience.
(4)Rosie P.
Yummm Yummm Yummm!!!!! My favorite is the Frontega Chicken with Broccoli and Chedder soup. Panera Bread never disappoints me. =)
(5)Sam C.
How Panera uses complaining customers:......We have gone through their drive thru at least twice a week over the last six months. On many occasions the orders are incomplete, usually leaving chicken off the chicken salads. We get home. It's late, we're too tired to complain or go back, usually. ....HOWEVER!...That's not the big issue!...They don't have an on site manager, clearly visible to take care of such issues....Too cheap to pay a manager?! This yelp pertains only to the Winter Park Aloma Ave Café. Instead they have a bunch of poorly trained kids running it, with no authority to make anything right!.... You're paying a Disneyland price for their stuff.....I called one night and complained and got some kid "assistant manager" with no authority to make it right, wasn't too mad until he really irked me with his unprofessionalism and immaturity until I was livid........Then I was told to call an 800 number for customer complaints.. .Put chicken on my salad? No way!....So on to a..recorded message, leave message, never a response......Then last week the last straw...called the home office, spoke to customer service rep I feel she was the highest level person to handle this, very mature and professional........30 minute rather pleasant conversation...S So then, we tried to always ask them to check the order before handing it thru the window to us...it's always late at night and hard for us to see for ourselves....til we get home....One again, We're involved in managing their restaurant for them! She (paraphrasing ) basically used me to help with her management issues ,instead of hiring a manager!..."It's best if you talk to someone on sight to handle immediate issues"....." This has happened repeatedly over the spring and summer."....."Do I have the days and times this happened?" .... Do I keep ledgers of receipts on my fast food orders going back six months?.!).....What was the name of the person who served you?....for every time this happened?? Please!.........What time of day? What day of the week?.......then she told me that they merely collect this information to use in management decisions as they move forward.....Never offered to compensate us for any of the times,.....said she would get back to us this week....never happened. I also mentioned a serious problem with the coffee two days in a row...mornings about 10:AM.....Really nasty, like left over from day before.....No manager in sight.....a bunch of busy people filling orders.....I had other things to do...left....Customer service woman told me I should have told a manger.......No manger IN SIGHT..Please!! I'm supposed to spend 20 minutes on a busy morning chasing down a manger to get a cup of coffee?.....no one has time for that!. Bottom line... notice...They have no mature, professional on site manager at the store, who can make it right for you.....And for drive through orders, they don't even say to drive back over there to get your order fixed.......Which would still be unsatisfactory. We have to be among their best customers but not anymore. So, Yelpers, tell me.... Do they have a mature, on site, professional manager at any of their stores with authority to give you another piece of bread with your salad? Anywhere? We drive thru all the time, well, one night I asked the girl for an extra piece of bread...She said no, she was not authorized to do that! ...I felt like I was in a production of "Les Miserables!!" There is one girl who waits on us many times at the drive thru at night...now remember, at the end of the day, they give their bread away to charity, and bake fresh in the morning....We like her and are able to talk her in to giving us an occasional piece of bread....she does it... I won't mention her name because Panera would probably prosecute her for theft.!!...She has caught a few incomplete orders, but is usually too busy helping other drive thru customers., and it's not her job. Instead of paying a manager , they use an 800 "customer service" number with a recording, that asks for receipt no., time of day, server's name, etc. and what happened.... Don't have your receipt? Sorry. Hang up. The customers ARE BEING USED TO MANAGE THE STORE WITHOUT PAYING A MANAGER , and never compensating for errors!! You do get a thank you... You are used to collect data for them. My wife came home from work "I did not eat breakfast or lunch. I had meetings all day. "I'm starving." But let's go to the YMCA first, work out, then get a salad from Panera....at 9:00 we get out of the Gym, she is as hungry as a Haitian adrift on a raft....we get our salads , go home, nothing but lettuce!....She said, "I'm too weak to fight them..I'm going to bed......My wife went to bed hungry after a long rough day. ....An act of War!
(1)George R.
Every Sunday after we leave the dogpark on Lakemont, we and our friends stop by the Panera on Aloma for breakfast. 95% of the time our order is wrong. When we bring it to the attention of the person assembling our food, they say "Oh, it says such and such on the receipt" to which I always respond by showing my CORRECTLY printed receipt. You'd think they would just say "I'm sorry" and move on but no, they're too quick to blame someone else. Also, how can a Panera be out of at least 3 kinds bagels EVERY Sunday at 9AM??? I can understand being out every once and a while, but everytime??? That's just poor planning! It seems like we always have to wait in line while 3-4 employees walk around doing nothing too. The food is always good, when they have what we want to order; but then again, it's a chain so the food is pretty consistent no matter which Panera you go to. If this wasn't the only Panera on the way home from the park, we'd probably never return.
(2)John T.
The ONLY business I know that has time restrictions on it's internet (I'm assuming it's to deter you from staying too long and them losing business because you may be there an hour or two). Not to mention their food is average and extremely over priced. Additionally, their restaurant was dirty was the restroom was out of order. Never visiting any Panera Bread. I'll stick to Starbucks who doesn't restrict their internet, has clean and working restrooms and a clean eating area.
(1)Maureen D.
Love this place. Great rewards program. Delicious food and the tomato soup is the best!
(5)Lynette D.
A panera with a drive thru?? Who doesn't love that? I actually have never been inside this one but have been through the drive thru. Service is great, and food is pretty standard.
(4)Lauren D.
Very nice new clean restaurant, love the drive thru!
(5)Elle L.
I'm an overall fan of Panera. This location is great because it's on the small side and there's never a line at lunch. Even better, there's a drive-thru. I haven't tried it yet but in a pinch I would. A great place for lunch! Always!
(5)