I rarely review every place I go to that I have to have a very strong reason to come and put a few words here. Food Quality was good , the franchisee did a great job. Atmosphere was a little tense. Manager was really snappy from first sight.....she almost yelled at me while I was asking the cashier about the sized of the soap servings.... Last but not least! they messed up the order which something from seeing reviews here sounds like they are famous for.
(2)
Robert K.
The newer of our areas Panara breads, this one opened about a year ago (give or take a few months according to my brain) and has quickly taken over as our go to location. For years, Panara Bread has offered fantastic food in our area. Breakfast and Lunch, they were hitting home runs. After awhile though, they changed recipes. My favorite Panara was no more! Service times doubled/tripled, errors skyrocketed, and they fell into the same pool as the rest of the eateries. When this location opened up and I found out that some of the staff (the good part) from Wyomissing transferred here, I was ecstatic. It meant that with the management and proper recruitment, they may be able to bring up customer satisfaction. They have. We've eaten here a few times since opening. I willingly make the trip up over the mountain just to pick food up. The manager is a great guy, very witty and friendly, and most importantly they don't mess orders up. The Wyomissing Panara Bread must be close to an 80% screw up rate, which is unheard of. There's not much else to say then. The food isn't what it was years ago, but is certainly better then a lot of shops in the area. If you wanted some Panara Bread, please consider this location over the Wyomissing location though. There's a far greater chance of disappointment if you head there.
(4)
Scott C.
I've been to this Panera Bread location three times in the past few months, and I have to say that they must have corrected the food quality problems and incompetent staff issues reported by other Yelpers, because all of my meals and all of the service I received were superb. The only quality issue I did have was a strange machine oil odor and flavor in my Pepsi (my two dining buddies could smell it too). However when I took it back, the manager was completely helpful, concerned, and readily allowed me to select another beverage. I tried the Pepsi again last week and it was fine. Now I suppose I should just stop my review right here, but I want to share an observation about Panera's ordering process... I'm a well travelled, college educated IT professional, but I just can't get the system down on placing a simple lunch order at Panera. There are too many freaking decisions to make to get lunch! Now I love the variety of interesting menu choices, but the sheer number of minute adjustments I need to reconcile before they hand me the pager astonishes me. Half or whole? Pick two? Two of what? Two of anything. Oh. After quickly glancing back to the menu board I add a 'half' of a Bistro Onion Soup. Smiling confidently I hand her the card and she asks, backetapplorchips? Huh? Following her sweetly enunciated version I choose the baguette then again go to hand her my card... would you like to add a bakery item to that for 99 cents? Any bakery item? Well anything in that case. By now the line is wrapped around the building, so I just decline. I can't imagine going through this ordeal in the drive thru! We are in the world of custom ordering of everything, and I know it is only moving more in that direction, but there needs to be a way to order in a simpler way with fewer fine adjustments to my lunch. More pictures on the wall chart would be a good start. Perhaps a few numbered combo meal deals would keep the lines moving faster, and give the less concerned an easy way out. See the pic of my "Pick Two"...
(4)
Kimba Z.
The east side of town finally has a comfy place to grab a coffee with a friend. This Panera has a more intimate design of nooks and crannies where you can hide out. (But don't overstay your visit; they cut off your wireless at busy times.) At least this desolate parking lot (with a Boscov's discount center of some kind still there) now has something more interesting than cracked asphalt and weeds. I remember when everyone parked here to go to the bar Possibilities, which is now a bank. This Panera has lots of windows and light. No non-dairy creamer in sight (soy milk doesn't cut it, but I didn't see that either). Coffee places have to step this up. Menu is very meat and dairy heavy, with nothing completely-plant-based in sight. Once in a while, they will have black bean soup, which I think is vegan, but you might have to make sure they don't put cheese on it. I think a nicely-designed cozy place like this could have a lighter and fresher menu. I'll be back for a quick coffee though.
(2)
Matthew F.
Regular Paneras. Burnt my sandwich once and occasionally get order wrong. Nothing surprising.
(4)
Kat L.
I recently ordered online. My son's Napa chicken salad sandwich looked ridiculous. I am not exaggerating...a TABLESPOON of meat. He did say that the chicken salad was good, but that he sure wished there were more of it. I also ordered two turkey cranberry flatbreads. Same problem, very skimpy. The tomato soup was delicious, as was the dinner roll that came with it. The Big Kid grilled cheese was acceptable. I don't know if you need to hire new staff or what the problem is. My daughter loves Panera, but she goes to the one in Norristown. Apparently they have their act together. I don't think I'm being demanding by asking for, I don't know, maybe a 1/2 cup of chicken salad per sandwich, and that you can actually SEE the turkey in the turkey cranberry flatbread. Forgot to mention that in the flatbread sandwiches, it looked like someone had hastily assembled them, with only a few leaves of spinach and a splat of the cheese spread. Was it the end of someone's shift? Why such poor customer service? We won't be back.
(2)
Ham B.
Aside from a very very busy opening and being out of certain items is understandable, service is great, food tastes very good, and it comes out pretty quick. This panera has a Drive through, unlike the other location near Wyomissing, however it is not a stand alone building. It isn't Very vegan friendly as far as regular food goes, but those people can eat a salad shut up. A good step in the right direction for Exeter, along with the moes location opening up too ( they have vegan choices however).
(5)
Erica P.
I don't think they could get a drive-thru order correct even if their lives depended on it. 4 times using the drive-thru and 4 times it has been messed up. And not just little things like forgetting to give me a straw but giving me completely different items from what I ordered or forgetting an item all together! I even wrote to corporate after the 3rd time and was emailed a $10 gift certificate. I stayed away for 3 or 4 months hoping they could get it together. I decided to use my gift certificate yesterday and went with the drive-thru. I received a greek salad instead of the chicken cobb that I had ordered. I just had to laugh. How hard is it to double check an order? Sorry Panera, this location is BEYOND TERRIBLE! Get rid of the drive-thru if it is too hard for the employees to handle.
(1)
Andrea F.
I like the decor, but they took the steak and blue cheese salad off the menu. I know we're talking about the Exeter branch, but just showing a trend...the last time I ate at Wyomissing Panera, I ordered the chicken salad sandwich, which had about a quarter size dollop of chicken salad on it. When I asked where the chicken salad was, they gladly gave me a tiny condiment cup with another dollop. When I asked for more, he put another dollop on the sandwich, which was then just enough for the tiny piece of bread they serve it on which seems to be about the size of a half sandwich, yet I paid over $7 for this "whole" sandwich. Not in the mood for a teaspoon of chicken salad, I ordered the steak ciabatta? sandwich at the Exeter location, which comes with a scant amount of horseradish type sauce on one side of the bread. The bread was less than the size of a deck of cards...for a minute I thought I got the wrong thing or got the "butt end of the loaf." In between the bread was an odd shaped solid hunk of roast beef (not slices, we're talking hope you brought the denture glue). Maybe that was the end left over when they couldn't slice anymore or risk cutting off a finger? The meat was the size and shape of a short, fat middle finger, and a slice of dried out, tasteless cheddar that was bigger than the bread itself. It was the most dry, tasteless sandwich. If I didn't have a drink I would have choked to death. I had baked potato soup (or rather two spoonfuls) before I said "neh neh"...it was luke warm, gelatinous, tasted like you were eating solidified fat globules...it sounds gross but this looked and tasted gross. Thin that stuff out with some milk, and heat it up!!! My friend had tortellini with chicken which looked like they dumped it out of a chef boy r dee can...the chicken was slimy and pinkish like that processed Oscar Meyer lunch meat...just the appearance made me gag. We paid over $20 for this quick "light" dinner. Years ago you could enjoy decent soup and sandwiches or salad here, but now it seems like they are taking low quality deli food and charging you $8-10 for it. I will not return unless it's to buy a loaf of bread or a bagel...and even when you buy a bagel they won't butter it for you unless you beg them. By the time I take a toasted bagel to work and try to smear a frozen pat of butter on it, I might as well go to McDonalds...less maintenance, better tasting junk.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : No
Sindbad T.
I rarely review every place I go to that I have to have a very strong reason to come and put a few words here. Food Quality was good , the franchisee did a great job. Atmosphere was a little tense. Manager was really snappy from first sight.....she almost yelled at me while I was asking the cashier about the sized of the soap servings.... Last but not least! they messed up the order which something from seeing reviews here sounds like they are famous for.
(2)Robert K.
The newer of our areas Panara breads, this one opened about a year ago (give or take a few months according to my brain) and has quickly taken over as our go to location. For years, Panara Bread has offered fantastic food in our area. Breakfast and Lunch, they were hitting home runs. After awhile though, they changed recipes. My favorite Panara was no more! Service times doubled/tripled, errors skyrocketed, and they fell into the same pool as the rest of the eateries. When this location opened up and I found out that some of the staff (the good part) from Wyomissing transferred here, I was ecstatic. It meant that with the management and proper recruitment, they may be able to bring up customer satisfaction. They have. We've eaten here a few times since opening. I willingly make the trip up over the mountain just to pick food up. The manager is a great guy, very witty and friendly, and most importantly they don't mess orders up. The Wyomissing Panara Bread must be close to an 80% screw up rate, which is unheard of. There's not much else to say then. The food isn't what it was years ago, but is certainly better then a lot of shops in the area. If you wanted some Panara Bread, please consider this location over the Wyomissing location though. There's a far greater chance of disappointment if you head there.
(4)Scott C.
I've been to this Panera Bread location three times in the past few months, and I have to say that they must have corrected the food quality problems and incompetent staff issues reported by other Yelpers, because all of my meals and all of the service I received were superb. The only quality issue I did have was a strange machine oil odor and flavor in my Pepsi (my two dining buddies could smell it too). However when I took it back, the manager was completely helpful, concerned, and readily allowed me to select another beverage. I tried the Pepsi again last week and it was fine. Now I suppose I should just stop my review right here, but I want to share an observation about Panera's ordering process... I'm a well travelled, college educated IT professional, but I just can't get the system down on placing a simple lunch order at Panera. There are too many freaking decisions to make to get lunch! Now I love the variety of interesting menu choices, but the sheer number of minute adjustments I need to reconcile before they hand me the pager astonishes me. Half or whole? Pick two? Two of what? Two of anything. Oh. After quickly glancing back to the menu board I add a 'half' of a Bistro Onion Soup. Smiling confidently I hand her the card and she asks, backetapplorchips? Huh? Following her sweetly enunciated version I choose the baguette then again go to hand her my card... would you like to add a bakery item to that for 99 cents? Any bakery item? Well anything in that case. By now the line is wrapped around the building, so I just decline. I can't imagine going through this ordeal in the drive thru! We are in the world of custom ordering of everything, and I know it is only moving more in that direction, but there needs to be a way to order in a simpler way with fewer fine adjustments to my lunch. More pictures on the wall chart would be a good start. Perhaps a few numbered combo meal deals would keep the lines moving faster, and give the less concerned an easy way out. See the pic of my "Pick Two"...
(4)Kimba Z.
The east side of town finally has a comfy place to grab a coffee with a friend. This Panera has a more intimate design of nooks and crannies where you can hide out. (But don't overstay your visit; they cut off your wireless at busy times.) At least this desolate parking lot (with a Boscov's discount center of some kind still there) now has something more interesting than cracked asphalt and weeds. I remember when everyone parked here to go to the bar Possibilities, which is now a bank. This Panera has lots of windows and light. No non-dairy creamer in sight (soy milk doesn't cut it, but I didn't see that either). Coffee places have to step this up. Menu is very meat and dairy heavy, with nothing completely-plant-based in sight. Once in a while, they will have black bean soup, which I think is vegan, but you might have to make sure they don't put cheese on it. I think a nicely-designed cozy place like this could have a lighter and fresher menu. I'll be back for a quick coffee though.
(2)Matthew F.
Regular Paneras. Burnt my sandwich once and occasionally get order wrong. Nothing surprising.
(4)Kat L.
I recently ordered online. My son's Napa chicken salad sandwich looked ridiculous. I am not exaggerating...a TABLESPOON of meat. He did say that the chicken salad was good, but that he sure wished there were more of it. I also ordered two turkey cranberry flatbreads. Same problem, very skimpy. The tomato soup was delicious, as was the dinner roll that came with it. The Big Kid grilled cheese was acceptable. I don't know if you need to hire new staff or what the problem is. My daughter loves Panera, but she goes to the one in Norristown. Apparently they have their act together. I don't think I'm being demanding by asking for, I don't know, maybe a 1/2 cup of chicken salad per sandwich, and that you can actually SEE the turkey in the turkey cranberry flatbread. Forgot to mention that in the flatbread sandwiches, it looked like someone had hastily assembled them, with only a few leaves of spinach and a splat of the cheese spread. Was it the end of someone's shift? Why such poor customer service? We won't be back.
(2)Ham B.
Aside from a very very busy opening and being out of certain items is understandable, service is great, food tastes very good, and it comes out pretty quick. This panera has a Drive through, unlike the other location near Wyomissing, however it is not a stand alone building. It isn't Very vegan friendly as far as regular food goes, but those people can eat a salad shut up. A good step in the right direction for Exeter, along with the moes location opening up too ( they have vegan choices however).
(5)Erica P.
I don't think they could get a drive-thru order correct even if their lives depended on it. 4 times using the drive-thru and 4 times it has been messed up. And not just little things like forgetting to give me a straw but giving me completely different items from what I ordered or forgetting an item all together! I even wrote to corporate after the 3rd time and was emailed a $10 gift certificate. I stayed away for 3 or 4 months hoping they could get it together. I decided to use my gift certificate yesterday and went with the drive-thru. I received a greek salad instead of the chicken cobb that I had ordered. I just had to laugh. How hard is it to double check an order? Sorry Panera, this location is BEYOND TERRIBLE! Get rid of the drive-thru if it is too hard for the employees to handle.
(1)Andrea F.
I like the decor, but they took the steak and blue cheese salad off the menu. I know we're talking about the Exeter branch, but just showing a trend...the last time I ate at Wyomissing Panera, I ordered the chicken salad sandwich, which had about a quarter size dollop of chicken salad on it. When I asked where the chicken salad was, they gladly gave me a tiny condiment cup with another dollop. When I asked for more, he put another dollop on the sandwich, which was then just enough for the tiny piece of bread they serve it on which seems to be about the size of a half sandwich, yet I paid over $7 for this "whole" sandwich. Not in the mood for a teaspoon of chicken salad, I ordered the steak ciabatta? sandwich at the Exeter location, which comes with a scant amount of horseradish type sauce on one side of the bread. The bread was less than the size of a deck of cards...for a minute I thought I got the wrong thing or got the "butt end of the loaf." In between the bread was an odd shaped solid hunk of roast beef (not slices, we're talking hope you brought the denture glue). Maybe that was the end left over when they couldn't slice anymore or risk cutting off a finger? The meat was the size and shape of a short, fat middle finger, and a slice of dried out, tasteless cheddar that was bigger than the bread itself. It was the most dry, tasteless sandwich. If I didn't have a drink I would have choked to death. I had baked potato soup (or rather two spoonfuls) before I said "neh neh"...it was luke warm, gelatinous, tasted like you were eating solidified fat globules...it sounds gross but this looked and tasted gross. Thin that stuff out with some milk, and heat it up!!! My friend had tortellini with chicken which looked like they dumped it out of a chef boy r dee can...the chicken was slimy and pinkish like that processed Oscar Meyer lunch meat...just the appearance made me gag. We paid over $20 for this quick "light" dinner. Years ago you could enjoy decent soup and sandwiches or salad here, but now it seems like they are taking low quality deli food and charging you $8-10 for it. I will not return unless it's to buy a loaf of bread or a bagel...and even when you buy a bagel they won't butter it for you unless you beg them. By the time I take a toasted bagel to work and try to smear a frozen pat of butter on it, I might as well go to McDonalds...less maintenance, better tasting junk.
(1)