Panera Bread

Rude. Mismanaged. Unhelpful. Talking badly about customers in front of other customers. Food was great.

It was Panera. The service was good. The place was pretty clean. The people were well mannered.

Our town waited for a Panera for years and years and years. There was always rumors of one opening, but after awhile it was the boy who cried wolf. When it finally opened, you couldn't get within blocks of it for weeks! Alas, I've lived in this town my whole life and I know all about the cycle:

A new restaurant opens.  Our community acts like crazed people that have never been to a new restaurant before and all pile in their cars to be the first ones there. One month later. A new restaurant opens. Everyone piles in their cars to be the first ones to THAT restaurant. Poor restaurant that opened last month is old news and the rest of us can try it out.

Once I was finally able to get within driving distance of Panera, I had to stop in. I was fighting a little cold at the time and nothing heals my throat like a bowl of Panera soup. I love all of the soups that I've tried but my fave are the french onion, clam chowder and broccoli and cheese. I'm also a big fan of their sandwiches and I love the You Pick 2 option where you can get a 1/2 sandwich and cup of soup.

Panera is pricey, don't act like you didn't already know this, but I love it once in awhile for a special treat. If you sign up for their Panera card, you can also get a free cookie or smoothie once in awhile just for being a member.

I would agree w/ other reviews that this location is small and can get crowded, but the newness of it has worn off and it's at least manageable.