Panera Bread

The strawberry summer salad with chicken I had was amazing. I can't go wrong with the chocolate chip cookie and some iced tea. This is a good lunch spot if you're working around the Keystone are and you want something relatively cheap and healthy.

They sold me expired cream cheese. A whole tub of it. Not cool.

I called and shared the news w/the manager, Ashley, and she didn't seem surprised.  I'm fairly certain her response was something like "Yeah, that happens with the veggie and the chive cream cheeses. We don't sell enough of them."

Not acceptable. If it doesn't sell, get it off the shelves. Don't hang on to it.

I inquired about a refund or replacement and was told (with no apology, mind you) that I could bring it back and they could refund it. Or, if I wanted to stop in sometime w/the receipt they could give me another one.  

I asked what their plans were to make sure this didn't continue to happen, and the manager told me they'll probably just stop selling it. I'm kind of bummed because I actually really like the veggie cream cheese....when it's not expired.

I am somewhat predisposed to turn my nose up at Panera Bread.  Something about its corporate image turns me off, and let's face it -- there are plenty of independent salad/soup/sandwich places in town with better fare.  But you know, when it gets right down to it, it's an efficient, dependable operation, and the soup is really pretty darn good.  This particular location has convenient parking and sprawling, somehow more homey, layout than others I have visited.