Panera Bread

I want to like Panera.  Really, I do.  It's a stone's throw from my house and it has healthy(ish) alternatives to fast food when we are completely pinched for time (or I neglected to make anything for dinner :).  

The biggest problem I have with this Panera location?  Getting in.  Seriously.  The parking lot is rather small for the volume of business that this store seems to do.  And the small amount of parking in the neighboring strip mall fills up quickly with patrons from those businesses.  I have to be honest, if I circle the parking lot a few times without finding a spot, I am more than happy to bail on the idea of Panera.  Yes, yes.  I *know* they have a drive thru.  Unfortunately, our few d/t experiences have been...lackluster.  Items always seem to be charged wrong and my soup always seems to make it into the bag without a well secured lid.  Perhaps this is to make sure the missing bread bowl doesn't seem like such a big deal.  I mean once your soup spills out across the bottom of the bag, what does it matter if they forgot the bread bowl?  I know that this problem could be remedied by checking before I leave the drive thru.  But when there are a line of cars behind me and I've already been waiting 10 minutes, all I want to do is GTFO, you know?  Also?  I shouldn't have to check.  It's called quality control.  

On the off chance we are lucky enough to snag a spot (and be careful parking here, I've seen a number of scrape/bump and runs in this parking lot) our cafe experience tends to be moderately better.  Obviously, the food is over-priced for what it is, but at least I am assured soup and bread when I order a bread bowl.  I'd be more willing to try other items if Panera would stop removing their few vegetarian menu options in favor of more protein laden items.  

All in all, Panera has a great concept which simply comes up short in its execution.  Until it gets its act together...it really isn't worth the hassle.

We have since returned to this Panera location and had a satisfying experience. Apparently, our first trip was during a "working out the bugs" opening period, and the restaurant is now operating as it should.

Here's the real deal.... This place is new in Munster, and the people in this town eat up anything trendy.   They sometimes think they are like the Beverly Hills of Northwest Indiana.   Lunchtime is always crowded.  The parking lot is too small and nearly impossible to navigate.   It is Panera though, so you can always find good salads, soups, and sandwiches...   I think they should have people who bus the tables here on a regular basis...  Many times the tables have been dirty, and for what you pay, I'm sure they can afford it.