Panera is Panera. A little overpriced, but the food is good. I feel like every year there's less meat on the paninis though. Nice that they still have free wifi. Smoothies aren't great. Meh. Broccoli Cheddar soup is always amazing. Bagel boxes are great for work.
Service at this particular location is good. I take issue with the fact that their manager is so concerned with loyalty card stats he doesn't even ask if you have one--he just scans a random one at the register. Irritated me since I actually do have one and intended on adding it online later. Couldn't since he'd just scanned some random card. Panera is new to the loyalty card game...he'll find out eventually from corporate that you can't just scan random cards...
Mrs S here...
I waffled about where to go for lunch and decided on this place based on their bean soup and caprese sandwich. Â When we arrived, they did not have my soup today. Â I was ready to leave at that point but Ben made the point that since we were so ambivalent in the first place I should just find something here and be done.
The cashier overheard this, suggested a different soup, and offered to let me sample all of them until I found one I was happy with. Â
Then she informed Ben that he qualified for a free espresso drink or smoothie. Â He deferred to me and I wasn't sure what to pick. Â The cashier again suggested one that she likes and backed it up with an offer to comp it and replace it if I didn't like it. Â
I ended up with a pick two combo of caprese panini, chicken noodle soup, and a super fruit smoothie. Â Food was up to par as usual; it was the service that made the visit remarkable. Â
I like to think that my being so particular about what I like (read picky) has contributed to Ben attaining elite status this year... Â ;-)
Typically a fan, but today... Blech! Â The soup was OK, but the half sandwich looked and tasted like it had sat around for a while. Â And the place is a bit 'Lord of the Flies', I felt like I was in a barn. Â Not cool. Â Especially when there's a splatted fly carcass on a bar in the restroom and you had to fight the swarm to use the facilities.
Review Source:I would give it 4 1/2 stars if possible. Half a star off because it's a little expensive and I wish they were open an hour later. Food is delicious for a chain restaurant. Calories are easily viewed from their menu boards behind the counter. I like to get the small chai tea latte, "you pick 2" Asian sesame chicken salad and broccoli cheese soup. These 3 items clock in at just under 600 calories which is great if your watching what you eat without starving yourself. Free Wi-Fi is the perfect accommodation for their customers and all the people watching is a nice bonus to help keep you entertained.
Review Source:When this location opened years ago, I lived in SPI; on a recent daytrip, I found it looking spiffy and refreshed. The counter clerk was quick and friendly in preparing my Sierra Turkey Bravo for "here," and a loaf of sourdough and a cobblestone pastry "to go." Traffic is often treacherous in this heavily traveled retail area. Â But, once you arrive at Panera, you'll usually find plenty of parking since the building is situated on the northeast corner of a huge asphalt lot.
Review Source:Food = good. Â Average sandwich, good bread, average drink, average flavors. Â So, I say stick to their breads. Â I like their french baguettes, asiago breads (and bagels), and that's about it. Â Oh and their soups are great too--I had the french onion which was perfectly flavored and their broccoli cheese was a delightful surprise (unlike the typical velveeta/kraft melted with bits of mushy barely green bits of broccoli)
Service = order at the counter, wait for your name to be called and do it all yourself. Â Most of the cashiers are friendly and some are a bit surly. Â *shrugs*
Decor/Ambiance = total cafe verging on cafeteria feel. Â Plenty of tables with seating. Â
Prices = a bit high given it's Springfield. Â (For the record, I've never been to the San Francisco location.)
Hey, its a chain (a 1 star deduction). BUT its a good chain. And this one particularly is no different. I always get the french onion soup in a sourdough bread bowl. Its so good. If only they served refills. Â
Newly remodeled. And every time I come here I just about get into an accident in the parking lot (another 1 star deduction).
Springfield is a town with its wi-fi numbers on the rise, but it has a staple location which is still as good as your homegrown coffee shop. The Panera Bread located on the west side of Springfield is a fantastic location to use free wi-fi.  So what makes this Panera location better than the rest? Simple. They focus on the big three when it comes to servicing customers. Their food is great, their coffee is hot (and excellent I might add) and their service is top notch.  The other things that makes this location tops on the Springfield list is the price at which they rent office space. Many people use the Dirksen Parkway location as their office away from the office. I have seen a man close a deal on sporting equipment, I have seen a woman bring another woman into her company, I have seen a man selling a student on going to his school and I've seen a few preachers creating their sermons there.  So if you're looking for a great place to have a sandwich, a cup of coffee or my favorite a hot chocolate and chocolate chip muffie, then I would suggest visiting the Dirksen Parkway Panera location. And don't forget to get your frequent visitors card so that your 10th coffee is free!  <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fchicagofreefi.com%2Freview.php%3Fid%3D54%26title%3DPanera%2BBread-Springfield&s=cb8c05c8012efeb3932fa495202950280de81e4da8b22e442887a141601de962" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://chicagofreefi.com…</a>
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