Panera Bread

They are usually good here but sometimes forget things. Ordered two sandwiches and usually I never do this but forgot to order a coffee so I ordered a cold brew at the window. I felt bad so tipped 5 and then discovered my sandwich was completely laying in the bag out of the wrapping. I was going to attempt to eat it but was gross out and asked if they could make another one. They sat us and made us wait a while, so husband had to go inside and pick it up.

I’m on a spiritual Daniel Fast that in different terms is a vegan diet with no added sugar. I was excited to hear that Panera serves vegan dishes. Tonight I went to get now my favorite sandwich on bread that I’m able to eat. When going to grab my food the employee stated they didn’t have the bread I asked for and that he randomly selected a bread. Not knowing the breads I was able to eat, I simply said okay I’ll figure it out and walked out of the building. While walking out the team leader approached the employee, asked about the situation, and didn’t say a word to me. I got into my truck and pulled up the list of foods I’m able to eat from Panera to only find out I’m not able to eat the bread the man selected. Now the employee should’ve asked me if there was a different bread I’d like because now I’m stuck with a sandwich I can’t eat and I have to find something else for dinner. Very upsetting and I’ll most likely not be coming back.

We actually go here so my kids can get their homework done and get a bite to eat at the same time. It's a very relaxing environment. We love their tomato soup and baguettes. My only complaint is sometimes they have a homeless guy in there with his 2 big dogs. The dogs are very well behaved and the doesnt create any issues at all. But I can see how it would scare people away.

Panera excelled 3-4 years ago. January 2022 Panera seems to be going downhill. Four times restaurant closed early; three times order was wrong with stale sides (chips hard as rocks, chicken limited and full of gristle, and bread like a brick). Recommend any other restaurant, pseudo-healthy or not. Sad to see decline in product and service.

I'm only giving this Panera Bread in Merced five stars, because I like Panera Bread. The only drawback to the Panera Bread in Merced is that it is too tiny. I have been to a number of them that were much larger, and carried much more of everything, and weren't always running out of products. They should have used the entire building instead of only part of it, and even then it would have been just barely large enough to accomodate so many customers. When Yosemite Park traffic ramps up again, and it will in a very big way, they will have to turn customers away who don't have all day to wait for a seat or a parking space, or be frustrated after waiting only to find what they want already sold out.