I like there hazelnut coffee blend and I always find a nice comfy place to sit by the big window. I usually come in on Saturday mornings with my dad and just sit around have coffee and shoot the shhhh. It's a nice place to sit back, relax, and have a cup of joe.
(5)
K R.
I go to Panera allll the time.. their hazelnut is my favorite coffee with some sugar and skim milk. Delish.. love the cinnamon crunch bagel..man n cheese..tuna.. a lot of their breads. There are items on the menu that I truthfully don't care for, but the ones that I like..I would order any day of the week! I also enjoy that I'm able to study here..the staff never once bothered me to get out or move to a smaller table. There were times I stayed for a couple of hours to wait for a friend or just to read my textbooks or whatever. Never had any issues.. free wifi that typically works well..I get as many coffee refills as I like and if I just want like a little snack while studying I can grab a fruit cup or something light which I really enjoy because when you're sitting on your behind studying for hours.. maybe not such a great idea to eat a huge meal. All around ..really yummy.
(5)
Dieter B.
Fantastic food and service! This place gets very busy around noon but it's worth the wait. The quality of food is consistently good, the staff is very professional and pleasant. Plus, they've never screwed up my orders! Good job guys!!
(5)
David R.
I have to admit that my wife was right. ! She tried to tell me the other day that Panera boasts a first-class chocolate-chip cookie, and I scoffed. Today she brought one home and walked me through a point-by-point explication of its merits. Then of course I put it to the ultimate test and...well, I confess myself convinced. Impressed, even. This is definitely a top-ten chocolate-chip cookie.
(4)
Julia K.
I used to come to panera often with my friend. I love everything about the place. I love their salad, bread, soup, pasta, sandwiches, etc. I love getting their Thai Chicken salad. I love the side of sour dough they give with the food. Also, if you have their rewards cards, and you use it every time you go there; you will be able to collect points and when you have enough you can get a free bread or baked goods from them. So I would get the chocolate filled pastries for free from them. I also would get like half sandwich or salad and half of their pasta. I remember they had three new pasta flavors and all three of them were really good. I recommend this place and the service is alright. Sometimes they're nice and sometimes they are alright with their services. I like the atmosphere there as well. It's a good place to eat, catch up, relax, with your friends or family.
(4)
Diana J.
I went to this Panera because I had an extra 15 minutes and it was close. It was kind of a madhouse in there with lines going all over the place and people standing in small crowds. It didn't help that I didn't know my sandwich would be up on a counter 25 feet away from where I got my coffee. That caused my short trip to be extended for an unpleasant 10 minutes. The quality of the food was pretty good; I got a breakfast sandwich on good quality bread and with good quality cheese. I also like that you can mix your coffees so I went with half decaf to help calm my always jittery nerves. I'll go back if I can find a manual on how to order for next time.
(3)
Sarah C.
Been in here a handful of times. When the bathrooms are as filthy as they are it makes you wonder how the kitchen is. (Bathrooms always have TP on floor, dirty toilets and never have paper towels for when you wash your hands). Gross.
(2)
Gordon S.
Their baby spinach salad sucked. Never again will I do carry out since I got screwed when I got back to the office. It was all spinach, a few burnt mushrooms which chew just like a rubberband. There was NO egg. I think I found 1 piece of miniature piece egg in this salad which is pathetic. The bacon was barely evident, but there was lots of onion in there. For 10 bucks I'd rather eat my lawn clippings than food from this dump. Filled with pretentious people who are rude and do not speak English and on top of that it's the kiddies personal hang out spot away from mom and dad taking advantage of the free wi-fi - Which is also pathetically slow I might add. Another example of fine over priced American fast food that sucks like a Dyson but leaves dirt all over the floor. Oh the bread was OK, hoo-f-in-rah.
(1)
Jeff H.
Comfortable place with a varied menu for any meal of the day. Rewards membership means free goodies from time to time. I often come here to eat/drink and get work done. Free wifi and plenty of tables are great. Salads are fresh and tasty. Free refills on coffee, soda and iced tea.
(4)
Sharon C.
I stopped at this Panera today a little after lunch, and I was just pretty disappointed by the service. I'm honestly not partial to Panera at all, but I will eat it and enjoy it on occasion. I ordered the half sandwich (Roasted Turkey & Avocado BLT) and half soup (chicken noodle). One of my friends ordered a creamy tomato soup with a bagel and cream cheese. For a pretty late lunch (we ate between 1:30 and 2), this location was absolutely packed. There was barely any seating, and we were lucky to snag a table. I find Panera layouts to be a little annoying anyway, given the two lines with the different menus, but we all placed our orders at the meal line. I had forgotten that water cups are next to the beverage dispensers at Panera, so I asked the lady at the counter for a water cup, and she just completely ignored my request - a fact that I didn't notice until after, when I was sitting down and realized that I didn't have a cup for water. Fortunately, I remembered where they were placed. Our orders came out fairly quickly, but there was absolute chaos at the pick-up counter. People behind the counter were calling out names for food and getting no responses, there was one man on our side of the counter calling out more names, and there was nowhere to return my beeper. I stood there awkwardly for a few minutes before just grabbing what I thought was my food and leaving my beeper on the counter. My friend who ordered the bagel didn't get the bagel immediately, either, the way Panera usually handles bagels ordered with a meal. She had to go up to the counter after she'd gotten the rest of her food to request her bagel, and it came with the cream cheese on the side - always a disappointment, since those portions tend to be smaller, in my opinion.
(2)
Jeff O.
Good food. Bit pricey. I had my first peanut butter and jelly sandwich from there. Ever since that day I have been eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner. Amazing PB & J sandwiches at the Skokie location c
(4)
George J.
ZERO STARS! I don't get how people eat here! It's a very overpriced simple sandwich shop, I ordered the turkey and honestly a kid can make a better sandwich than that, it was lettuce, tomato and two slices of turkey, REALLY?!?! A Caesar salad and a turkey sandwich was $17!!! I couldn't believe it and to top it all off the lettuce was soggy and the salad all together was just horrible! I tried their broccoli and cheddar bread bowl and they hardly took any of the bread out of the inside so there was barely any soup at all. I can't express how terrible and over-priced Panera Bread is, I don't mind spending money for good food as long as they put effort into making a decent sandwich and giving customers what they deserve not 2 small pieces of turkey, a piece of lettuce and a tomato. I will never eat Panera Bread again!
(1)
Rustygirl M.
It's like any other panera I've been to. It does have a fireplace that i like to sit by when it's avbl.
(4)
Fancy N.
If this was the first Panera I ever went to, I'd never return. But Panera is my favorite, so that's the only reason this location gets the measly 2 stars. I ordered the steak salad and took it to go. I get home, which is a bit away, and notice that my salad is bare. All it had was steak, some salad, and about 2 tomato pieces. Where are all the other ingredients?? So I called to speak with the manager, was put on hold for 5 min. I called back, put on hold for another 5 min, finally get someone who barely speaks English. Not sure if this was really the manager or not. They told me to bring back the salad for inspection and they'd address the issue then. I just shelled out nearly $10 for a half assembled salad, and you think I'm going to waste another $10 in gas to drive it back so you can "inspect" it? Come on! Poor customer service to say the least. Finally I was offered a "coupon" to be sent to my home. A coupon? Yes, apparently $1 off a crappy unedible plain salad is sufficient. NEVER AGAIN will I set foot in this Panera.
(2)
Greg G.
Good food and service! Would come back
(3)
Alison Y.
Great place to do work - free wifi, tons of plugs all over the place, comfy seats, great drinks and food (within reason of price and environment). LOVE IT!
(5)
Venessa F.
Beside the high prices not too many people can say that Panera has great food! The rewards card was best at first, to suck people in, as per usual... I don't receive as many rewards for purchases so I don't frequent as much as I have.
(5)
Oliver S.
There's something dirty about this Panera. It has pretty much the same setup as other Panera's I've been too, but there seems to be an upkeep issue. The tables were haphazardly bussed and used newspapers littered several areas of the cafe, for example. The bakery selection was scarce. Their selection of bagels was unusually limited (there were a lot of empty bagel baskets), and the pastry selection was lacking. I've definitely been to cleaner, more well stocked Paneras. I wouldn't recommend this Panera as a study location either. Too much visitor traffic and the Wi-Fi is slow. The next time I'm in the mood for corporate style baked goods, I'll take my business to the local Corner Bakery.
(3)
Amanda R.
The wrst, most unfriendly, unaccomiating panera ive ever been to in my life! The staff were absolutely rude and then the MANAGER was even more rude! The only way my boyfriend could get dressing for his salad... yes... dressing for his salad was to raise his voice at the manager because he blatently ignored his request while he asked the manager polietely 3 times loud enough for the guy to hear. Ive worked at many restaurants both casual and fine dining and have never encountered behavior like that from an entire staff when the restaurant wasnt busy.
(1)
Stella A.
A-OK indeed. My sister and I had lunch here yesterday. I ordered the cup of soup(mixed vegetable with pesto) and half a salad (caesar) deal. The food was ok. The salad was sorta tasteless and the soup wasn't bad but it was cold. The plus side was their portions were ginormous, they had Dr. Pepper, and their service was fast!
(3)
Eva S.
Favorite cafe item: They make an excellent iced dirty chai. It's not listed on the menu like that, but it's basically an iced chai with a shot of espresso. The girl taking my order was so sweet and my drink did not have mountains of ice. It was cold, milky, smooth, very earthy and strong. It was the best iced chai I've ever had. Who knew??? While Panera is not my typical kind of cafe...(it's pretty busy and can get really crowded during peak hours) I couldn't help but appreciate and stress on the fact that they give a LOT more of the drink, and a lot LESS of the overboard ice. It will not be a drink that will be gone in about 2 sips and that... is worth the patronage. The left of the store has more of a "cafe feel" to it. It's cozier and is a nice spot to study (free wifi) with some armchairs and smaller tables, while the right side has more of a restaurant setting (booths etc.). I love the balance, and the fact that you can choose which ambiance you're in the mood for.
(4)
Kevin D.
I love Panera Bread. There food is great most of their locations are kept up and clean. They have fast service. I have been to this Panera about once a week and the only real complaint I have is it is kind of hard to get into the parking lot and to find parking closer when its packed at lunch.
(4)
Claire C.
I like most panera bread except this one. The customer service is the worse I have ever encountered. The manager is extremely cheap which rise a concern on freshness of food.
(1)
Dara O.
Sometimes stop in here during break at work. Considering I only have a half hour, I'm impressed. Fast and tasty, hell of a lot healthier than typical fast food, but of course a bit more pricey. Though it's not too bad. Free wi-fi for those who want to sit on their laptop/tablet/smartphone and get work done with their food and beverage. Once in awhile the teens and tweens pop in and are a little loud and cause some ruckus, but that happens when there's a high school half a mile away.
(4)
Jon M.
Clean, friendly service, lots of room for studying and free wifi.. you can't go wrong with this place. And the food here is always a plus. Healthy choices unless you get the panini's.
(5)
Tracy K.
I feel like I'm at this Panera at least once a week. The parking lot is a madhouse around dinner time.. The inside is spacious and has free wifi. The staff is friendly and they interact well with my boys, but they seem kind of flighty when it comes to making sure that all parts of the order have made it to the tray/to-go bag. I have learned to ALWAYS double check my bag before I leave the store.
(3)
Ela G.
I am a fan of Panera in general, as opposed to other fast-food cafe chains. Their salads and soups are tasty and fresh. I agree about the mac and cheese, it's GOOD! On this occassion, my mom and I split the sesame chicken salad. The salad is delicious, but we had to ask for extra dressing and extra cilantro. Everything was delicious except our cilantro was definiately past it's prime, mushy and wet like old herbs left in the fridge too long. I pointed out the issue to the manager, who apologized and told me he would take care of it, offering me something else. I was fine, I said, just throw it out, it's old! I was planning on rating them more harshly, but he later came to our table, apologized again, said he's thrown it out and asked us to come back on him. I appreciate his going the extra mile, but wish it had never happened in the first place. All in all, it's stlil a good place to go for a break from the old orchard shopping madness:)
(3)
amira c.
they are eh, i had some really bad times here, they messed up a bunch of my stuff, many times, the food isnt really all that great and if you go during a busy time the chances of them messing up is higher and the chances of it coming back burned is high too. so far the only thing thats good there is salad and soup, i can go anywhere for that. its not at the top of my listif anything corner bakery is much better for the same thing and i think they have more options too. XD.
(2)
a w.
This newly built location is just awesome! They have free wi-fi..but thats not really what brings me here again and again. Its their sourdough bread and cream of brocolli soup. Mmmm..just writing about it makes me want to go out and get some of it!!!
(5)
Laura R.
I love coming here for lunch because their chicken noodle soup is great (and very low-fat, how often does that happen??) They're usually pretty friendly, but if you go right around the lunch hour during the week it can be pretty crowded.
(4)
Allison K.
Just went here for lunch today. I just wanted to compliment on how nice the staff was at this location. My sandwich was fantastic. I'm sure everyone has ate at Panera Bread at least once, but I just wanted to say too that I just absoluty love there sour-dough bread too, (not as good as the stuff made in San Fransico, but definitly awesome) =)
(5)
C W.
I generally like Panera food but my family has yet to get a takeout order from this restaurant that is 100% correct. Tonight I was disappointed to learn this location doesn't have the squash soup Panera is promoting on its web site and that was compounded by the fact my turkey artichoke panini came with spinch leaves in place of artichoke. Either they changed the sandwich without telling us or mine was done wrong. This is just the latest in a series of screw-ups -- it's why I generally refuse to order takeout from here, even when my kids beg for it.
(2)
Jen S.
The best thing about Panera is that it's a safe bet for a good lunch. I ventured to this location to get a light lunch and knew exactly what I wanted when I walked in. I ordered the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich with no onions and the BBQ Chopped Chicken salad. This location is faster than the other Panera's I've been to, but maybe that's because they aren't paying too close attention. I received my sandwich covered with onion and no chicken on my salad! They did give me chicken when I walked back to the counter, but it was only about two pieces anyway...
(4)
kristal m.
the cashier was great....then while waiting for my meal they called my name and my buzzer buzzed. i took my to go food i double checked with a lady behind the counter if it was the correct order she said it was. i went home wrong food...wrong so wrong. so i went back not even that upset i just took it as an oops moment. when i came back calmly stated that it wasnt the correct order and i was willing to wait and it wasnt a problem. BUT the woman that i double checked with decided it was a problem and HUGE problem. she started cursing me out in spainish behind the counter...and i may not look hispanic but i am. she was ranting and raving about how it wasnt her fault and that why did i have to come back. it was just rude. extremely rude. i wasnt upset at all im pretty easy going i understand that everyone has an oops moment. the manager came to my rescue yet didnt quite down the disgruntled worker. he was really nice but didnt do anything about his employee which upset me.
(1)
Cece P.
So first time eating at a Panera location and it was just OK. First, the guy taking our order did not even ask if we wanted bread, chips, or an apple - apparently I didn't have an option yet every other customer was asked? Not sure if this was a mistake but nonetheless it was rude and pissed me off. I asked the server to change it to chips and she did but was kind of annoyed. But hey - I'm just the messenger, blame the dumb guy behind the counter taking the order! I can say their Mediterranean sandwich and their creamy chicken soup were both AMAZING! However, their strawberry poppy-seed salad was not that good. I did not like the chicken or the dressing - my boyfriend didn't like the chicken either. Overall experience was just OK...would I go back? Maybe - if they gave me coupons...lol :D
(3)
Chris W.
There is something new at Panera, something strange, something that I desire. THAT WOULD BE MAC AND CHEESE!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a premium item on their menu but DEAR GOD please order this mac with your pick 2. The bowl is just about as big as a soup bowl but there's a little more noodle in there. I originally ordered an extra side with my pick 2 because I figured "Oh God this is going to be so small and disappointing" but a bowl of it with a sandwich or salad is perfectly satisfactory. It's so creamy and delicious and RICH and filling. You all should know by now that I'm the queen of mac and cheese reviews. So take my freaking word for it! This mac is not whack! I don't think I could ever have a bowl of soup from Panera again.
(4)
Stephanie S.
Normally I would give this location 4 stars but today's experience did not impress me. This is "my Panera". This is the location that I frequent most often. Normally it's a pretty good experience. It's a busy location but most of the time I can find seating and they almost always get my order correct. I came in recently in mid-afternoon so it wasn't that busy. The woman at the register must be new because she seemed to have a rather difficult time placing a 'you-pick-two' order. Being a previous Panera employee myself, I know their P.O.S. systems are pretty user friendly. This employee needs more training! On top of being unfamiliar with the computer, she never rang me up for a fountain drink. I ended up going to the next register over to make a second transaction. Once my food came up in the window I noticed it was totally wrong. Not one item was what I had ordered. My fault for not looking closely at the order on my receipt. This might be a tedious job sometimes, but it is not hard. Make sure your employees are trained properly.
(3)
Ma Q.
i would like to conmend maria for going out of her way to make my iced chocolate. you just made my day!!!
(5)
Andrew L.
I was the last customer sat. night and they forgot one of my sandwiches. I brought in the receipt the next day and the manager was really great about it. He immediately stopped what he was doing and helped me out! Thanks!
(5)
Nicollette W.
Okay - I do like Panera, but this location was crappy. They were out of Shortbread cookies (one of my fav's there) and they didn't have the soups that were on the sign. Plus they didn't ask me if I wanted chips, apple or bread with my Take 2 so I forgot to tell them I wanted the chips and I ended up with bread. I usually get the black bean soup but they weren't serving it on a Saturday so I went with the Tomato and no I did not like it much. I usually like tomato soup, but not this one. My husband had the Chicken Tortilla and that looked and tasted good. The restaurant was a bit dirty and that totally turned me off. I know that sometimes restaurants are super busy (especially when they are located across from a mall) but still - hire some more people to keep the place clean will ya?!
(2)
Annie S.
My mom and I stopped by here today to get some coffee before going to DSW. I've gone here a lot for their sandwiches and I like it because there's an area to the left of the restaurant where you can chill on couches, etc. And there's a fire place too. The service is pretty fast and the staff are friendly. My mom really likes the hazelnut coffee, which is surprising because she is really anal about coffee. I love their chicken salad sandwiches and chicken wild rice soup. YUMMY! You should stop by here before you go to DSW, Best Buy and Ulta (all in the same shopping area).
(4)
Kent B.
Panera Bread is a great place to grab a high quality sandwich. This location is always clean. There are a variety of sandwiches available as well as soup. Fountain drinks are self-service and refillable. In St. Louis, you'll find the exact same menu items and decor, but the store name is St. Louis Bread Company (parent company). Panera Bread is a bit pricier than other chain sandwich shops, like Subway. However, the quality is significantly better and therefore a good value. You'll find a more upscale patron than in a typical Subway. Parking can be a bit of a problem at this location.
(4)
M H.
I love this location, it's right by the Old Orchard Mall and a great place to have lunch. The breakfast items are delicious as the salads and some sandwiches. Service is always fast and friendly.
(5)
Allen R.
It feels like we always end up at this Panera whenever we're on an afternoon 'let's burn some fossil fuel for no good reason' drive. The lunch crowd is usually pretty thick, but it's mostly white collar workers who mean business, and get through the line quickly. Plus, there's an ample staff to handle the large number of customers. Good food. Lots of clean seating. There's a cafe-style eating area, and you usually can find Northwestern students there perusing the internet via Panera's free wi-fi.
(5)
Molly L.
I visited this Panera this morning and had a wonderful experience. I don't normally write reviews for major Franchised properties, but felt compelled to give kudos. The mornings are always a busy time there, yet the cashier found time to "wow" me. I ordered bagels for my offices this morning. After I was done checking out, I asked her to ring me up for another coffee. Instead of being annoyed it agitated she took care of me right away. As a Director of Catering for a large property I was throughly impressed with her customer service. I did not catch her name, but my receipt states Lucia as my cashier. Kudos!! You have a real gem in that employee.
(5)
Paula J.
Loved it! Great service! Yummy yummy Everything Bagels!!!
(4)
Tad T.
They really have turned this one around!
(4)
Joani O.
As my friend Christine said, their prices are a bit high for what you get. Expect to spend just under $10 for a sandwich or salad, not including a drink. So if you get a meal, drink and dessert, it's easily about $15. They get my business mainly because I don't eat fast food, and for a quick, casual meal, their food is good. I love their french onion soup, or chicken Cobb avocado salad. They also have a Pick Two combo, where you choose a 1/2 sandwich or 1/2 salad, with a cup of soup. Or any other combination. Their bagels and pastries are really good, and I appreciate the separate counter if that's all you want. They also have good breakfast sandwiches and delicious souffles! (Spinach and artichoke or 4-cheese, yum!) Also, pastries are reduced to 99 cents after 4 pm. They have a Rewards program, although I don't believe we get offers often enough for the money we spend. But occasionally we do receive a free pastry or $1 off a soup. You do get a birthday treat! Overall, my family likes Panera a lot.
(3)
Hannah H.
Located across from the main Old Orchard shopping mall complex (in the DSW plaza), this Panera is a favorite for those who have been shopping and/or who are in the area. It is usually super busy, but you can expect your food to be prepared just like at any other Panera locations. The one plus is that this place has a fireplace, so it is nice and toasty to sit around that spot during the winter months (located near the bakery section). While the menu has changed often, a rendition of old favorites still exist. For bagels, I usually stick with a toasted Asiago Cheese Bagel, as it's pretty monstrous and I liked the crispy melted Asiago cheese that's on top. If I'm craving for something sweet, the Cinnamon Crunch Bagel is also good, too, as the crusty and crunchy cinnamon with brown sugar on top really craves the sweet tooth. For the lunch combo, I usually get the Asiago Steak Sandwich as I'm a fan of their Asiago breads; it has medium-rare roast beef, smoked cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and a horseradish sauce - I usually add extra mayo and ground pepper to give it an extra 'umph.' For soup, I usually get the Broccoli Cheddar Soup (creamy with chunks of broccoli throughout). A Cherry Pastry is sometimes bought for dessert, and the filling of the cherries is pretty good and a nice treat at the end. If you have a MyPanera card, you can rack up points and get free desserts, beverages, and sometimes a free meal. There's plenty of parking, but it is a bit of a tight squeeze - just watch out for the cars around the bend! +MyPanera card for rewards +Asiago Cheese Bagel +Asiago Roast Beef sandwich +Broccoli Cheddar Soup
(3)
Christine L.
I used to really, really love Panera, but lately have not been able to justify the cost of coming here. The menu has changed a lot in the last few years, and the food is still good, but the prices have also increased significantly and I'm not quite sure I can justify spending almost $10 on soup and half a sandwich at a fast casual place. They have a separate line for the bakery area which is nice when all you're picking up is a bagel or one of their delicious cookies or desserts. I do have to give it to them, they make some great baked goods. This particular Panera is nice and spacious with plenty of seating and outlets for you students/nerds/business people. If you go waaay to the back it's almost always got a handful of people working away on a computer. Free WiFI and plenty of outlets will do that, although they do request that people try to avoid table hogging during their rush hours. It's also a decent place to just sit and relax and catch up with friends without being hassled. As a place to talk or study, it's definitely good for that. If you're going for a cheap meal, maybe not so much the place for you. But be sure to check out the bakery!
(3)
Keisha S.
This is the slowest Panera!!! Every Saturday they are short staff during the morning rush and the service is subpar because of this!!!!
(2)
AJ M.
Panera is one of my sisters favorite spots. It's a pretty safe choice because everything is pretty good. I love the Broccoli cheddar soup, it's amazing. I usually do the pick 2 half sandwich and soup. Full sandwiches are a little pricey for the size but I guess it's the price you pay for fresh pretty healthy food. This location is great, everyone here is so polite!
(4)
Matthew S.
Once in a while, I eat. So, this time when I decided to eat - it was because I worked late, AND I had to go to a committee meeting at 7pm (!!!), and I didn't have time to go home and eat crackers and cheese. I decided to treat myself to Panera. Because this place is a chain - there really isn't much to extol - repeating other people seems really like a bad idea. But it is clean, it is fast, and they weren't out of ingredients for anything I ordered, which is nice. The turkey and avocado sandwich was delicious, and so was the french onion soup. I do worry when I eat onions, I'll be a little gassy - but I worried for no reason. I made it through the whole meeting without being flatulent. Once, when I rode the CTA, there was a very flatulent woman. It was awful. I have no idea if she had french onion soup though. Honestly, I would have wagered a guess that she ate roadkill. This location is also really clean. There is always someone sweeping, and the dish bin is emptied regularly, so you aren't stacking your dishes up on top of more dirty dishes. The table I sat at didn't wobble either. That's always a good thing. No one likes to slop soup on their trousers. I hope. So, if you are in Skokie, and you need to eat - you should go here, because of all the great things I just said about this place. And while I am exceptionally attractive, I am not a paid spokesperson for Panera Bread.
(4)
Richard Y.
Consistent, good food and free wifi with comfy chairs brings me back and i was pleasantly surprised at lunch today by the new Lentil Quinoa Chicken Broth Bowl. Delicious through and through, from the Korean-style broth to the kale, grains, and chicken. For $9, you get a generous portion with a giant, fun spoon to eat with. A nice Winter meal--no more suffering lame soup and tedious chili--someone at Panera gets it!
(4)
Madeleine E.
This particular location is nasty. The bathrooms have stains, they stall doors don't lock right and there are multiple holes in the walls and doors where books used to be. They food here is mediocre. The paninis are always under done. Soggy white bread hardly toasted and tepid. They got my order wrong (umm, I ordered directly off the menu- not sure how that happened). The manager was walking around and noticed my sandwich was wrong. He looked at me and walked away. Management by example here. The order takers were very nice. The bread is always tasty here. Had the lemon orzo soup and chipotle chicken panini. It was all just fine.
(2)
Alan S.
I like this panera. Its very good. The customer service is wonderful. They are very attentive to your need. They are friendly and polite. It can get crowded and hectic during lunch time. As for the food, it is good. They make good salads, pastas, and sandwiches. They freshly bake bread every night and my favorite is the asiago cheese bread. I enjoy drinking the carmel mocha on a mug. Price is moderate. Place is clean and well maintained. I did not find any problems of maintenance in the restrooms. You will find a large parking lot. One thing that strikes me about this panera would be the fireplace and lounge chairs surrounding it. Definitely in the winter time the fireplace gives a relaxing feel when sipping on tea or a mug of latte. They have alot of cookies and sweetrolls. Give my regard to Maria. She works at the counter and a very sweet and kind girl.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Chanoy M.
I like there hazelnut coffee blend and I always find a nice comfy place to sit by the big window. I usually come in on Saturday mornings with my dad and just sit around have coffee and shoot the shhhh. It's a nice place to sit back, relax, and have a cup of joe.
(5)K R.
I go to Panera allll the time.. their hazelnut is my favorite coffee with some sugar and skim milk. Delish.. love the cinnamon crunch bagel..man n cheese..tuna.. a lot of their breads. There are items on the menu that I truthfully don't care for, but the ones that I like..I would order any day of the week! I also enjoy that I'm able to study here..the staff never once bothered me to get out or move to a smaller table. There were times I stayed for a couple of hours to wait for a friend or just to read my textbooks or whatever. Never had any issues.. free wifi that typically works well..I get as many coffee refills as I like and if I just want like a little snack while studying I can grab a fruit cup or something light which I really enjoy because when you're sitting on your behind studying for hours.. maybe not such a great idea to eat a huge meal. All around ..really yummy.
(5)Dieter B.
Fantastic food and service! This place gets very busy around noon but it's worth the wait. The quality of food is consistently good, the staff is very professional and pleasant. Plus, they've never screwed up my orders! Good job guys!!
(5)David R.
I have to admit that my wife was right. ! She tried to tell me the other day that Panera boasts a first-class chocolate-chip cookie, and I scoffed. Today she brought one home and walked me through a point-by-point explication of its merits. Then of course I put it to the ultimate test and...well, I confess myself convinced. Impressed, even. This is definitely a top-ten chocolate-chip cookie.
(4)Julia K.
I used to come to panera often with my friend. I love everything about the place. I love their salad, bread, soup, pasta, sandwiches, etc. I love getting their Thai Chicken salad. I love the side of sour dough they give with the food. Also, if you have their rewards cards, and you use it every time you go there; you will be able to collect points and when you have enough you can get a free bread or baked goods from them. So I would get the chocolate filled pastries for free from them. I also would get like half sandwich or salad and half of their pasta. I remember they had three new pasta flavors and all three of them were really good. I recommend this place and the service is alright. Sometimes they're nice and sometimes they are alright with their services. I like the atmosphere there as well. It's a good place to eat, catch up, relax, with your friends or family.
(4)Diana J.
I went to this Panera because I had an extra 15 minutes and it was close. It was kind of a madhouse in there with lines going all over the place and people standing in small crowds. It didn't help that I didn't know my sandwich would be up on a counter 25 feet away from where I got my coffee. That caused my short trip to be extended for an unpleasant 10 minutes. The quality of the food was pretty good; I got a breakfast sandwich on good quality bread and with good quality cheese. I also like that you can mix your coffees so I went with half decaf to help calm my always jittery nerves. I'll go back if I can find a manual on how to order for next time.
(3)Sarah C.
Been in here a handful of times. When the bathrooms are as filthy as they are it makes you wonder how the kitchen is. (Bathrooms always have TP on floor, dirty toilets and never have paper towels for when you wash your hands). Gross.
(2)Gordon S.
Their baby spinach salad sucked. Never again will I do carry out since I got screwed when I got back to the office. It was all spinach, a few burnt mushrooms which chew just like a rubberband. There was NO egg. I think I found 1 piece of miniature piece egg in this salad which is pathetic. The bacon was barely evident, but there was lots of onion in there. For 10 bucks I'd rather eat my lawn clippings than food from this dump. Filled with pretentious people who are rude and do not speak English and on top of that it's the kiddies personal hang out spot away from mom and dad taking advantage of the free wi-fi - Which is also pathetically slow I might add. Another example of fine over priced American fast food that sucks like a Dyson but leaves dirt all over the floor. Oh the bread was OK, hoo-f-in-rah.
(1)Jeff H.
Comfortable place with a varied menu for any meal of the day. Rewards membership means free goodies from time to time. I often come here to eat/drink and get work done. Free wifi and plenty of tables are great. Salads are fresh and tasty. Free refills on coffee, soda and iced tea.
(4)Sharon C.
I stopped at this Panera today a little after lunch, and I was just pretty disappointed by the service. I'm honestly not partial to Panera at all, but I will eat it and enjoy it on occasion. I ordered the half sandwich (Roasted Turkey & Avocado BLT) and half soup (chicken noodle). One of my friends ordered a creamy tomato soup with a bagel and cream cheese. For a pretty late lunch (we ate between 1:30 and 2), this location was absolutely packed. There was barely any seating, and we were lucky to snag a table. I find Panera layouts to be a little annoying anyway, given the two lines with the different menus, but we all placed our orders at the meal line. I had forgotten that water cups are next to the beverage dispensers at Panera, so I asked the lady at the counter for a water cup, and she just completely ignored my request - a fact that I didn't notice until after, when I was sitting down and realized that I didn't have a cup for water. Fortunately, I remembered where they were placed. Our orders came out fairly quickly, but there was absolute chaos at the pick-up counter. People behind the counter were calling out names for food and getting no responses, there was one man on our side of the counter calling out more names, and there was nowhere to return my beeper. I stood there awkwardly for a few minutes before just grabbing what I thought was my food and leaving my beeper on the counter. My friend who ordered the bagel didn't get the bagel immediately, either, the way Panera usually handles bagels ordered with a meal. She had to go up to the counter after she'd gotten the rest of her food to request her bagel, and it came with the cream cheese on the side - always a disappointment, since those portions tend to be smaller, in my opinion.
(2)Jeff O.
Good food. Bit pricey. I had my first peanut butter and jelly sandwich from there. Ever since that day I have been eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, AND dinner. Amazing PB & J sandwiches at the Skokie location c
(4)George J.
ZERO STARS! I don't get how people eat here! It's a very overpriced simple sandwich shop, I ordered the turkey and honestly a kid can make a better sandwich than that, it was lettuce, tomato and two slices of turkey, REALLY?!?! A Caesar salad and a turkey sandwich was $17!!! I couldn't believe it and to top it all off the lettuce was soggy and the salad all together was just horrible! I tried their broccoli and cheddar bread bowl and they hardly took any of the bread out of the inside so there was barely any soup at all. I can't express how terrible and over-priced Panera Bread is, I don't mind spending money for good food as long as they put effort into making a decent sandwich and giving customers what they deserve not 2 small pieces of turkey, a piece of lettuce and a tomato. I will never eat Panera Bread again!
(1)Rustygirl M.
It's like any other panera I've been to. It does have a fireplace that i like to sit by when it's avbl.
(4)Fancy N.
If this was the first Panera I ever went to, I'd never return. But Panera is my favorite, so that's the only reason this location gets the measly 2 stars. I ordered the steak salad and took it to go. I get home, which is a bit away, and notice that my salad is bare. All it had was steak, some salad, and about 2 tomato pieces. Where are all the other ingredients?? So I called to speak with the manager, was put on hold for 5 min. I called back, put on hold for another 5 min, finally get someone who barely speaks English. Not sure if this was really the manager or not. They told me to bring back the salad for inspection and they'd address the issue then. I just shelled out nearly $10 for a half assembled salad, and you think I'm going to waste another $10 in gas to drive it back so you can "inspect" it? Come on! Poor customer service to say the least. Finally I was offered a "coupon" to be sent to my home. A coupon? Yes, apparently $1 off a crappy unedible plain salad is sufficient. NEVER AGAIN will I set foot in this Panera.
(2)Greg G.
Good food and service! Would come back
(3)Alison Y.
Great place to do work - free wifi, tons of plugs all over the place, comfy seats, great drinks and food (within reason of price and environment). LOVE IT!
(5)Venessa F.
Beside the high prices not too many people can say that Panera has great food! The rewards card was best at first, to suck people in, as per usual... I don't receive as many rewards for purchases so I don't frequent as much as I have.
(5)Oliver S.
There's something dirty about this Panera. It has pretty much the same setup as other Panera's I've been too, but there seems to be an upkeep issue. The tables were haphazardly bussed and used newspapers littered several areas of the cafe, for example. The bakery selection was scarce. Their selection of bagels was unusually limited (there were a lot of empty bagel baskets), and the pastry selection was lacking. I've definitely been to cleaner, more well stocked Paneras. I wouldn't recommend this Panera as a study location either. Too much visitor traffic and the Wi-Fi is slow. The next time I'm in the mood for corporate style baked goods, I'll take my business to the local Corner Bakery.
(3)Amanda R.
The wrst, most unfriendly, unaccomiating panera ive ever been to in my life! The staff were absolutely rude and then the MANAGER was even more rude! The only way my boyfriend could get dressing for his salad... yes... dressing for his salad was to raise his voice at the manager because he blatently ignored his request while he asked the manager polietely 3 times loud enough for the guy to hear. Ive worked at many restaurants both casual and fine dining and have never encountered behavior like that from an entire staff when the restaurant wasnt busy.
(1)Stella A.
A-OK indeed. My sister and I had lunch here yesterday. I ordered the cup of soup(mixed vegetable with pesto) and half a salad (caesar) deal. The food was ok. The salad was sorta tasteless and the soup wasn't bad but it was cold. The plus side was their portions were ginormous, they had Dr. Pepper, and their service was fast!
(3)Eva S.
Favorite cafe item: They make an excellent iced dirty chai. It's not listed on the menu like that, but it's basically an iced chai with a shot of espresso. The girl taking my order was so sweet and my drink did not have mountains of ice. It was cold, milky, smooth, very earthy and strong. It was the best iced chai I've ever had. Who knew??? While Panera is not my typical kind of cafe...(it's pretty busy and can get really crowded during peak hours) I couldn't help but appreciate and stress on the fact that they give a LOT more of the drink, and a lot LESS of the overboard ice. It will not be a drink that will be gone in about 2 sips and that... is worth the patronage. The left of the store has more of a "cafe feel" to it. It's cozier and is a nice spot to study (free wifi) with some armchairs and smaller tables, while the right side has more of a restaurant setting (booths etc.). I love the balance, and the fact that you can choose which ambiance you're in the mood for.
(4)Kevin D.
I love Panera Bread. There food is great most of their locations are kept up and clean. They have fast service. I have been to this Panera about once a week and the only real complaint I have is it is kind of hard to get into the parking lot and to find parking closer when its packed at lunch.
(4)Claire C.
I like most panera bread except this one. The customer service is the worse I have ever encountered. The manager is extremely cheap which rise a concern on freshness of food.
(1)Dara O.
Sometimes stop in here during break at work. Considering I only have a half hour, I'm impressed. Fast and tasty, hell of a lot healthier than typical fast food, but of course a bit more pricey. Though it's not too bad. Free wi-fi for those who want to sit on their laptop/tablet/smartphone and get work done with their food and beverage. Once in awhile the teens and tweens pop in and are a little loud and cause some ruckus, but that happens when there's a high school half a mile away.
(4)Jon M.
Clean, friendly service, lots of room for studying and free wifi.. you can't go wrong with this place. And the food here is always a plus. Healthy choices unless you get the panini's.
(5)Tracy K.
I feel like I'm at this Panera at least once a week. The parking lot is a madhouse around dinner time.. The inside is spacious and has free wifi. The staff is friendly and they interact well with my boys, but they seem kind of flighty when it comes to making sure that all parts of the order have made it to the tray/to-go bag. I have learned to ALWAYS double check my bag before I leave the store.
(3)Ela G.
I am a fan of Panera in general, as opposed to other fast-food cafe chains. Their salads and soups are tasty and fresh. I agree about the mac and cheese, it's GOOD! On this occassion, my mom and I split the sesame chicken salad. The salad is delicious, but we had to ask for extra dressing and extra cilantro. Everything was delicious except our cilantro was definiately past it's prime, mushy and wet like old herbs left in the fridge too long. I pointed out the issue to the manager, who apologized and told me he would take care of it, offering me something else. I was fine, I said, just throw it out, it's old! I was planning on rating them more harshly, but he later came to our table, apologized again, said he's thrown it out and asked us to come back on him. I appreciate his going the extra mile, but wish it had never happened in the first place. All in all, it's stlil a good place to go for a break from the old orchard shopping madness:)
(3)amira c.
they are eh, i had some really bad times here, they messed up a bunch of my stuff, many times, the food isnt really all that great and if you go during a busy time the chances of them messing up is higher and the chances of it coming back burned is high too. so far the only thing thats good there is salad and soup, i can go anywhere for that. its not at the top of my listif anything corner bakery is much better for the same thing and i think they have more options too. XD.
(2)a w.
This newly built location is just awesome! They have free wi-fi..but thats not really what brings me here again and again. Its their sourdough bread and cream of brocolli soup. Mmmm..just writing about it makes me want to go out and get some of it!!!
(5)Laura R.
I love coming here for lunch because their chicken noodle soup is great (and very low-fat, how often does that happen??) They're usually pretty friendly, but if you go right around the lunch hour during the week it can be pretty crowded.
(4)Allison K.
Just went here for lunch today. I just wanted to compliment on how nice the staff was at this location. My sandwich was fantastic. I'm sure everyone has ate at Panera Bread at least once, but I just wanted to say too that I just absoluty love there sour-dough bread too, (not as good as the stuff made in San Fransico, but definitly awesome) =)
(5)C W.
I generally like Panera food but my family has yet to get a takeout order from this restaurant that is 100% correct. Tonight I was disappointed to learn this location doesn't have the squash soup Panera is promoting on its web site and that was compounded by the fact my turkey artichoke panini came with spinch leaves in place of artichoke. Either they changed the sandwich without telling us or mine was done wrong. This is just the latest in a series of screw-ups -- it's why I generally refuse to order takeout from here, even when my kids beg for it.
(2)Jen S.
The best thing about Panera is that it's a safe bet for a good lunch. I ventured to this location to get a light lunch and knew exactly what I wanted when I walked in. I ordered the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich with no onions and the BBQ Chopped Chicken salad. This location is faster than the other Panera's I've been to, but maybe that's because they aren't paying too close attention. I received my sandwich covered with onion and no chicken on my salad! They did give me chicken when I walked back to the counter, but it was only about two pieces anyway...
(4)kristal m.
the cashier was great....then while waiting for my meal they called my name and my buzzer buzzed. i took my to go food i double checked with a lady behind the counter if it was the correct order she said it was. i went home wrong food...wrong so wrong. so i went back not even that upset i just took it as an oops moment. when i came back calmly stated that it wasnt the correct order and i was willing to wait and it wasnt a problem. BUT the woman that i double checked with decided it was a problem and HUGE problem. she started cursing me out in spainish behind the counter...and i may not look hispanic but i am. she was ranting and raving about how it wasnt her fault and that why did i have to come back. it was just rude. extremely rude. i wasnt upset at all im pretty easy going i understand that everyone has an oops moment. the manager came to my rescue yet didnt quite down the disgruntled worker. he was really nice but didnt do anything about his employee which upset me.
(1)Cece P.
So first time eating at a Panera location and it was just OK. First, the guy taking our order did not even ask if we wanted bread, chips, or an apple - apparently I didn't have an option yet every other customer was asked? Not sure if this was a mistake but nonetheless it was rude and pissed me off. I asked the server to change it to chips and she did but was kind of annoyed. But hey - I'm just the messenger, blame the dumb guy behind the counter taking the order! I can say their Mediterranean sandwich and their creamy chicken soup were both AMAZING! However, their strawberry poppy-seed salad was not that good. I did not like the chicken or the dressing - my boyfriend didn't like the chicken either. Overall experience was just OK...would I go back? Maybe - if they gave me coupons...lol :D
(3)Chris W.
There is something new at Panera, something strange, something that I desire. THAT WOULD BE MAC AND CHEESE!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a premium item on their menu but DEAR GOD please order this mac with your pick 2. The bowl is just about as big as a soup bowl but there's a little more noodle in there. I originally ordered an extra side with my pick 2 because I figured "Oh God this is going to be so small and disappointing" but a bowl of it with a sandwich or salad is perfectly satisfactory. It's so creamy and delicious and RICH and filling. You all should know by now that I'm the queen of mac and cheese reviews. So take my freaking word for it! This mac is not whack! I don't think I could ever have a bowl of soup from Panera again.
(4)Stephanie S.
Normally I would give this location 4 stars but today's experience did not impress me. This is "my Panera". This is the location that I frequent most often. Normally it's a pretty good experience. It's a busy location but most of the time I can find seating and they almost always get my order correct. I came in recently in mid-afternoon so it wasn't that busy. The woman at the register must be new because she seemed to have a rather difficult time placing a 'you-pick-two' order. Being a previous Panera employee myself, I know their P.O.S. systems are pretty user friendly. This employee needs more training! On top of being unfamiliar with the computer, she never rang me up for a fountain drink. I ended up going to the next register over to make a second transaction. Once my food came up in the window I noticed it was totally wrong. Not one item was what I had ordered. My fault for not looking closely at the order on my receipt. This might be a tedious job sometimes, but it is not hard. Make sure your employees are trained properly.
(3)Ma Q.
i would like to conmend maria for going out of her way to make my iced chocolate. you just made my day!!!
(5)Andrew L.
I was the last customer sat. night and they forgot one of my sandwiches. I brought in the receipt the next day and the manager was really great about it. He immediately stopped what he was doing and helped me out! Thanks!
(5)Nicollette W.
Okay - I do like Panera, but this location was crappy. They were out of Shortbread cookies (one of my fav's there) and they didn't have the soups that were on the sign. Plus they didn't ask me if I wanted chips, apple or bread with my Take 2 so I forgot to tell them I wanted the chips and I ended up with bread. I usually get the black bean soup but they weren't serving it on a Saturday so I went with the Tomato and no I did not like it much. I usually like tomato soup, but not this one. My husband had the Chicken Tortilla and that looked and tasted good. The restaurant was a bit dirty and that totally turned me off. I know that sometimes restaurants are super busy (especially when they are located across from a mall) but still - hire some more people to keep the place clean will ya?!
(2)Annie S.
My mom and I stopped by here today to get some coffee before going to DSW. I've gone here a lot for their sandwiches and I like it because there's an area to the left of the restaurant where you can chill on couches, etc. And there's a fire place too. The service is pretty fast and the staff are friendly. My mom really likes the hazelnut coffee, which is surprising because she is really anal about coffee. I love their chicken salad sandwiches and chicken wild rice soup. YUMMY! You should stop by here before you go to DSW, Best Buy and Ulta (all in the same shopping area).
(4)Kent B.
Panera Bread is a great place to grab a high quality sandwich. This location is always clean. There are a variety of sandwiches available as well as soup. Fountain drinks are self-service and refillable. In St. Louis, you'll find the exact same menu items and decor, but the store name is St. Louis Bread Company (parent company). Panera Bread is a bit pricier than other chain sandwich shops, like Subway. However, the quality is significantly better and therefore a good value. You'll find a more upscale patron than in a typical Subway. Parking can be a bit of a problem at this location.
(4)M H.
I love this location, it's right by the Old Orchard Mall and a great place to have lunch. The breakfast items are delicious as the salads and some sandwiches. Service is always fast and friendly.
(5)Allen R.
It feels like we always end up at this Panera whenever we're on an afternoon 'let's burn some fossil fuel for no good reason' drive. The lunch crowd is usually pretty thick, but it's mostly white collar workers who mean business, and get through the line quickly. Plus, there's an ample staff to handle the large number of customers. Good food. Lots of clean seating. There's a cafe-style eating area, and you usually can find Northwestern students there perusing the internet via Panera's free wi-fi.
(5)Molly L.
I visited this Panera this morning and had a wonderful experience. I don't normally write reviews for major Franchised properties, but felt compelled to give kudos. The mornings are always a busy time there, yet the cashier found time to "wow" me. I ordered bagels for my offices this morning. After I was done checking out, I asked her to ring me up for another coffee. Instead of being annoyed it agitated she took care of me right away. As a Director of Catering for a large property I was throughly impressed with her customer service. I did not catch her name, but my receipt states Lucia as my cashier. Kudos!! You have a real gem in that employee.
(5)Paula J.
Loved it! Great service! Yummy yummy Everything Bagels!!!
(4)Tad T.
They really have turned this one around!
(4)Joani O.
As my friend Christine said, their prices are a bit high for what you get. Expect to spend just under $10 for a sandwich or salad, not including a drink. So if you get a meal, drink and dessert, it's easily about $15. They get my business mainly because I don't eat fast food, and for a quick, casual meal, their food is good. I love their french onion soup, or chicken Cobb avocado salad. They also have a Pick Two combo, where you choose a 1/2 sandwich or 1/2 salad, with a cup of soup. Or any other combination. Their bagels and pastries are really good, and I appreciate the separate counter if that's all you want. They also have good breakfast sandwiches and delicious souffles! (Spinach and artichoke or 4-cheese, yum!) Also, pastries are reduced to 99 cents after 4 pm. They have a Rewards program, although I don't believe we get offers often enough for the money we spend. But occasionally we do receive a free pastry or $1 off a soup. You do get a birthday treat! Overall, my family likes Panera a lot.
(3)Hannah H.
Located across from the main Old Orchard shopping mall complex (in the DSW plaza), this Panera is a favorite for those who have been shopping and/or who are in the area. It is usually super busy, but you can expect your food to be prepared just like at any other Panera locations. The one plus is that this place has a fireplace, so it is nice and toasty to sit around that spot during the winter months (located near the bakery section). While the menu has changed often, a rendition of old favorites still exist. For bagels, I usually stick with a toasted Asiago Cheese Bagel, as it's pretty monstrous and I liked the crispy melted Asiago cheese that's on top. If I'm craving for something sweet, the Cinnamon Crunch Bagel is also good, too, as the crusty and crunchy cinnamon with brown sugar on top really craves the sweet tooth. For the lunch combo, I usually get the Asiago Steak Sandwich as I'm a fan of their Asiago breads; it has medium-rare roast beef, smoked cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and a horseradish sauce - I usually add extra mayo and ground pepper to give it an extra 'umph.' For soup, I usually get the Broccoli Cheddar Soup (creamy with chunks of broccoli throughout). A Cherry Pastry is sometimes bought for dessert, and the filling of the cherries is pretty good and a nice treat at the end. If you have a MyPanera card, you can rack up points and get free desserts, beverages, and sometimes a free meal. There's plenty of parking, but it is a bit of a tight squeeze - just watch out for the cars around the bend! +MyPanera card for rewards +Asiago Cheese Bagel +Asiago Roast Beef sandwich +Broccoli Cheddar Soup
(3)Christine L.
I used to really, really love Panera, but lately have not been able to justify the cost of coming here. The menu has changed a lot in the last few years, and the food is still good, but the prices have also increased significantly and I'm not quite sure I can justify spending almost $10 on soup and half a sandwich at a fast casual place. They have a separate line for the bakery area which is nice when all you're picking up is a bagel or one of their delicious cookies or desserts. I do have to give it to them, they make some great baked goods. This particular Panera is nice and spacious with plenty of seating and outlets for you students/nerds/business people. If you go waaay to the back it's almost always got a handful of people working away on a computer. Free WiFI and plenty of outlets will do that, although they do request that people try to avoid table hogging during their rush hours. It's also a decent place to just sit and relax and catch up with friends without being hassled. As a place to talk or study, it's definitely good for that. If you're going for a cheap meal, maybe not so much the place for you. But be sure to check out the bakery!
(3)Keisha S.
This is the slowest Panera!!! Every Saturday they are short staff during the morning rush and the service is subpar because of this!!!!
(2)AJ M.
Panera is one of my sisters favorite spots. It's a pretty safe choice because everything is pretty good. I love the Broccoli cheddar soup, it's amazing. I usually do the pick 2 half sandwich and soup. Full sandwiches are a little pricey for the size but I guess it's the price you pay for fresh pretty healthy food. This location is great, everyone here is so polite!
(4)Matthew S.
Once in a while, I eat. So, this time when I decided to eat - it was because I worked late, AND I had to go to a committee meeting at 7pm (!!!), and I didn't have time to go home and eat crackers and cheese. I decided to treat myself to Panera. Because this place is a chain - there really isn't much to extol - repeating other people seems really like a bad idea. But it is clean, it is fast, and they weren't out of ingredients for anything I ordered, which is nice. The turkey and avocado sandwich was delicious, and so was the french onion soup. I do worry when I eat onions, I'll be a little gassy - but I worried for no reason. I made it through the whole meeting without being flatulent. Once, when I rode the CTA, there was a very flatulent woman. It was awful. I have no idea if she had french onion soup though. Honestly, I would have wagered a guess that she ate roadkill. This location is also really clean. There is always someone sweeping, and the dish bin is emptied regularly, so you aren't stacking your dishes up on top of more dirty dishes. The table I sat at didn't wobble either. That's always a good thing. No one likes to slop soup on their trousers. I hope. So, if you are in Skokie, and you need to eat - you should go here, because of all the great things I just said about this place. And while I am exceptionally attractive, I am not a paid spokesperson for Panera Bread.
(4)Richard Y.
Consistent, good food and free wifi with comfy chairs brings me back and i was pleasantly surprised at lunch today by the new Lentil Quinoa Chicken Broth Bowl. Delicious through and through, from the Korean-style broth to the kale, grains, and chicken. For $9, you get a generous portion with a giant, fun spoon to eat with. A nice Winter meal--no more suffering lame soup and tedious chili--someone at Panera gets it!
(4)Madeleine E.
This particular location is nasty. The bathrooms have stains, they stall doors don't lock right and there are multiple holes in the walls and doors where books used to be. They food here is mediocre. The paninis are always under done. Soggy white bread hardly toasted and tepid. They got my order wrong (umm, I ordered directly off the menu- not sure how that happened). The manager was walking around and noticed my sandwich was wrong. He looked at me and walked away. Management by example here. The order takers were very nice. The bread is always tasty here. Had the lemon orzo soup and chipotle chicken panini. It was all just fine.
(2)Alan S.
I like this panera. Its very good. The customer service is wonderful. They are very attentive to your need. They are friendly and polite. It can get crowded and hectic during lunch time. As for the food, it is good. They make good salads, pastas, and sandwiches. They freshly bake bread every night and my favorite is the asiago cheese bread. I enjoy drinking the carmel mocha on a mug. Price is moderate. Place is clean and well maintained. I did not find any problems of maintenance in the restrooms. You will find a large parking lot. One thing that strikes me about this panera would be the fireplace and lounge chairs surrounding it. Definitely in the winter time the fireplace gives a relaxing feel when sipping on tea or a mug of latte. They have alot of cookies and sweetrolls. Give my regard to Maria. She works at the counter and a very sweet and kind girl.
(5)