I'm always a little reluctant to write reviews for chain restaurants but having been to dozens of different Starbucks and Paneras they really do vary in staff and atmosphere. This one has a great staff and I never had any problems here. Since there isn't an overwhelming selection in this area we wound up here for breakfast, lunch and dinner (not all the same day!). The coffee was fine, I had a caramel latte and it was good, the broccoli and cheddar soup was really tasty and, as as a more to the point reviewer said- the baguettes are like crack- I could eat them every day three times a day!
(5)
Joe S.
Crack on a baguette. Very friendly, fast and good as always.
(5)
Deb E.
Popped in here after class on the recommendation of a friend and wasn't disappointed! It was all I could do to order my Frontega Chichen Panini without ordering one of each of the yummy-looking danish and sweet rolls! I did pick up a few bagels and will be back for more, I'm sure. Service was great--quick and friendly--and the place was very clean. A new fan!
(5)
Trent T.
This place is great! I love the bagels! I had the chili with cornbread. It was really good. the chili was spicy, but not overly so. It has a lot of flavor with some heat.
(4)
Kristen V.
Panera has been one of my favorite places to go for years. The food is wonderful, and the staff is awesome! I have my usual order, but what really brightens my day is the caramel latte. I worked at a coffee shop for a few years, so while I wouldn't call myself a connoisseur, I HAVE become a little picky when it comes to my caffeine fixes, and Panera definitely steps up to plate. The espresso beans are well roasted, and the caramel is just perfect (not so sweet that it throws the whole thing overboard). Other than the latte, I love to get the broccoli cheddar bread bowl. A lot of places don't do it right (they usually hollow out the bowl and throw away the excess bread!), but Panera gets it perfect every time. Honestly, I'd love to list out all my favorites, but there are too many. I give it five stars: keep it up Shaich and co.!
(5)
Christy H.
Sign up for the MyPanera Card you get free perks usually every quarter based on previous purchases and what you like most. Also, when u initially sign up they should give you a free smoothie as your welcome gift, it's tied to your phone number so you don't always have to have your card. Starting June 23, they will be open until 10:00 p.m. They also have free wi-fi and have seasonal specials. I heart the fuji chicken apple salad sans pecans and chicken and extra dressing :). Also, if you need a pick me up, their Strawberry Smoothie has a ginseng mix in it, I have a very unique digestive system, not only do I tolerate it, I feel like I can concur at least cleaning my car out! LOL!
(5)
Brittany L.
Weekend wait too long at Big Bob's or IHOP? Slide on over to Panera. You'll have your food and be done eating in less than the time it would take you to get seated at one of those. I greatly prefer the breakfast menu to the lunch offerings. I specifically like the non-bagel sandwiches. The only negative was that they were OUT OF plates. Instead of wrapping our 4 sandwiches in wax paper or foil or putting them into a to-go box or SOMETHING they put 2 sandwiches on each plate. For 4 people. So we hovered over our shared plates and had to use napkins as plates. REALLY? That is the best problem solving you could muster? One of the sandwiches had a large piece of egg shell stuck to the outside. I listened to a 5 minute conversation between 2 employees about how difficult it is to change the paper towels. My hands were wet. Because it was too difficult to change the paper towels. Duh, guys.
(3)
Melanie Z.
Pretty decent lunch there today with some friends. Chicken Caesar salad was pretty good...nothing great. Broccoli Cheese soup was good. No bread bowls :( which completely bummed me out. Is it not the season for the bread bowls with soup at Panera? Portion sizes were decent. Would go back again. Staff was every friendly and attentive.
(3)
Zach G.
I mean, I'm not Panera fan to begin with. I think their food is woefully overrated - soups taste like they're canned, sandwich meats taste like processed deli meats, etc. That being said, it was the closest semi-healthy option to where I was working, so I chose to stop here. The problem with the Lexington Park/California region is that, seemingly, everyone and their mom (and step mom and grand mom and god mom) breaks for lunch at the same minute. Roads are packed, parking lots are packed, and lunch spots are packed. Most places can deal with this with a smile on your face...but not Panera. The staff seemed to be ridiculously overwhelmed with what appeared to be, based on previous experiences, a normal lunch rush here. They weren't quite rude, but they were close to it. The layout of this place is not so great either. The dining area is fine, but the pick-up area is narrow and small. Not good when you have 9 plates sitting on the counter and 9 people waiting to pick them up, in addition to 5 more people getting their drinks because their food isn't even close to being up yet. Everyone is banging in to each other, nearly dropping their lunches.
(3)
Derek C.
I get my breakfast from Panera almost every day during the week. It's quick and healthy. The staff is very friendly and willing to make your food your way. While it's a little pricey when you compare it to the rest of the chain restaursnts, you get quality and a great meal. The atmosphere is awesome too. Most of the food on their menu is healthy or can be made healthy with a few changes.
(5)
Ingrid K.
Panera is always a great place to stop for breakfast or lunch. Love the free wifi too.
(4)
Lauren K.
While I know it is somewhat lame to rate a place that pretty much nobody is going to look up because we have all been there at least one gajillion times, I am sitting here right now taking advantage of free wifi and a yummy bagel and I feel obligated to voice my opinion. Yelp is addictive in that way. So as far as Panera goes, this one is pretty fantastic. Same food as every other (I assume), but the service is always way friendly. I have only seen about two dudes working at any given time, but all of the girls are very peppy and very excited to be serving their Panera clientele. In this economy, employees like that are key. Keep up the good work, Lexington Park Panera. And I will keep ordering the same exact bagel EVERY time.
(4)
Laura M.
Good for breakfast, lunch and dinner- Panera has it all! Usually PACKED between 11 and 1 the food is always good, and fresh. I often go there in the morning and during the winter grab a pumpkin spice latte and a four cheese souffle. Yum Yum Yum!
(5)
Chris M.
The service and the staff are great. The food is pretty good. I really miss the asiago roast beef, which they have discontinued. They replaced it with a steak with the same basic ingredients. As for the wi-fi it's free but, it proves to be a challenge to get connected after 11am.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Cheryl S.
I'm always a little reluctant to write reviews for chain restaurants but having been to dozens of different Starbucks and Paneras they really do vary in staff and atmosphere. This one has a great staff and I never had any problems here. Since there isn't an overwhelming selection in this area we wound up here for breakfast, lunch and dinner (not all the same day!). The coffee was fine, I had a caramel latte and it was good, the broccoli and cheddar soup was really tasty and, as as a more to the point reviewer said- the baguettes are like crack- I could eat them every day three times a day!
(5)Joe S.
Crack on a baguette. Very friendly, fast and good as always.
(5)Deb E.
Popped in here after class on the recommendation of a friend and wasn't disappointed! It was all I could do to order my Frontega Chichen Panini without ordering one of each of the yummy-looking danish and sweet rolls! I did pick up a few bagels and will be back for more, I'm sure. Service was great--quick and friendly--and the place was very clean. A new fan!
(5)Trent T.
This place is great! I love the bagels! I had the chili with cornbread. It was really good. the chili was spicy, but not overly so. It has a lot of flavor with some heat.
(4)Kristen V.
Panera has been one of my favorite places to go for years. The food is wonderful, and the staff is awesome! I have my usual order, but what really brightens my day is the caramel latte. I worked at a coffee shop for a few years, so while I wouldn't call myself a connoisseur, I HAVE become a little picky when it comes to my caffeine fixes, and Panera definitely steps up to plate. The espresso beans are well roasted, and the caramel is just perfect (not so sweet that it throws the whole thing overboard). Other than the latte, I love to get the broccoli cheddar bread bowl. A lot of places don't do it right (they usually hollow out the bowl and throw away the excess bread!), but Panera gets it perfect every time. Honestly, I'd love to list out all my favorites, but there are too many. I give it five stars: keep it up Shaich and co.!
(5)Christy H.
Sign up for the MyPanera Card you get free perks usually every quarter based on previous purchases and what you like most. Also, when u initially sign up they should give you a free smoothie as your welcome gift, it's tied to your phone number so you don't always have to have your card. Starting June 23, they will be open until 10:00 p.m. They also have free wi-fi and have seasonal specials. I heart the fuji chicken apple salad sans pecans and chicken and extra dressing :). Also, if you need a pick me up, their Strawberry Smoothie has a ginseng mix in it, I have a very unique digestive system, not only do I tolerate it, I feel like I can concur at least cleaning my car out! LOL!
(5)Brittany L.
Weekend wait too long at Big Bob's or IHOP? Slide on over to Panera. You'll have your food and be done eating in less than the time it would take you to get seated at one of those. I greatly prefer the breakfast menu to the lunch offerings. I specifically like the non-bagel sandwiches. The only negative was that they were OUT OF plates. Instead of wrapping our 4 sandwiches in wax paper or foil or putting them into a to-go box or SOMETHING they put 2 sandwiches on each plate. For 4 people. So we hovered over our shared plates and had to use napkins as plates. REALLY? That is the best problem solving you could muster? One of the sandwiches had a large piece of egg shell stuck to the outside. I listened to a 5 minute conversation between 2 employees about how difficult it is to change the paper towels. My hands were wet. Because it was too difficult to change the paper towels. Duh, guys.
(3)Melanie Z.
Pretty decent lunch there today with some friends. Chicken Caesar salad was pretty good...nothing great. Broccoli Cheese soup was good. No bread bowls :( which completely bummed me out. Is it not the season for the bread bowls with soup at Panera? Portion sizes were decent. Would go back again. Staff was every friendly and attentive.
(3)Zach G.
I mean, I'm not Panera fan to begin with. I think their food is woefully overrated - soups taste like they're canned, sandwich meats taste like processed deli meats, etc. That being said, it was the closest semi-healthy option to where I was working, so I chose to stop here. The problem with the Lexington Park/California region is that, seemingly, everyone and their mom (and step mom and grand mom and god mom) breaks for lunch at the same minute. Roads are packed, parking lots are packed, and lunch spots are packed. Most places can deal with this with a smile on your face...but not Panera. The staff seemed to be ridiculously overwhelmed with what appeared to be, based on previous experiences, a normal lunch rush here. They weren't quite rude, but they were close to it. The layout of this place is not so great either. The dining area is fine, but the pick-up area is narrow and small. Not good when you have 9 plates sitting on the counter and 9 people waiting to pick them up, in addition to 5 more people getting their drinks because their food isn't even close to being up yet. Everyone is banging in to each other, nearly dropping their lunches.
(3)Derek C.
I get my breakfast from Panera almost every day during the week. It's quick and healthy. The staff is very friendly and willing to make your food your way. While it's a little pricey when you compare it to the rest of the chain restaursnts, you get quality and a great meal. The atmosphere is awesome too. Most of the food on their menu is healthy or can be made healthy with a few changes.
(5)Ingrid K.
Panera is always a great place to stop for breakfast or lunch. Love the free wifi too.
(4)Lauren K.
While I know it is somewhat lame to rate a place that pretty much nobody is going to look up because we have all been there at least one gajillion times, I am sitting here right now taking advantage of free wifi and a yummy bagel and I feel obligated to voice my opinion. Yelp is addictive in that way. So as far as Panera goes, this one is pretty fantastic. Same food as every other (I assume), but the service is always way friendly. I have only seen about two dudes working at any given time, but all of the girls are very peppy and very excited to be serving their Panera clientele. In this economy, employees like that are key. Keep up the good work, Lexington Park Panera. And I will keep ordering the same exact bagel EVERY time.
(4)Laura M.
Good for breakfast, lunch and dinner- Panera has it all! Usually PACKED between 11 and 1 the food is always good, and fresh. I often go there in the morning and during the winter grab a pumpkin spice latte and a four cheese souffle. Yum Yum Yum!
(5)Chris M.
The service and the staff are great. The food is pretty good. I really miss the asiago roast beef, which they have discontinued. They replaced it with a steak with the same basic ingredients. As for the wi-fi it's free but, it proves to be a challenge to get connected after 11am.
(3)