I love the staff here, service is punctual and they have a great attitude. I totally left my bag here for almost an HOUR when I skipped down to Costco to go shopping. When I remembered and freaked out, they brought it out from behind the counter with everything still in it. Where else can you expect a chain restaurant to do that for you? Ah-mazing! As for the food, all Paneras taste the same. I like the Sierra turkey but its a calorie bomb (bread is great though) and sometimes I do the Turkey Bravo (tasty bread also). I always choose the thai chopped chicken to accompany my half sandwiches. Their new turkey chili isn't half bad either. I always end up here right before a big exam because you can eat, have wifi, and study comfortably.
(5)
Chaz C.
Not a fan of this location, other people with low star ratings have it fairly correct. It's a dining establishment in Wheaton Mall just prepare yourself with low expectations to begin with. They run out of bread bowls fast and they don't really care beyond major problems. The staff is polite at least. Crummy wifi as well as cramped and filthy. If you can go to a different location do so or go early.
(2)
Bruce G.
For some reason, I don't seem to have reviewed this particular Panera so far, though its location in the Wheaton mall makes it the most convenient one in the chain to me and, consequently, it's one I go to more frequently than most of the others. But after my (good!) experience yesterday I really need to give it a review, if only to put my happiness on the record. I had a strange schedule yesterday. I was going to meet a group for dinner at the (for me extremely late) hour of 7 pm, and it was early (not even 10 am) in the morning, and I was already getting hungry. I was near the Wheaton Mall, and my wife and I went into the mall as soon as it opened at 10. The food court was all closed except for McDonald's, and while, at lunch time, McDonald's has at least SOMETHING I can eat (the Chicken Selects are actually pretty good), before 11 they are on a breakfast menu that is totally barren. (I cannot abide eggs, which most places, including McDonald's, seem to think one MUST have at breakfast!) Trying to figure what other options exist, I realized that Panera would probably be open, and we went there. I expected that, although Panera also has a mostly-egg breakfast menu, I might at least get some bagels & cream cheese, though for a carnivore like me that would not really be very satisfying. But my wife decided to ask one of the staff members what they had at this early hour, explaining to the man that I couldn't stand eggs, and he told her that they could make ANYTHING on the menu, except the soups -- and later on he said, "maybe even the soups are possible" and went to check, and they were available. So I had a pasta dish and a small bowl of soup (the latest addition to their pasta list, Rigatoni San Marzano, is actually pretty good), and just the fact that I could get this at 10 am was a big plus. I don't know whether this is general Panera policy or just this manager, but any place that I can get a non-breakfast meal before 11 (which, at this point, I thought was pretty much restricted to Vietnamese Pho restaurants!) deserves special mention.
(4)
Bill B.
We go to this Panera quite often. The staff is courteous and friendly, and the food is great. This is also a nice place to go if you are watching your calorie intake. Skip the sandwiches and go for a great salad, they have many to choose from.
(4)
Phuong H.
This place is great because it is right in the mall. The food is great like all the other locations. The service is really friendly and the atmosphere is great. The only problem I had was that the place was a bit over crowded. And since it is crowded, you know that the food has to be fresh to keep up with the demands. I guess having a Panera Bread in the mall would bring them more customers than it usually does when it is detached.
(4)
Fana T.
Great food. Clean & fast !
(5)
Shawn H.
DISCLOSURE: I am not a fan of the brand/chain Panera Bread. The food is okay most of the time. The pastries and bread are pretty good. I just don't like the place much at all. I go there a lot for free wifi because I'm mobile when I work, so it's a necessary evil. For sure I could just walk in with my own bottle of water and sit down to use their wireless network if I wanted to be slick, but that's not slick--that's ghetto. The Wheaton Panera is sort of ghetto too though. And I stop there to use their wifi (and order food) a lot because it's a convenient location for me, so I'd love for it to be clean. It's not clean though. Fruit flies are ALWAYS in the middle section of tables (behind the coffee and to the left of the restrooms). They're on the walls, the big framed "artwork", and just flying around. I have mentioned it to a number of employees and received near feigned interest in response. Whatever. I guess I can deal with fruit flies. They don't seem to be very interested in my coffee--and if I get food, it's gone fast enough, but this one really got me... I was meeting my wife with our infant child there last night as I finished up some work. When they came in, I fed our baby... then the baby's diaper needed to be changed, so I took her to the changing table I had noticed in the men's room. When I opened the table, it was covered in what looked like someone bear trimmings. Like a lot of short hairs. Just everywhere. I dread thinking it was not facial hair, but either way, it was not cool at all. I mean the bathroom cleanliness was decent other than that, but given what happens on a changing table, I would think CLEANING it regularly would be part of the bathroom cleaning regimen. Apparently it's not. So, if you can stand the fruit flies and you actually enjoy Panera for some other reason than the wifi, this place is okay. If you have a baby, skip the changing table... unless you need to shave.
(1)
Lee B.
I love Panera. But I think the awesome staff at Columbia has spoiled me. While the staff at Wheaton is certainly friendly, my order is usually wrong. I ask for something and they forget to add it, forcing me back in line. They need more training at the register.
(3)
Abegail A.
Your standard Panera Bread in terms of busyness and taste/quality of food. Staff is friendly and tables remained fairly clean while I was there. Just make sure to double check your order because it probably will be wrong. I'm sure you'll end up with something completely different as 3 out of the 4 people in my group did. I also asked the lady if they had unsweetened iced tea. She confirmed that I wanted unsweetened iced tea. What do I get? A sweetened green tea. I went back and asked if they had unsweetened iced teas. She said no, but her coworker said yes. Oooook which one is it?! Apparently the green tea you get behind the counter is sweetened, but the iced teas in the self serve containers are unsweetened. Get orders straight please!
(3)
Imran Q.
I frequent Panera's wherever I go. It's my go to study location. Although the staff is very friendly that's the only thing gong for this place. The WiFi is very very slow and the danishes are stale. Corporate needs to come in before this Panera loses the one thing gong for it.
(2)
Charlotte S.
What a big drop from my previous 5-star review, but this is earned. I guess Panera doesn't have a uniform policy when it comes to their bagels. I've had some employees (correctly) put the "everything"/"onion" bagels in a separate small paper bag, which only makes sense because of their smell. I've had some employees (again, correctly) put all bagels into a large paper bag, sans handles, and then put THAT bag into a large handled one. Conversely, I have had some employees (incorrectly, and very stupidly) just put the bagels into the huge, handled bag. Real smart, kiddo. It seems Panera also doesn't have uniform policy on what "12" and "13" mean. When I order 13 bagels (hello, I even say "13" so that some poor sap doesn't get confused because they might not know what a "baker's dozen" is.), it means I should get 13 bagels, Not 12. This has happened twice already, so they better not get pissed off when I put my bag on the counter and count my bagels right then and there. I don't try to make my orders any more complicated. I do my best not to add on to an order or revise an order in the middle of giving it. However, I do expect to receive the correct things that I ordered. That shouldn't be too much to ask. Inept employees make any establishment give off a bad impression and this Panera is no different.
(2)
Hue C.
Last night was my first visit at this location which is extrememly disappointing and many reviews will be put online because os this. If I have to wake up the next day and still thinkging about it, it's A BAD EXPERIECE and people should know about the poor customer service I received. I arrive two mins before closing, walked around the pastry area. Then by the time I went to the cashier 8:01pm, they said they are now close and won't serve me. I just wanted to get a Salad to go. If your door is still open and customer still sitting there eating, how can you tell me you're close. Also, I GOT THERE BEFORE 8PM. It doesn't take more than 2 mins to make my salad because i've been at other panera and that's the length of time it takes to make my salad. I just felt the laziness of the staff along with the Manager that just wanted to go home and not provide service. If that's the case. This to me is extremely poor customer service. Either close the darn door or serve your customers. Especially when he actually arrived before you close. I wish I can find out what the corporate contact is, because they should also know about this incident. If you're the manager that refuse to serve me yesterday and is reading this, SHAME ON YOU AND YOUR LAZINESS!!! Hue
(1)
Zack M.
When a big chain store opens at first, they should have their schtick together and these guys do. It's a great bakery and cafe pretty much anywhere, but they keep this place clean, well managed and the food is fresh and delicious. I work nearby the mall, so it's nice to have a steady place to go for lunch. The food court here isn't terrible, but Panera is great for those lunches where you don't mind spending more to get better flavor. There is enough seating from what I've seen. I'm not sure yet if they do outdoor seating in better weather because I simply haven't been by for it. But it's a Panera. Like every big bakery chain like it, you either love 'em or hate 'em. This chain in particular can be a bit like Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" where you're not sure why everyone can't control themselves around it, but it's great food regardless. Don't let the trendy kids scare you off.
(5)
MarriedUtopianStriver W.
The pros to this Wheaton Panera Bread location: Both the cashiers and those who serve the food are both approachable and were courteous. My order was also served quickly. I liked their French onion soup. The cons: I actually thought about getting the chilled shrimp and soba noodle salad, but instead went with the shrimp salad roll sandwich. The shrimp and advocadao tasted ok, but lemon tarragon mayo taste was nearly non-existent. I felt like I was just eating a shrimp, lettuce, and advocado sandwich with a miniscule amount of condiment. Due to the decent customer service, I may come back in the future but obviously order another sandwich.
(3)
Andy T.
My go to is the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich. Good kids meal options too. Their bagels are also very good. Friendly staff at the Wheaton Panera.
(4)
Simon B.
I go here quite a lot as its easy and convenient and spacious. Its in a mall so there is no exciting city-scape to look at but that's not why I go. Easy breakfast, coffee, plenty of room. Only once was the food bad and that was with a skeleton crew in a snowstorm, we were just happy they were open. If you like a typical Panera then this will meet your needs.
(4)
Jean Ann F.
So you already know what to expect, Panera is a chain after all...brace yourself for great customer service with all the usual tasty foods/bevs at this Wheaton mall location. I prefer to swing in here for breakfast and coffee but as always their lunch menu stands alone. Enjoy!
(4)
Maia S.
The service is extremely slow. Kyle who seems to be the manager was not only rude to me but seemed to be abusive to the employees. Generally I hold Panera bread in a high regard however in this instance I was very disappointed. I will not be coming back to this location.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Lillian C.
I love the staff here, service is punctual and they have a great attitude. I totally left my bag here for almost an HOUR when I skipped down to Costco to go shopping. When I remembered and freaked out, they brought it out from behind the counter with everything still in it. Where else can you expect a chain restaurant to do that for you? Ah-mazing! As for the food, all Paneras taste the same. I like the Sierra turkey but its a calorie bomb (bread is great though) and sometimes I do the Turkey Bravo (tasty bread also). I always choose the thai chopped chicken to accompany my half sandwiches. Their new turkey chili isn't half bad either. I always end up here right before a big exam because you can eat, have wifi, and study comfortably.
(5)Chaz C.
Not a fan of this location, other people with low star ratings have it fairly correct. It's a dining establishment in Wheaton Mall just prepare yourself with low expectations to begin with. They run out of bread bowls fast and they don't really care beyond major problems. The staff is polite at least. Crummy wifi as well as cramped and filthy. If you can go to a different location do so or go early.
(2)Bruce G.
For some reason, I don't seem to have reviewed this particular Panera so far, though its location in the Wheaton mall makes it the most convenient one in the chain to me and, consequently, it's one I go to more frequently than most of the others. But after my (good!) experience yesterday I really need to give it a review, if only to put my happiness on the record. I had a strange schedule yesterday. I was going to meet a group for dinner at the (for me extremely late) hour of 7 pm, and it was early (not even 10 am) in the morning, and I was already getting hungry. I was near the Wheaton Mall, and my wife and I went into the mall as soon as it opened at 10. The food court was all closed except for McDonald's, and while, at lunch time, McDonald's has at least SOMETHING I can eat (the Chicken Selects are actually pretty good), before 11 they are on a breakfast menu that is totally barren. (I cannot abide eggs, which most places, including McDonald's, seem to think one MUST have at breakfast!) Trying to figure what other options exist, I realized that Panera would probably be open, and we went there. I expected that, although Panera also has a mostly-egg breakfast menu, I might at least get some bagels & cream cheese, though for a carnivore like me that would not really be very satisfying. But my wife decided to ask one of the staff members what they had at this early hour, explaining to the man that I couldn't stand eggs, and he told her that they could make ANYTHING on the menu, except the soups -- and later on he said, "maybe even the soups are possible" and went to check, and they were available. So I had a pasta dish and a small bowl of soup (the latest addition to their pasta list, Rigatoni San Marzano, is actually pretty good), and just the fact that I could get this at 10 am was a big plus. I don't know whether this is general Panera policy or just this manager, but any place that I can get a non-breakfast meal before 11 (which, at this point, I thought was pretty much restricted to Vietnamese Pho restaurants!) deserves special mention.
(4)Bill B.
We go to this Panera quite often. The staff is courteous and friendly, and the food is great. This is also a nice place to go if you are watching your calorie intake. Skip the sandwiches and go for a great salad, they have many to choose from.
(4)Phuong H.
This place is great because it is right in the mall. The food is great like all the other locations. The service is really friendly and the atmosphere is great. The only problem I had was that the place was a bit over crowded. And since it is crowded, you know that the food has to be fresh to keep up with the demands. I guess having a Panera Bread in the mall would bring them more customers than it usually does when it is detached.
(4)Fana T.
Great food. Clean & fast !
(5)Shawn H.
DISCLOSURE: I am not a fan of the brand/chain Panera Bread. The food is okay most of the time. The pastries and bread are pretty good. I just don't like the place much at all. I go there a lot for free wifi because I'm mobile when I work, so it's a necessary evil. For sure I could just walk in with my own bottle of water and sit down to use their wireless network if I wanted to be slick, but that's not slick--that's ghetto. The Wheaton Panera is sort of ghetto too though. And I stop there to use their wifi (and order food) a lot because it's a convenient location for me, so I'd love for it to be clean. It's not clean though. Fruit flies are ALWAYS in the middle section of tables (behind the coffee and to the left of the restrooms). They're on the walls, the big framed "artwork", and just flying around. I have mentioned it to a number of employees and received near feigned interest in response. Whatever. I guess I can deal with fruit flies. They don't seem to be very interested in my coffee--and if I get food, it's gone fast enough, but this one really got me... I was meeting my wife with our infant child there last night as I finished up some work. When they came in, I fed our baby... then the baby's diaper needed to be changed, so I took her to the changing table I had noticed in the men's room. When I opened the table, it was covered in what looked like someone bear trimmings. Like a lot of short hairs. Just everywhere. I dread thinking it was not facial hair, but either way, it was not cool at all. I mean the bathroom cleanliness was decent other than that, but given what happens on a changing table, I would think CLEANING it regularly would be part of the bathroom cleaning regimen. Apparently it's not. So, if you can stand the fruit flies and you actually enjoy Panera for some other reason than the wifi, this place is okay. If you have a baby, skip the changing table... unless you need to shave.
(1)Lee B.
I love Panera. But I think the awesome staff at Columbia has spoiled me. While the staff at Wheaton is certainly friendly, my order is usually wrong. I ask for something and they forget to add it, forcing me back in line. They need more training at the register.
(3)Abegail A.
Your standard Panera Bread in terms of busyness and taste/quality of food. Staff is friendly and tables remained fairly clean while I was there. Just make sure to double check your order because it probably will be wrong. I'm sure you'll end up with something completely different as 3 out of the 4 people in my group did. I also asked the lady if they had unsweetened iced tea. She confirmed that I wanted unsweetened iced tea. What do I get? A sweetened green tea. I went back and asked if they had unsweetened iced teas. She said no, but her coworker said yes. Oooook which one is it?! Apparently the green tea you get behind the counter is sweetened, but the iced teas in the self serve containers are unsweetened. Get orders straight please!
(3)Imran Q.
I frequent Panera's wherever I go. It's my go to study location. Although the staff is very friendly that's the only thing gong for this place. The WiFi is very very slow and the danishes are stale. Corporate needs to come in before this Panera loses the one thing gong for it.
(2)Charlotte S.
What a big drop from my previous 5-star review, but this is earned. I guess Panera doesn't have a uniform policy when it comes to their bagels. I've had some employees (correctly) put the "everything"/"onion" bagels in a separate small paper bag, which only makes sense because of their smell. I've had some employees (again, correctly) put all bagels into a large paper bag, sans handles, and then put THAT bag into a large handled one. Conversely, I have had some employees (incorrectly, and very stupidly) just put the bagels into the huge, handled bag. Real smart, kiddo. It seems Panera also doesn't have uniform policy on what "12" and "13" mean. When I order 13 bagels (hello, I even say "13" so that some poor sap doesn't get confused because they might not know what a "baker's dozen" is.), it means I should get 13 bagels, Not 12. This has happened twice already, so they better not get pissed off when I put my bag on the counter and count my bagels right then and there. I don't try to make my orders any more complicated. I do my best not to add on to an order or revise an order in the middle of giving it. However, I do expect to receive the correct things that I ordered. That shouldn't be too much to ask. Inept employees make any establishment give off a bad impression and this Panera is no different.
(2)Hue C.
Last night was my first visit at this location which is extrememly disappointing and many reviews will be put online because os this. If I have to wake up the next day and still thinkging about it, it's A BAD EXPERIECE and people should know about the poor customer service I received. I arrive two mins before closing, walked around the pastry area. Then by the time I went to the cashier 8:01pm, they said they are now close and won't serve me. I just wanted to get a Salad to go. If your door is still open and customer still sitting there eating, how can you tell me you're close. Also, I GOT THERE BEFORE 8PM. It doesn't take more than 2 mins to make my salad because i've been at other panera and that's the length of time it takes to make my salad. I just felt the laziness of the staff along with the Manager that just wanted to go home and not provide service. If that's the case. This to me is extremely poor customer service. Either close the darn door or serve your customers. Especially when he actually arrived before you close. I wish I can find out what the corporate contact is, because they should also know about this incident. If you're the manager that refuse to serve me yesterday and is reading this, SHAME ON YOU AND YOUR LAZINESS!!! Hue
(1)Zack M.
When a big chain store opens at first, they should have their schtick together and these guys do. It's a great bakery and cafe pretty much anywhere, but they keep this place clean, well managed and the food is fresh and delicious. I work nearby the mall, so it's nice to have a steady place to go for lunch. The food court here isn't terrible, but Panera is great for those lunches where you don't mind spending more to get better flavor. There is enough seating from what I've seen. I'm not sure yet if they do outdoor seating in better weather because I simply haven't been by for it. But it's a Panera. Like every big bakery chain like it, you either love 'em or hate 'em. This chain in particular can be a bit like Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" where you're not sure why everyone can't control themselves around it, but it's great food regardless. Don't let the trendy kids scare you off.
(5)MarriedUtopianStriver W.
The pros to this Wheaton Panera Bread location: Both the cashiers and those who serve the food are both approachable and were courteous. My order was also served quickly. I liked their French onion soup. The cons: I actually thought about getting the chilled shrimp and soba noodle salad, but instead went with the shrimp salad roll sandwich. The shrimp and advocadao tasted ok, but lemon tarragon mayo taste was nearly non-existent. I felt like I was just eating a shrimp, lettuce, and advocado sandwich with a miniscule amount of condiment. Due to the decent customer service, I may come back in the future but obviously order another sandwich.
(3)Andy T.
My go to is the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich. Good kids meal options too. Their bagels are also very good. Friendly staff at the Wheaton Panera.
(4)Simon B.
I go here quite a lot as its easy and convenient and spacious. Its in a mall so there is no exciting city-scape to look at but that's not why I go. Easy breakfast, coffee, plenty of room. Only once was the food bad and that was with a skeleton crew in a snowstorm, we were just happy they were open. If you like a typical Panera then this will meet your needs.
(4)Jean Ann F.
So you already know what to expect, Panera is a chain after all...brace yourself for great customer service with all the usual tasty foods/bevs at this Wheaton mall location. I prefer to swing in here for breakfast and coffee but as always their lunch menu stands alone. Enjoy!
(4)Maia S.
The service is extremely slow. Kyle who seems to be the manager was not only rude to me but seemed to be abusive to the employees. Generally I hold Panera bread in a high regard however in this instance I was very disappointed. I will not be coming back to this location.
(1)