Panera Bread

If you intend to find another job, don't let then find out.
If you report a problem to Human Services, they will make your life hell until you do leave.
If you are a close friend of the general manager's, you'll be hired in at $13 an hour or just given a management position even if you are a complete idiot.
The customer only comes second to last to the employees.
Go in and see how many employees are smiling.
Except for the pot dealers, they're high so they're smiling anyway.

Posted 11/16/09 | Report Abuse

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I recently moved back to Valparaiso from Chicago and found what used to be one of my favorite places has become a fast-food nightmare. About the only thing that actually ended up working out my way was the WiFi.
They must be hiring Wendy's rejects to work their food assembly now. Hygiene has become optional, the young man serving my sandwich needed to brush his teeth and maybe just wash his face a little. No one on the staff smiled the entire time I dined. There was a woman who spent ten to fifteen minutes belittling the girls taking orders and making drinks, then disappeared for the rest of my stay, so I guess that's what passes for management now. In fact, I don't really recognize anyone from before.
The food was substandard and messy. My order was wrong and after the second time I gave up on getting an apple. I really doubted that talking to the manager would yield result after not seeing a manager for over an hour.
They really need to get their old manager and associates back, and then maybe I will eat here again.

Posted 11/08/09 | Report Abuse

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I don't know what they added to my tomato Panini but it was meaty and super greasy and I now have food poisoning. They were also pretty rude, didn't give me anything to know when my order was ready and said they would page me. But my order just sat up there instead for quite some time, then they lied to me and said they *tried* to get my attention, yeah with a nonexistent effort maybe. The girl who brought my extremely greasy leaky bag over to our table couldn't have been less hospitable. I'll take my business to McDonald's before here. .... I am so sick... I hate this place...

Posted 10/20/09 | Report Abuse

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Recently I've noticed that the newer girls taking the orders are rude and lazy. I was trying to give my order to an employee named Amelie or something like that and she stopped me to pick up a conversation with another employee.. I never finished my order, I left right there and I don't think she even noticed.
Numerous times I've come in with my husband and these girls have either been rude or just not addressed us. I have a feeling that our future business lies somewhere else.

Posted 10/12/08 | Report Abuse

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I have twice ordered the same sandwich and they have messed it up. The first time I chalked it up to a fluke. Then a week later, the SAME thing. I will now stop going to Panera. I drove all the way home, and they butchered my order. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. The Merrillville one is fine.

Posted 06/06/07 | Report Abuse

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The food is not to be beat but the managers need to rethink their hiring practices. Many times I've attempted to eat inside the store but the inappropriate conversations and comments compelled me to order mine to go. Also I can't believe the allowance of gossip to overshadow service in the evenings, my best recommendation is to try to get your food during the day before the evening kids get there or you're more than likely to take second seat to personal business or trash talk.

PROS: Great food and wonderful atmoshphere.
CONS: The vening staff's personal troubles and conversations.

Posted 03/21/06 | Report Abuse

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Panera Bread is the best restaurant in the area!!! They offer reasonably priced food fast and it is healthy too!!! The food choices they offer fill you up! You can go there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They offer several different choices for all meals. You can even take a loaf of a break home with you. They now offer choices of sides to go with your meal. They offer an apple, a choice of wheat or white bread, or chips. They offer a wide variety of drinks too! Next time you want to take a date somewhere that is reasonably priced and healthy food, try Panera Bread!!

Posted 02/11/06 | Report Abuse

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They have the best bread bowls ever! They also have pastries but I try to stay away from them. Whenever I get the half sandwich soup combo it always fills me up. I also like how you dont have to stand around and wait for your order to come up. They give you a buzzer that goes off when your food is up.

Posted 05/18/05 | Report Abuse

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