Panera Bread - Northvale

Panera Bread is one of my favorite places to eat and unwind. The food is delicious, and using the kiosk allows me to customize my order exactly how I like it. F... read more Panera Bread is one of my favorite places to eat and unwind. The food is delicious, and using the kiosk allows me to customize my order exactly how I like it. For instance, I personalize the Greek salad by removing tomatoes, adding light onions and olives, extra arugula, two hard-boiled eggs on the side, extra wonton noodles, light salt and pepper, chicken, and two dressings on the side. I usually get a to-go bowl because the portion is generous after all the customizations! I save the baguette and eggs for a later snack, and the rest of the salad makes another meal. For around $14, I essentially have three meals. Plus, if you bring a reusable coffee mug, you save 20 cents by selecting the refillable mug option instead of a small cup of coffee or tea. Enjoying hot coffee by the fireplace is a great experience—the coffee is excellent! I’m glad they managed to get through the staffing shortages during COVID. While bathroom cleanliness has dropped a bit, the service remains top-notch. I appreciate that they’re welcoming to people who want to study for hours and even host a game night, which I believe is on Thursdays—though you might want to check Meetup for the latest details. Happy dining!

Terrible experience. I came for a quick lunch to pick up food and leave but ended up waiting for 10 minutes. When I got to work and opened my cup of chicken noo... read more Terrible experience. I came for a quick lunch to pick up food and leave but ended up waiting for 10 minutes. When I got to work and opened my cup of chicken noodle soup, there were only four noodles and three carrots inside. I tried calling the restaurant multiple times, but no one answered. UPDATE: I went back on October 3, 2022, and was utterly disappointed again. I ordered chicken noodle soup and received mostly chicken broth with just a small amount of chicken, noodles, and carrots. This is unacceptable. Panera, you need to improve. It felt like I wasted money on a portion fit for a small animal. This clearly shows how little you value your customers. Since my first complaint three years ago, I haven’t heard from you once. Well done.

I had an incredible experience at Panera today! My brother requested one of their delicious sandwiches as his first meal after a procedure, and I was pressed fo... read more I had an incredible experience at Panera today! My brother requested one of their delicious sandwiches as his first meal after a procedure, and I was pressed for time since I had to drive quite a distance to pick him up. I called and spoke to Zach (I hope I'm spelling that correctly), as my online order indicated it would take about an hour. He kindly assured me that he would have the order ready much sooner. I was so thankful, but what really blew me away was the thoughtful note included with my order, wishing us well with the procedure. Wow, that's what I call outstanding customer service! I highly recommend this Panera location — you all are amazing! And, of course, the food was delightful!

Updated review: I've raised my rating from 3 to 4 stars. Originally, I gave it three stars on April 4, 2022, mainly because the music was excessively loud. I... read more Updated review: I've raised my rating from 3 to 4 stars. Originally, I gave it three stars on April 4, 2022, mainly because the music was excessively loud. I couldn't understand why it was so loud, as it made the atmosphere far from relaxing. It seemed like the volume increased recently because I don't recall it being this overwhelming before. I did ask the manager to lower the volume, and she was accommodating, but overall, the loud music detracted from the experience for me. While some patrons might enjoy it, it certainly wasn't enjoyable for me. As of December 26, 2018, I noticed an improvement in the music volume. By April 4, 2022, my experience had improved significantly. The staff were very friendly, the food was decent, and the atmosphere was pleasant. I've been a regular customer for quite some time now.

Mr. Zachary was very nice and kind, but the girl in the kitchen was rude. I simply asked for the cashier, and her response was quite unpleasant! I hope he can t... read more Mr. Zachary was very nice and kind, but the girl in the kitchen was rude. I simply asked for the cashier, and her response was quite unpleasant! I hope he can teach her some manners.