Panera Bread - Springfield

The food was excellent, deserving of five stars, but the service left much to be desired. The staff didn’t seem friendly and showed some attitude when we had qu... read more The food was excellent, deserving of five stars, but the service left much to be desired. The staff didn’t seem friendly and showed some attitude when we had questions. Additionally, there was no hot water available for tea. When I requested some, the person at the register appeared annoyed. I even paid three dollars for a cup of water for my child, as they didn’t have any caffeine-free teas. I wasn't asking for anything outrageous or free—just a bit of kindness. It would be great if the staff could serve customers with a smile, or at least without a negative attitude. Thank you.

The staff is friendly, the pastries are delightful, and the drinks are delicious. read more The staff is friendly, the pastries are delightful, and the drinks are delicious.

The staff was friendly, and the mac and cheese was outstanding! read more The staff was friendly, and the mac and cheese was outstanding!

I hadn't visited this Panera location since well before the COVID pandemic, so it had been quite some time. During my absence, I had heard rumors that the menu... read more I hadn't visited this Panera location since well before the COVID pandemic, so it had been quite some time. During my absence, I had heard rumors that the menu had changed significantly, which left me uncertain about what to expect. Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised! I ordered the turkey and avocado on focaccia bread, which was served warm (though I imagine it could be enjoyed cold too). It was delicious, and I only managed to eat half, which meant I had lunch for the next day as well. We chose to eat inside after the lunch rush, but I noticed that many of the tables hadn't been cleaned and the place seemed a bit short-staffed, which seems to be the norm these days. Nonetheless, the food was great and even justified the price increases. Overall, it was a positive experience!

Overall, the food is good, but I think it could benefit from enhanced flavors. While it tastes nice, a more vibrant selection of seasonings for the meats would... read more Overall, the food is good, but I think it could benefit from enhanced flavors. While it tastes nice, a more vibrant selection of seasonings for the meats would elevate the experience. Marinating the meat could help to bring out its best flavor.