[Bonny]

Originally Posted by SunshineAnytime

The one in Brandon (Florida that is, not sure if that's the one you're referring to in your post) is owned by the same franchise as both of the Panera locations in The Villages. Do you honestly think that it is up to the managers of the two stores here to decide how much turkey is put on a sandwich? Do you honestly think that they choose to put their jobs in jeopardy by shorting the customer to make an extra dollar on a cost bonus? NO. I'm a regular customer at the LSL location, dining in at least once, sometimes three times a day. I've heard patrons complain to workers and management about these issues and it's not that they go unnoticed, but it's that there is only so much that the people running the individual store can do. One of the managers advised me to do this: if you think the portion is not big enough, ask for extra of each ingredient. You only have to pay extra for meats and cheeses. I have always found the avocado sandwich to be very messy on the small bread slice it comes on, so I changed it to the healthier whole wheat bread and it's much easier to eat.

The workers in both the LSL and SS locations all appear to be very young and it takes as much patience from us customers to handle young people as it takes for those young people to handle us "golden" customers. While I agree that some have better customer service than others, I think that it is up to the management at that point to correct these customer service issues. With as often as I'm in there, I have a pleasurable experience nearly every time and if someone falls short in service, I let the blonde manager lady know and she takes care of it right then and there.

I keep returning because of the good service and good coffee.

Sorry, but I'm not going to a restaurant and paying decent money for an average sandwich (turkey, ham, etc.) where I have to order more meat and more cheese at a higher price. I can go to many places in the Villages and get a good sandwich where I don't have to order extra & pay more.

[Halibut]

I have ordered at Cracker Barrel or Bob Evans, and I would expect the gravy to at least cover the top of the turkey, or the top of fried steak. For months, at these places, I have gotten a small tsp? amount on top of the food. They will bring more if you ask, but it seems to be a bother. I would rather pay more and get the right amount. But we should be able to eat without having to complain at the time, and not have to feel like they are doing us a favor.

Maybe try ordering the gravy on the side to begin with? I've found that they often put more in the little cup than they would on the plate, but then I can portion it out to my taste. I don't like my food swimming in sauce, either, so it's a thin line for me as a customer.

On the "seems to be a bother" front, requesting these kinds of changes to the standard plating can earn you an eye roll from the server.

[xcaligirl]

I had the same experience with Panera in California. I thought about giving them another try thinking it might be different.... obviously not! I have no idea how they stay open except for the morning crowd.

[raynan]

I only get the pastries at Panera LSL. Tried their tuna sandwich once and hardly any tuna salad. Will not get a sandwich there again when TooJays is up the street.

[PaPaLarry]

Maybe that's why they are noted as Panera Bread? Leave the sandwiches to a sandwich shop or restaurant.

[PennBF]

Maybe Panera's should charge $20 up front like Bonifay, et al.? They are missing out on a good ploy.

[Suzi]

I've eaten at Panera's all across the states and they differ considerably. I confine my purchases there to soup, salads and bakery goods. However, hearing from other posters, I'll give their coffee a try (I'm a starbucks girl).

[ladyjudith]

Check out Brooklyn Bagel
They have the best bagels!!! Great sandwhiches too..

[cromlich]

I was behind a lady who was upset because she ordered a large order of gnocchi. She was given a small cardboard soup bowl and the gnocchi barely covered the bottom of the bowl. She asked the manager if this was a large portion and they said "yes" She paid over $9 for it. She walked away but I saw her come back in and approach them again. She got her money back. You have to admit that for almost $10 that is ridiculous. I'm hearing that all Panera's are doing the same.

[tedquick]

Originally Posted by tomwed

I went there today and told the lady behind the counter:
"I want a rubber band hoagie, and make it snappy!"

[no i didn't, i made that up]

That is just plain funny!!! Love your sense of humor. This might be one of your best!!!

[jean1954]

My husband and I had the same experience with the chicken salad sandwich at Panera Bread. Mgmt. told us it was the normal portion size which I think is ridiculous. No more lunches for us at Panera's.

[Stdole]

Great Coffee for the price! Great Pastries for the price! Great Bagels for the price!

In all honesty (as I really like this place) 50% of the time the other food
needs to be kept an eye on by management or their success story will go down as it went up... Lets all pass along our complaints to management
and Corporate if necessary so we continue to have this great coffee/bagel location around for years. Several times each month I tell the manager how I appreciate Panera and also remind her of how important it is to keep the dining areas clean, organized and ready for the next customer..

We really need this place and I know many people agree with me as the lines in the mornings are terrific and I am glad for their success... but the
basic salads and sandwiches MUST IMPROVE..

I also know or don't know of another place we can get a fresh large size bagels for about $1.25 or really good buns for about $2.39.

Again I REALLY LIKE THIS PLACE ... and nice to hear the classical music
when reading the iPads and just being to yourself and watching the sites outside...

I eat eat breakfast their often for their coffee and bagels.
and really like the place to have a short break and a great location to
make checks on your phone and iPads.

As you know The Villages Sales Office adjoins this restaurant and adds a
lot of nice coffee smell to the Sales Office. They in fact made major changes to the former business, for Panera to have this wonderful location.

I am going to mention the good and bad to The Villages Commercial Sales Division or at least bring these postings to their attention...

Please call and ask for the Commercial Sales Mgr. at The Administration
and pass along kindly some serious improvements we would like to see and better yet have them take a look (most like they have) at these postings.

Thanks for listening