The quality of the food here is definitely not what I remember eating from other Panera chains in the past. The service is slow and it took 20 minutes to get my soup. The first time I came here they were out of baguettes.. How is that even possible? They always seem to be running out of menu items. Plus the prices are high for a place where you have to clean up and pick up your food yourself. read more

I really love Panera, when I would visit the one in Citrus Heights I was always happy with it. When I found out Chico was getting one, I was stoked, but after eating there I'm less than impressed. There has been 3 different occasions where I'm missing something completely or my drink was made incorrectly. Instead of offering a refund they have a ledger book they keep your name in with the items you can receive at a later time. With COVID I've been avoiding going inside so can't use this "ledger" that's available to me on items I've already paid for. Their app is garbage and has no way of tracing your order since it delivers through door dash, and the food is not nearly as good as the ones I've eaten at before. I feel bad because they have really great customer service. I've never been unsatisfied with my interactions with their staff, just wish there could be a better process of making sure items aren't missed or completely incorrect. Seems like a franchise that didn't get the proper training which is such a bummer because I really want to love this place! read more

Stick to early hours, bagels and the pasty ring (which are good) I'm writing this review primarily to warn others about attempting the drive/park-through during lunch. Unless you plan on completing 80 rounds of solitaire on your phone while your non-hybrid car burns through the remains of an adult T-Rex, skip the drive through during lunch. You will also be able to avoid that feeling of helplessness as you watch other cars behind you slowly fall into the same one-way fate like unsuspecting mice walking onto adhesive traps only to be found the next morning in a scene perfect for a John Carpenter movie. You have been warned. To note: The staff was polite and friendly, maybe the car exhaust fume high from all the idling cars help in that regard. read more

Yesterday (07-27-17) at 3:00 pm I visited Panera restaurant and I am sorry I did. Used to live in Manteca CA and ate at the local Panera at least 3 times a week or more and was always very please with the food and service, here in Chico my experience was the opposite, my chicken salad sandwich has so little salad, I felt insulted. Too bad the quality control of Panera is not good. I will visit a Panera restaurant again if it is not the one in Chico. Efrain Toledo (916)871-5317 read more

My new favorite healthy lunch spot! I have needed more healthy food choices and I love the flavor of their Mediterranean Veggie sandwich... I personally get it on the whole wheat flatbread and have them add avocado for the perfect tasting healthy sandwich... add to this the convenience of the drive thru and they just made my day! I've gone every day this week and can't wait to go back! Thank you Panera Bread! read more

3stars because the food here is great, but this location isnt unfortunately. They serve half the sizes of what they tell you when you order if you order to go. I ordered half a sandwich and it almost looked like I got less than half and it had about 3slices of turkey. Been to other locations and wow big difference sandwich there was more than enough for a half. But here seemed like it was a sandwich for a toddler. So disappointed not living up to other Panera Breads out there. Step it up staff..!! read more

Just because it has a drive though doesn't mean it's going to be cheap. Still a little over priced in my opinion but food has always tasted great to me. Service is friendly and helpful. read more

Taking off a star for wait times, they are CRAZY busy since they're new. But the cheddar broccoli soup is killer and I love the coffee actually. Also the pastries are sooo good. Arrive early and hungry, it's worth the wait but if you are in a rush, save it for later! read more

The food was good service good the atmosphere was excellent Southwestern salad crisps well put together we were offered extras I place was clean and will come here again often read more

I went there for breakfast today with my daughter. We both ordered breakfast sandwiches and cappuccinos. There were only two or three other customers already seated in the entire place. It took an unusually long time to get the food. Normally at Panera I've had the food delivered to the table. Not at this one. I had to go to a counter in a dark hallway kind of spot to pick up the food and the coffees. Even though we ordered to eat in, the coffees were in take out cups. I've gotten them before in nice generous mugs at other locations. We also ordered a pecan roll after we finished the sandwiches and the gal at the counter didn't even ask if we were eating it there or wanted it heated. She automatically put it in a box. And it was kind of stale. Also, the main entrance was not where I would expect it. It is facing away from the mall. Overall a weird and disappointing experience. read more

Waited in the drive through for 25 minutes and after all that didn't even get the right order. Had to haul it back inside and while they gave us the correct food, they didn't even say sorry. The quality is much poorer than the other Paneras I've been to in the Sacramento area. Disappointing. read more

A friend suggested Panera for a quick dinner get together today. I ordered the cashew chicken salad minus the chicken plus avocado and the iced lemonade. It was the most disappointing $13 I've ever spent on food. The lettuce/sliced carrot combination was clearly bagged lettuce that was pale and sickly looking. The cashews were tiny and processed. The dressing was too sweet. I ate a few bites only and went home hungry. The baguette was hard and came without butter. The cashier was very friendly and no complaints about the service. The place was clean. It was very cool in the place- probably 70 degrees. A little too cold to eat inside comfortably because we were dressed for the 100 degree weather outside. There are so many other better Chico options to eat! read more

This is the second time I've been here in a week and both times they were out of bread bowls and baguettes:/. Food wasn't bad though

Always a great experience, but today was truly the best. Thank you to the manager who made my day by such a thoughtful gesture. Highly recommended. read more

Do not get breakfast sandwiches here. They are a waste of money, and taste like crap. $5 for a flat peice of egg, one slice of bacon broken into 4 peices, and barely any cheese. Any other fast food place has way better breakfast sandwiches for less money. I was so disappointed that I didn't even eat it, just gave it to my kids and made my own breakfast. read more

I was traveling through Chico, a few days ago, and was looking for some place new to eat in town. I came across Panera Bread on Google. This place is fresh, with great food, and fun and friendly staff! Thanks Annie, you're the best! read more

Not satisfied at all with the pre made pre frozen clam chowder soup. Not only was the taste undesirable, but the price was beyond the taste. For the taste in soup that I got I was would of expected to pay about $1.80, around what it cost for a canned clam chowder. First experience and Last. read more

Service is awful and soups are disgusting. Soups come from plastic bags that are reheated, managers seem lost and are very rude. $10 for soup in a bag... I don't think so. Who runs this place read more

Very disappointed with the Panera Bread in Chico. I gave a tip but lady who took my order failed to put my pager number on my order. I received my order cold because the pager did not buzz. My order just stood there getting cold. Plus the tables were sticky and dirty and the customers had to clean their own tables. read more

This place is awful! Food is never hot & they always screw something up. This happens EVERY SINGLE TIME I come here. Trust me when I say.. save your money or go somewhere else! read more

I was excited to get a panera.I have been to the drive through only because, the lines inside are insane. When I see them make the food,it nerves me,every thing is dumped into the salad or unto a sandwich from tiny plastic bags,talk about a waste of plastic!The first time I got a steak sandwich and it was okay, the bread is a little chewy and the meat could have been more.The big plus was finding a pickle in the bottom of the bag,sandwiches should always come with pickles on the side and pickles in a drive through that gets a huge vote.Well I have since ordered the same sandwich and no pickle,decided to try the chicken salad. Whoa,there was maybe a bite of chicken slapped onto two pieces of bread,really? I will remain visiting hoping for a pickle in my bag. Not my favorite new restaurant,seems like the portions are a bit small for what you pay. read more

Always love the food here. Nice variety and tasty. I really like the tomato soup. This evening they went above and beyond! I had accidentally thrown away my daughter's retainer. By the time we noticed, the trash bag had been removed. The lady doing the cleaning searched the bag for us and found it! :) Going the extra step for customer service! Thank you Panera staff! read more

Love Panera,but multiple times I've been the close times vary. I've been after 9 and gotten food, online it says they close at 10 last few time I've been right after 9 they said sorry were closed. Tonight I went and they told me the same thing, but the car in front of me right after nine was able to order food. So I had to wait for this persons food to be out in order to leave and get food somewhere else. Hold the standards to all your customers not just some. If you close at 9, change your online hours. read more

I used to work at a Panera and never had I thought the service could be so bad. Every time I go in something gets messed up. They forget full on parts of meals. Today my girlfriend ordered soup and they didn't put the lid on all the way. When she got home the soup went all over our dining room chair and carpet. read more

If you choose the pick two stay clear of the half sandwich. Ordered the turkey bacon blt and had way too much lettuce, tomato but only about one inch square of both turkey and bacon. Sandwich was wrapped and labeled like it was already prepared. Bread was soggy even though this was about 1230pm. Will not order sandwich there again. Total waste of money. read more

If I could give the Chico Panera a lower rating I would. I have been to multiple of the sacramento locations, overtime I go there I have an amazing experience. The employees are always so sweet and look happy to be there, I even see the managers working! When I have a problem the managers are always so sweet and always make it up to me. Well I don't normally write reviews but I can't let anyone waste their money. First of all, the proportions are a rip off. I got a turkey BLT, it was so small especially for the money I just paid for it. I went up to the manager, her name was Merissa, she was obviously in a bad mood that I was even asking her a question because she was rude right from the get go. I asked her if I could change the bread or maybe switch it out for a full size and she rolled her eyes and took it behind the counter. She came back with a full-size which was nice but she completely ruined the experience. That was a few months ago. I went in a little more recently (did not get the BLT this time!!) I got a full sized salad which was okay. The young employees always look like they are miserable, and now I know why. I was standing at the counter and I could hear the other manager I had spoken with earlier who was so sweet to me, I think her name was Linda or Lisa, yelling and talking down to her employees over a simple mistake from what it seemed. She came around the corner talking to another manager about what had just happened talking bad about multiple employees. I have never seen this kind of behavior in any manager before and I'm disgusted that Panera lets this kind of thing happen.This experience has absolutely ruined my good thoughts about Panera, and I will definitely not be returning. read more

The staff here are friendly and kind- even when someone else accidentally picks up your order (happened to me once). They are obviously working hard and the coffee is hot. The food itself is OK- sometimes one of the breakfast sandwhiches are just the right thing- though I do agree with another reviewer who said that the food has a way of tasting the exact same no matter what you order- though I haven't ventured out much past the breakfast sandwhiches and the broccoli cheese soup. I assume part of the homogenous taste for me at least- has to do with the fact that i am ordering some combo of bread and eggs. None-the-less not much to write home about and service is kind and prompt. read more

Panera bread makes the most awesome food that is without a doubt actually good for you. I love this new destination to eat lunch, hang out with friends in front of the fireplace or get breakfast early in the morning with all their pastries and bagels. LONG LINES BUT QUICK SERVICE: When it first opened there was usually a long line which surprisingly was handled very quickly due to the professional staff. But I hung in there because I know the food is great and we are SOOOO fortunate to have MY FAORITE PLACE TO EAT IN CHICO. YEAH!!! Kay S read more

I have been happy with my food every time I've gone. The green goddess salad is super good! Service is always friendly and helpful!

They have nice sandwiches. The baguettes are delicious. My husband loves the brownies. They are very customer oriented. The place is always clean. They have items that are dairy free or can be made dairy free and are still yummy. I want to try the pumpkin muffin next time. The soups will be popular when the weather cools. read more

While I was initially excited for the Panera Bread opening in Chico I was VERY dissappointed. I had called in an order 30 minutes before I got there but by the time I had arrived they had already lost my order and I had to wait another 35 minutes for a soup, cold sandwich, and salad. While I would like to come back, if this is how customer service will be in the future, I will not return read more

The cherry pastry was equivalent to that at a Super 8 breakfast bar and the cherry bagel was nothing to write home about. If you're wanting great flavored bagels, try the downtown Brooklyn Bagel place where you get flavor AND more bang for your buck. I asked if the espressos were made via a push-button machine or by an actual barista and was told that they were the latter. However, the mocha I had definitely was out of a push-button machine and lacked flavor (by the way, no one asked if I wanted whipped cream) which was especially disconcerting since I asked for--and paid for-- an extra shot of espresso. Husband said that getting pastries at a sandwich shop is akin to getting a salad at a steakhouse, but I disagree. What Panera is about is making their own breads (and pastries) there on site. My kid had a sandwich and a bread bowl of soup, said the bread was good, but that was about it. Walked out of there $20 later feeling like I'm better off keeping it local, especially at those prices. read more

Ordered a romaine kale chicken Caesar salad to go. I got home and found they forgot to put the kale AND the chicken in it.. and I paid around 7 bucks for it. It was literally just wilted chopped romaine, cheese and dressing; you could say I was pretty disappointed. I have never called to complain to a restaurant but this was unacceptable. As I was explaining what happened to the manager, she finished my sentence, "oh did they forget the chicken?" like its a common occurrence or something. Definitely won't be coming back. read more

Ordered the steak and arugula sandwich, and not a drop of arugula was on the sandwich. They think people don't know the difference between spinach and arugula. If you're going to charge those prices and make your food sound fancy, you should probably include the right ingredients! Also, sat next to 2 employees on their lunch, and listened to them talk about how "ehhh" and "okay" the BBQ chicken salad is. I had to sit there and hear that while I waited for my BBQ chicken salad. read more

I was excited Chico got a Panera because I loved their food when I ate there in the Bay Area. I went with a co-worker today for an early light lunch, which we took to go. He got the chicken salad sandwich and I got a cup of French onion soup (which I loved from the previous location I went to). Both of our meals were terrible. He got the most measly portion of chicken salad imaginable and it was mostly grape slices. You couldn't even see the chicken between the two pieces of cold bread it was served on. He opened up the sandwich to pull tomatoes off (even after asking for no tomatoes) and there was a tiny smear of chicken salad on about half of the bread. Definitely not worth the $9 he paid. At the previous Panera locations I've been to, when you order to go, they give you the French onion soup in a little cup with the croutons and cheese on the side so it doesn't get soggy. Well at Panera today, they put it all together. By the time we got back to work (about a 10 minute drive), the croutons were completely soggy and gross. Both of us ended up eating about 1/3 of our lunch and throwing it away. It was most definitely not worth the money we spent and we will definitely not be back. Reading other people's reviews, it sounds like this location just isn't up to par. read more

Panera Bread - Really cold bread, tiny portion of chicken salad (not even covering the entire piece of bread), and came with wrong ingredients. - Salad Near Me - Chico, California

Was excited to finally get some panera bread. Just went through the the drive through which took forever. They gave me warm coffee instead of the iced coffee I ordered then told me that the iced coffee machine is off. Not a big deal I just took the warm one. Got home unwrapped the two sandwiches I got and both were wrong. No bacon, no avacado, no onions, no cucumbers. Ridiculous. Now they are closed and I have wasted my money. Manager said I can come in for a free meal so that helps a bit. I just can't understand how you miss so many things especially since they had it all right on the receipt. I will only go back for my free meal. It's not worth the money. Wish I could do zero stars. read more

Pretty good. I had never been to a Panera before, so needed some guidance choosing what to eat. The young lady at the counter was super helpful and nice. She let my son try the chili to make sure he liked it before ordering. It was good and had the perfect amount of spiciness. The line was long, and I thought the meal was a bit on the pricey side. But, it was tasty, and the people were friendly and the place was clean. We'll return. read more

Love the atmosphere, very nice and quite, friendly staff, especially Annie she is amazing pretty much the reason I keep coming back. Being a Panera regular in southern California, I think they really need to work on their kitchen staff, sandwiches are below average. Also, their managers should stop being so defensive and start listening to ppl, I don't want to see them go away. read more

This is the worst panera I've ever been too which is pretty hard since they all are trash. Hell I would have taken a soggy Taco Bell bean and cheese out of the dumpster next door instead of go through hell again. 4 people inside eating but it took 30 minutes to get out food. Sandwhiches were small AF and the serviced sucked read more

I love their salads, but the wait is horrendous! Last night after my softball game I decided to swing by and grab a salad. I pulled in with two cars in front of me. Ten minutes later I was able to order my salad, and tried to order a cookie it eat on the way home (it was 9pm and I hadn't eaten yet, don't judge me!). They were out of cookies, so I ordered a brownie. They were out of that also. I gave up and just ordered my salad. I ordered the full size $10 salad. I then waited 45 minutes...yes 45 minutes in the drive thru for a salad. It was almost 10pm. The gal barely apologized for the wait. I got home and went to devour my salad to open it and find that I had like 4 pieces of chicken and no bacon. To top it all off, their was a hair in the salad dressing. That did me in. Not only did I have any leftovers for the next day from a $10 salad, i almost threw up what I did eat. read more