I really like the employees at this location. They're all super nice and friendly. Great place to go and pick up pastries on the way to the office! Always phone in my order in case it's busy, and they've never gotten my order wrong. I've only had one complaint and that was the last time I went there I saw some fruit flies by the baked goods. It was the end of the day, so I don't know if that's why, but I was obviously kind of turned off. read more

Food is good. But the one thing that is hit and miss is when I order kids grilled cheese sandwiches. It's easy to make, but you can tell when they don't give a crap. Sometimes the cheese is on one side of the bread and other times..the bread is not aligned. I'm serious..it looks like a star! I mean it's a grilled cheese sandwich, it's easy to make, I get it. But put a little effort. Also we have not been given the cookies we've ordered the past 5 times. Lol one time the cookies and a soda were missing from the order. It's my fault for not checking...but holy, and I'm not kidding.. other than that, the staff is always nice..We are going to take a break from that Panera location for a little bit. read more

Food was fine. The low stars however is for the obnoxious staff. Young and immature. Came here after a long days work. Worker (I'm not going to use her name, but a young lady with nose ring) asked me did I want to dine in or take away, I said dine in, she looked at her workmate and rolled her eyes. I ignored and carried on. It was 7:55pm, Panera closes at 9pm. As I continued to pay, swipe my card etc, I could see her at the corner of my eye making head nods/gestures to her workmate who was behind me eating his lunch (presumably on break). Anyway, it was just annoying because I was tired and just wanted to relax and eat a bit of food, not be surrounded by immaturity. read more

My husband and I stopped in for lunch on Sunday July 14th. We both ordered the two item lunch. Both of us ordered the Cuban Panini w/soup. Note 'Panini'. What we were served was a mall amount of pork and ham on a BAGUETTE with sauce, cheese and pickles... The artisan panini bread somehow was replaced with a baguette? This store is apparently working through food costs and some bean counter is trying to bring the profit up. Unbelievable. Not going back... Corner Bakery is a much better choice. read more

After reading all the reviews which juxtapose Panera and Corner Bakery but they don't know why the Panera is superior - I have an answer !! Its the exact fact that after eating at Corner Bakery, you feel icky because of the greasyness from the paninis, pasta etc. I felt light as a feather yet full of yummy deliciousness after eating a cafe 1/2 salad (HUGE) of caesar salad. It included yummy green romaine lettuce, a nice ration of dressing and huge chunks of parmesean cheese and crispy croutons. I also had half of the Orchard chicken salad with lettuce and tomatoes. The bread was a sesame semolina and it was sooo light and airy. My lunch was perfect... until. PEPSI !! But even a diet pepsi couldn't bring me down from this lunch score !!! read more

My first time today. I've always wanted to try it and finally did. ^_^ My husband and I shared Frontega Chicken and Bacon Turkey Bravo. WOW!! So good!! Our 3 year old even enjoyed the Bacon Turkey Sandwich. Will def. come back...! read more

So grossed out right now . Found this in our $37 order for some sandwiches , soup and couple drinks. read more

Panera Bread - Bug inside my sandwich staring right at me. Went to remove the tomato which was old . Good then I went to remove the tomato - Sandwiches Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I've avoided other Panera's becasue I thought it would be the fare found at a Starbucks, etc. Not so, great food. Nice selection of fancier sandwiches, soups, and salads. Enough variations to find something for anyone. Place was 1/2 full, service was friendly and Fast. Free wi-fi (didn't try it) and patio seating too. read more

Panera is the place to go when you need free wi-fi. Capp's are supposed to be strong and smooth, not hot milk in an oversized mug. When you order a simple coffee be ware b/c you never know which coffee is actually in the carafe...seeing as they are mis-labeled. Overpriced and not fresh tasting, read more

Celina is one of the servers and she is amazing I rate her the best of the best! She is great at asking things like for example, I asked her to get me ice water and she brought me it with a lid on top and a straw on the side and asked if I needed lemon or anything for it. Also when she was bringing the food and she was looking for the table my mom thought it was ours and said aww thankyou and she said no and continued looking for the table meaning that she's got her shit together and knows exactly what she is doing. Thankyou so much Celina your the best!!! My mother and I really enjoyed you!!! read more

First time trying this place. Will never go back. paid over $5 for a small mac and cheese ridiculously overpriced. The iced coffee was watered down full of ice probably not even 4 ounces of coffee in a large and it was filled to the top with ice it was like drinking dirty water never again waste of money this place cuts corners on serving sizes. read more

Panera Bread - Sandwiches Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I give this Panera 2 stars because the flavor of the food is really good. But this Panera does not get the drive through orders right. I've been a few times in the last month, and today is the last time. I asked for 2 whole sandwiches, got charged for 2 whole sandwiches. But I got one half and one whole, we did not get the regular chips that we get, and we have ordered the same thing before. I did ask for sliced pickles on the side and didn't get any. The last couple of visits were similar, orders were not right. read more

We frequent this location on Rockfield Blvd, Lake Forest, CA several times weekly. The employees, quality of food, freshness, taste and service is superior! We also want to comment, on, how we are so impressed with Javier- Assistant Manager. Javier is an outstanding consummate professional and has an exemplary work ethic and strong commitment to customer service, an asset! This location is great in employee retention, and we see Javier involved at all levels, safety, sanitation, financial, the service, and quality of food. He comes to the window or counter with a great big smile and exemplary attitude! He is thoroughly involved and cares about your Panera Bread experience! Our service today impeccable and food delicious! Thank you! Anyday with a Panera Bread item is outstanding and adds value to your day! The chefs who create all the recipes are very talented..There is not enough good we can say about this location, Javier, its people and rewards program! When you visit this location, inside or drive-through, you will enjoy a great experience! Thank you Javier, today, again for your great attitude, quality food, professionalism and smile today for another great experience! Sincerely, Wanda and Chris. Cavaliere Mission Viejo, CA read more

This place is super convenient especially at dinner time no long wait in drive thru. Reason for the 2 is i came here the other day and no salad dressing was provided. my salad was totally dry and i was already home in aliso viejo to go back. read more

Over charged on bill, order was brought out wrong, quality was horrible with the chicken (gristle all throughout chicken in sandwich), staff was messing around in restaurant banging things up against was so loudly that people started moving outside rather than eating inside. By far the worst Panera experience I've ever had; won't be going back to this one. read more

Let me count the ways in which the corporate world will let you down: 1 - Sara B's capp tasted like hot milk 2 - Someone put the Dark Roast and Hazelnut signs on the wrong pots so I got a cup of nasty on my refill 3 - the breakfast sandwiches are approaching McD's or DD's quality (which means NOT good) Eh. We only went here because nothing else was in walking distance. read more

I tried the new chopped chicken cobb and it was only so-so. The lettuce was mostly wilted and I didn't even taste the blue cheese. The chicken was plentiful and ok. I did leave feeling full, and I only took a couple bites of the bread; however about an hour later I was feeling hunger pangs. The thing that was most disappointing was the lack of tables available at lunch time. I get that people like that they offer free Wi-Fi but I think management should give a code that is only valid for one hour so people do not camp out there all day long sipping on the free water or coffe/tea refills! One guy was taking up two tables- one JUST for his newspaper and cell phone. I asked the manager to ask him to move his stuff which he did, but he sure did take his sweet time. Sorry Panera- don't think I'll be back any time soon! read more

Love panera! I come here at least once a week for my job and love the food here. Prices are reasonable and I have always had great customer service. Last week I came in and my soup was little cold (i got the half soup/half salad) when I asked for another they did more than apoglize they got me a fresh one right away. I work in the food buisness I know how things can be but when I get in there its always fresh clean and perfect! The building is new and everything is perfection. Tip: sign up for their reward system! It will benefit you in the long run! read more

Well shame on me. I know this location has THE WORST customer service but I was dying for egg & cheese breakfast sandwich and I love their coffee (way better than Starbucks), so I go to the drive thru this morning. Things were looking up when it only took 9 minutes to get my order. Seriously, big win there. Except when I opened my order - down the street and already way late for work - there was NO EGG in my breakfast sandwich! Just bread! Duh!!!! Of course, I was beyond ticked so I attempted to call to complain. NO ANSWER. I ended up going home and making my own egg for my stupid sandwich. Really, can't these clowns get it together? Every single time I go to this location, they screw something up. Update: I call the location and finally get someone to pick up the phone. I tell my story to a girl who then tells me I have to talk to a manager. A guy gets on the phone who says he's "one of the managers." I tell him my story again. He tells me that all he can do is put my name on the board for a free meal. I tell him that's not going to work for me because I'm never going back to that location because I have a problem every single time I go here. He asks if I have a receipt. I don't because THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME ONE and he tells me there's nothing he can do, no refund without receipt. So two screw ups on their part, I have to waste my time calling them... my frustration is building... I tell him they have the worst customer service... Starbucks next door has 35 customers in drive thru line and they could compete if the didn't have THE WORST customer service. He says again, no receipt no refund. I ask who I can call... he starts YELLING AT ME - "CALL ST. LOUIS, CALL ST. LOUIS, I DON'T HAVE TO BE VERBALLY ABUSED BY YOU, CALL ST. LOUIS, I DON'T WANT TO HELP YOU. YOU DON'T DESERVE MY HELP. CLICK. - He hangs up on me!" Needless to say, I will be CALLING ST. LOUIS. Update #2: I called St. Louis and I suggest you do the same if you have an issue at this location. read more

I was at the Lake Forest location today around 3:00 p.m. I was with my sister. I had asked the young man behind the register if I could sample a certain soup before placing my order, which he said "of course". He came back with the soup sample. I advised him I didn't need a spoon. Then this man behind the counter with a ladder in his hands says, "be careful, it's hot". I was wondering who this person was. He didn't have on any type of name badge or uniform that would signify he was associated with the restaurant. I took a taste and then let my sister taste it as well. This all happened in the time span of two,maybe 3 minutes. Apparently, there was a man behind us waiting to order and apparently he was pacing back and forth. Then this "man with the ladder" says to my sister and me, "are you guys ready to order" We both looked at each other not sure if he was talking to us, I mean, we were the only 2 people in line, other than "ants in his pants" behind us. We both said "are you talking to us"? I finished tasting the soup and said to my sister "let's go". I was so insulted that this "unidentified", I'm going to assume manager, had the nerve to rush us along, like it was 12:00 at the busy lunch hour and we were holding up the line. Instead, of letting us get a word out to order, he's asking us basically to hurry it up, some one else is ready to order. Putting the needs of a customer that hasn't even ordered yet ahead of ours who were already there ( and I WAS ready to order ). I put the sample cup down and said to my sister, "let's go". There I hear the "manager"say, did you not like the soup? My sister then said to him that I did not appreciate what he said and what had just transpired. He went into apology mode and offered lunch on the house. I just said I had lost my taste for it. I really didn't matter to me that he apologized or that he offered lunch as some sort of olive branch, DON'T DO IT NEXT TIME. I will never go back to Panera, or at least that one again, if the bums rush is the treatment from an unidentifiable emplyee is what I can expect. I wish I would have gotten his name, I guess I could have had he been in some type of uniform with a badge, shame on you!!!! Oh well, I went and spent my consumer dollar some place else, where the soup was lovely and the server couldn't have been nicer. Oh and P.S. Panera's commercials, fresh, clean food..totally misleading. Their soup comes in large quantities, in a plastic bag, that they open and then heat up, they're not making it there, don't believe the hype. read more

I went Thur the drive Thur on Sunday afternoon around 2 pm it wasn't busy at all. I ordered a turkey bacon avocado sandwich and a cup of soup. And I asked for some pastries. Well in drive Thur you don't get to see the bakery or them making your meals . They didn't have the pastries I requested that's ok . But I get home to bite down into my soft bread turkey lettuce, tomato, avocado, bacon sandwich and I bite down on something hard. So I spit out my sandwich and find pieces of the avocado seed cut up inside my sandwich from the black piece from the stem , to pieces of the seed. WTH So I look at the rest of sandwich don't see anything and I continue to eat , another bite and I bite down again on hard piece . So I call the PANERA bakery and no answer I throw the sandwich away, instead of breaking off my teeth on this sandwich that is suppose to be soft . Very disappointed that the Food Prep person, or Cook, was that much in a hurry that he cut up parts of this avocado and inserted it into my sandwich he made that day . PAY ATTENTION, PLEASE. Not cool, not ok. Luckily I didn't crack a tooth or I would of drove back over there & raised Cain . Other than this visit this place has been good to eat at. But ANSWER THE PHONES , MANAGEMENT. U ruined my sunny afternoon yesterday . I just came from church and was there for 4 hours and I just wanted to get home and kick off my heels & take off my clothes and relax. I wasn't driving back over there for a $9.99 sandwich . read more

absolutely delicious food... when they get your order right! For three weeks, I have ordered once a week for rapid pickup from this location. First time, they forgot my side order of bbq sauce AND my baguette! I decided it was no big deal. The second time, I customized my sandwich, and let me tell you, NONE of my customizations were made. The receipt showed that I did however confirm the customizations. Decided to shake it off, don't know why, and for some reason I ordered AGAIN. This time, COMPLETELY WRONG ORDER. Got my baguette, and that was about all they got right. Ordered a ham sandwich but instead got a chicken sandwich, and ordered chili but instead got mac and cheese. Had to check my receipt, said my name, so they messed up BIG TIME. Very mad with Panera, please get our orders right FOR ONCE. read more

This Panera Bread is in a great location near the freeway. Their food is always fresh and delicious. Also a great place to hang out or bring a laptop and get some work done. The service is pretty good too! read more

Choose another place! Ordered a simple grilled cheese... with a side of burned hair! Called for a refund and the less than competent manager couldn't figure out how to do a credit! Yuck!!! read more

Panera Bread - Yuck!!!! - Sandwiches Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I like this place. Just need to manage better. Tables need to be wiped between customers. Window screens need to be lifted after sundown. read more

The service at this Panera was the worse customer service I've experienced. We came in at 8:30 and we understand that you guys are closing up. The young man named Mike at the counter was very rude and responded to us in a very unprofessional way. Please address his actions,because this Panera location has lost my business read more

I'm done with this place! When it opened the quality was excellent. It has gone gone to hell. The quality has slowly gone to shit. I have had 6 bad meals in a row. The last sandwich I ordered was the worst I've ever had anywhere. read more

Yum! But my last visit they were out of everything. . Their banquettes, cookies, soups are great!

Does anyone actually read these reviews to see that there is clearly an issue? I don't get how management wouldn't want to change what their customers are saying or working to make it better. The older man manager there is terrible, always yelling at his employees and making everyone eating uncomfortable. Management should be concerned with bad reviews and how to fix them. read more

Don't going during pandemic. They weren't using masks a week ago. Now OC has made it mandatory. Went through drive thru yesterday. Person at window had mask cover mouth and not nose. Person who brought food to give me had her mask around her neck. read more

Love the strawberry poppy seed salad, but when I ordered takeout the size was not worth the $7.99 price read more

Panera Bread - $7.99 strawberry poppy seed salad - Sandwiches Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Today was our first dine in experience at this Panera bread location since they moved places in the center. Overall the food was decent although my father definitely did not enjoy his salad. The huge negative of this experience was actually dealing with one of their employees. Upon ordering we looked for both seating and discovered that there was none available, and best of all one of the largest booths in dining area was occupied by a single employee who had witnessed my mother looking for seating and just continued to sit there on his phone. If the business is at all interested in correcting this issue in their employee, he was a heavier set young man, who had a close to the head haircut, but was wearing a hat while working. read more

Messed up my order entirely in the past and today I got a smoothie that looks like someone helped themselves to a quarter of it. read more

Panera Bread - Messed up my order entirely in the past and today I got a smoothie that looks like someone helped themselves to a quarter of it. - Sandwiches Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Horrible service inside and horrible service using the drive thru.... both took way too long and they have fucked up my order every time..... I would order a side of mandarin oranges on my salad, they charge me extra, and I get no oranges/what I already paid extra for. You would think after waiting so long, they're taking their time to make orders correctly but nope. And we call back and all they say was "we definitely put that on your ticket, but sorry..." And half the time they "run out" or don't have what I came there to get, like the chicken wild rice soup or wonton salad. Very disappointed every time I go there and would much rather choose Corner Bakery over this, strictly due to customer service. read more

I don't mind studying here because it's not nearly as busy as Starbucks, but for $5, you'd think that the hot chai tea late would be bigger and would not take 7 minutes to make.... Disappointed with the portions but the taste is okay. read more

Panera Bread - There's like an inch of nothing on top of the foam..... - Sandwiches Near Me - Lake Forest, California

So disappointing for breakfast if you don't eat dairy or gluten. There's basically one option - oatmeal. And I had to ask for almond milk twice. On the up side the oatmeal is delicious. My husbands order got misplaced. How hard is it to toast a bagel? Other than that I still like it for lunch or dinner. read more

When by today & ordered a sandwich. The avocado on the sandwich was partially black. I have never had a problem there before

Ok so every time I've gone through the drive thru my order has been messed up one way or another. I figure oh maybe it's lunch rush, maybe the order was too big etc. Maybe they didn't hear me right or whatever. So today I decided to go in, maybe that would make it better. Wrong. I ordered the bacon, egg and cheese (simplest thing ever) sandwich. I get to work and it's missing bacon. Just egg and cheese. I also see other people in reviews are just completely missing fundamental parts of their sandwiches too. I checked my receipt and the very friendly cashier, Brandon did get my order right. So Im thinking its the kitchen staff is who really needs to get it together. Staff was friendly but if I'm spending 12 dollars on breakfast maybe you could ensure you're fulfilling and double checking your orders. read more

Usual positive experience at this Panera Bread location: nothing special and nothing disappointing. Good parking and a Starbucks right next door to complete your continental breakfast with something fancier than Panera offers. read more

The staff here at this location always seem meh blah and just indifferent! Need a little more enthusiasm and friendliness. The food is just ok. Good for soups. read more