Panera Bread

I give this location one star for moving from a perfectly fine location to a really stupid location that doesn’t make any sense at all, which is why they lost all of their customers from Southgate, Wyandotte, and Riverview, who now go to Woodhaven or Allen Park. Nice going, Panera! I also give this location one star for leaving behind another empty building instead of helping the landlord find a new tenant. Eureka Road is such a traffic nightmare that I or nobody cares that the relocation was «only 4 miles». 4 miles = 10 red lights in a row, potholes, traffic backups, and a 20 minute drive. The Southgate Panera was perfect. It was warm, comfortable, and the layout was inviting. Oh well. Panera will be coming back to Southgate, but in the mean time, please send corporate an email. Either that (or the loss of customers) will make them come back.

This was my 1^st time at PB & there was no one in line behind me around 8pm. I asked the counter person (Cecilia) what was her favorite & she just gave vague answers like «everything is good,» or «I dont know.» I tried to pin her down bc she was the only one there at the time, but it was clear she was not in the mood to answer any questions as I was trying to talk to her, it appeared she didnt want to exert any energy on a new customers dumb questions as she gave short uninformative answers. Then my friend who had walked in before me came up & whispered in my ear that «Cecilia will be no help at all to you.» Then Melissa & Jacob came from around the corner & when I asked them, they started telling me all kinds of their favorites. It was obvious they really wanted me to be comfortable there. Altho I only came in for something small like a bowl of soup, I ended up ordering soup, sandwich, drink, 2 bagels, 1 muffin and a cookie for my friend and I! THATS how good Melissa & Jacob were at explaining the menu! Melissa & Jacob were EXCEPTIONAL reflections of Panera Bread & perhaps Cecilia hasnt had much experience working with the public bc it was clear her customer service was poor. Maybe some training from Melissa & Jacob or put Cecilia in the back so she doesnt have to deal with people & put ppl more like Melissa & Jacob to deal with the people or maybe have them monitor Cecilia for a while to help her get better because the food was DELICIOUS! But I almost passed it up if Melissa & Jacob wouldnt have come around the corner. Moreover, I am NOT exaggerating when I say Jacob & Melissa were OUTSTANDING. You really need to give them a raise or promotion. Its because of their friendliness, knowledge of your products & patience with me that will keep me coming back. Melissa & Jacob made a world of difference & I just wanted to say THANK YOU Panera Bread for having employees like Melissa & Jacob! Actually as I met some of the others working there in passing, they were nice also. But no one took as much time & patience out of whatever they were doing like Melissa & Jacob did. Take good care of them Panera Bread, they Rock! I cant hardly wait to eat there again! NOM NOM! Great food & nice warm, clean atmosphere!

Food was decent… No idea why they closed the Southgate location. It was definitely far enough away to keep both locations open. Also Southgate was more cozy… the new Taylor one has big florescent lighting in the dining area. Doesn’t fit in at all.

This review has nothing to do with their food, although lately they are on a health kick that has increased the already high costs of their food, so I am eating there much less.
I overheard a woman manager speak to an obviously teen employee, who had honestly doing nothing wrong, in a manner one might discipline a naughty dog. She wanted the employee, who was walking around the dining room offering assistance, to continue to do so — even though the kid had been mindful of customers short of blowing their noses for them. Honestly, sometimes you just want to enjoy your meal without some poor kid being forced to ask you for the 7^th time if she can help you with anything.
Yet the woman manager jumped on this kid for seriously spending maybe 15 seconds just standing off to the side.
Bad management…

Pretty bummed that the Southgate location was closed for this one to open. But, I do like the layout of this location better. The staff is pretty nice, the drink station seems to be pretty clean. Really wish they would make more soufflé’s, every time I come there seems to be one left that the person in front of me ALWAYS orders!!! Gggrrrrrrr!!! That on top of it being an extra 20 mins to get to this new location; very frustrating.
But my personal irritations aside, pretty much a standard Panera.

I love Panera Bread. I miss the old location in Southgate, but this one is better. The drive through is a good thing & I’ve never had anything wrong here.

This is a great place to work. I love my job. Our new store is beautiful and all the new customers are super nice! I can’t speak for everyone who works there but we can go on break and we DONT HAVE to eat Panera. You can bring your own food. That’s why we have microwaves. Us employees get a great discount for Panera being expensive! Come visit me in the drive thru :)