Panera Bread

Dirty, rude staff, horrible management (especially a more heavy set man with a goatee) That pretty much sums it up with the Panera in Ames.

I don‘t have a problem with Panera in general, however in Ames, when I go, I typically get their blended coffee drinks and each time I have been there they are made differently. The staff don‘t seem to know what their drink sizes are, and upon asking for and paying for a specific item, there have been three instances now, when I have not gotten what I paid for. When I bring this up with the staff, I am then told that what I paid for is what they gave me, so not only will they not address the problem, but they blatantly lie to you so as to not have to address the problem. Having purchased drinks at Panera before, and actually getting what I paid for, I struggle to believe that they think that I don‘t know what I ordered but surprisingly they seem to think that as a consumer I‘m incapable of understanding their menu. It‘s too bad that they have decent coffee because their poorly trained employees and lack of customer service has lead me to seek out coffee elsewhere!

I don‘t have a problem with Panera, but this location leaves a lot to be desired. The last time I was there, I had a problem with the Thai Chicken salad that I ordered. When I talked to management (heavy-set man with goatee) about the wrong dressing, he was very condescending and treated me like I was the one that was wrong, but he‘d replace it anyway. Very unhappy with service. Will not return.

Everyone seems to go here. I would say because they have little competition. But this place is ridiculously expensive for what you get.
what you get is processed poor quality food. The bakery is OK, but they never clean their bakery pans, which are covered in filth as are the displays they put them on. The tables are never clean and the employees, especially the managers are rude.
The General manager was completely fake to me, when I complained. He‘s probably why all the employees are in such a bad mood. That and I am Chinese/American, I was told he‘s racist. If you want a great atmosphere with coffee and fresh baked bread, excellent service and real quality food, Go to "The Cafe" in Northwest Ames.

Ames needs about three more Paneras to accomedate the amount of people that this one serves. Parking lot is always full, and while they try to keep the line moving around peek times there is a long line to order. That said, good chain bakery/cafe, the coffee seems to be on the weak side, but this is coming from someone who loves extremely strong coffee. free wi fi also means tons of people stay doing homework for a looooong time. One of the only options in Ames that isnt greasy fast food!!

What an over rated place. Service is beyond slow. And, has this place very had an inspection? I guessing not. They violate all kinds of health regulations. I won‘t go back.

The sandwiches are to DIE for! I love this place.

I love the atmosphere of Panera. The help is outstanding. One of the girls, Jessica, really made me smile. She was so friendly and welcoming. The prices are a little high for my budget but the food is worth it.

I like Panera‘s selection of bakery fresh breads and their little souffles. Their food items have always been very tasty, but being straight, male and Conservative I never felt like I really fit in at this place. I‘ve always had to get the goods to go. It‘s usually extremely busy with a very particular clientele. A good over a place for affluent DINK women to rip on the Administration over coffee and a scone.

good bread and decent sandwiches/salads, service sucks.

Good food, but lines are often very long during peek hours & employees always seem overworked. Went there once & ordered a turkey sandwich, only to get home & find there wasn‘t any turkey on it.

If whole grains, book readings, and the sierra club are your thing, this place is for you. For the rest of us, bring back Hardees please.

Excellent food. I visit so often and never have been disappointed. I love their Cafe Latte, the best in Ames

The bread is never frozen. It is all made fresh everyday. It comes in at 10 pm and they bake all ngiht long so it is all fresh when you come in that day. They donate the leftovers to a homeless shelter so they never sell day old stuff. It is a great place.

Participates in "Bookcrossing" by having a shelf of books free for the taking and passing on.

soup in a bread bowl is my favorite thing on the menu. only problem is sometimes they are out of what you want, which can be a bummer. also, the fresh bread you can order is really good.

pretty good if you like that whole frozen/prepackaged thing.

Great place, very yuppie...good soup and sandwiches, coffees and excellent bread. I suggest the baked potato soup in the bread bowl, it‘s fantastic.