Panera Bread

I normally like my soup choice, but the vegetable with pesto I had on Friday seemed overcooked. The quinoa salad was so bland, & the greens were so tough, i didn’t finish it… a first for me. Ditch that salad and bring back the spinach salad and the ancient grains salad!

Panera, Shame, Shame, Shame on you for your wastefulness and disregard of Mother Nature!!!
No other location INSISTED on giving me utensils and about a hundred napkins for my Bear Claw to go. When I tried to refuse the plastic utensils, the mind controlled girl at the counter said I had to or they would be thrown away. Seriously?!
It would not surprise me one bit if the poor clerks in the Villages were told such trash. No, we do not NEED utensils if we are eating a pastry. Sure, if we ask for them, that is one thing. But to force them on your customers? That puts you straight in the Green Hall of Shame for not caring about the Earth or Environment in any regard.
Ick! Bye bye bear claws… so will not support your corporate disregard ever again.

I usually stop in there on Sunday mornings for coffe and some sort of breakfast. Food is panera quality. The big problem with this place is its ALWAYS RUNNING OUT OF COFFEE AND CREAM AND MILK! It’s been there for years and you think they would have it figured out by now. There is usually two pots of each, decaf, reg, dark, and the dreaded hazelnut coffee. Who the heck drinks that stuff in the morning? Anyway the first thing someone wants in the morning is coffee and sometimes you wait 20 mins or more. By then there is a crowd waiting at the pots and it becomes a compition to get a cup. No place that advertises coffee should ever run out. The person who is in charge or the person who is suppose to keep an eye on the coffee just doesent care in my opinion. I also noticed that some of the entitled seniors bring their own drinking cup in. Most are much bigger that the large you pay for and some bring in something that looks like a small thermos bottle which looks to hold a lot more that what you would pay, for a reg cup. I watched some people as they pay for a small cup and they go to the pots they pull out this huge thing and fill it up. Not very honest.
I saw one woman question an employee and said by the time she got her coffee her breakfast would be cold. The employee just srugged her shoulders as if to say, so what do you want me to do about it. They need someone on the weekends to really care about what’s going on.
My suggestion, go real early you won’t be disapointed and you might actually get some place to sit and eat. Seating that’s another free for all. Watch as hordes of seniors come thru the doors and the pairs break off and grab tables and SAVE seats for their large breakfast party. Disgraceful !
I must say that the food is fresh and flavorful. Great bread and pastries.

I wild really like to upgrade this place to more than 3 stars but the issues remain unresolved. Management does not care.
The good: food acceptable, pastries and baked goods quite good, service normally excellent.
The bad: coffee and or creams always running out — poor system, bikes parked everywhere — on the entranceway, on the patio — wherever they want — again management does not care.
I still recommend this place. Great patio, great view and generally nice people.

I had no idea decaf coffee is so popular before 7:30am. Management needs to note that and keep it coming. Thought I would try the Power Oatmeal Quinoa. Very good. Service was fast and people pleasant so early in the morning

Panera is always a good pit stop in my book and this location is just as good as the rest except it can get insanely busy as it’s right in the middle of the busiest shopping district in the villages.
Love the coffee and free wifi guys keep it up.

My wife just tried to order me a salad to go 10 minutes ago and was told the kitchen was closed. 8:10. Says it’s open until 9. Guess the staff has plans.

The online ordering is a great idea for when things get really busy. Best to park in the parking lot behind Panera, since the Square gets pretty busy. If you are looking for a quick bite to eat during busy season, the online ordering is the way to go.
Kevin Bell
Retired In The Villages, FL
(Lady Lake)

This Panera gets an extra star just for being in one of my favorite places, The Villages! Located in Lake Sumter Landing which is a square filled with cool stores and restaurants, this Panera is situated right on the corner, across from Starbucks. Parking may be hard to find during the lunch hour and not because of cars, but because of all the cool golf carts. I ordered just a drink because I am not much of a fan of Panera’s food products. They have large covered patio in front that provides a view of the square where people watching is an option!

I have eaten at a lot of Panera Breads before moving to The Villages. I have always like the food and the quick service. However, the Panera in LSL has always been understaffed. For the last 3 years, each time I go there I have had extended wait time to order. Usually just one casher. I have stopped going there.

We’ve been to a lot of Paneras and I have never had faster service than in this one in The Villages, Florida. Before we could sit down the buzzer went off and our order was ready. We both had ordered soup and half sandwich. I had the onion soup and Italion meat sandwich. Both were excellent. I always get the onion soup at Panera and it is one of the best anywhwere. It has a unique flavor yet you know it is onion soup. My wife had the turkey classic sandwich and veggie soup and liked them both. The bread at Panera is always excellent. If you’re in the area, don’t be put off by the apparantly crowded store, because they are fast, fast., fast at this Panera.

It’s a Panera. Food is decent and consistent, but you may get bored after visit number 5. That said, it’s still a go-​to for lunch when visiting the Villages, given the other chainy (pronounced «Cheney») choices.
Go for the «pick two», and include a salad or soup. The macncheese has some appeal too.