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Panera Bread
Categories: Food Bakeries Restaurants Sandwiches Bakeries, Sandwiches [Edit]
9350 Yonge StreetRichmond Hill, ON L4C 5G2
(905) 508-7155
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
12 reviews for Panera Bread
12 reviews in English
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Review from Erwin M.
4/5/2010
Free internet, close to home, decent coffee, bread, and sandwiches are some little reasons why I go to Panera all the time, distance being the biggest factor.
I used to frequent a place in Etobicoke called Artisano bakery and this place reminds of that. Its like these 2 places used the same template for setting up shop. Same sort of casual ambiance with that vibrating gizmo when your order is ready, same type of food, and very similar price range. I'm a sucker for these kinds of places.
I have to admit Artisano has slightly better sandwiches and given a choice I'd probably skip Panera. Since I have no choice, I just learn to appreciate the good things, sit back, and enjoy. -
Review from bold c.
Toronto, ON
12/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
Used to great for breakfast. Food is marginal at best depending on week or weekend.
July 2010
Day service needs improvement. Buy your bread and go. Food turnover varies. Staff does not know how to make sandwiches correctly. Coffee overpriced compared to local competitors. No lactose free milk. Internet very popular no tables. The food I ordered was undercooked and the day staff told me that it was OK. Tried to return it and got a hassle. Staff was too busy gossiping (think high school dropouts) to care. Felt I was on a US reality show. After some discussion- got the day Manager to sort it out, received full refund and apology.
Nov 2010
Went back on weekend. Completely different restaurant. Classic music relaxing atmosphere. Totally different staff much friendlier - manager was outstanding. Felt like home. Coffee good. The breakfast sandwich was little chewy. Ordered sausage got bacon due to shortage. Better than expected. AVOID the grilled Panini Sandwiches and get them to toast instead. MUCH BETTER without all the runny cheese! -
Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
9/15/2010 5 photos
Dropped by here to meet a friend for a quick breakfast.
I have to say I have an ok experience since the setting here is cozy with private booth seats.. free WIFI.. ok food...
But everything here is so cold....don't have that little bakery family runned feel to it, which I really enjoy. I just feel like going into a MacDonald or something. But at least I can drink my coffee from a mug not a foam cup.
I might come again but it will not be a place I will hang out too often.
2 star but 1 star extra for free WIFI without access code!
They accepts all credit cards! -
Review from Jay G.
Toronto, ON
4/25/2009
A lot of people didn't know this was a chain from just south of the boarder. I've been to a few in Houston and the one in Richmond Hill is laid out identically. The breads are baked fresh daily, their cookies and pastries are delicious, and the sandwiches are a decent size. Problem is, everything is just a tad expensive for what you get. There's lots of sun and free wi-fi. This is a good place to drop by and have lunch, I just wouldn't go out of my way to go here.
Overall, the chain remains consistent and keeps to its promise of fresh breads and delicious baked goods. The prices are slightly higher than you would expect and the sandwiches don't seem worth the price. Come for a cookie (or five) and the wi-fi. -
Review from Ariel G.
6/17/2009
It is part of a very successful U.S. chain. This MUST be franchised. It is not on par with the other restaurants in the chain.
It is too expensive and a quick lunch for 2 will run you over $29.00. At that price there are a lot of options in that neck of the woods. I say this for this type of restaurant, with no table service.
Since it is called Panera Bread (is that redundant?..but I digress) I did not found the bread too tasty or for that matter good. The crust was 'plasticky' as opposite to crackling or crunchy, and it was on par with a day old baguette from the supermarket. They are also stingy, they only give you a slice of bread with the soup, although in their other restaurant you get a small fresh small quarter baguette loaf.
The soups are alright but to thick. Not everything is heartier when it is thickened, but these people seem to believe that. We met some friends for a quick lunch there and the verdict was not to return. It was not bad enough to warrant inclusion on a 'black-list' but they have a lot of work to do.Listed in: My List of Shame
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Review from Maureen P.
Toronto, ON
2/15/2009 1 photo
You caught me. I'm a muffin waster.
I know y'all out there. We only eat the tops and throw the rest out. But Panera Bread has watcha want and gots watcha need. Muffins sans the bottom, name branded as MUFFIES! For so long I've been waiting for this invention and alas it has arrived. And well worth the (long line up) wait!
Oh yea, I also had the french onion soup and the bf had the Italian sandwich combo. A little pricey for a light afternoon lunch at a cafeteria styled restaurant, but still we were content.
But my chocolate chip muffie was indeed the highlight and topping of the cake or should I say the top of the muffin! -
Review from Pavel B.
Toronto, ON
8/2/2010
Atmosphere is pretty cozy and casual, quite a few elderly patrons.
Food leaves something to be desired. Had the cuban panini, it was OK, but nothing to brag about.
Guess it's OK as a place to come for coffee or meet friends, just don't expect to be blown away by the food. -
Review from Lynda W.
Toronto, ON
10/20/2008
Oh Panera, you've made your way to Canada.. Welcome! Ok I'll be honest, I've never heard of this place before about a week ago when my sissy mentioned it to me in passing. Well if you know me, you'll know my name is synonymous with bread, so at the earliest time, I went.
This place is packed to the max, the lines were the longest I've ever seen for a bread bakery place. Crazy! it's ironically in the same location as where Krispy Kremes used to be... I hope Panera isn't just a fade that faded faster than Krispy Kreme could bring out a fresh batch of glazed donuts.
They have so many different types of artisan bread, it was carb heaven! They also make sandwiches, which were a little pricey. Everything was pretty pricey, but the quality is pretty worth it. I got the Asiago Demi loaf, as well as a chocolate chip muffin cap. The demi loaf (a smaller loaf) was $3.29 which I guess isn't too bad. Bagels were priced at $1.39 each or a dozen for $11.99! That's a little too much, especially since you can go to other bakeries and get a dozen for like $5.
Anyway, I like this place. It's not a place I would go to regularly, but if/when I'm in the area, I'll for sure make a stop through... -
Review from Edwin A.
4/18/2010
It's a good cafe with free wifi and cozy place to meetup and hangout.
The food is okay, but don't be expecting Michel's Baguette Bakery quality.
There is one item in the menu that isn't found in many places, the sourdough bread bowls. Mmmm good! Brocolli and Cheddar. :) -
Review from Ryan S.
Toronto, ON
12/21/2009
Well, I've heard a lot about this place. The smell when you enter is outstanding. I love the smell of bakeries. The service was pretty good, so there are no complaints there.
My rating reflects my growing consternation of chains. They can offer amazing sounding food, but it all seems to be, somehow, generic. Panera bread is not that bad, in the end. My biggest problem with most chains is that they tend to make portions sized for the average army unit, not soldier, unit. I ordered the Chicken Frontega sandwich, well, half of it. It was the size of a regular sandwich, yet was considered half size. The flavour was satisfactory, yet lacked any real distinction. I also had the garden vegetable soup in Bread bowl. This, too, was enormous. The soup was good enough, but, once again, lacked any real distinction in flavour. It was simply vegetable soup, like all the rest. My wife had the white cheddar macaroni & cheese. That was good. Then again, it's hard to get mac and cheese wrong, especially when compared to the usual KD.
Would I go back? I can't really say I would. I've tried it and found it OK. That's about the best I can offer. -
Review from N. C.
Toronto, ON
12/29/2009 1 photo
I read about this chain in Fast Company. It's a curious US business model. I was up here to put some snow tires on my car and came across this place. And so I tried it. I agree with the other reviewers about the generic and plastic nature of both decor and food.
You feel as though you are eating in an airport restaurant. The bread is a simulacra of real bakery-fresh bread and the copious amounts of salt, starch and sugar in their soups, breads and sauces are in evidence. All
that "stuff" seems to fool the senior citizens, who tend to eat here.
In the end, the food feels and tastes like an upscale Tim Horton's.
Save your money and eat across the street, or anywhere else. -
Review from Jaimeson B.
Barrie, ON
6/14/2009
Sooooooooooooooo Happy!
I was (insert above text) to see Panera in Canada. Used to go here all the time when I lived in Chicago. The food is exactly the same. I would suggest the soups as a must. Especially the Broccoli Cheddar in a bread bowl! Most of the sandwiches are very good. The salads are hearty and delicious.
To top off everything you can get your soup with an apple! instead of more bread. And not just some crappy apple, my apples have always been crisp and juicy.
