I love panera for healthy(ish) fast food!
Been here since opening day on day 1 @ 6AM, still coming here today.
This panera is usually very crowded, especially during lunch rush and weekends but the staff are all great and work efficiently. The front-line staff are always pleasant and friendly, and always serving with a genuine smile. I like that.
They are helpful and don't rush you as you are deciding what to order, and they always give recommendations if you don't know what you're going to get.
I love the idea of paying and sitting first and then the food comes to you like a formal restaurant. The food comes very quickly and it's always made fresh for that day.
I find the soups here to be amazing! I love the chicken noodle and black bean. If you like bread, you will absolutely adore the bread bowl. Soooo hearty and good! I can never finish the bread though, it's just too much carbs for one meal.
The drinks are also pretty good! They always change and you should try them all!
I love the salads as well, the portions are pretty good & will fill you up!
It's not the cheapest option, but definitely more worth it than something like mcdonald's.