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“There are plenty of places where you can buy lunch. Panera Bread at 500 Capitol Mall gave me a reminder that the people serving it matter even more than the food.
I asked them today to prepare a $50 basket for my friends at Sacramento City Hall security. They took care of it beautifully. That experience also gave me the opportunity to talk with two people there whose attitudes toward their work deserve some attention.
Daniel, the manager, believes customer service is dying – and he wants to bring it back to life.
Not as a corporate slogan. He genuinely likes helping people.
That impression isn’t mine alone. Public reviews of this Panera repeatedly mention friendly service, good communication, cleanliness, fresh food and employees who actually remember their customers. One regular even noted that they remember her drink.
Then there is Michael, who works in the kitchen.
Michael told me that helping other people is where he finds happiness. More than that, he feels it is part of what he was put on this earth to do.
His reason is worth remembering.
The person standing in front of you may be dealing with something you cannot see.
They may be grieving. They may be frightened. They may be broke. They may be lonely. They may simply be having a terrible day.
Michael understands that making somebody’s day a little better can matter precisely because we don’t know what they are carrying.
I went looking through the public reviews afterward, and apparently other customers have noticed the quality of this location too. The 500 Capitol Mall Panera currently has a 4.4 rating from more than 460 ratings, with reviewers praising the food, service and communication.
Of course, this being the Internet, somebody’s contribution to the critical literature was:
“More bacon.”
Fair enough.
Civilization has its problems. War. Poverty. Homelessness. Climate change.
And somewhere in Sacramento, a person is confronting the great bacon shortage.
Other complaints about restaurants often make me wonder whether we have developed slightly unrealistic expectations of the people preparing our $12 sandwiches. Food service workers are human beings, not vending machines with name tags.
So I’ll add my review to the pile:
The food was good.
The basket was excellent.
But what impressed me most were Daniel and Michael – two people who have decided that serving people can still mean caring about people.
That is worth considerably more than an extra strip of bacon.“
Cafe • $
“🖐🏾 Good Morning, I just wanted to come on here and give an honest review. I wanted to give a big shout out and thank you to the morning crew over in Natomas (3571 N Freeway Blvd Ste 101, Sacramento, CA 95834)
They're awesome greeters in and out the door, they ask you how you doing and do you need anything. They just have natural conversations with you like you've been long time besties :)
Thank you for my BIG cup of coffee, 😉😁
If you're having a bad day and you need a pick me up, head over to the North Freeway Panera for a nice cup of coffee, a bite to eat, and some good conversation.
100% hands down, thank you my friends, from your usual customer, N. Turner.... see you in the morning (for my favorite Rocky Road Frozen Java Coffee) & have a nice day....🖐🏾🙂“
“To:
Mark who took my last minute (desperate) phone call…
April who opened the door for me and directed me to where the Sip Club drinks were located, and to MAX…who worked the MAX to clean up my BIG mess when I accidentally knocked my drink over in my haste!!! (I’m SO sorry!!).
You all were so awesome tonight and saved this (late) thirsty traveler!! And now I know Panera is closing earlier at 8:30pm instead of 9pm like a few days ago! God’s highest blessings be upon you! 🙏“
“My first time at this Panera Bread. I was interested in the stuffed salad bread
Excellent i recommend this popyseed one filled fresh strawberry blueberry pineapples. Lettuce pecan and popyseed dressing on a Italian roll chicken comes on this sandwich and a free bag of chips or apples“
“This is my spot! The customer service is always A+, you're greeted up on entering & they remember who you are! Their food matches the picture!! Their sip rewards is amazing and if you pay attention while ordering you can get yourself a free upgrade. Great place!“