I’ve been a long-time fan of Panera, and my reviews usually fluctuate depending on quality, service, staff, cleanliness, and speed. Unfortunately, my most recent visit on 01/05/26 around 7:25 PM at the Downtown Silver Spring location was disappointing.
The food quality was not good at all. I ordered my usual Mediterranean sandwich, which I normally love, but this time it was a mess. The bread was dry, and the sandwich was poorly assembled—there was no care or concern put into making it; they just threw the ingredients on. The young lady plopped the hummus on the bread so thick and sloppy, you would’ve thought it was a hummus sandwich. It was obvious the two staff members making my sandwich were distracted, chatting with each other, and didn’t seem properly trained or focused on their work.
The cashier, Gisel, was great, but she was logged in under another staff member’s number, which is concerning. Charlie, Johnson, and Gabe weren’t working that night, which may explain the lapse, but it doesn’t excuse the poor experience.
I would like a refund and a chance to have the proper experience I’ve come to expect from Panera. I hope the staff improves, and this review will be updated when service returns to the level it should be. C’mon you guys—let’s make it a 5-star review year!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Maki G
I really love it here! A special shout out to Sandy who always treats me like family and Oliver who is so kind and genuine! We need more people like you in this world! 🫡
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
L B
Floor of eating area sticky and wet. Otherwise, Great food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Colin H
The food was decent. There was no lines which was surprising considering it's downtown Silver Spring.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Jahdir Lenox
Good fresh food , sandwich and soup go too !!
Traci Lawson
Got our order with no bread, no chips, no utensils when called they tried to put it in delivery person but nothing noted that there was more than one bag on receipt or sticker so how would delivery person know??? Terrible service
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Amanda C Broadnax
Fresh and tasty. I had an orange scone, cinnamon roll, and they do a great job at catering
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hugo Gerardo Azurdia
Excellent customer service and very friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Felipe Hernandez
Sad to say this, but will not be coming back. Not safe; homeless everywhere. Dishes all over the place. I've been to many Panera Breads and this one was the worst by far. No kiosk. I'm use to seeing the picture of the sandwiches. And I was missing alot of the stuff I typically put on my ice coffee. Probably because the homeless run wild here.
Got the order wrong. Bathroom was disgusting and unclean.
Service: 1
Daree Walker
Stay away from the Silver Spring location, poor food quality, always seem to mess my order up, and why do they make a habit of throwing baquettes in bags w/o it being wrapped? I tried contacting help several times and I always run into an error. I have read many articles chronicling the downfall of Panera, and I agree. Stay away from the downtown Silver Spring location.
Food: 2
Service: 1
Teddy Birru
Everytime when pick up online order 1 or two items missed. When you call and go back and get it the item they didn't ask excuses rather with a nasty attitude they said we forgot it. Don't waste your time by ordering online at this store.
Service: 1
André247
Regularly provides good service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
W Wang
I ordered a Caesar salad from this Panera Bread location, and the cheese in the salad had a very strong chemical taste. I immediately spat it out and rinsed my mouth several times because it clearly wasn’t normal food flavor.
I later contacted the Poison Control Center, and they said it was likely cleaning residue. Thankfully, I didn’t swallow any and I’m okay now — but this was a very concerning experience.
Please take food safety more seriously and make sure your preparation surfaces and tools are properly rinsed and free of any cleaning chemicals before making food.
No parking. Food was as expected. Good service.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
I’ve been a long-time fan of Panera, and my reviews usually fluctuate depending on quality, service, staff, cleanliness, and speed. Unfortunately, my most recent visit on 01/05/26 around 7:25 PM at the Downtown Silver Spring location was disappointing.
The food quality was not good at all. I ordered my usual Mediterranean sandwich, which I normally love, but this time it was a mess. The bread was dry, and the sandwich was poorly assembled—there was no care or concern put into making it; they just threw the ingredients on. The young lady plopped the hummus on the bread so thick and sloppy, you would’ve thought it was a hummus sandwich. It was obvious the two staff members making my sandwich were distracted, chatting with each other, and didn’t seem properly trained or focused on their work.
The cashier, Gisel, was great, but she was logged in under another staff member’s number, which is concerning. Charlie, Johnson, and Gabe weren’t working that night, which may explain the lapse, but it doesn’t excuse the poor experience.
I would like a refund and a chance to have the proper experience I’ve come to expect from Panera. I hope the staff improves, and this review will be updated when service returns to the level it should be. C’mon you guys—let’s make it a 5-star review year!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
I really love it here! A special shout out to Sandy who always treats me like family and Oliver who is so kind and genuine! We need more people like you in this world! 🫡
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Floor of eating area sticky and wet. Otherwise, Great food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was decent. There was no lines which was surprising considering it's downtown Silver Spring.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Good fresh food , sandwich and soup go too !!
Got our order with no bread, no chips, no utensils when called they tried to put it in delivery person but nothing noted that there was more than one bag on receipt or sticker so how would delivery person know??? Terrible service
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Fresh and tasty. I had an orange scone, cinnamon roll, and they do a great job at catering
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent customer service and very friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sad to say this, but will not be coming back. Not safe; homeless everywhere. Dishes all over the place. I've been to many Panera Breads and this one was the worst by far. No kiosk. I'm use to seeing the picture of the sandwiches. And I was missing alot of the stuff I typically put on my ice coffee. Probably because the homeless run wild here.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Got the order wrong. Bathroom was disgusting and unclean.
Service: 1
Stay away from the Silver Spring location, poor food quality, always seem to mess my order up, and why do they make a habit of throwing baquettes in bags w/o it being wrapped? I tried contacting help several times and I always run into an error. I have read many articles chronicling the downfall of Panera, and I agree. Stay away from the downtown Silver Spring location.
Food: 2
Service: 1
Everytime when pick up online order 1 or two items missed. When you call and go back and get it the item they didn't ask excuses rather with a nasty attitude they said we forgot it. Don't waste your time by ordering online at this store.
Service: 1
Regularly provides good service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I ordered a Caesar salad from this Panera Bread location, and the cheese in the salad had a very strong chemical taste. I immediately spat it out and rinsed my mouth several times because it clearly wasn’t normal food flavor.
I later contacted the Poison Control Center, and they said it was likely cleaning residue. Thankfully, I didn’t swallow any and I’m okay now — but this was a very concerning experience.
Please take food safety more seriously and make sure your preparation surfaces and tools are properly rinsed and free of any cleaning chemicals before making food.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
Loading...