[Kaffeine]

I currently work at Panera Bread, (not corporate, associate really just posting out of sheer curiosity and love of coffee, I'm not doing product research or anything of the type) and we serve a lot of coffee and it seems incredibly popular considering the sheer amount of coffee shops that are located near my cafe. I can think of 8 within a 10 minute walk. (Starbucks, local shops, etc.)
I'd love to hear some good remarks, horror stories (these please, <3 me some horror stories), and whatever else anyone can tell me about Panera Bread's coffee.

We use 100% Arabica beans.
Hazelnut, Dark Roast, Light Roast, Decaff (ew)...
Drip Brewed (large capacity machines)
As well as an espresso machine. (no idea what it is, to busy brewing to read label)

Decaf: Fail.
Hazelnut, too sweet for me personally.
Dark Roast, I could swim in this.
Light Roast, good for iced coffee imho.

[Austin]

Never been there. Where are you located?

[dailydemitasse]

I only go there for the food. I would never drink their espresso drinks. Not sure about just coffee. The scream of milk frothing is enough for me to run away.

[havasu]

They just opened one about a mile from me. My kids have been there and love it, but I will wait a bit until the crowd subsides enough that I can eat without standing in a line 30 people deep!

[Austin]

We don't have them here. Let me know how it turns out havasu.

[havasu]

That just might be lunch today. I'll report back!

[Austin]

Hope you do.

[havasu]

Well, Panera Bread was my lunch outing today. Being new, there were still lines of people out the door, but it went quick. I ordered a chicken and artichoke, on focaccia bread. It came with a drink and bag of chips, and with a meal you can select a pastry for 99 cents. Food was great, although my wife had sandy lettuce on her sandwich. Total for both of us was $22.00, which is quite expensive for two persons. The sand could be due to them being busy since the business was new, so I won't dog for that. I give them a "two thumbs up" but a "one thumb down" for their sand and costs. I will return when it gets quieter there.

[Austin]

There is no excuse for sand in the lettuce. It means it wasn't properly washed. Not washing your lettuce can make people horribly sick.

Did you like it?

[havasu]

Yes, the food was pretty tasty, but the breads, cookies and other pastries for sale around the counter were great! I can see myself going in for a big box of breakfast pasteries rather than buying a box of donuts in the future.