Panera Bread - Cerritos

I've never had a negative experience at any Panera, but I particularly prefer the Cerritos location because they truly excel in delivering the customer experience that the Panera brand promotes. I find the food quality and speed of service to be exceptional. Most of the staff are friendly and welcoming, with just one exception (I believe she's an opening manager). The main downside to this location is that it often attracts larger groups during the morning and early afternoon, which can limit seating options. However, with summer approaching, there’s always the lovely outdoor patio for additional seating, which I find quite peaceful.

We decided to try something different, so I ordered a teriyaki chicken broccoli warm bowl. Unfortunately, it was absolutely drenched in sauce, which I found quite unappetizing. I ate it anyway since there wasn't anything else for dinner, and with prices being what they are today, I couldn't afford to waste it. Every bite was practically soaked in teriyaki sauce. My husband ordered the Baja chicken warm bowl, which was only lukewarm when it arrived—not hot at all. He ended up having to warm it up in the microwave, but at least it tasted decent. However, he felt it was a bit small for the price and still ended up feeling hungry afterwards. I really think Panera is losing its quality. My daughter recently visited the location in Lakewood and was served macaroni and cheese that was refrigerator cold. When she brought it to their attention, they simply told her that there was a microwave available.

I visited this location, and unfortunately, the food didn't meet my expectations. I ended up discarding half of my sandwich, and ever since I left, my stomach has been feeling off. The chefs seemed to have a negative attitude and an unusual vibe. If you have the option, I recommend trying a different location. On a positive note, the cashiers were friendly.

I absolutely love their food! The sandwiches are fantastic—my favorites are the tuna, Mediterranean veggie, and the turkey and bacon with avocado; they're all incredibly delicious. The creamy chicken and wild rice soup is simply addictive. This is my go-to spot for mac and cheese!

I placed an online order, and the cappuccino I received was mostly milk—about 70%. It was really disappointing; if I wanted hot milk, I would have requested that instead of a weak espresso. Shaking my head.