Paradise Bakery

As another writer mentioned, we too stopped by this morning to find that this location no longer exists, probably as it has become the new Panera being opened at AZ Ave and Ocotillo, which looks to be soon. Just a surprise to one not tuned in!

This location is closed! No ‘notice’ in the window, the outdoor sign over the door has been removed, and the stacked tables and chairs are visible through the dark glass windows.
I realize that a Panera Bread (P.B.‘s parent co.) is due to open near the Target on Arizona Avenue, but, c’mom — surely there’s enough business for both!
No «thanks for your business — we’re moving» sign — very unprofessional.
And one more thing — the Grimaldi’s Pizza restaurant in the same plaza has also closed — their window sign references a rent increase as the cause.
So — we feel bad for Grimaldi’s; we feel abandoned by Paradise Bakery.
When I moved to Chandler from Cincinnati 3 years ago, Paradise would not accept the points I’d built up on my Panera loyalty card. Now I wonder if Panera will honir the points on my Paradise card.
Me thinks a new Public Relations manager is needed!

Stopped in this morning to meet some folks for coffee and it was closed. The lights were off and the sign was off the front. There was no evidence that a Paradise Bakery had ever been there. Unfortunate.

This is not specific to this location. I am finding all Paradise locations are 2-​star. They aren’t BAD, but they aren’t really great either. The staff here was friendly enough, and was even calling some customers by name (I assumed they were regulars).
On this occasion we got bagels, scones and cookies for a meeting.
OK…the scones were really good. I gotta give them credit. They were very popular at the meeting. If it was just the scones they’d probably get four stars.
The bagels were «just bagels», and they didn’t offer us any cream cheese (we made the mistake of assuming it was included, so didn’t think to ask for any). The ones at Einstein Brothers are better, and they include the cream cheese (though you do pay a little more for their «baker’s dozen», if you buy the cream cheese at Paradise it’s about the same). We ended up getting cream cheese at Einstein because the Paradise was too far away when we realized the error. They should have asked if we wanted any at Paradise when we were buying the bagels. Maybe 2.5 stars for the bagels, but deduct a star for neglecting to mention cream cheese.
The cookies taste manufactured. That’s the only way I can express it. Not like fresh homemade cookies. Like a machine’s interpretation of what a cookie should be. I am not impressed. And this isn’t the first time. I think I am done with their cookies. One star there.
So, overall, that’s an average of 2 and ¹⁄₆ stars. Or just 2.

One of the best run Paradise Bakeries I have been to. They are generally pretty steady, but usually don’t have crazy long lines and poor service like some of the other locations in the area. They do tend to be really busy for brunch though on Sunday mornings when the weather is nice, so avoid it then.
Tables are usually bussed quickly, and the staff seems to care more and be more helpful. Shop is pretty clean.
The cookies are delicious!

Salads are fresh! I recommend ordering from scratch though. However, if you happen to get there at brunch, you’ll have to order a salad off their menu because the line isn’t ready for personalized orders.

The French toast bagel is delicious! Even when I was trying to avoid ordering a pastry or cookie, I decided on this gem instead. It satisfied my sweet tooth! I like to sit here and get some work done after a snack. I did bring my boyfriend a steak panini and he didn’t like it. Not sure what he disliked about it, but at least it came with a cookie!

Every time I come to this place, I promise myself that I’m not going to waste my money here anymore. But it’s just so darn convenient to where I work and it has wi-​fi so I can do schoolwork over my lunchbreak.
Pros: Wi-​fi. Healthy options. Great cookies. Close to my work (but you don’t care about that!)
Cons: It’s way overpriced. When I first moved to AZ I loved this place because the sandwiches were crazy-​huge and the salads were overflowing and they had free cookie samples! It could be because I used to visit a different (Central Phoenix) location, but I think that general management has cut portion size by a LOT. My salads don’t even come close to filling up the bowl now, much less to overflowing, and you’re lucky if your turkey sandwich has as much meat on it as a Subway sandwich. Also, they’re constantly messing up my order. And I’m not talking about picky orders, I’m talking about getting mayo when i ask for none, or being charged for a whole sandwich when I ordered a half because they wrote it down wrong (I order the half and half special!) These aren’t big deals really but it’s annoying when at least half of the time your order isn’t right.
I know, I know. I should just stop coming here, right?! But, like I said, it’s way too convenient to drive a couple of minutes and get some homework done so I can actually have some free time (what’s that?!) in the evenings.
If I have extra time to drive to the Wildflower at Chandler Mall, believe me, I do.

Always love a good sandwich and soup, but Paradise Bakery clearly disappoints. We had the half soup/​salad and sandwich. The French Onion Soup was very average, the chicken on focaccia was sub-​standard, and was surprised that the focaccia bread was underbaked. I had the Thai Chicken Salad… which to me was a step up from a McDonalds salad and the Pannini (Cuban) was over done.
I have generally had their muffins and baked goods as a take out and they have always been excellent but there are far better places to spend your money on a soup/​salad and sandwich.

Feels just like the other Paradise Bakeries I’ve been to. Nice, clean, food tastes the same.

I hate this Place… Seriously, I can not go here with out a Cookie…
Love The Thai Chicken Salad & Tomato soup, That’s my go to meal.
If you love the Club Sandwich, just have them add cranberry, you’ll love me later.
This place is awesome.

Paradise is a 3 star in my book.
They have the SAME salads and sandwiches all the time (I occasionally note they change a bit up, but nothing new to add to the repertoire), so if you eat there often (like I used to!), you get bored quickly.
This particular location is decent and clean and fairly quick and friendly and hasn’t messed up my orders before, so that’s a positive note.
Their nutrition online totally sucks and is always down or ‘under construction’. Also, they are a bit tight with their chicken portions and if you do extra chicken to your salad for added protein, it can add up quickly. Paying $ 11 for a salad to me is rediculous. but that’s just me. If I’m paying that much, it better have LOTS of ingredients and be big and of course have a heaping helping of protein (in the form of meat).

Come here all the time. Never disappointed with the quality of the food, service, and environment. Love the chocolate chip cookies that come with the sandwiches. Always looking forward to each trip to Paradise.

So, I’ve been going to Pardise since it open, what, 7 yrs ago? They have one of the best managers they’ve ever had, now. Mason, is the best. He’s always there when I come in and is the nicest and most helpful manager I’ve seen EVER. You can tell he’s good as all the employere are nice, smiling and go out of their way to just be pleasant. It’s the best feeling to go in here after a hard day at work, so nice!
4 stars? — that’s Panera’s fault. As they now own Paradise, no samples anmore. Health dept. my foot, that’s just Panera being cheap.
Otherwise, great work, guys — you make it joy to come here!

The workers here are SO friendly. The minute you walk in the door you’ll here a «Hello, welcome to paradise!»
and if you stay to eat/​study/​chat you’ll probably hear it every few seconds.
I love coming here to study. They have lots of chairs and booths that welcome it and the staff, of course, does not care how long you sit.
Food is decent. There are better bakeries in general but I can say that their cookies and salads are worth trying.

Fantastic place for lunch, food is extremely good…

I love to come to this restaurant every time I am in rush for lunch. As usual the service crew is giving their out most courtesy which is an A-​. I should say it doesn’t diminish. Love a roast beef sandwich and their cranberry turkey sandwich. The cookie? hmmm… irresistible. It’s a beautiful DAY :)

Love to come here for breakfast & coffee. Had a frozen mocha & shared the breakfast burrito. Very good. It’s s great place to go & bring your dog to enjoy the patio with you.

I used to go to this Paradise often when we lived in Chandler, especially before the «new» one went up on Germann/​Gilbert. But now — I’m resorted to only visiting 2x a year when I go for my dentist appts near by. :)
Yes, that’s right — I love Paradise’s sandwiches and sweets so much, that even after a dentist visit I’m still picking up some sugar.
The staff has always been friendly here. And this location has a nice, comfortable feel to it. There even are a few leather sink-​in lounge chairs — - so it’s perfect for surfing the internet w/​one of their cookies and some coffee.

I go here all the time… and the fire roasted tomato soup is the most amazing thing ever… and I hate soup. Go figure. Anywho, the funny thing that happened today made me realize just how ignorant some of the help could be. I asked the girl at the counter what comes on the Chicken Artichoke Panini Sandwich and she looked at me strangely and said «chicken and artichokes.» Ok, duh! Anything else? Like cheese, tomato, dressing? «Oh, let me ask.» So she asks the guy that makes the sandwiches what comes on it and he said, «um, I have no idea.» Are you kidding me? So the manager finally came over and told me everything that was on the sandwich. Thank you smart lady.
So, while the service is not the best… the sandwich was amazing. And I always love my free cookie…