Au Bon Pain

This Au Bon Pain is probably the only location you can find of the chain in over 75 mile radius and on top of that it is located in the food court inside the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Despite that, if you find yourself at the hospital and in need of a quick bite it is not a bar option. Having eaten in other locations of the chain in much more populated areas, I wasn't disappointed. The food was on par with the quality expected and the service was very professional and courteous. They were also a good choice for a vegan option of sandwich and soup.

Always short-staffed, and some of the staff who are there seem to be standing around doing nothing while one or two dart around doing everything.

I stopped by to grab coffee & breakfast on Friday morning about 9:30. All of the coffee urns were completely empty. Both oatmeal stations were empty. One staff member behind the counter, frantically trying to prep lunch salads. A moment later the staffer ran from the back and apologized, pulling the empty urns two at a time and running back with a couple of fresh ones. As she put the empty urns under the coffee brewers another male staff member eased out of the back and watched her. "You could at least make the coffee," she said to him. He shrugged and said, "I don't know how."

As that exchange took place, a new wave of customers started lining up in front of the sandwich counter. The male staff member disappeared in to the back room, leaving the woman to handle everything.

I decided to just pay for my coffee and not bother with breakfast, but I had to wait several minutes while she dealt with the rush -- by herself. I counted three staff members but she was the only one actually working.

I've never seen an Au Bon Pain so painfully understaffed and mismanaged. Kudos to that one staff member trying to hold it all together. Get her some competent colleagues, for the love of God.

During this pandemic you try to be as conscientious as possible especially when it comes to food service industry. I walked into the cafe to notice tons of signs, and was clearly confused as to where to order a fresh sandwich. There is only a huge sign over part of the counter that says pick up order here. When I politely inquired to the women who had their back to me at the counter where was the best place to order was I supposed to order on an app on my phone what would be the right thing to do to order, I was scoffed at and told that no I could order there what do you want? I asked for the turkey club okay and she turned her back from me. The young male cashier who apparently in my opinion may have been new so would you like to pay for that now while you're waiting, and I said if that's okay I'd like to look around the rest of the cafe in case I'd like to purchase something else to go with my sandwich. The girls were laughing and just interesting enough with sanitation and protocols in place I found it interesting that this girl, in a bright pink hooded sweatshirt, had her hair in a loose ponytail with her hair almost to her waist hanging over the Sandwich board while making my sandwich. And I've been in the restaurant industry for 26+ years as a corporate and independent restaurant manager and have been ServSafe certified for over 20 years. One would think, especially in a hospital that the management would have had her hair pulled back fully or in a hairnet. When I approached the cashier to ask if there was a manager available or a business card that I may contact Au Bon Pain with my experience of being treated very rudely he said no business card but yeah I guess I could go get the manager I said never mind. I'm also an Asian American here at the Dartmouth Hitchcock hospital and wondered if the girls had given me attitude for my race. I felt it was a very unprofessional experience and when I got to the little seating area in the hospital to eat my sandwich it was dry. That girl never requested any particular items condiments what else she could upsell for my lunch I actually wanted to get a hot cup of soup but the way I was being treated I just wanted to pay for an overpriced sandwich chips and a bottle of water for over $15 for a bad experience while waiting for my next doctor's appointment. I have been a patient for Darthmouth Hitchcock since 1990 and in high school. I've never had an issue with AU Bon Pain or any other vendor in this hospital. To clearly say that my experience was disappointing it was. As soon as I voiced my complaint to the cashier and after he cashed me out he went running into the back room and after I was handed my sandwich all employees went into the back room to discuss my frustration, in a polite way (I'm sure). At this point it wasn't even worth going back to ask for a packet of mayonnaise for my sandwich. Especially during this difficult year we've been in I have been trying to practice more kindness and respect for people and to be treated this way was highly disappointing. What is shows is lack of training in customer service and lack of a manager presence

This restaurant is always available in the hospital. And I think it’s open 24 seven. It started to get pricey since I got a cappuccino and one of five or six sandwiches that are good, and/or soup, and went there every day. No I just get the help he knew cheddar bagel with cream cheese three or four days of the week and it’s dirt cheap and I am just as satisfied. The people are friendly there. Sometimes it gets busy. The cafeteria is a good alternative.

Absolutely amazing ! Super fresh and outstanding quality food . The bread is fresh as can be and very tasty for a white bread ! I always get the Turkey Club because the cheddar is perfectly sharp , with the bacon and crisp lettuce , topped off with this fresh & juicy turkey . It's mind-blowing , truly . Hahaha ! 🙌🏻😍🤤🤷🏻‍♀️😂🙌🏻 The Strawberry Lemonade is also to die for , definitely recommend ! Fairly quick service even when busy , and you can order ahead I believe .

Honestly, I used to stop there almost every morning for iced coffee because it's only $1.52 for a refill. Jacob, at the cash register, is always extremely polite and professional. That is the only nice thing I can say about this store. I've been going there on and off for 12+ years and, sadly, just about every other time, they make something wrong, they are rude to their customers, or there is cleanliness issue. Most recently, the man making the sandwiches actually yelled at me and then there was something (unidentifiable) in my iced coffee. The manager was prepared to refund my money for the coffee, but, for me, it was the final tipping point. I can't justify spending that much money at a place that isn't consistent, doesn't even acknowledge their customers when they are standing right in front of them, and continues to raise their prices.

I used to go there every morning for coffee and a bagel. Sidney is not a people person. She works behind the counter. I understand that they get busy. However they way she treats people is horrible. I spoke to the supervisor there..told her how I felt about the way I was treated. I'm thinking the supervisor must have spoken to Sidney. Because when I went in the other morning..Sidney was very very very rude to me. I still go there but only when Sidney is not working.

The person who has made my last few orders spends too much time talking (quite loudly) and he always gets something wrong … like “no tomatoes” (I’m allergic). He does not listen. He also takes several orders whilst the first one is still waiting…

It's a friendly place to get a sandwich and a coffee. It does get crowded and hectic around lunch, so I’d suggest you order and pay online so you can grab and go, avoiding the crunch around these times.

I see the complaints regarding professionalism, etc. It’s a fast food restaurant, not a fine dining experience. The employees are juggling five or six orders in their head, while watching coffee pots and napkin bins and listening to our specific requests about tomatoes or Dijon mustard and trying to manage a crowd of people into a line; this on top of their own personal stresses, because they’re people. Try smiling and addressing your problem in a solvable way. They really will try their best, but sometimes, through nobody’s fault, things go wrong and can’t be fixed. It happens in every other room in DHMC, but here it’s just a sandwich.

Stop in, grab a bite, and say hi. They’re all great people and really do want to leave every interaction on a positive note.

First ,the people that work there are so kind,always. Especially being @ this location is not fun so the extra bit of KINDNESS goes a long way. Also smart. All the women that work there especially during rush times. They keep track of everything, every order, have good communication with each other & in return it trickles down to the customer.