A group of friends and I regularly attend events at local bookstores. It’s become tradition for us to gather at Panera Bread before these events to eat and chat. Why Panera Bread? There are many reasons.


The Menu

Ours is a diversified group. Some people are on diets, others prefer soup and a salad, while one person wants a variety of choices since she never knows what she will feel like eating (okay, I’ll admit it ... that last person is me!). Panera’s menu offers something for just about everyone. However, if you are on a restricted diet, require special foods, or prefer a traditional hearty dinner then this restaurant might not be for you.

Last night I chose from the Pick Two menu where you receive a bowl of soup and either half a sandwich or a half salad for $6.20. I always choose the French Onion soup when I eat at Panera’s. I love their French Onion soup, which is topped with large croutons and Asiago-Parmesan cheese. With it I had half a Smoked Turkey Breast sandwich on Honey Wheat bread.

The sandwich came from the Cafe Sandwich selection and was loaded with lots of turkey (99% fat free) with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomatoes and red onions. I opted not to have the spicy mustard on it. Delicious! Other sandwich choices from the Cafe Sandwich menu are Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad, Smoked Ham & Swiss, or Peanut Butter & Jelly. If purchasing a whole sandwich, it would cost $5.19 per sandwich, and the sandwich would come with a pickle spear and a bag of chips. I’ve eaten the Chicken Salad and Tuna Salad and have enjoyed both sandwiches. If one wishes, extras can be added to a sandwich for an additional cost (avocados 69-cents, cheese 40-cents, cucumber 99-cents). One time I asked for two pickles instead of the chips, and I received a mound of six pickles with the sandwich. I shared the unexpected treat with friends.

There is also a Signature Sandwich menu. These sandwiches have a bit more “zip”. I have eaten the Sierra Turkey (smoked turkey breast with smoky chipotle mayonnaise, field greens and red onions), the Bacon Turkey Bravo (smoked turkey breast, bacon, smoked Gouda, lettuce, tomatoes & special dressing), the Italian Combo (oven-roasted beef, smoked turkey, ham salami, Swiss cheese, peperoncini, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions & special sauce). All of them are wonderful. You can request the type of bread you wish, too. I find some of Panera’s breads too difficult to chew (hard crust), so I usually ask for the Honey Wheat which is a light, soft bread with a pleasantly mild taste. There are other Signature sandwiches on the menu: Tuscan Chicken, Chicken Caesar, Pepperblue Steak, Asiago Roast Beef, Garden Veggie. All the sandwiches come with a pickle spear and bag of chips. If you wish a half of one of these Signature sandwiches with soup or a half salad (as part of the Pick Two menu), it will cost a bit extra. A small fruit cup can be ordered with any of the sandwiches instead of chips and will cost 99-cents extra.

The Soup menu varies from day to day. Every day the Broccoli Cheddar, Low Fat Chicken Noodle and French Onion soups are offered. Other days the selections could include: Cream of Chicken & Wild Rice, Low Fat Vegetarian Black Bean, Baked Potato, Low Fat Vegetarian Garden Vegetable, Boston Clam Chowder, and occasionally they introduce a new soup. A bowl of soup costs $3.29 and comes with a good-size piece of French baquette bread. Soup can also be ordered in a sourdough bread bowl for $4.69. One of my friends loves the Baked Potato soup and others have sampled the soup varieties with happy comments. The French Onion will always be my soup of choice, though.

The Salad menu offers good variety, and the salads are served in large portions. What holds me back is the lack of salad dressing options. Most of my friends prefer the Grilled Chicken Caesar (Bell & Evans pepper-mustard chicken, romaine lettuce, Asiago-Parmesan cheese, homemade Asiago Cheese croutons & Caesar dressing) for $6.49 ... or the Greek salad (romaine lettuce, vine-ripened tomatoes, feta cheese, red onions, peperoncini, Kalamata olives & Greek dressing) for $4.99. Sometimes the Asian Sesame Chicken salad is chosen (Bell & Evans citrus-herb chicken, romaine lettuce, fresh cilantro, sliced almonds, sesame seeds, crispy wonton strips & Asian sesame vinaigrette) for $6.49. Other salad options are: Caesar, Bistro Steak salad and Classic Cafe salad. Panera’s also offers a fresh fruit cup (small $1.99 and large $2.99).


The Bakery

Panera’s is also known for its bakery treats, and I freely admit that I love a good dessert! I usually indulge after a meal and buy one of their cookies. Last night I enjoyed a Chocolate-Chip Cookie hot out of the oven for $1.39. I’ve also eaten their Oatmeal-Raisin and Chocolate-Walnut cookies, both good. A friend loves their Pecan Rolls and Cherry-filled pastries; she says the strudels are also very good. I have mixed feelings about are their cakes and brownies. Sometimes they taste dry.

Another friend especially enjoys the variety of breads that Panera offers. She will often stop by the cafe to purchase a loaf of bread to accompany a meal. Her favorite is Focaccia. Here are some of the breads available: Country, French, Stone-Milled Rye, Multigrain, Sesame Semolina, Three Cheese, Ciabatta, Italian Herb, Pumpkin Seed, Sourdough, Asiago Cheese, Honey Wheat, Tomato Basil.

If you prefer bagels, Panera’s offers a selection. Some flavors are: Blueberry, Cinnamon Crunch, Dutch Apple & Raisin, French Toast, Nine Grain. A baker’s dozen (13) bagels costs $7.49. A single bagel is 89-cents.


Beverages

Panera’s makes coffees, mochas and lattes. I’m not a coffee drinker, but all of my friends enjoy their java. During the cold months, I treat myself to Panera’s Hot Chocolate topped with whipped cream for $1.89 – it feels decadent to drink it. Another friend sometimes treats herself to the Chai Tea Latte (brewed black tea, honey, vanilla, cardamon, cinnamon, ginger & steamed milk) for $3.19. Last night I stood in line with a friend who ordered a Cafe Mocha (espresso, steamed milk & chocolate, topped with whipped cream & chocolate syrup) for $3.19. She handed the friendly counter-person a card that he stamped. Apparently, she has a frequent-buyer card and after so many stamps, she receives a free drink.

Other beverages are available too: espresso, cappuccino, green tea, specialty coffees, Jones sodas, orange or apple juice, milk or chocolate milk, bottled water. Soda choices include: Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew. Prices range from 99-cents for milk up to $3.79 for I.C. beverages.


Ordering

The order-takers are quick and friendly. People stand in an orderly line and can choose from the menu posted on the wall (written in large type for easy viewing). Once the order is given, you can pay for the food with either cash or a credit card. It’s interesting that Panera’s credit card processing has changed so that you no longer have to sign the credit card slip.

After the order is placed, the order-taker keys a small square device that is a signal for when the order is ready. Once the order is ready for pick-up at the counter, red lights flash on the device, and the square vibrates in the hand. If the device is sitting on a table when it goes off, it actually starts to move across the table surface. Last night my order was ready within seven minutes.

The meal is placed on a round black plastic tray with deep sides. A paper liner is placed on the tray. If a soda was ordered, an empty cup is on the tray. Walk a few steps to a machine that dispenses the soda to fill the cup. There is also a water dispenser and small plastic cups at the dispenser; the water is free. Extra napkins, condiments and tableware are also available. If four or more people are at this drink/condiment station, it can become crowded.


Seating & Location

This particular Panera’s Bread is located on Route 30 in Framingham, Massachusetts. It is sandwiched (pun intended – it’s okay to groan!) between a Target and Home Goods store. Panera’s is next to a small video game store and Payless shoe store with the two larger stores anchoring the ends. The parking lot is big.

Outside Panera’s are a few tables with chairs for those who want an outdoor café experience. I prefer the indoor seating which is varied and offers more flexibility for larger groups. There are a few booths that seat up to four adults. The stand-alone tables are either round, square or rectangular. Some of the round tables are high with tall padded chairs. I feel like a child sitting in these chairs since my feet dangle high above the floor. There are also a couple of over-stuffed comfy leather chairs scattered throughout the eating area.

Our group usually sits at the square tables and pushes these smaller tables together to form a long table large enough to accommodate everyone, which varies from just a few people to as many as eight.

This is not an intimate restaurant for romance. It can be noisy, and the tables are very close together. We were sitting in an area last night where the tables were so crowded that anyone wanting to pass down the aisle had to ask diners to stand up. However, it is not like this all the time. It seems that every few months the tables are rearranged and staggered a bit differently.

In case you are interested, the woman’s restroom is clean with two regular stalls and a handicapped stall. There is one sink, and they offer the option of paper towels or an air blower for drying one’s hands.


Other Offerings

Panera has its own line of products for purchase. For instance, you can buy Panera Dipping Oil for bread – $4.99, Panera Dipping Sauce for bread – $6.99, Panera Bread Balsamic Vinaigrette or Greek Salad Dressing – $3.99 each, Panera Whole Bean Coffee Cafe Blend, 12 ounce bag – $7.99. They also sell tall tins of Republic Tea in a variety of flavors – $7.95 each.

Panera’s offers gift cards, though they don’t call them that. They are called “Panera Cards”. The plastic cards can be programmed with currency amounts. If you are a frequent visitor, you can buy a card and use it at each visit. Or give the cards as gifts. These cards can also be purchased at Panera’s website: www.panerabread.com.


Wi-Fi – Internet Connection

One of the first things I notice when entering Panera’s are how many people are sitting at tables intently tapping at laptop computer keys. There are often people doing business in the café. I know because I have overheard them speaking on their cell phones. Not that I eavesdrop, but the conversations were loud enough to partially overhear.

This Panera’s offers free Wi-Fi high-speed internet access. All you need is a laptap that has Wi-Fi. It’s a hit in my area considering how many customers I see with laptop computers in Panera’s.


Summary

Would I dine at Panera’s alone? Probably not, unless I needed free internet access. While I enjoy the French Onion soup, there are other restaurants that I would choose before this one.

However, visiting Panera’s with friends is a fun time for all. We never feel rushed, and the staff are always pleasant and helpful. They are quick to prepare the meals, too. The food is good and certainly filling. There is something for everyone in our group.

I hope you have found this review useful.

Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com


Please read my other reviews:

Toshiba Satellite Laptop with Wi-Fi

Sony MicroVault 512mb 2.0 USB Flash Drive

Bic e.3 Pen, Pencil, PDA Stylus all in one

Bertucci’s Restaurant

The Republic of Tea Online Store

Harry & David Online & at the mall

Cooking.com Online Store

The Cooks’ Garden Online Store

Buy.com Online Store

Best Buy Online Store

Staples.com Online Store

Pogo.com Online Games




Copyright 2005 Dawn L. Stewart

Recommended: Yes