At This Location, You are Encouraged To Eat Your Soup Bowl
Written: May 22 '08
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fresh baked breads and treats, soup in a bread bowl, a variety of everything
Cons: No drive-thru, have to wait on yourself, crowded
The Bottom Line: Wanting something different tonight? Try Panera Bread! Sure they don't have burgers but aren't you tired of burgers?
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| pablothegreat's Full Review: Panera Bread |
I had never heard of Panera Bread before as there were none where I lived. Once I moved, there were Panera Bread locations on every corner it seemed! A good friend would come by and drop off sweet breads, cinnamon rolls, bagels, doughnuts, just whatever she thought my daughter and I would enjoy after being cooped up in the house! This started my love of Panera Bread. Fresh and soft, these sweet breads were delicious! I love fresh bread and all of the different varieties had me trying breads that I had never heard of! This got me hooked on Panera Bread, the only bad thing is they have no drive-thru!
Customer service:
I have always found friendly staff at Panera's. They are very busy restaurants especially around lunchtime but you can expect courteous service each time. The restaurant and bathroom was very clean with staff wiping tables as people left. There are no waitresses here though, you will be getting your own drink at the fountain and picking up your order to bring to your table.
Inside of the restaurant:
It has been so crowded each time that we had trouble finding a table. People were bumping into us on their way to retrieve their completed orders. They have booths and tables and chairs. I would have preferred a drive-thru to pick my order up and go. Things got chaotic and noisy around lunchtime. Your order is called out on the speaker when ready and then you go to pick it up.
The food:
I am not a big soup person but my friend always ordered different soups and said they were delicious.. She especially enjoyed the soup served in a bread bowl. I thought this could get very messy, very quickly having soup in an edible bread bowl. But I like bread much more than soup! Each day they may have different soups and some soups are only available during certain seasons. Expect a huge selection to choose from:corn chowder, potato, vegetable, low-fat versions, chicken and wild rice, and more. Vegetarian dishes available.
Sandwiches are in abundance at Panera's too. Some styles of sandwiches include: Turkey, chicken, turkey artichoke, portobello and mozzarella, and more. I have had the tuna and chicken salad version but told them to keep the spicy mustard. It was really good, just the right amount of crunch from the onions! You get a pickle, and chips or an apple to go along with your sandwich. The kids' menu only has grilled cheese, roast beef sandwich, or peanut butter and jelly. A little disappointed that they don't have mini soups served in a mini bread bowl for kids!
The pastries and breads are baked fresh daily so no stale breads in the mix. You can really taste the difference in fresh baked bread! The pastries have the right amount of sweetness and Panera's do not skimp on anything! What choices do you have for sweet breads? Tons! Pecan braid, cherry pastry, cheese pastry (to die for!!!), caramel pecan brownie (does not look that great but tastes wonderful!!), oatmeal raisin cookies, wild blueberry muffin, pumpkin muffin, orange scone, tart cherry scone, pastry ring that has fruit and cheese filling (you have to try this!!), pecan rolls, and much more!
There is also a variety of bagels you can pick from:sesame seed, chocolate chip, everything (my personal fave), cinnamon crunch, Dutch apple and raisin, and more. Even the cream cheese comes in a variety of flavors! Four choices for your eggs including a spinach and artichoke egg souffle. But there are also breakfast sandwiches that have eggs on them.You would expect them to have freshly baked bread for sale too....here are just some of the varieties: whole grain, country, French, Ciabatta,three cheese, honey wheat,sunflower, and others!
The drinks:
Cappucchino (one good reason to go to Panera's!), espresso drinks, iced and frozen drinks in different flavors. From a mango frozen drink to a iced green tea, most everyone will find a favorite!
My final say on Panera Bread? If you have never been, you have to try it! You most likely will have to stand in line and you will have to wait on yourself but a stop here makes everyone happy! From the sweets and treats to the famous soup in an edible bread bowl, you just can't go wrong! Wanting something different tonight? Try Panera Bread! Sure they don't have burgers but aren't you tired of burgers?
What is so good about THIS restaurant?
Fresh baked breads and treats, soup in a bread bowl, a big variety of everything
What is unique about this restaurant?
Fresh Baked bread .
Is it worth the price?
Yes, definitely.
There has to be some bad to this restaurant, right?
No drive-thru, have to wait on yourself, crowded
Any warnings people should be aware of?
None that I have found.
Final verdict:
Wanting something different tonight? Try Panera Bread! Sure they don't have burgers but aren't you tired of burgers?
pablo the nibbler
I owe it all to little chocolate donuts. John Belushi
Recommended:
Yes
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pablothegreat
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