Panera Bread is Nothing but Hype
Written: Nov 20 '08 (Updated Nov 20 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Chipotle Chicken, Service
Cons: Below Average Food, Some soups are just gross, Employee backgrounds
The Bottom Line: I wish I could be kinder, but Panera Bread is not among my favorite places.
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| toiletoctopus's Full Review: Panera Bread |
A few somewhat respectable colleagues of mine, were the reason for my visiting a Panera Bread Restaurant. They had been constantly extolling the values and quality of this establishment, and kept saying that they have never had such delicious bread. I think I'm the last person on the Earth that's ever stepped into one of their locations, as my discovery of them is quite recent, and it is sad considering they are on almost every city block around here. They have Panera Bread's located right off of subway stations, in shopping centers, and even in run down strip malls. There are so many of them in the Fairfax, VA area, that it is easier to go to one for food, rather than getting a Big Bite from a 7-11.
My first time at one of these, I was shocked to see that they are a combined bakery and cafe. I had never seen this type of set up before with a corporate chain, and thought immediately that this was going to be a place that I loved. The menu is fairly large, as they have sandwiches, soups, and salads, which are mostly in the $5-$10 range. The Chipotle Chicken Sandwich is their best item, as it has their signature bread, stuffed full of spicy chicken pieces, along with bacon, cheese, tomatoes, and hot sauce. It is quite good, and has enough spice to wake up your senses, without knocking you over. The sandwich is loaded with generous portions of the chicken, and I really like the seasonings that they use. There is almost hints of smoky barbecue, along with a dash of pepper.
The problem with Panera Bread is that this is their best item, and it is really a delicious entree for a quick lunch. Unfortunately, the rest of their menu that I've had, has pretty much ruined my ability to say anything positive about them. The Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich is disgusting, and the turkey has a rubbery texture that could best be described as something produced at the BF Goodrich tire factory. I don't like the tomato-basil bread that it is served with, and even the gouda cheese that they use, is obviously something that they got for a cheap price. It doesn't have the flavorful, smoky flavor I would expect from this type of cheese, and ruins the sandwich even further. Also, be sure to avoid the Roast Beef Sandwich, as it has the same rubbery texture.
The soups for the most part are hideous. There is one item of redemption on their soup line, and that is the New England Clam Chowder. This is served every Friday, and you can get a decent sized bowl for around $3.00. While it can never beat my Mom's recipe, it is acceptable for what you'd expect in Virginia, and it has plenty of clams, celery, and potatoes to be considered a filling soup. It has a lot of flavor to it, and it is great with the little crackers that they provide with it. Avoid the Broccoli and Cheese like the plague, as it tastes like the soups that are served at gas stations, with an expiration date of circa 1989. The Chicken Noodle Soup was also quite gross, with only small pieces of chicken, with egg noodles that have a bland taste. They also don't have the traditional curly shape to them, but are rather flat, so the texture is also lacking in this regard.
The service at Panera Bread varies from each location, but for the most part, it has been fairly decent. They get through long lines in reasonable time, and the food is usually ready within 5-10 minutes during the busiest of periods. What I do not like is that you order your selection, and then sit down, until they call you. While I have nothing against burning a few extra calories, I don't like feeling relaxed, and then having to get up to pick up my sandwich and pickle spear. I was also shocked to find out that a lot of the Panera Breads in my area, seem to hire a lot of people on the sex offender registry. While I guess its better that sex offenders work at Panera's instead of Chuckie Cheese, I was a bit concerned about this considering its very much a family type of establishment.
The seats at Panera Bread are excellent, as most of the locations by my house have booth style seating. Their booths are top of the line, as they have plenty of lumbar support, and extra room near the table for my belly to grow. The tables have always been sparkling clean, free of debris, and each of their locations has some free newspapers to read. They also offer free wifi, which works fairly well, but I don't like having to go get my food and watch my laptop at the same time. However, this is a service not offered by a majority of restaurants, so they do deserve kudos for having this. The dining areas are fairly crowded usually, and it is a happening place for young and older alike.
The atmosphere is one thing that I really do love about Panera Bread. However, it is not enough to make up for overhyped food, that just isn't as good as what should be expected. While a lot of their breads are above average, they have a lot to learn from competitors such as the Great Harvest Company. Also, when you use less than high quality meats and other ingredients, it decreases the ability of the bread to guarantee a proper culinary experience. If they were to raise their quality standards, they really could be something special, but in my opinion Panera is below average. They are not worth the price, and I will not be going there again, with the exception of some Friday's for the Clam Chowder.
Recommended:
No
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