Panera bread?

They fucked up my pick up order yesterday. How do you screw up two salads??

Meh food and overpriced, and their breads are middling and the pastries inferior. There's one half a mile away from my house, and I haven't bee there in years.

I suppose I could find myself going to one if I'm every stuck in some hellhole where the only alternatives are Burger King or Pizza Hut, but that's about all I can say for them.

It’s better than toilet paper

The attempt to introduce “fresh” into the menu is a failure. They swapped out sliced chicken for cold cuts. A really good Italian combo was replaced with something less awesome.

The new iced tea is not as strong as before. Many people like it. I prefer strong tea.

The cinnamon rolls and orange scones have been consistently good for 15 years.

I live in NJ. No lobster rolls this year, but they were available in NY. I guess NJ isn’t in the lobster area anymore.

Horrible television ads, with that mumbly, stupid-sounding mewling girl pushing Puuuuuuuu-re, cleeeeeeeeeean, foooooo-d or some such shite. And the restaurants are dated, dirt,y and staffed by some of the worst counter people and servers I've ever encountered. At least in the one by Northpark in Dallas. One idiot server grumped when I asked him to bring me utensils. I had ordered some of their sooooooooooooooooup. Feh. Never again.

I like their onion soup.

There are barely any vegetarian options on the lunch menu so I never go there.

The french toast bagels are good though.

They sandwiches have no meat in them. Always amazed how little Chicken is in the sandwich. Shame - could be good. But corporate decision making results in measly portions.

Use to be good. Portions are smaller and prices have gone up. Commercials are annoying as fuck.

News flash: nothing at Panera is "fresh." All the meats are prepared off site and shipped to individuals stores frozen, then thawed and portion controlled by a prep person. Same with baked goods. All the dough is prepared in commissaries, frozen and shipped to the stores, then popped in the oven for "in-house baking." There is not a bag of flour, sugar, or shortening in any Panera store. Other than coffee, the tea and other beverages are made elsewhere and simply poured into serving containers. Condiments are the same as you would find in any fast food place. Sauces are pre-made by outside vendors then shipped to individual stores.

So much for eating healthy.

W/R6, I enjoy all their soup. They're avail in several markets near me. Fresh too, not frozen. Better than most "chain" joynts, IMHO.

That place is so bland and corporate. Chipotle is the Mexican version. I only go there when there’s no better option.

The two near me are full of flies. Id never eat there.

I like the bread bowls with the broccoli and cheddar soup.

Pompous. Did you know they don't recycle? Not in Florida, at least. Big dirty secret.

Their cup of soup is the size of a shot glass.

I like the combo meals. I get a half portion Cobb salad and a cup of broccoli and cheddar soup. Hits the spot perfectly. So much better and healthier than other fast food options.

Oh, and I love their passion fruit papaya iced green tea.

I go there when I want clean food.

The salads are good, though be careful -- some of them they manage to pack full of carbs and fat. Everything else is worthless.

Was the company recently bought/sold? Is that why there are many changes?

I only like the Asiago Cheese Bagel.

It's so ridiculous when they market food with terms like "clean," which, like "natural," has no official legal definition.

Their green goddess cobb salad is insanely delicious.

[quote]their breads are middling and the pastries inferior

I've never liked their pastries. Always too much of that white icing. And the things that should just have cinnamon often have other spices in them, probably of the pumpkin spice variety, which I loathe.

[quote]Their green goddess cobb salad is insanely delicious.

When they actually bother to use ripe avocados, which they don't always do.

They used to have a great chicken sandwich - and by "used to" - I mean, back in the St. Louis Bread Company days...1999 or so. In the last 10 years, they've cheapened everything. The chicken is fused patty garbage. Inedible. The old sandwich was served with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, lettuce, and tomato....and a real piece of chicken, from an actual chicken.... not a spongy patty like McDonald's would give you.

I guess the baked goods are fine, but I kind of have to limit that stuff.

Was it called Chicken Frontega, R26? I used to get half that, and half of a Greek salad.

I can't remember the name anymore... it was like another life ago. I used to go there all the time, though. Einstein's bagels was near there too and really good back then too. All these chains got so much worse over time.

The last time I tried to eat there, I ended up walking out without even ordering. Nearly every table was occupied by some hipster nursing a cup of coffee while sitting at their laptops using the store's WiFi. A handful of people in front of me kept dithering with their orders, asking interminable questions without actually ordering. After at least 7 minutes of standing in line, I turned on my heels and flounced out!

I haven't been to one in years, but I did love their cinnamon crunch bagels. (It was something like a once a year treat.)

. . . with a nice sweet topping for the bagel.

What's "bread"?

St. Louis Bread Company was great. Panera is meh.

panera used to be good 10 years ago, now it's like upscale subway

I go to the one in Studio City on Ventura for lunch but I'm considering not going anymore. Horrible counter staff and every table is either messy or taken by some hipsters writing their "screenplays." If you make the mistake of sitting next to two of them, you will overhear them name dropping Hollywood people left and right. And when I order to eat there, they are supposed to bring the food to me at my table. The past 5 or 6 times I go, I can see the counter where they put the food for the "runner" to grab and bring to me and my order will just sit there for 10 mins or more. I've taken to walking up to the counter and just getting it myself. I did this once and the dude behind it said, "Oh we can bring that to you!" and my response was, "Really?"

I love their soups!

Panera Bread blocks Datalounge.com

my boyfriend's parents like Panera bread & he's never really understood why. i bought them a gift certificate from there for Christmas (years ago now) & all i remember was the extreme difficulty in purchasing said certificate & that one of the workers was hacking her lungs out-coughing all over the bread. the experience was frustrating & repulsive.

'CLEAN FOOD', my ass. That stuff is mass-produced spooge. The place is a dump.

I like to go when I am constipated. The food always makes me shit.

I like their Four Cheese Egg Souffle' and their French Onion Soup. Also like their Hibiscus Iced Tea, though that seems to be seasonal.

[quote]I like to go when I am constipated. The food always makes me shit.

So you're saying it "CLEANS" you out?

Check out the sodium content in just about everything they serve. Hint: it is NOT low or in the "clean" healthy range (to use their own term).

The sodium content is necessary to preserve the food. None of that shit (including the soup) is made on premises. It's all made in commissaries off premises, then shipped frozen to the individual stores.

No I haven’t tried it, despite there being one located two blocks from my apartment. Why does Manhattan need a fucking Panera? So the museum tourists won’t have to take a risk?

Yeah, I’m a snob. I don’t eat at Olive Garden or Applebee’s, either.

Can't afford it, R45? Only the $0.99 menu at McD or Taco Hell?

Until recently, R45 had his own table at Guy Fieri's Times Square eatery.

That doesn't make you a snob, R45. Just someone with taste.

Or poor. See R46

The three I have been to all seemed to have a fine layer of icky residue on every surface. It's like that gross coating in a greasy spoon diner. Is it that hard to clean?

Yes, it clean me out.

I rarely go. I can count on one hand how many times I have visited Panera. My thought was overpriced, for the amount of food. I did love the 4 cheese grilled-cheese sandwich. Do they even have that anymore? I agree with r12 comparing it to Chipotle, another place I never visit. Interesting about the freshness expose in r10. I am not a discriminating fast food eater. I love me a Whopper, and McDonald's fries.

My father used to be one of their suppliers, and, when he got sick -- he's since died -- they were more thoughtful and protective of his business than any company I've ever seen. I won't give specifics, but they were incredibly supportive of my dad, and very dismissive of his competitors when they tried to take advantage of my father's bad health. They really showed incredible compassion, and for that, I will always have a soft spot for them.

R53 you changed my mind. I really try to support businesses that are humane- such a rarity now. Will go more often.

FWIW, I used to work with a fast food meat supplier. Good insight into sourcing of food for fast food and fast casual. Surprise lessson - McDonalds actually supported their suppliers better than most fast food places. Encouraged healthy practices - even paid a little more (like $0.001 / per sandwich) for their meat. I know beer towards McDonald’s when only fast food is available.

^ I know beer toward McDonald's? Huh? I can has cheeseburger!?

Veer - mea culpa

The prices are outrageous. Took my sister there for coffee and sweet rolls and it was almost $12 bucks, and it wasn't that great.

Next time we're going up the street to Dunkin.

I see that they are now advertising that catering is available. At their prices, it would probably cost more to cater your business luncheon than a wedding reception.

Iv'e had delicious ( and far less expensive ) bagels from Wegman's in store Bakery.