Hammster's wonderful Panera adventure...

[Hammster]

Well, I am no longer a Panera virgin. ;) I went there to get sandwiches for the Padre's game. Very tasty! I was buying sandwiches for DS and me. I went with the Pepperblue Steak on Toasted Ciabatta. Great flavor. The meat was tender with just a hint of chewiness. The gorgonzola roasted red pepper sauce that goes on the sandwich had a nice tang. DS also enjoyed his. (same sandwich) While I was waiting for my order, I browsed around and the prices seemed pretty fair. Several unsliced loaves of bread for $2.99. Very reasonably priced for San Diego. Lots of good looking pastries. I'll be back. :D

[gertdog]

We visit Panera occasionally- I get the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich. DH likes the Chicken Tomesto (? not sure I got the name right). Sometimes when I'm on the road I'll get an Asiago bagel for breakfast. I have a friend in a Panera-free town whose children LOVE the French Toast and Cinnamon Crunch bagels and when I visit, I try to remember to bring some of those for the kids. The portions are still pretty big, but it's a nice quick option and I like that you can choose fruit instead of chips to go with a sandwich.

While we were in CA last month, we were driving from SF to Fresno and wanted to stop for lunch. We found a Panera; my dad, who was with us, had never heard of it and he really liked it. I can't believe Panera hasn't made it to Fresno yet- seems like Fresno has every chain known to man!

[Hammster]

We visit Panera occasionally- I get the Mediterranean Veggie sandwich. DH likes the Chicken Tomesto (? not sure I got the name right). Sometimes when I'm on the road I'll get an Asiago bagel for breakfast. I have a friend in a Panera-free town whose children LOVE the French Toast and Cinnamon Crunch bagels and when I visit, I try to remember to bring some of those for the kids. The portions are still pretty big, but it's a nice quick option and I like that you can choose fruit instead of chips to go with a sandwich.

Hi gert. Thanks for the sandwich recommendations. I wonder if some sandwiches are regional. The menu I have doesn't list a chicken tomesto. Could you describe what goes into it? Maybe it has a different name out here.
I like the fruit cup option but was disappointed in that they charge an additional $1.59 for that. But they do offer an apple as a side for no charge. So, that's cool.

[badunnin]

Hi gert. Thanks for the sandwich recommendations. I wonder if some sandwiches are regional. The menu I have doesn't list a chicken tomesto. Could you describe what goes into it? Maybe it has a different name out here.

Chicken Tomesto is on their menu on their website.

[Cinnamon Crazy]

While we were in CA last month, we were driving from SF to Fresno and wanted to stop for lunch. We found a Panera; my dad, who was with us, had never heard of it and he really liked it. I can't believe Panera hasn't made it to Fresno yet- seems like Fresno has every chain known to man!

There's actually one in Hanford...the first for the area. They just recently opened one in Visalia. There are plans to open one in Fresno/Clovis, just nothing is finalized.

I love Panera Bread. The Chicken Tomesto is so good. I also love their Fuji Chicken Salad. I have yet to be disappointed with anything I order there. My favorite drink is the iced green tea.

I work and live in Fresno/Clovis, but I have been at a client location in Lemoore the past week. I have been going to Panera Bread everyday.


-Anna

[Hammster]

I checked out the chicken tomesto on the website and it's not on the menu I have in any guise. Maybe San Diegans just won't get to enjoy that one locally. :( Or perhaps just that particular location.

[AzAnne]

Ohhh, the sandwiches sounds wonderful.

Unfortunately when I searched for a store in AZ the website responded "There aren't yet any Panera Bread bakery-cafes in the state of Arizona. If you wish, you can try your search again" :(

[bekki]

We go to Panera at least once a week!

I love the Tuscan Chicken sandwich, but I have them heat it up.

They have a new salmon salad that is very good as well.

And of course, you can forget the broccoli cheddar soup--yummy :)

If I'm really in a mood and want something naughty for breakfast, the cobblestones they make are outstanding (and actually have less fat than the muffins! More cals, but less fat, and they're like twice as big. Wonders never cease).

[manetta]

I checked out the chicken tomesto on the website and it's not on the menu I have in any guise. Maybe San Diegans just won't get to enjoy that one locally. :( Or perhaps just that particular location.

I grabbed a bagel and coffee at Panera yesterday. The Chicken Tomesto was listed on the menu as an "It's Back" item. Keep your eyes open for it, Hammster. Maybe it will be back in your location soon.

[RD chef]

AzAnne.. good news!

They are putting in a Panera at the Scottsdale 101, by the Borders bookstore. I drive by there often, and it looks to be almost complete. ;)

[Slowcooker]

Congratulations on your new discovery Hammster!! I know how you feel!
I went for the first time in NJ, then one opened up in the city near us. I begged DH for over a year(!!) to try it with me. He's that picky that he won't try a new place:eek: . Well, he finally did, and now they know us there. We always split a greek salad, a Sierra Turkey sandwich, with sides of whole wheat baguette and chips. DH gets a coffee and I get the hot green tea with honey. I've been trying to get him to try the Mediterranean Veggie- that will probably take another 5 years. But hey, I got him through the door:D

[funniegrrl]

I like Panera OK -- there is one in the mall where I work part-time and I often grab a meal there. To me, though, it's just OK corporate restaurant food. The soups come pre-packaged, etc. The bagels are weird. The only thing I've really flipped over is their balsamic salad dressing, it's my favorite of the ones I've tried. There are local places -- including a local chain -- that pre-date Panera in our area, and they serve the same range of products: Breads and other baked goods, soups, salads, sandwiches, etc., They are SO much better and truly made on-site. I would just never go out of my way to go Panera, it's just a place to feed my face to me.

[colleency]

The one near me trains its employees to move in slow motion. Even if there's only one person in line, it seems to take forever.

The one in Visalia moves right along, though!

I like the food, but you can't get a half sandwich.

[mbrogier]

I love Panera Bread. I can get good soups and sandwiches fast when I don't feel like cooking--which is most of the time these days.

I love the PepperBlue steak sandwich and the broccoli cheese soup.

[funniegrrl]

I like the food, but you can't get a half sandwich.

My Panera will sell you half! I can never eat a whole one, and a lot of times I don't want soup-and-sandwich or salad-and-sandwich either. Usually the manager has to ring it up, but if I ask for just a half sandwich they'll do it. (I don't think they can do the panini, and they also won't customize the panini as they are pre-made and then just grilled to order.)

[TKay]

Alright. I'll just come right out and say it. I'm a Panera virgin. I've never heard of it, never been. :eek: I did a search and there aren't any terribly handy. Would it be worth it to go out of my way to visit one? The menu does look tasty.

[Cookin4Love]

Ohhh, the sandwiches sounds wonderful.

Unfortunately when I searched for a store in AZ the website responded "There aren't yet any Panera Bread bakery-cafes in the state of Arizona. If you wish, you can try your search again" :(


Before the end of the year, there was a sign in an empty storefront at Scottsdale and the 101 that said "Panera Coming Soon." Now it says, "Paradise Bakery Coming Soon." I am very, very disappointed, as I was very much looking forward to getting our first Panera here.

[lindrusso]

Would it be worth it to go out of my way to visit one? The menu does look tasty.

Hmmm....living in CA, I'm assuming that you probably have a pretty nice selection of interesting food establishments in your area? Or would that not be correct?

In any case, if I lived in an area with lots of interesting food choices - say Chicago or NYC - I would not seek out a Panera when there are so many other choices around every corner.

I do like Panera - don't get me wrong - I just don't think I'd drive a long distance to try it. It's good, but not something like Zingerman's in Ann Arbor or something like that. With Zingerman's your talking about a place that cures some of their own meats, uses hand-made cheeses and makes their own bread. I would - and did - drive out of my way for that place. :)

Again, it really does depend on what's generally available to you in the first place............

[Hammster]

Alright. I'll just come right out and say it. I'm a Panera virgin. I've never heard of it, never been. :eek: I did a search and there aren't any terribly handy. Would it be worth it to go out of my way to visit one? The menu does look tasty.


As a few have said, don't go out of your way to go to one. It was good, don't get me wrong. And the one I went to is on the way home, so it was very convenient and I did pass a much better sandwich place to get to it, but I wanted to try it and give it a fair shake. It's by far better than Subway and Submarina. So it's worth consideration if it's convenient.

[cookieee]

Hi Ham, there is one up the road from us that DH and I thought was just a bakery. After I read your post, I went on-line and printed out their menu. Oh my goodness. Thanks for calling this place to our attention. I called them and they said they have everything that is on the on-line menu except the Crispani. That we can live with. We have a place even closer that sells gourmet pizza that we use. Don't tell anyone (:D ), but we are getting their sandwiches for dinner tonight. Will let you know later what and what we thought of them.

[avariell]

i lovvvvvvvvvvve their greek salad dressing. it is my favorite.

[KimKelly]

As a few have said, don't go out of your way to go to one. It was good, don't get me wrong. And the one I went to is on the way home, so it was very convenient and I did pass a much better sandwich place to get to it, but I wanted to try it and give it a fair shake. It's by far better than Subway and Submarina. So it's worth consideration if it's convenient.

Hammster... what's the much better sandwich place??? We're always looking for a good place to try.

That said, we do love panera. The Black Bean Soup is fantastic!

Kim

[Barrie]

Before the end of the year, there was a sign in an empty storefront at Scottsdale and the 101 that said "Panera Coming Soon." Now it says, "Paradise Bakery Coming Soon." I am very, very disappointed, as I was very much looking forward to getting our first Panera here.

I am extremely disappointed, too. That location is ten minutes away from my house and my office, and I was beyond excited about being able to get a cinnamon crunch bagel or asiago roast beef sandwich or cream of chicken & wild rice soup on a daily basis. I contacted Panera at the beginning of the year to find out when they were opening, because it seemed no progress was being made at that location, and I was advised that they no longer have any plans to open in AZ -- which makes sense since they bought the Paradise chain. Paradise is good, but Panera is way better, imho. And there are enough midwesterners here, snowbirds and otherwise, who know and love Panera, to support it without taking business from Paradise.

but, I am very excited to see, via this thread, that there are Paneras in San Diego! We're going there in a couple weeks and I can add it to my list of restaurants we must go to during our stay :) :) Yay!

[Hammster]

Hammster... what's the much better sandwich place??? We're always looking for a good place to try.

That said, we do love panera. The Black Bean Soup is fantastic!

Kim


Hi Kim,
It's called St. Tropez Bakery and Bistro. I go to the one in Rancho Bernardo near my work. There are several around San Diego. Everything they make is awesome.
Here's their address.
16625 Dove Canyon Rd.
Ste. 109
San Diego, CA, 92127

[cookieee]

Hi Ham, there is one up the road from us that DH and I thought was just a bakery. After I read your post, I went on-line and printed out their menu. Oh my goodness. Thanks for calling this place to our attention. I called them and they said they have everything that is on the on-line menu except the Crispani. That we can live with. We have a place even closer that sells gourmet pizza that we use. Don't tell anyone (:D ), but we are getting their sandwiches for dinner tonight. Will let you know later what and what we thought of them.

Oh boy:( I had the Italian Combo on Ciabatta-who knew their special sauce would be mayo based. UGGGG and when they said sides, I thought the baked chips were fresh made, not a bag of Lay's. DH had your sandwich, the Pepperblue Steak. He had the same mayo sauce on his with a tiny hint of blue cheese and very little steak. What a disappointment for so much money. I hope your store did a better job with your sandwiches. Oh well, at least the bread was good.

[TKay]

In any case, if I lived in an area with lots of interesting food choices - say Chicago or NYC - I would not seek out a Panera when there are so many other choices around every corner.

Yes, typically lots to choose from. I am always on the lookout for something new to try though, since Dh and I are definite creatures of habit.

Thanks for the recommendation, Hammster. Now I know if I ever run across a Panera on my way somewhere, it's an option.

[Hammster]

Oh boy:( I had the Italian Combo on Ciabatta-who knew their special sauce would be mayo based. UGGGG and when they said sides, I thought the baked chips were fresh made, not a bag of Lay's. DH had your sandwich, the Pepperblue Steak. He had the same mayo sauce on his with a tiny hint of blue cheese and very little steak. What a disappointment for so much money. I hope your store did a better job with your sandwiches. Oh well, at least the bread was good.

Wow cookieee, sorry to hear it wasn't good for you. The Pepperblue "sauce" is actually a gorgonzola and roasted red pepper sauce. No mayo in it. Had lots of that tangy gorgonzola flavor. You get a choice of different sides. You don't have to have the chips. At least that's how it was here.

[KimKelly]

Hi Kim,
It's called St. Tropez Bakery and Bistro. I go to the one in Rancho Bernardo near my work. There are several around San Diego. Everything they make is awesome.
Here's their address.
16625 Dove Canyon Rd.
Ste. 109
San Diego, CA, 92127

I think there is one in Encinitas too! If it's the same I've been there, and yep it's good. We just had pastries one morning though, not lunch.

Thanks Hammster!

[Gracie]

We love Panera and there's one on every corner around here. It's healthy, reasonable fast food.

DD and I were just in NYC and thought that Panera would be a great, cheap and healthy lunch option but alas there are no Paneras in Manhattan (we looked it up before we left).

I cannot imagine a place without Panera - even just for the quickie convenience.

Loren

[cookieee]

Wow cookieee, sorry to hear it wasn't good for you. The Pepperblue "sauce" is actually a gorgonzola and roasted red pepper sauce. No mayo in it. Had lots of that tangy gorgonzola flavor. You get a choice of different sides. You don't have to have the chips. At least that's how it was here.

They didn't put any of that on DH sandwich. And I did choose the chips. I just thought they would be fresh made. DH went, I stayed home. Maybe if I was there, I would have noticed this stuff.

[Robyn1007]

I guess I never would have thought chips in a chain deli would be fresh made. I've never seen fresh made chips in anything other than a fancier sit down type of deli restaurant. However, it does sound like something isn't right with their quality control if the spread they put on the sandwich wasn't the correct one.

[Hammster]

They didn't put any of that on DH sandwich. And I did choose the chips. I just thought they would be fresh made. DH went, I stayed home. Maybe if I was there, I would have noticed this stuff.

I'd suggest contacting Panera corporate, usually the website will have an online form for this sort of thing, and let them know of your experience. If they didn't put the gorgonzola red pepper sauce on the sandwich, then you should get compensated for that sandwich. I've had good luck with various restaurants by doing that sort of thing. Give them a second chance, so to say.
We went with chips also, and it was some off brand I hadn't heard of before (Krunchers?). They were so so. Next time I'll choose the apple.
At least the bread was good. But you don't want to pay $6 for bread with lousy stuff inbetween. I do want to go back over there and try a few of the baked goods from the pastry case. Just to see.

[Angelina]

We love Panera and there's one on every corner around here. It's healthy, reasonable fast food.

DD and I were just in NYC and thought that Panera would be a great, cheap and healthy lunch option but alas there are no Paneras in Manhattan (we looked it up before we left).

I cannot imagine a place without Panera - even just for the quickie convenience.

Loren

From everybody's description, Panera sounds like Au Bon Pain.

But Loren, if you were in Manhattan surely you found plenty of other places for great, cheap and healthy lunch options!! Is Panera really all that healthy anyway? ;)

Angela

[IndyKF]

Is Panera really all that healthy anyway? ;)

Angela

Let's just say, I've made the mistake of looking up the nutritional value (mainly checking calories) of a lot of their items because I love Panera. And by mistake I mean, some things are better left unsaid ;) Actually, their soups aren't too bad from what I recall. If I do get a sandwich, I'll only eat half (or get half). I suppose pretty much anything I get from Panera is better than most of the alternatives I have around where I live...at least that's what I tell myself :)

[cookieee]

I guess I never would have thought chips in a chain deli would be fresh made. I've never seen fresh made chips in anything other than a fancier sit down type of deli restaurant. However, it does sound like something isn't right with their quality control if the spread they put on the sandwich wasn't the correct one.

Hi Robyn, see, that is the problem, I guess. I thought this place was an upscale bakery that made sandwiches and such. I just checked the yellow pages. It is not listed under Deli's, nor bakery's, but under Restaurants. It is called Panera Bread Bakery Cafe.

[BaileyJune]

Let's just say, I've made the mistake of looking up the nutritional value (mainly checking calories) of a lot of their items because I love Panera. And by mistake I mean, some things are better left unsaid ;)

Yeah, everything I like at Panera is really high in fat or calories or sodium or something else I'm trying to avoid. The food is good, but for me, it's a treat a few times a year, just like any other "fast" food.

[Gracie]

I agree, the sandwiches are out of sight calorie-wise. The soup however is not. The Black Bean Soup is only 2.5 WW points/serving and if you get it with a side roll/baguette that's only 2 more points.

The Chicken Noodle Soup is also 2 points and their Vegetarian Vegetable Soup is only 1.5.

But of course if you get the soup in the bread bowl and eat the whole bread bowl, now you're up to 10 or 11 points!

Loren

[funniegrrl]

One reason the sandwiches are so caloric is because they are so big. That's why I order half sandwiches, and there are only a handful that I get. I also usually specify "no cheese" to cut down on the calories/fat. I even do that with the salads. I like the apple and the bistro, but both come with a mound of gorgonzola, and I'm not that big a fan of blues anyway. So, I save a lot by omitting the cheese.