Do you have a Panera Bread Company in your area?

United States
August 1, 2008 9:00pm CST
My husband and I love going to Panera Bread Company to either have breakfast or for dinner. Sometimes, we just go for a beverage and a dessert, and to hang out and talk. It's just so comfortable there. We don't take our laptops when we go, but we've talked about it. We just have the best time together when we go there. And, I love, love, love their iced, decaf lattes! Do you have a Panera Bread Company in your town? Do you go there? What do you think of it?
3 people like this
16 responses
• United States
2 Aug 08
we sure do have one in our area. i like the half soup and half sandwich deal. i like the mushroom sandwich with chicken noodle soup. yum.
2 people like this
• United States
2 Aug 08
Hello greenglitterturtle. Love your name. Yes, the "You pick two" deal is pretty cool. I've never had the mushroom sandwich, but I'm sure I'd like it. I have had the chicken noodle soup and it is quite good. I like the baked potato soup. Also, the cinnamon crunch bagel with hazelnut cream cheese is to die for! Could there possibly be a person on earth that doesn't like that????
• United States
2 Aug 08
wow, that sure sounds good too. Mmmmm yum.
@MOMMASAM (1004)
• United States
2 Aug 08
yes, we have that even in my small town. it opened during the height of the atkins diet phase when everyone was so anti-bread. i first went there because i read they donate all their bread at the end of the day to the homeless shelters and soup kitchens. i LOVE this place ! the food is excellent. it's very fresh and i'm addicted to sandwiches and salads. i have a wide variety of choices, too. it's never boring. my mom loves their soups and piece of crusty bread. it's quick service and i especially love the fireplace for a cozy cup of coffee and one of their famous breakfast rolls. i like their green teas with mango and their slushy real lemonade. it's a definate favorite of my whole family.
2 people like this
• United States
2 Aug 08
Hello MOMMASAM. That's great that you've got a Panera's also. I think it's so cool that they donate all their breads at the end of the day. Their soups are so great and of course, the bagels! I haven't tried that slushy lemonade but it sure looks good. It's just one of those places that you love hanging out in, isn't it? Thanks for your response.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
2 Aug 08
We don't where I live but where my sister lives they do. Whenever I go to visit that is one of our stops while we shop. I love their beverages...especially the cold one that give you instant brain freeze..Their sandwiches rock too! It's a very special treat to go their! I also love Panera Bakery...love it.
2 people like this
• United States
2 Aug 08
Panera's are so great, aren't they? I wonder if you are talking about the slushy lemonade drink that gives you brain freeze. Yes, I've had a couple of their sandwiches and they are quite tasty. But, the prize goes to their bagels and cream cheese. They are so delicious! Thanks for sharing.
@hellcowboy (7374)
• United States
2 Aug 08
There is a Panera Bread Company about twenty minutes or so from where me and my fiance live,but I have never been there,and I am not sure if my fiance has either, but we might try going there one day,to see how good the food is,because we both like bread,but I have never really thought about going there to get some bread,but it might be a good idea,and now I am starting to get hungry for bread lol.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Aug 08
Hey there, hellcowboy. Panera Bread Company sells some awesome pastries, breads, and bagels. The cinnamon crunch bagel with hazelnut cream cheese is so delicious! My husband craves the cinnamon chip scones--they are also quite good. They have several different types of loaves of bread. And they are beautiful and scrumptious! Soups are also good there. Can't believe you are only 20 minutes from a Panera's and haven't ever been there. Hope you try it soon. Take care and thanks for joining in this discussion.
• United States
3 Aug 08
Yeah it definitely sounds like a place me and my fiance should check out sometime because it sounds like they have a big selection of things to choose from which is something I like when it comes to food places,because I am a very picky eater and will only eat certain things,and you are welcome,I was more than happy to respond to this discussion,have a great day,good luck in your life,and Happy Posting.
@kbjunior15 (1309)
• United States
3 Aug 08
Yes we do. I am a teacher and we actually have alot of out-of-school meetings there between a few teachers. They have internet accesss and a small room off to the side that we use. It is a nice place to eat. Not big on the food, but good place to eat.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Aug 08
Hi kbjunior15. Yes, I can see how it would be a great place to have meetings. I have come across another few people who don't get that excited about their food. But it is a relaxed place with comfortable seating. Plus, the internet access comes in handy for some, I'm sure. We always say we're gonna take our laptops in there and hang out and drink lattes, but we haven't taken them even once. Thanks for responding. Take care.
• United States
3 Aug 08
yes! i love panera's cookies. I get them as a treat for myself sometimes. I've only had their sandwiches once. They're too expensive to eat all the time and i could make some like that at home, but those cookies are amazing!
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Aug 08
Hi saintpatience. Their cookies are quite good. I just tried that "duet" chocolate one and it was fresh out of the oven. It was so warm and chewy, my husband couldn't resist a taste. And he just raved over that cookie for 2 days! I don't usually get their sandwiches. I stick with their soups and bagels and figured out that having a meatless soup and a bagel once in a while for dinner is a good idea. Take care and I appreciate your response.
• United States
3 Aug 08
We have one up in the BriarGate Area,I've never ate in one,but maybe one of these days i'll have to check it out.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Aug 08
Hi eachen2002. If you haven't been to a Panera Bread Company, and you have one close by, I'd recommend trying the bagels and soups. They are quite delicious. I'm a fan of their iced, decaf, nonfat lattes also. Not everyone likes chilled coffee drinks, but if you do, theirs are really tasty. Do take care and thanks for dropping in to this chat.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
2 Aug 08
Around here they call them St. Louis Bread company. They are owned by the same company. I love to go there and get French Onion soup, a half sandwich, and a portion of a baguette. My son like the bagels there.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Aug 08
I've also been to some St. Louis Bread Company restaurants as well. Yes, the French Onion soup is quite good. So are the bagels. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
2 Aug 08
I've been to Panera many times, but not since I lived in MN. We don't have one here in Ohio (at least I've never seen one) and I don't believe I saw any in NC either. I'd forgotten about them. They had great soup and sandwich lunches.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Aug 08
Hey there Ldyjarhead. Hmm, that's too bad that you have no Panera's in Ohio. They weren't here in the town where we moved to 5 years ago. However, one finally was built and opened about 1 1/2 years ago. We have been enjoying it ever since. Yes, the soup is great. And I do love those bagels. Take care.
@ruby222 (4847)
2 Aug 08
It all sound slovely Grace but we are in the UK here so we dont have a Panera bread company,but we do have tea rooms where we often go for afternoon tea,yesterday we went for tea,and we each had a pot of tea,and a fruit scone ,butter and jam and some clotted cream,and it was scrummy,its a treat that we try t have once a week,we both enjoy it.
• United States
3 Aug 08
Hi ruby222. Thank you so much for joining this discussion. Your tea outings sound lovely! I have always regretted not going for formal tea when we were in England several years ago. But, I am lucky because we will be taking another trip across the pond in March of 09 and I'm gonna go to tea this time for sure! It sounds like a marvelous way to spend time in the afternoon. Scrummy, indeed! Take care, ruby222.
@momalisa65 (1971)
• United States
2 Aug 08
Yes, we just recently got one in our area. I love their Cinnamon Bagels!! I've never tried their dessert, or their breakfast. I went there one time for lunch and thought it was rather expensive and bland for the sandwich and soup that I got. What did you have for breakfast and dinner that was good?
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Aug 08
I like their potato soup, I think it's called "Baked Potato Soup." Also, I like a couple of their sandwiches, they are chicken and turkey ones. I think one is on foccaccia bread and it's quite good. We, of course, love the bagels. For dinner, I often get a bowl of the baked potato soup and a bagel. I've also had their salmon salad which is pretty good. You can't go wrong with a bagel and soup, though. For breakfast, I usually have a cinnamon crunch bagel with Hazelnut cream cheese and an iced decaf latte. Mmmmmmm! I turned my husband on to the cinnamon chip scones and he just adores them.
• United States
2 Aug 08
Yes there is a panera bread here in this wonderful city haha I have never ever been there yet.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Aug 08
Hi StarChild517. Hope you drop in to Panera's soon. If you like baked goods and good soups, you might like it. I dream about their cinnamon crunch bagels and hazelnut cream cheese. Their iced lattes are the best! Thanks for sharing. Take care.
@halynn (1809)
• United States
3 Aug 08
The nearest one from me is about 50 mi. i've never been to 1 before tho. i've thought about going several times just haven't. i will tho. thanks!
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Aug 08
Greetings halynn. Well, if you are up that way, you may want to drop in to that Panera Bread Company. They have tasty food, especially the bagels and cream cheese. It might be a fun outing for you. The soup is quite good also. Their loaves of bread are absolutely beautiful and very good. Do take care and thanks for chatting.
• United States
3 Aug 08
We have on in our area and I absolutely love it. It is so much fun, and the food is absolutely amazing. Although it is more of a treat for me because I am on a student budget aka nothing... ;)
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Aug 08
Hello carrotop117. So you are a student, huh? Good for you, hang in there because someday, you will be able to eat at all the Paneras you want. Get that college diploma and the entire world awaits. So, when you go on your special outings to Panera, as you are munching that bagel and sipping that latte, remind yourself of how successful you will be once you finish school. Take care, carrotop117. Study hard, and thank you for responding.
@DarkDancer (1011)
• Dayton, Ohio
2 Aug 08
We have several in the local area and I have been to several of them. I like Panera, don't get me wrong. They have good quality food that is very fresh and tasty. The only problem I have with them are that, I think, for the prices they charge, their sandwiches and stuff could be more...exciting is the best word. As far as their bagels and breads go though, they are REALLY good. There's one bagel that they have, I'm thinking the cinnamon one, that is just delicious. It's more like a pastry than a bagel.
1 person likes this
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
2 Aug 08
We don't have one here, but there is one close to where my Mom and brother live. We stopped in not too long ago. I like the food and the dinning area was nice, but their bathroom was awful. I had to straddle the seat to close the door. I'm only 5ft tall and my knees had maybe an inch to the door when sitting down. That's way too small for a bathroom! The food is good though!
• United States
2 Aug 08
Oh my gosh, the bathroom in our Panera is actually quite spacious! That's weird, I guess they just didn't have enough room for a bathroom in your town. Yes, we enjoy the food, especially the bagels and the soup. Thanks for sharing, sunnflr.