Current Events > Panera Bread any good?

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Im visiting the US once again and i always like to try the american food chains i dont get back home while im here.

Is it any good or worth the visit? My only reference about Panera is that their items are kinda overpriced and that "One of their drinks can kill you", is that true tho? Thanks.

It used to be good, now it's pretty meh.

Their drinks have a lethal amount of caffeine in them.. those refresher type drinks

The only thing I really like from Panera is those soups they serve in the bread bowls

Don't sleep on 7-11 pizza. You gotta eat like four of five slices in one sitting to really appreciate them. The sixth and seventh slices really hit different.

Imo there's nothing Panera makes that isn't done better by another chain.

I wouldnt bother. Its not terrible but if youre here sampling our food thats not our best. Local bakeries are better

Wildly overpriced

It's overpriced. The food is alright, but the value is awful.

All of the Panera Breads in (north) Houston closed because of some sort of massive fraud by the franchisee.

https://youtu.be/FBHmI6SgVWI?si=ZxeRtr_o-v8O6z8V

Fucking sucks trying to get a bagel.

divot1338 posted...

All of the Panera Breads in (north) Houston closed because of some sort of massive fraud by the franchisee.

https://youtu.be/FBHmI6SgVWI?si=ZxeRtr_o-v8O6z8V

Fucking sucks trying to get a bagel.

*Laughs in New Jersey bagels*

I weep for you if that was your only access to bagels. To be fair I haven't tried them from Panera but I actually do like me a Manhattan Bagel

I wish Panera had more vegetarian offings, but I do enjoy eating there.

I would not waste a meal on any fast food in America tbh. But especially Panera. Overpriced garbage.

Kaldrenthebold posted...

*Laughs in New Jersey bagels*

I weep for you if that was your only access to bagels. To be fair I haven't tried them from Panera but I actually do like me a Manhattan Bagel

Theyre actually pretty decent.

Id have to drive across town to Katz for better although theres one place that opened near me that has potential.

Its too expensive for what it is, but that is damn near everything now

saying that, I was pleasantly surprised with my half grilled chicken ranchero and bowl of wild rice soup I had when I went there with some work people a couple months ago for the first time in years.

It was good

In university, I'd go there to get a UP2 with a Greek Salad and Tomato Soup. Hit the spot every time.

Do you like bread? Cause...I recently ordered a grilled cheese with french onion soup.

But what I really got was basically two small grilled cheese sandwiches (added up to a lot more than just one grilled cheese), French onion soup with bread squares on it instead of cheese, and a hunk of bread to go with the soup.

So...much...bread...

All for 15 dollar and some change.

KanWan posted...

Their drinks have a lethal amount of caffeine in them.. those refresher type drinks

The only thing I really like from Panera is those soups they serve in the bread bowls

they havent served the refresher drinks in over a year

1NfamousACE_2 posted...

they havent served the refresher drinks in over a year

They sold them at the stores operated by that fraudster I was talking about.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

As someone who falls into a whole separate category when it comes to caffeine consumption I feel like they shouldnt have caved.

If we can have products that arent allowed for children like alcohol and find a way to sell them in restaurants then a mega caffienated drink is fine.

Overpriced as fuck. Its not bad, but it isnt worth what theyre asking

really pricey but they're one of the only fast food places that sells breadbowl soup so it's worth going every once in a while.

imo, if you're visiting the states in the late summer/fall, check and see if there are any renaissance festivals nearby. I've never been to one that didn't have a breadbowl soup stall, and the quality is much, much better than panera.
also you get to hang out with a bunch of people dressed up in fantasy and medieval costumes so its a win-win

Bass posted...

It's overpriced. The food is alright, but the value is awful.

This

I really remember CE overpraising it like 10 years ago (where the time has gone) and now people are finally seeing it for what it truly is, overpriced garbage. The food taste alright, but with the amount of money you pay and how little they give you is just terrible value overall. With that said, I will agree that some of their soup does taste good.

Near hospital food tier

My town goes crazy for any new restaurant. For the first month, any new place will be packed, even if it's not that great. When our Panera was new, its parking lot was a ghost town by the second week, that's how bad it was.

It's also the only time I've ever seen my town react so negatively and so quickly to a place.

Good? Yes. Worth the price and portion size? No.

Once you get here

Check the establishments out in person. (EDIT you can walk in and walk back out). Make sure that anywhere you go has an alternate venue such as a park, mall or shop.

Try to visit before 45-47 ruins everything.