Panera… mmmm

I have found my cafe, and it is good.
Thus saith Rob.
When I left Dallas over 2 months ago, I was sad to leave my favorite eatery, Atlanta Bread Company, a warm soup & sandwich shop that specialized in homemade breads and fresh ground coffees. I went there a lot to read during lunch. It was such an inviting little place, a break away from the city madness.

Well, I found a worthy successor: Panera Bread.Panera Bread

And I dare say, this place is even more quaint and home-like. Both cafes are chain stores, yet they’ve done well to emulate the Starbucks coziness factor.

Tonight, I sat next to a warm gas-powered faux fireplace and ate my wonderful dinner while reading Narnia. Here’s what I got:

Vegetarian Roasted Tomato & Pepper Bisque
Vegetarian Roasted Tomato & Pepper Bisque

Frontega Chicken Panini
Frontega Chicken Panini

Oh, one other little tidbit that really won me over — the employee who took my order actually asked me (I didn’t have to ask him!) if this order was “for here”. Hence a ceramic mug was given me, rather than a cheap cardboard cup for coffee. Imagine that! After all, what good is all this nice atmosphere if you can’t eat and drink from welcoming ceramic?

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Comments

20 responses to “Panera… mmmm”

  1. James Avatar
    James

    I think Panera came before Atlanta.

    My favorite thing from Panera/Atlanta is the chocolate croissant. The gas station we hit before leaving Denver had an Atlanta Bread case in it. Coffee and that chocolate were a nice treat on the early start back.

    Reply
  2. Lynda Avatar
    Lynda

    Panera Bread does sound a lot like Atlanta Bread. They don’t happen to have Curry Chicken Salad on thier menu, do they?

    Reply
  3. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    After 9 o’clock in the evenging, Atlanta marks all the stuff in their case half price!!!!

    Reply
  4. Angela Avatar
    Angela

    we have both here, and Panera is way better.

    i love their broccoli cheddar soup in a bread bowl.. yum!

    Reply
  5. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Yum… you have me dreaming about their French onion soup now! Panera is a great restaurant because their coffee is actually decent…

    Reply
  6. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    James and I LOVE their coffee. Sometimes when we are out and about, James will run in and get us their delicious coffee to go. Really good coffee is a wonderful find!

    Reply
  7. Carl v Avatar
    Carl v

    I’ve heard that Atlanta isn’t as good as Panera. I LOVE Panera…one of my favorite places to eat. The soups and sandwiches are amazing and it is a very cozy atmosphere. I’ve had many work lunches at Panera and have also done many birthday and Christmas gift exchanges there. Glad you’ve gotten on the Panera bandwagon!

    Reply
  8. James Avatar
    James

    We all went there for breakfast one morning. The bill came to over $15! The girls were still very hungry afterwords. lol

    Reply
  9. Ciera Avatar
    Ciera

    I am SOOOOOOOO jealous. All we’ve got in my little town are convenience gas stations. 😥

    Reply
  10. Melissa Avatar
    Melissa

    I love Panera! I almost always order the Frontega Chicken too–it must be genetics!

    Reply
  11. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    Yeah, we don’t make it there very often. It’s not that kid friendly and way too pricey for the whole family. Like James said, we took the family there for breakfast and when we left the kids were complaining that they were still hungry. 😐

    I’ll have to try this Frontega Chicken sometime.

    Reply
  12. Ciera Avatar
    Ciera

    Rob – – – – I commented on your comment on my site!

    Reply
  13. Carl V. Avatar
    Carl V.

    The Frontega Chicken is amazing!!! One of my favorite sandwiches from any restaurant anywhere. The food is kind of expensive but if you go for lunch and just get the sandwich or any of the ‘you pick 2’ combos you will get filled up. They briefly had a Portabello Mushroom Bisque that was terrific!!!

    Reply
  14. Rob Avatar
    Rob

    Well, I guess I’ve been a singleton too long, because I actually found their prices to be pretty reasonable.

    In fact, Panera here in Colorado (remember, +5% cost of living increase from Texas) is cheaper for a full meal than ABC in Dallas. Same goes for Peaberry coffee versus Starbucks. Go fig.

    Reply
  15. Ciera Avatar
    Ciera

    Like gas prices.

    $2.23 in my town…went to a larger city over the weekend, saw it about the same until we crossed over one of those invisible city lines and it jacked up to $2.51!!

    Reply
  16. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    I hit Panera today to get a latte after being reminded of the wonderful atmosphere. 🙂

    Reply
  17. Scooter Avatar
    Scooter

    Ahh Rob I’m jealous, another one of my favorites (Penera) that we don’t have up here. Okay, so talk about prices… I live out in the middle of no where and you would think that prices would be super cheap. But no… they are insane. Grocery stores here raise the prices of even normal items. And gas is anywhere from 50-80 cents more expensive. Insane! 😯

    Reply
  18. Flying J Avatar
    Flying J

    Rob..I didn’t read every comment above. But, we have Panera Bread in Dallas too. Had you never been there? Actually, I don’t think I’ve been there. But, I’m pretty sure my sister has and loves it.

    Reply
  19. David Avatar
    David

    Panera is wonderful…but in the pictures above, that is neither the tom roasted red pepper soup nor the Frontega. Those are the garden vegetable soup and the new chicken bacon dijon panini. Nonetheless, the Frontega is awesome…just don’t look at the fat and caloric content, cuz it’s through the roof!

    David

    Reply
  20. Rob Avatar
    Rob

    Ouch, truth in advertising bit me, huh? My secret’s out. 🙂

    And just when I thought I was eating healthy at Panera. Thanks a lot, David!

    Reply

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