Great Harvest Bread Company is a chain that is located across the United States. This could be considered to be in the category of a bakery and sandwich restaurant. It is located in a convenient location being in "downtown" Corvallis and close enough to the Oregon State University campus to walk to.
There are many factors that come to mind when I am deciding where to go to buy a sandwich. Here are some of the expectations I have when it comes to a bakery/sandwich shop:
1. The variety of options on the menu
2. Customer service
3. Amount of food
4. Price of food
5. Quality of food
6. Environment and atmosphere
I am practically a regular at Great Harvest Bread Company. They sell freshly made bread as well as their homemade sandwiches and various other baked goods. There is a decent amount of different types of breads, sandwiches, and baked goods. Some of their different breads include Honey Whole Wheat, Monkey Bread, Sourdough, Dakota, Roasted Red Pepper Swiss, and many more including seasonal options like Caramel Apple Bread and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cakebread. However, other stores in this chain specialize in different areas.
I have also been to the Great Harvest Bread in Missoula, Montana and while that store clearly has a better bread selection, the one located here in Corvallis has a superior sandwich selection. The different sandwich combinations always amaze me. I would never have thought to put cranberry sauce with sweet and spicy pecans and chicken salad in my sandwich before, but after sampling their Chicken Berry Pecan sandwich, my life has been changed for the better.
Another handy option that is available is the vegetarian and vegan sandwiches. While I have never personality tasted them, many of my friends rave about the variety available. Some of the vegetarian and vegan options include Pesto Veggie, Hummus Harvest, Grilled Veggie Melt, and Chipotle Pepper Pecan. Other options on the menu include salads, a seasonal soup (which is available during the cold months), and a kid's menu.
There are breakfast sandwiches as well as regular sandwiches and the portions are very decently sized. With prices being around $6 or $7 per sandwich, it is comparable to Jimmy John's or Subway, however, the freshly made bread and home-style feel puts it above these other establishments. While there is no "make your own sandwich" option, their variety of sandwiches include every type of want or desire. Whether I'm in the mood for a hot, breakfast sandwich or a classic turkey, Great Harvest has me covered.
There is also the option to make the sandwich a meal for a few extra dollars, which includes a cookie and a bag of chips. Being less than $10, it is very affordable for college students.
Like other reviews have stated, the lines are usually fairly short, but the waiting time can sometimes be a little longer than anticipated. This could be due to the fact that customers can look in the back and watch as the sandwiches are being made, which somehow makes the wait time even longer knowing your sandwich is right there waiting to be eaten. Although after I take my first bite of my sandwich the wait time ceases to be of any importance.
The employees are always very friendly and willing to help with important ordering decisions, creating a welcoming environment to all. Some employees even take the time to remember the names of the customers. Great Harvest has perfected the "homey" feel from everything starting with the free slice of bread and butter with every purchase to the community bulletin boards and festive decorations. The seasonal bread options also give each month an exciting new twist with different options to choose from.
Another perk of Great Harvest is their punch card. After the 12th sandwich or loaf of bread, the 13th loaf of bread or sandwich is free. This makes people want to come back because there is a reward in the end. Also, on Tuesdays there is a discount for students attending Oregon State University. The affordable food and perks draw in a crowd and creates a popular lunch and dinner destination.
By catering to the people living in the area, Great Harvest Bread becomes a very welcoming environment that people want to keep going back to. Especially in a college town, it is important to have a restaurant that is able to cater to the needs of the broke and hungry college students.
The only downside is that they close at 6:00 pm, which is fairly early and can sometimes be an inconvenience to make it to the store in time.
All in all, Great Harvest Bread Company is unlike most food chains. Each store has its own personality and variety of options making each location a new and exciting store to explore. With the decently priced food, short lines, good portions, and excellent customer service and atmosphere, the Great Harvest Bread Company in Corvallis remains one of my favorite food destinations. read more