It's Panera. You know what it is. It's no worse or better than any other Panera I've been to, and I've been to many Paneras, spanning six states. Yes, it's a chain, but that doesn't automatically make it a lesser establishment, not necessarily.
Panera was originally called St. Louis Bread Company (and still is, if you go to StL), so to me it's sort of a little slice of home, when I feel like escaping Austin but can't. "Corporate" or "chain" are often used as pejoratives, even by me, but I give Panera a free pass just for being so reliably good.
Assuming you're well acquainted with Panera, I don't know what you need to hear about this particular location except the layout of the interior. It's a pretty good-size Panera, with two walls completely covered in panel windows facing 360 and the parking lot, north and west (so you know which way the sunlight is going to come in). Lots of tables, and the more lounge-like chairs are off in the far corner, kind of tucked away for good reading. Usually, I just bring my laptop, order a bagel and coffee, and watch the sunset.
If you've never been to a Panera anywhere, then it's about time you did, and I'll tell you what to expect:
Hot paninis or cold sandwiches, various soups, and salads. Sides include a baguette, apple, or chips (I think a spear pickle is included with all of them). Lots of bagels and cream cheeses to choose from, cookies, scones, stuff like that. And, of course, the bread. You can order a loaf of any kind of bread to go, which makes a great item to bring to a party. You can also order soup... in a bowl MADE OF bread, and how many places can say that?
They have great pumpkin spice lattes in the fall, but other than that I usually just stick to the black coffee, so I don't know about their other drinks. The iced green tea is good.
Really, I'd give it 5 stars except I'm sometimes disappointed in their coffee, and this goes for all locations. It's like a plague upon all Panera franchises. They're good about brewing fresh pots every 90 minutes or so, but sometimes it's burned. And honestly, I'm tired of the same choices: light, dark, or hazelnut? Yes, there is a fourth option, which is the decaf, but I never touch the stuff. The very idea of decaffeinated coffee is an abomination, an affront to nature. Why it isn't outlawed is beyond my comprehension.
But seriously, why hazelnut? I mean, don't get me wrong. It's a good flavor. But the only flavored grounds they ever have? No experimentation with other flavors? What about cinnamon, snickerdoodle, or chocolate? What about Highlander Grog?! No, it's always the same old hazelnut. For the most part, the same goes for the rest of the menu: they found something that worked, and haven't changed it in years.
The other thing that holds back a five-star rating is the ambient music. All Paneras have this kind of cheap, generic jazz playing at all times, which is part of the vibe. It's upbeat, and it's okay, but you're never going to be treated to some really, really good jazz. Panera jazz is its own type of jazz. It's all part of the predictable Panera package.
That's a chain restaurant for you. It's a two-edged sword. On one hand, it's reliable, you always know what to expect, and if that's what you're in the mood for, you can COUNT on it, without disappointment. On the other hand, the three choices of coffee do get old, and the palate eventually gets bored and wants to wander and discover new things. Panera's hazelnut is good, though, for what it is.
Your coffee experience will vary depending on who brewed it and when it was brewed, but they helpfully display the exact time it was brewed. I seem to have the worst luck, because lately every time I go it's already cooled down too much even as soon as it comes out of the thermos. That, I hate. Their coffee simply isn't good enough to be likable when it approaches room temperature, I'm sorry.
If you have more of a sweet tooth, I used to order and recommend the frozen caramel espresso. It's quite a rush, and it tastes like happy.
For soups, I have to recommend French Onion. It also comes with Gruyere and Asiago croutons, which add a lot to the flavor. Order it with a baguette, so you can tear it into little pieces for dipping. Mmm-mmmm.
For the paninis, I tend to go with the Smokehouse Turkey. Very good on a cold day.
Really, everything on the menu is practically a clinically-proven combination of complementary flavors. But my favorite item on the entire menu is the Bacon Turkey Bravo sandwich! Smoked turkey breast, bacon, smoked Gouda, lettuce, tomatoes, and their signature dressing, all on my favorite bread, Tomato Basil. The bread alone is flavorful enough to be a meal, but the decision to go with smoked Gouda for the cheese was a stroke of genius. My favorite sandwich ever.
Just don't get your hopes up about the coffee. read more