Kitchen

[Trinity11]

You can read about the decline of their ingredients and practices on line. Everything now is from off premises and they no longer actually make anything on site. Portions were made smaller and the calories and sodium content are off the charts high. It's glorified fast food with a higher price tag. I ordered the cream of chicken with wild rice soup and it was liquid without the creamy taste it once had. Just rice with broth, not a chicken piece in the entire bowl. My husband ordered the cheese with brocolli soup ( ordered for 20 years) and it tasted like half cooked broccoli with cheese wiz. The bread served with it was stale. He also had a salad that he said was awful.

[Shelbelle]

I love their Greek salad and their Low Fat chix noodle soup. 

[LavernLuvsShoes]

Funny that you mentioned Panera...

I was out running errands yesterday, and thought about using the Panera gift card that I was given (for my birthday, back in November).

I love their Bagels (blueberry and cinnamon crunch, especially), the Soups (particularly the broccoli & cheddar), and the Sandwiches (my fave is the steak & mozzarella). 

Anyway, I changed my mind and picked up a Steak Burrito Bowl from Qdoba instead (which was da bomb) 

[lynnie61]

I like their pick two, soup and 1/2 sandwich.  But I haven't been for a few months.  @LavernLuvsShoes   They closed our Qdobas here, miss them - I really liked it.  The chicken and wild rice and they broccoli soup used to be good.  Sorry to hear if their ingredients and quality has declined.  

I've also enjoyed the strawberry salad.  My favorite bagel is the cinnamon crunch.  

[mspemberley]

I'm in southern Calif and the Paneras in my area have gone downhill. In the past you walked in and ordered at the counter and your food was brought to your table. The last time we went there was a new system to self order and self pay. There was only one person behind the counter to answer questions and he was clearly handling too many jobs. After you order you find yourself a table and walk up to another counter to pick up your food when your number is called. I didn't mind the self order (more and more restaurants are adopting this). My issue was that there was no one available to answer questions or anything else for that matter. Employees had been replaced by automation. The level of service was well.....non existent. I love their chicken soup and if I ever go back that would be the only reason. I'm not sure if all Paneras have updated to this system but I hope not. 

[LizzieInSRQ]

I like their chili and  their sourdough and bagettes.

[rockygems123]

@okaywitheasypay 

Asian chicken salad

[cjm61]

@okaywitheasypay 

I agree with @mspemberley, it's gone downhill. A few years ago we got a salad every week after one of our weekly workouts. They were "pretty" good back then. We noticed a big change, the portions were much smaller, the orders would get messed up, and the taste wasn't the same. I think it's just as @Trinity11 said but I wasn't aware there was actual "talk" about the decline.

My grandkids love their grocery store mac n cheese. I get it at Costco. But, we no longer ever go there as the portions have minimized greatly and the prices are extremely high for what you get. 

[drizzellla]

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@Shelbelle wrote:

I love their Greek salad and their Low Fat chix noodle soup. 

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I also like the Greek salad and order it everytime I eat there with friends. We have been going out to eat at local restaurants for 28+ years. So have eaten at Panera's quite a few times.

I have to laugh. I rarely get the same items in my Greek salad each time I order it. It has become a game to me. To see what will be in the salad. Guess they don't have a picture in the area where they prepare the salads of what the Greek salad looks like.

[FancyPhillyshopper]

Well, I just ate a small lunch at Panera today. We have many in our area. The booths are comfortable.  People from all ages go there--high school students and seniors. 

Panera has a new limited item menu of $4.99 each.  The chicken noodle soup is rich and chunky, and very good.  My favorite half sandwich on this menu is Cranberry Walnut chicken salad. My DH really likes the tomato soup. You also receive chips, bread, or an apple.

I also think that staff quality and experience play a role in food preparation.  

Items on the regular menu can add up quickly, but we have always been pleased with our food choices.  I do not really consider Panera "fast food," either, although they are pretty fast, and very convenient.  I always see a lot of folks sitting at tables working on their computers, so I know the free wi-fi is a BIG attraction.