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Panera Bread

Another chain which is decent for vegetarians but has a good number of drawbacks.  The biggest drawback is their own success.  What used to be a nice stop for soup, sandwich or a grain bowl has become a crazed affair with lines and rushed cooks.  That's not to say they don't try.  Pre-ordering online is well-run and a good attempt by the company to deal with the hordes.  It doesn't fix the real issue, a nicely conceived dish being destroyed by lightening preparation.  Today I tried the "new" Modern Caprese.  It sounded good but what I got was a balsamic soggy mess with limp arugula and a smashed tomato slice.  And oh, yes, there was a small bit of mozzarella.  Most of the other ingredients couldn't be detected (parmesan, basil white bean puree, smoky tomato confit).  The bread (a black pepper focaccia) was good.  One hopes that a bread factory can, in fact, make a decent bread.  They do.  I also got a bag of chips instead of the requested apple -- this was after stating several times in the order process that my order was take-out.  I like Panera, and their veggie options, but I think I will save it for less-busy locations and "off-times."

Counter service soup, sandwich and salad
Multiple locations
https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/home.html

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