Panera Bread. Most know the name well. You not only can get a great cup of coffee and free wi- fi but, incredible-not your-ordinary- food and snacks. Their menu is what sets them apart from the standard "take your order, get your food fast" places.
For a quick meal, food that won't leave you feeling horrible after you eat it or for a leisurely get together with friends that can last hours, Panera is it. No worries about friends coming late and having to wait to order, no worries about splitting bills. End of story I am sold on Panera.
So when I was asked to sample and review one of their signature soups as part of their Taste Masters Outreach Program, I surely agreed! My wonderful friends and I have been regularly heading to Panera once a month, on the last Friday of the month to be exact, for almost 10 years, thus far. We plan to continue until we are all old and need a ride there by our children because letting us drive would be a hazard to others LOL. 🙂
Here's my soup of choice. Low-Fat Vegetarian Garden Vegetable with Pesto and it did not disappoint. Loaded with fresh veggies like spinach, onions, carrots, green beans, tomatoes, fresh parsley, pesto and some barely. Perfect for a cold winter New England night.
I would have actually preferred a bit more heavy on the pesto flavor since the tomato base was bursting with flavor, but can't deny I devoured the entire bowl and loved it.
Along with my soup I enjoyed a Blue Cheese steak salad that was amazing! Of course from the pic you can see I do not deny myself the Panera chips as they are the very best chips if you are planning on splurging!
Please tell you've been to Panera Bread?! Do you enjoy the chips at Panera? What's your favorite meal there?
* Panera Bread provided a stipend for this review but as always all opinions are my own.
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Renee
Sooooo, breads are sugar free?
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance
My go-to order at Panera is the Pick Two: salad and black bean soup. And I love that they have the option to have an apple on the side. 🙂
chris
I used to love eating at Panera until I discovered I was allergic to gluten, soy, and dairy. It is unfortunate that Panera refuses to make soup without gluten, soy, and dairy. I hope one day they will realize that there is a large group of people who would dine at their restaurants if they accommodated their menu for food allergies.
The Better Baker
We love Panera too - my hub's favorite. We even ate lunch AND dinner there last week when we were on the road! I love their food and that they list calories too. Can't go wrong. I'm so pleased to know you approve! =)
Sarah
Favorite meal is usually Tomato soup with bread and 1/2 a Smokehouse Turkey Panini. Mmmm mmmm. I don't usually get the chips because I like to bread OD. 🙂
Brenda
LOL 🙂
MonicaB
I love Panera!!! When one opened just a quarter mile away everyone around here went nuts! For lunch I love to get 1/2 turkey sandwich and either their baked potato soup or chicken & wild rice. I know these are not the "skinny" soups but I love something thick to dip there wonderful bread into.