The idea of combining a coffeehouse, and bakery. And deli into one establishment was brilliant on the part of Panera creators. Even if you and your picky coworker in the next cube have very different tastes. You should both be able to find something to your liking here.
You can create your own delicious sandwich out of any combination of items from the extensive menu. Although some may find Panera’s selection to be “overwhelming.” I respectfully disagree.
To put it simply, it’s balanced and approachable. Panera mission is to provide a wide range of options. So they’ve included many exotic additions to their menu.
Still, that doesn’t guarantee that everything you order there will be delicious. Panera, like most eateries, occasionally serves a dud item. However, let us consider the many advantages.
I’ve rounded up the best items from the Panera menu to make your lunchtime extra special. You can choose from a selection of tasty soups, salads, and sandwiches, and then finish off with something sweet.
Best Food at Panera
- Grilled Cheese
- Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich
- Asian Sesame Salad
- Mac & Cheese
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- BBQ Chicken Salad
- Breakfast Sandwich
- Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Margherita Flatbread
- Toasted Frontega Chicken Sandwich
- Kitchen Sink Cookie
Grilled Cheese at Panera
While the recent trend of “gourmet grilled cheese” is entertaining. Nothing beats the simple, melty deliciousness of the original.
The Grilled Cheese at Panera Bread Promo Code is the epitome of the genre. With its soft white bread that’s been toasted until golden on both sides and its oozing American cheese.
Well, that settles it. There’s no peppered bacon available. There won’t be any brie or gouda. Sorry, we don’t have any fig preserves. There was no multi-grain artisan ciabatta. And there was no spelt in the mix either.
Just some bread and some buttery, cheesy indulgence. It’s classic in its simplicity and delicious in its enduring appeal.
Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich
I agree, you deserve a standing ovation. Simply put. I will always give a standing ovation to the Bacon Turkey Bravo sandwich.
Panera takes the traditional turkey sandwich. And makes it better by stuffing it between two slices of their spicy Tomato Basil Bread along with smoked bacon, smoked Gouda, leafy greens, ripe tomatoes, salt, pepper, and a drizzle of their signature sauce.
I’ll pause here so you can mentally prepare yourself to chow down on a sandwich piled high with all the best ingredients.
It’s so good that even the bread will haunt your dreams. Its savoury softness lingers long after you’ve sneakily licked the last crumb from your plate.
Asian Sesame Salad
You can tell that Panera’s Asian Sesame Salad is popular because. There are a gazillion recipes for it on the Internet.
That’s most likely the case. You can eat this salad and still have room for that Vanilla Cinnamon Roll you’ve been eyeing since you walked in the door because it’s not only delicious. But also refreshing and filling.
Mac & Cheese at Panera
Panera’s Mac & Cheese is so good that if Shakespeare were alive today. He’d write sonnets about it:
In other words, this is not a regular package of neon orange elbow noodles. In my own ranking of Panera menu items based on how much they make my stomach rumble just thinking about them. This one comes out on top.
The restaurant swaps out the elbows for the more traditional, and more popular, shells in their mac and cheese.
They don’t use any of that powdery, processed stuff, instead letting the al dente shells meld with a white cheddar cheese sauce that has more bite than any other mac and cheese we’ve had.
Panera Chicken Noodle Soup
One of the best bowls of chicken noodle soup you can get is at Panera. The fact that it’s so easy to make makes it a top choice at Panera.
It has all the familiar flavours and textures of a classic bowl of chicken noodle soup. But is made with only the essential ingredients.
They use a classic combination of bone broth, chicken breast, egg noodles, carrots, celery, and spices to create their delicious soup.
Eat it with a grilled cheese sandwich and pretend you’re sick and watching daytime TV with your grandma.
BBQ Chicken Salad
I applaud the guts it takes to go into a Panera and order a salad. While being confronted by rows and rows of flaky Danishes.
However, the BBQ chicken salad is the one salad. That could make me forego the bear claws in favour of some greens.
Tender chicken, romaine lettuce, black bean and corn salsa, apple cider vinegar BBQ sauce, and frizzled onions are a winning combination.
The best food at Panera is the stuff you wouldn’t think to put in a salad. But it works, and this salad is a testament to that.
It’s not a chocolate croissant. But it’s a nice light lunch with all the flavours of a backyard barbecue.
Panera Breakfast Sandwich
There isn’t much room for error in a breakfast sandwich. You just need an egg, some sort of meat, and maybe a slice of cheese.
Panera is a bread company. Recognised a need for improvement in this area.
They were confident that they could make a better version of a sandwich. That most people would be content to eat between two pieces of generic white bread.
Sorry, folks, but we didn’t bother with any posh fillings. Scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon or sausage are on the menu.
You’ll be too busy deciding between yeasty, slightly sweet brioche and toothsome Artisan ciabatta with a delightfully chewy crust.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
The Broccoli Cheddar Soup at Panera would be a strong contender for the title of the most lovable mascot on the restaurant’s soup menu.
One of the best things on the Panera menu, perhaps because of the generous helping of tender broccoli pieces or the fondue-like base of thick cheddar cheese soup.
A bowl of hot Broccoli Cheddar is like a warm, fuzzy blanket waiting to envelop you in nostalgia on a cold winter night.
The fluffy baguette that comes with it is just the icing on the cake. That will have you diving headfirst into a bowl. Pure. Bliss.
Margherita Flatbread
Some pizza purists have the opinion that flatbreads aren’t really pizza.
But I defy them to find a fast-food Margherita pizza that measures up to Panera’s impeccable standards for their Margherita Flatbread.
Flatbread, marinara sauce, fontina mozzarella, fresh mozzarella, grape tomatoes, and fresh basil are baked until golden and crisp on this winner.
It’s not quite the same as going to Italy for lunch. But it will do if you’re craving a taste of the old country.
Panera Toasted Frontega Chicken Sandwich
The Toasted Frontega Chicken Sandwich is another widely-used inspiration for new dishes.
I still like the Grilled Cheese because of its simplicity. But the Frontega has become almost as popular with me.
Smoked chicken, mozzarella cheese, salt, pepper, vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, chipotle sauce, and a hint of spice from red onions top this warm and alluring flatbread.
Black pepper focaccia is a great choice of bread. Because it complements the savoury filling and provides a savoury kick. That balances out the richness of the chicken and mozzarella.
Kitchen Sink Cookie
Instead, it’s packed with savoury-sweet ingredients like chocolate, caramel, pretzels, and salt flakes.
Even though Panera says it’s good for sharing, I’m not so sure.
A single Kitchen Sink Cookie is the perfect portion for me to devour without sharing with any unwanted guests. Such a decadent dessert should be devoured in its entirety.
When it comes to ranking the food at Panera. This combination of salty and sweet is at the top of the list. Easily besting the other options regardless of category.
Concluding Remarks
Having a good time at Panera is simple. The aroma of freshly baked bread, pastries, and coffee greets you as soon as you walk through the doors. Making you feel like you’re floating like a cartoon character.
There’s always something new to try. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat in the morning. A place to meet a friend for lunch, or a treat to reward yourself with after a long day.
If you’re ever at a loss for where to eat. I offer the following list of the best items from the Panera menu as a starting point for your decision. But if it doesn’t, don’t let that stop you from devouring an entire pan of Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake, a dozen bear claws, or a Kitchen Sink Cookie.