Panera Bakery & Cafe
Friday, July 29, 2005 10:15So I’ve been moved into my new place for just over a week now, and I haven’t been impressed with the restaurants I’ve been to so far. If I’m lucky, the meal would be edible or decent… I mean, the best meals I’ve had so far have been in my own home, and that’s not saying much. Then I discovered the two streets where all the chain restaurants and local favorites are. I suddenly felt like I was freed from food purgatory. As I was debating which parking lot to pull into, I was then thrilled to see Panera Bakery & Cafe.
I used to be addicted to going to the Panera on Sepulveda in Westchester… the smell of fresh baked bread. I usually go in to buy bagels and cream cheese. My secret love at Panera is the reduced fat honey walnut cream cheese. I enjoy it so much that I can’t believe it’s actually reduced fat. Once I get in there, I see all the food at the cafe side and I would end up getting lunch, too.
Especially when I am really hungry (like I was the other day when I found Panera), I have a hard time deciding what I want to order. What I like about Panera is its Pick Two Menu ($5.79). I can choose to have any two-item combo: soup & half a sandwich, half a sandwich & half a salad, or salad & soup. This is perfect for days when I want to have the Bistro Steak Salad ($6.19 for a full order of greens and lettuce mixed with gorgonzola, walnuts, and steak filets) and a bowl of the creamy Baked Potato soup ($2.99). As for sandwiches, I can recommend the Sierra Turkey on Asiago Cheese Focaccia ($5.59), Pepperblue Steak on Toasted Ciabatta ($6.09, but don’t order this if you’re getting the Bistro Steak Salad, too), and Smokehouse Turkey on Three Cheese Bread Panini ($6.09).
Panera also serves great hot and cold beverages. I can’t say I’m crazy about the Iced Green Tea, because it just doesn’t taste like real tea to me, but I do enjoy the Chai Tea Latte (both hot and cold for $3.19) and on hot days the Home Style Lemonade ($1.55). Ice blended drinks are also available, but I haven’t tried any of those yet.
Panera may not be the best dining place in the world, but it provides me with a good meal and reminds me of home. For this reason and the free wi-fi, I’ll be going back as often as I can.
Locations in and around LA:
Westchester
8647 South Sepulveda Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Tel: (310) 641-9200
Fax: (310) 641-3908
Santa Monica
501 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Tel: (310) 566-3080
Fax: (310) 566-3084
Torrance
2733 Pacific Coast Highway
Torrance, CA 90505
Tel: (310) 517-0324
Fax: (310) 517-9592
By Pauline (see more of her posts).
MaxMillion says:
July 29th, 2005 at 11:00 am
Also one just opened in Studio City, just west of Laurel Canyon, nth of Ventura. A few doors away from Mexicali. Thanks for your report — I’ll have to give it a try.
Jonah says:
July 29th, 2005 at 11:20 am
I dig Panera soups. They are definitely on the salty side, but the French Onion is tasty and comes with a nice postion of cheese on top, plus a hunk of bagutte for dipping.
cybele says:
July 29th, 2005 at 1:15 pm
I spent a whole day there last November working on my novel (the one on Sepulveda). Nice place, good food, free parking and clean restrooms.
Jonah says:
July 29th, 2005 at 2:28 pm
The Sepulveda one is also a good time killer if you’re going to pick someone up at LAX. With the free WiFi and treats, you wont care if the flight is a little late.
SoCalorie says:
July 29th, 2005 at 2:57 pm
I could certainly use a little more WiFi in my life.
bellafey says:
July 29th, 2005 at 5:37 pm
I was happy to see that Panera moved out West. I’ve been going to the one in the Twin Cities for a few years now. Their brown sugar bagels rock (not sure if they’re called that…look for the one covered in brown sugar..mmmm). I’m totally trying the cream cheese next time I visit!
Pauline says:
July 29th, 2005 at 7:33 pm
Cool! I love that there are so many Panera fans.
Since Jonah mentioned it, the French Onion soup is good, and it is the only soup (according to my menu anyway) that is served every day. All other soups vary by the day. Guess it goes to show Jonah and I aren’t the only ones who like it if it’s on the menu daily.
And I just found the Studio City info. Thanks for mentioning it, Max!
Panera Studio City
12131 Ventura Boulevard
Studio City, CA 91604
Tel: (818) 762-2226
Fax: (818) 762-5566
ChefJoAnna says:
August 15th, 2005 at 5:18 pm
they’re slimy. google “panerafan” and find out why.
Pauline says:
August 17th, 2005 at 10:24 am
Ok, so I read up on Panera, and there are some issues with the Wi-Fi. I think the only one I really have issues with is the Comment Spam. Since it has been shut down, I don’t think it’s too big of a deal.
As for the censorship issue… Well… While I’m against censorship in general, I think I understand why Panera’s doing it. Coming from someone who used to work in an office where tons of sites (including super duper innocent ones about food) were blocked, here’s the way I see it:
If you choose to surf the net while dining at Panera, you are in a public environment. This means other diners may intentionally or unintentionally see sites you are looking at. Since it is a public place, I am guessing that Panera does not want to deal with complaints from patrons about seeing certain sites and images at a neighboring table. Repercussions from this fall-out could lead to a lot of bad press. I believe Panera is taking the initiative to block access to certain sites - which may be offensive or may be just Panera overreacting - to avoid any potential conflict. If someone complains about not having access to particular sites, then Panera can just say, “It’s free Wi-Fi. Take it or leave it.”
And quite honestly, I really go to Panera for the salads and honey walnut cream cheese. I haven’t even tried using the Wi-Fi yet. :)
marcia says:
November 29th, 2005 at 7:38 pm
I have just found out about Panera through looking at careerbuilders.com; and I must say, it sounds like a place I would be interested in managing, as that is what I am looking for. Or should I say, “leading” others who work for Panera as they produce their specialty, and celebrate how much this bread is loved! It sounds wonderful.
amy says:
August 7th, 2006 at 4:27 am
where are you in ohio?
Raych says:
October 9th, 2006 at 8:52 pm
If anybody is interested, Panera recently opened an outpost on Rosecrans in LaMirada as well. Also great to try are their Asiago Cheese Bagels and the Frontega Chicken Panini. Yum!
Michael says:
July 16th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
I wish their chocolate chip cookies were better. I usually go for the The Low-Fat Vegetarian Black Bean and Smokehouse Turkey.
Pauline says:
July 17th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I really haven’t been impressed with their sweet stuff, such as cookies. Even though Panera sells cookies, pastries, and brownies, I pretty much stick to them for soups, salads, sandwiches, and breads/bagels. I think those are the best bets.