When people hear the word Panera, the first thing that typically comes to mind is a hangout spot with a side of either breakfast, lunch or dinner. I wouldn’t consider it a restaurant, but it certainly beats other fast food places in terms of food quality and sanitization. The doors open at 6am and close at 9pm, so people have a 15 hour time window of when they can stop by for a bite to eat. I think the times are perfect because 6am is not too early, and 9pm is not too late. Dine in and drive through are both available, so if people are in a rush, they can hop in the drive through line rather than waiting inside. I typically go around four or five o’clock because it is not as busy as it is around noon. I hate food places that open late and close early because it is hard to find a time when it is not busy.
Over the summer and during the school year, Panera is always a great place to meet and reconnect with friends. It provides a great spot to complete homework assignments and study because it is typically quiet and calm, especially later at night. During mid terms, I would go to Panera around 4pm to start my studying, and I would not leave until about 8:30 pm. There was a quiet seating area in the back with a charging port, so it was the perfect spot for studying and completing homework. The dining area is kept clean, and the employees are always willing to help if there are any problems or concerns. One day, there was a pile of crumbs on the floor, and the employee was quick to clean it up. Another plus is that there are bathrooms inside with more than one stall! Some fast food places only offer one stall, which can be annoying, especially if you desperately need to go and the stall is taken. At Panera, the bathrooms are almost always clean and stocked, minus the one time there was no toilet paper or paper towels, but the manager fixed that right away.
While studying or catching up with friends, you may feel an urge of hunger. No worries, if you are at Panera, you are in luck. There are a variety of different options ranging from soups to salads to smoothies and shakes. I personally always get the pick two with the Chicken Caesar Salad and Mac and Cheese, and of course, a Green Passion Smoothie to wash it all down. Some of the fan favorites include the Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Thai Chicken Soup, Citrus Asian Crunch Salad with Chicken, and the Mac and Cheese (obviously). If you don’t get the side baguette, you’re missing out. If you try and get the bread later at night, it will most likely be hard, but it is fresh in the morning and early afternoon. To note, the food you order is almost always the same every time you go, but some things may taste different depending on who prepares it.
Additionally, when you walk in the door, you are accompanied by different pastries and sweets, my personal favorite being the pumpkin muffin. It is almost impossible to not buy one because they are so tempting. You have to get the pastries earlier in the day because by the end of the night, they are typically hard and not as appealing, just like the bread. If you don’t get a chocolate chip cookie, did you really go to Panera?
But of course, every food place has its downside, and for Panera, its definitely their prices and the parking situation. Panera’s food is pricey when compared to other fast food places, such as Wendys or Dunkin’ Donuts, which are places in the same proximity of Panera in Easton. The cheapest item on the menu is a bagel, which costs about $2, while the most expensive singular item is the Mediterranean Bowl with Chicken, sitting at $13.81. My meals typically cost around $20, and this includes a drink. If you are willing to pay that much for one meal, I would go for it. If you are looking to save money, I would not recommend eating at Panera. Many customers have complained about Panera being out of certain items, and that the food is mediocre considering the high prices. Sometimes, the ingredients look rather questionable, especially the salad which is usually browning. Honestly, should we expect anything more? Even though Panera is not considered fast food, it definitely is not a high quality restaurant. It all depends on personal views and preference.
In terms of parking, the Panera lot is not the best place to be, especially during a rush. The parking lot is shared by Starbucks and Massage Envy, so the amount of parking spots is already cut low. If you go around noon time, there is a chance you may not find a spot to park, but if you go later at night, it isn’t too bad. The wait to get out of the parking lot is also a hassle because of the traffic on both sides.
Overall, I would give Panera a 3.5/5 stars. Although the food is satisfying and the location is perfect considering it is close to the center of town, the establishment as a whole could use some adjustment. If you don’t mind overpriced food, I would recommend stopping by to enjoy a meal with some of your friends or family. Considering most of the food is frozen, it’s truly not that bad.