Panera Bread: Choices, Choices, Choices

By Destiny Shelton

Panera Bread, which opened last year on the Monroe campus, is a relaxing, serene environment for students to socialize or get some last minute work done. Its warm colors, modern look, and soft music create a peaceful and enjoyable atmosphere for all customers.

The food is high-quality and moderately priced, for the sensible college student.  You can choose from their signature sandwiches, café sandwiches, soups, a hot Panini, or café salads. If you can’t decide, the �You Pick Two’ deal for $7.89 offers three choices to pick from, which include a cup of soup, half sandwich, or half salad. Regardless of your choice, with your soup, sandwich, salad, or �You Pick Two,’ you’re given your pick of any side, which include chips, French baqguette, or a fruit cup.

As well as providing great options for food, Panera also has wonderful service. If you have to get in and out, Panera Bread has the speedy service to help you out. Once you’re food is ordered, the cashier hands you a hand held buzzer to inform you that your food is ready. Next a specialized drink is served to you. Your final stop is your food, served to you once your buzzer goes off. Then you’re ready to sit down and enjoy the full experience of Panera Bread, or wrap it up and run.

Arguably the best amenity of Panera Bread is free(!) wi-fi.  If the internet is too slow at school or you’re in desperate need to get that one assignment done, then Panera Bread is the place. Besides the delectable sandwiches, the wi-fi makes it a number one hotspot for many customers.  Sitting on the patio is another option, so when it’s just too nice a day to sit in the library, swing by and pull up a chair outside.

Panera Bread not only serves sandwiches, but it is also a full-service bakery. Panera’s bakery provides breakfast sandwiches, bagels, freshly baked breads, granola parfait, and more. So wether you want a sandwich, need a loaf of bread, need to grab and go or want to take advantage of free internet, Panera Bread is a high-quality, moderately priced alternative to on-campus dining options.

Panera Bread is located on 810 West Grace Street across the street from Book Holders and right next door to Chipotle.