So before Panera opened in DCUSA, I was pretty unfamiliar. I don’t think I’ve ever been, but most of the comments were very positive, that they had good coffee, sandwiches, and bagels — including a cinnamon crunch bagel which basically sounds like a cinnamon roll (and has 410 calories).
I’ve gone there a couple times, and I must say, I like it.
So far I got a turkey sandwich and a Cuban panini. Both times the sandwiches were tasty, with good, fresh-tasting ingredients and good bread. The folks working there have always been really friendly, engaging even. That’s kind of surprising for customer service in DC. In the case of the panini, they were out of foccacia bread (it was almost closing time) so they apologized gave me a free drink without me asking. The folks making the sandwiches were joking around with customers too. I also got a mocha, which was fine.
You may recall that I was kind of worried about all the chains coming in the past, but if they’re all like this, I don’t see a problem.
What are your thoughts about Panera?
