I don't have anything against Panera, not in the slightest(besides the fact that it's a chain and I'm trying to avoid these now), but it's just not special. I have been here sporadically throughout my years in Cincinnati and I walk away satisfied, but that's the extent of it.
I'll admit I do really enjoy their broccoli and cheese breadbowl with a hunk of sourdough on the side. That does make for a good, reasonably priced meal. It's everything you'd expect from a Panera, so 3-stars it is.
In a previous review I stated Potbelly was my favorite chain sandwich shop. I am now changing my opinion and naming Panera as my favorite chain sandwich shop.
The main reason for my love of Panera is obviously their bread. I typically go with the Itallian which features ciabatta bread. The meat and cheese used is pretty tasty but its the bread that puts this sandwich over the top. Freshly baked and delish.
The only thing I dislike about Panera is they are a little pricey.
What can I say about Panera? I'm guessing most people have been to one and they are all essentially the same. However, this particular location is convenient to UC campus. It has a little grassy area outside and the walls of the building are mostly glass. It's a nice place to hole up and do some studying. They have free wifi, though it is unsecured. Unfortunately, UC's wireless network is unreachable from this location.
They have a large food selection, coffee drinks as well as teas and smoothies. They do have a number of menu items that are mainly whole food, which is nice, making them one of the few healthy food spots near campus, relatively speaking.
I normally don't like to review chain restaurants, because they're all basically carbon copies of each other (a Burger King in Cincinnati is really the same Burger King in San Jose). This is true for every Panera Bread - you will get the same decent, but semi-over-priced food. The artwork is bland and tacky. The chairs are comfortable. The WiFi is free. It's a nice place to sit in the morning and not have to think.
This morning, though, something wonderful happened. Something I could not, not share.
I visit Panera enough that having a frequent rewards card is worth it (especially because you get a free baked good as soon as you sign up - awesome). A little while ago, I got a free drink, which included a smoothie. Someday, somewhere, I knew I would want this free Smoothie.
This morning, that day had come. I was all ready and excited to get my strawberry delicious. I went up to the counter, dealt with the same brand of over-friendliness every Panera employee seems to have, ordered my drink and handed my rewards card.
*BUZZER SOUND* My free drink had expired, even though no one told me there was an expiration date on it. I was denied. Head down, I walked to my table without a drink, like some sort of sad character in a Sunday "Peanuts" cartoon. Soft piano may or may not have been playing behind me.
But low and behind, a wonderful miracle. About 10 minutes later, the employee who took my order brought me a smoothie on the house! He didn't have to, he just did. He didn't even make a fuss, just came over, said, "This is for you," and walked away.
That was awesome, and something I've rarely, if ever, seen a chain store do. I'm not sure if it's all Panera, or just this one in Corryville, but you have made me a lifetime fan ... even if you are a soulless chain monstrosity.