Panera Bread
1971 Tiffi n Ave
Findlay, OH 45840-6752
(419) 422-3260
www.panerabread.com
Monday through Friday: 6 AM to 9PM
Saturday: 7 AM to 10 PM
Sunday: 7 AM to 7 PM
One often thinks of Panera Bread as a lunch spot for networking professionals and people on the go. Swing in, get a cup of joe and a bagel and surf the Internet while waiting for clients or friends.
Panera certainly is that. But the goodie and coffee place is family-friendly, too, for lunch or dinner. In addition to treats, the counter-service restaurant offers food that will please big and little palates alike.
Pastries and scones
My daughters adore Panera for their scones and pastries, and were surprised they could get dinner there. On a recent weeknight the four of us went to Panera Bread to try out their “real” food menu and we were impressed not only by the offerings but that all four of us could fi nd things
that made our tummies happy.
The first hurdle to overcome is passing the pastry selection at the counter while ordering off the regular menu. If you can get your kids to look past that, a varied menu awaits. You order at the counter, and then are given a number to place in a holder at your seat and your meal is delivered. In addition to dozens of sandwich and salad offerings the menu includes a seven days of soup selections, an espresso bar and bagels.
Substantial dinner choices
We were pleased to see some different offerings on the kid’s menu. In addition to standbys like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and mac and cheese, Panera offers kid-sized deli sandwiches. My oldest got a kids roast beef deli sandwich, and my younger daughter ordered the same but with toasted bread. The kid’s meal also included a squeezable organic yogurt as a side.
My husband ordered a sierra turkey café sandwich that included smoked turkey on asiago cheese focaccia, and a choice of chips or an apple. He also ordered the chicken tortilla soup. There are several vegetarian options on Panera’s menu, and I ordered the Mediterraneanveggie sandwich on toasted bread, along with the garden vegetable soup.
Enough for later
We all agreed: Everything was really good. The portions were large enough that we took some home. Oh, did I mention the desserts? We all tried a treat from the pastry side – cinnamon rolls, orange scones and a cherry pastry. They were as good as they looked. So if you want to try a restaurant that has different options from sandwiches to souffl és, that includes vegetarian and organic choices, try Panera Bread. And don’t forget some pastries for dessert!
THE SHORT COURSE
Kid-friendly Yes
To avoid wait Go outside of lunch hours
Noise level Just fine
Bathroom amenities Clean
High Chairs Yes
Got Milk Yes
Kids’ menu Yes
