but their selling point (for me) - they’ve got plugs!!!
When I’m on the road and need a plug in (my work computer battery sucks), they are reliable and MickeyDs half reliable.
Other places are unknown - some have plugs but if I don’t know about them, it’s taking a chance vs. being assured.
Panera - like Starbucks - is literally built on working people I think - who sit there for hours - and spend a few bucks of course while there.
Likely using leaner lower quality cuts so the bacon imparts fats and flavor. Also bacon is much cheaper than steak. Eating fatty things supposedly make you feel full faster.
Wow, Schlotzsky’s is one of my favorites. It started in my hometown, Austin. I love their bread and olives are great. Every time I go home it’s on my list to visit.
I think I only ever had their Original, which has the olives. I might have to try the Beef Smokecheesy. hehe
I was going to say Dick’s, but I didn’t think anyone would know it.
I can’t stand it. My husband would get a milkshake and fries and eat the fries in the parking lot.
It’s not beloved to me. (There was a place near us with the best burgers, but they were burned down. The temp location won’t have grills 
. They were head and shoulders above Dick’s.)
I remember Red Robin when it was one location. Sigh.
I’m with you here. There is one at the local mall. Not sure it is any better than a cake made from a boxed mix. Good marketing though.
The only thing I like at Panera, and I get several times a season, is their autumn squash soup.
If you order one of their salads to-go, there’s hardly anything in the container - horrible value. Another complaint - they sell bagels but can only provide single serve, one-flavor cream cheese like the ones you see at the hotel chain free breakfast bars. Visit NYC and see how their bagel shops have umpteen flavors that they hand pack for you.
The make-your-own salad places (Chopt, etc.) Loved them when they first opened but lately it’s gotten rather expensive for a salad.
Last time I paid attention – several years ago – Panera served food with trans fats. Totally not a healthy place to eat.
Exactly. Last time I went in when the Einstein was down I got a toasted bagel in a brown bag with one of those single serve cream cheeses and was close to $4. I should have just dropped into the Fairfield down the road!
In N Out burgers are horribly overrated. So ordinary. I grew up in So Cal and even back in my prime, people would flock to In N Out after a night on the town. I never liked them, then I was a vegetarian for many years and never ate a burger again.
About 5 years ago, my Dad decided to surprise the kids with a visit to In N Out, which doesn’t exist where we live now. I asked him if they now offered a veggie burger option and he said they did. So I ordered the “veggie burger.” It was a bun, a piece of lettuce, and a slice of tomato. 
Even Burger King has offered a veggie option for years. Get with the program, seriously.
In n Out does a grilled cheese as a veggie option.
Ah, another one: Five Guys
I think they make a good burger… I do.
But their single cheeseburger is $9.19 – no fries included.
With the $5.19 fries and a $2.50 drink we’re talking about $18 with tax. That’s untenable here in Davenport.
If you opt for the regular cheeseburger (which is a double cheeseburger…), now you’re at about $20 for the burger, fries, and drink.
So while the food is decent, it’s no better – and more expensive – than pretty much every other burger spot in town.
Ha! Where do I start? Cook Out, Checkers, TGIF, Applebees (though admittedly I have not been there in decades), Carrabba’s, Waffle House (shudder). Those MEAT places…Brazillian something?..ugh. Too much.
I like Panera. Mostly. Tuna salad sandwich. Broccoli cheddar soup. Back when they had the best salad called a bistro salad. Took it away never to be seen again. ::::::sigh:::::
I don’t mind Panera. Not the healthiest food, and my husband and I don’t go there (though we might if encountered on the road traveling). But it makes a decent place to meet a friend for a late lunch, hang around and talk for a while. Last weekend I took my Dad and his wife there for lunch because they like it.
I have a friend who likes to meet at Panera for coffee. With all the local coffee shops all I can think is WHY am I sitting in this not so clean booth at Panera!!
There is a Panera on the campus where I work. I just signed up (again, after a couple month lull) for their “3 months free” Sip Club - free coffee and several other drinks free every 2 hours if you like! I don’t love their coffee but will take advantage of that a couple times a week so I don’t have to make coffee at home or I’ll get a low cal drink for a mental break in the afternoon
What is this free sip thing at Panera…and how can I get it?
This is what is included. I was a previous subscriber when I got a few months for like .99 during Black Friday.
My code to get the current 3 months free was 3FREEMO But that may only work for re-subscribers
If you have a Panera nearby it’s worth it - like I said, I can walk to it in 3 mins from my office - inside! No other purchase needed. Every once in a while - maybe once or twice a month I’ll get a bagel or pastry - they also offer discounted stuff on certain days.
I just add in a reminder on my calendar to cancel (again via the app) prior to the time I’ll get charged - when the 3 free months are up
Applebees has some decent food, a good happy hour and trivia night which is a big draw (and very fun in a group)
We stayed 1 night in Grand Junction, CO on our way home to Southern California from a ski trip early March. We ended up at Applebees since it was close to our hotel and it was very busy on a Friday night. H and D2 both had steaks and said they were very good. I just had a salad and it was tasty.
