Breakfast at Panera Bread is no longer just aboutbagelsand pastries.
As part of this “new era,” thebreakfast menuhas been refurbished, expanded, and modernized.
I recently did just that to see what all the breakfast hubbub is about.
Photo: Panera Bread. Design: Eat This, Not That!
It includes honeydew melon, cantaloupe, and pineapple for $3.99.
The taste:About what I expected from a serving of what I consider to be B-list fruits.
The look:Just as fresh as promised.
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The taste:There’s something very earthy about this sammiepresumably a byproduct of the bread.
Otherwise, its flavor is all but nonexistent.
The egg whites provide you with nada while the tomatoes are really just there for juiciness.
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Starting on artisan ciabatta bread both folded scrambled egg and smoked chicken receive invitations to the breakfast party.
All was dressed in Christmas colors of avocado and cilantro green and cheery pepper red.
The avocado and cilantro are conversely tolerable, eluding to a swing at a Mexican flair.
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Strip out a few add-ins and it wouldn’t seem so bad.
As is, though, it’s a bit of a mess.
The taste:Insipid toppings lying on quality bread.
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The sandwich sells for $6.59.
Until that adjustment is made, I would rather just grab a plain baguette.
The look:Smooshed to oblivion with no puff to speak of.
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To be fair, it sequestered to the bottom of the bag under the weight of other menu items.
But, it doesn’t bode well for this two-ingredient creation.
The taste:For a product found at a proud bakery, I expected more from this croissant.
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Greek Yogurt with Mixed Berries Parfait
This parfaitstarts with a base of Greek yogurt.
It additionally comes drizzled with honey and with a side of whole-grain oat granola.
The look:The yogurt arrived very saturated.
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The taste:The wet consistency was admittedly a turn-off at first.
But, after a good mix and incorporation of the granola, it wasn’t half bad.
In my opinion, though, the highlight is the granola.
Megan Hageman/Eat This Not That
It cost me $6.59.
The look:Submerged in white cheese, just three half-bacon slices appear on the sandwich.
Yellow eggs also take their spot under the powdered, fluffy roll.
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The taste:Panera is heading in the right direction as far as sandwiches go with this bulky BEC.
There’s no question that the proteinmostly the baconis overpowered by the imposing baguette bun.
The strips are small yet mighty, though, spreading the taste of natural smoke and salt throughout.
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But, as a half bakery, half cafe, Panera took on the challenge this past summer.
It costs $3.99.
The look:Aesthetic, made with obviously fresh avocado.
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But, I find this option to be palatable, and at a decent cost too.
The entire slice could use more everything seasoningenough is truly never enough with that stuff.
But overall, I was satisfied with the savory toast.
Megan Hageman/Eat This Not That
It cost me $6.59.
The look:Somehow just as steamrolled as the egg and cheese croissant.
The three small bacon slices don’t add much in terms of height.
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The taste:It’s more spongy egg than anything else.
But, once again, that bacon makes its presence known.
Umami and smokiness elevate the original croissant sandwich from its place of drabness.
Megan Hageman/Eat This Not That
The croissant itself is still just average on a scale from stale packaged pastry to French patisserie perfection.
But, at least it serves its purpose holding together the rest.
The contents, including the round sausage patty, also spill out the sides.
Megan Hageman/Eat This Not That
The taste:Of all the croissant-based sandwiches, this was the best by far.
The meat makes it an overall heartier sandwichmuch more noticeable and filling than a trio of scrawny bacon bits.
Then, the egg and cheddar swoop in to finish the job with their consistency.
Megan Hageman/Eat This Not That
On the ciabatta, it still costs $6.59.
But, at least the egg and patty expand nearly the entire width of the bun.
Bacon Double Take
Double the bacon, double the cheese, and hopefully double the satisfaction.
Photo: Megan Hageman/Eat This, Not That!
But, it’s also the only Panera breakfast sandwich to feature black pepper focaccia as its bun.
It cost me $6.99.
The taste:For me, this is the only sandwich that really brings home the bacon.
Megan Hageman/Eat This Not That
The bread and excess meat make this one especially salty.
But, if you’re craving bacon, I still think this is your best bet.
Thesteel-cut oatmealalso come layered with a cinnamon sugar crunch topping, strawberries, and pecans for $5.49.
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The taste:This oatmeal elicited no complaints whatsoever.
The cinnamon mixture creates a sugary crust that along with the pecans add a sweet crunch to each bite.
Steak & Wake
Panera doesn’t deny meat lovers their morning helping of steak and eggs.
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TheSteak & Wake sandwichwill run you $6.99.
The look:Worries of dryness crept back into my mind as I caught sight of this steak.
In a shade of dark brown, the shreds don’t appear to carry much juice or seasoning.
Megan Hageman/Eat This Not That
But, next to squashy eggs and a mild cheese, it feels like it’s found its place.
The thin slicessimilar to a skirt steakhave a deep meaty flavor and are tender despite their appearance.
Thefour-cheese soufflecosts $6.59.
The look:If we’re taking into account beauty points, this souffle takes the cake.
Perfectly round and individually sized, its yellow egg core invites you to dive in.
But, semantics aside, it’s delicious.
Garden Avo Toast
The second and final avocado toast at the chain is a garden variety.
TheGarden Avocould be your next morning meal for $4.99.
The look:This toast could have been the centerfold of a magazine.
Hats off to whoever was behind the scenes at Panera the day I ordered.
The taste:Every bit as good as it looks.
It just feels fresh with the fusion of buttery avocado and juicy tomatoes on a bed of just-prepared bread.
Mayo-based, garlicky, creamy, and tangy, it’s savory and delicious.
I think all Panera breakfast items should come with a complimentary side of it.
It comes with a simple scrambled egg and American cheese with a pinch of salt and pepper.
The kicker is that it’s served on one of Panera’s warmed cinnamon rolls.
I tried one for $5.89.
Orange cheese is melted at the bottom and I spied some pepper freckling the eggs this time.
The taste:A brand new take on breakfast that I approve of.
Everything’s then poured into a croissant crust for $6.59.
The look:Just like its picture online down to the one strip of bacon resting on top.
Below is a sea of yellow with green specks, encased by a flaky pastry.
However, its complexity drags it higher in the rankings.
This is truly a hidden gem at Panera.
I’m actually surprised this is the only one on the list.
TheAsiago Sausage & Egg Sandwichis priced at $6.99.
The look:One of the largest sandwiches on the menucomparable to the oversized ciabatta hoagies.
Plus, I haven’t even touched on the piece de resistance: the aioli.
Sausage CinnaScramble Sandwich
Panera breaks out a cinnamon roll one more time for itsSausage CinnaScramble.
This addition brings the price of the handheld up to $6.99.
The look:A bit collapsed.
The taste:Still sweet but with an extra shot of savory.
you could have both.
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