Critic's Review
Anyone who reads this site regularly knows what I think of Panera Bread's food. So naturally, I got sucked in again, this time by their Steak and Blue Salad. I was thinking of trying Capital Grille's version, but this was 1/3 the price.
This location stands out like a sort thumb; or more accurately, like a regular thumb on a sore hand. There's the hideously ugly Acqua colored shopping center, and then there is Panera, colorful oasis.
The ridiculousness started with 2 ladies who had to ask 4000 questions, holding up the line for what seemed like eons. One register active, of course. I was developing a rapport with the women behind me making fun of these 2 idiots. I got to the register and ordered an iced tea and a half steak and blue. Total $8.49 with tax. No tipping at Panera, which is the only good thing about it.
They have all of the coffee out, but no tea. The soft drinks are way in the back. They have fresh lemon and different flavors of the tea; self serve for this is a good thing.
I opted for the plan, unsweetened tea.
Waiting and waiting for the salad. Finally it came out. I was concerned by the brown dressing. The salad is advertised as having a "blue cheese vinaigrette with a cabernet reduction". Turns out this is totally misleading.
First things first, I didn't have a knife. Was I supposed to rip the beef with my teeth. I looked around; they don't have knives out. I had to ask someone to get me one; she gave me a bugger knife. Luckily it was a thin cut of beef.
The dressing was so sweet that it ruined the entire salad. How could a "cabernet reduction" be sweet? Have you ever had a sweet cabernet? Who adds sugar to a reduction? Vinaigrettes aren't sweet. Of course I knew in advance that the crispy onions were amateur hour stuff; raw red onions are perfect for this salad, so why put in something contrived?
I'm not really mad an Panera. I'm mad at myself for thinking that they were capable of just one good recipe. My Bad.
I asked someone what made this so sweet, and they had no idea. This isn't really a restaurant, so I shouldn't be surprised.
Conclusion
My conclusion is that the people at Panera corporate are total hacks and are incapable of making anything worthwhile. I know people swear by it, but Flannigan's is packed every day too.