A trip back to Bluffton, and my "emotional attachment" to food...

Beach Time.

Oh Hilton Head. What a fun place! I made an impromtu visit back down south over the Fourth of July weekend. This happens to be my second consecutive impromtu HHI visit over the Fourth. Perhaps a tradition that is in the making? I stayed with the lovely couple, Amanda and Brian Pope. Typically my visits to HHI involve sun, beach, bars, restaurants...and to balance out the last two indulgences...running. This trip was no different, except that we mixed it up a bit and decided to rent bikes, and rode bikes virtually everywhere around the island. That decision, in my mind, was clutch as this weekend is historically one of the busiest on the island...and parking is a real bitch.

I have already reviewed the Panera on the South end of the Island (Reunited and it feels so good...my Hilton Head Review)...and I have only alluded to the Bluffton Panera, located just north on Hwy 278 in front of the Tanger I outlet. This Panera just recently opened up (well, at least since my last visit). Amanda, who is a school teacher in Bluffton and part-time Coach associate, was very good on updating me on the progress of this Panera. I was quite intrigued when Amanda noted that they were building a drive-thru at this one as well!

Whoever is running the Panera's down south, seem to have the right idea. I think the drive-thru is essential...especially for those morning java addicts, that would normally pass up a Panera, simply because it wasn't convenient.

Here's my REVIEW:

Location: Bluffton, SC - Hwy 278 in front of the new Tanger 1 outlets

Date visited: July 4, 2011

Time of day: 11ish

Items ordered:

Me: Barbequed chopped chicken. Whole grain baguette. Unsweet tea.

Amanda: Sierra turkey. Greek salad. Apple. Unsweet tea.

Upon arriving, I was instantly impressed with the overall exterior design. It is brand-new (obviously) is free-standing, and has an undescribable southern appeal. We were dining in, so I didn't take advantage of the drive-thru...but I am assured that it is efficient (per Amanda).

I missed the drive-thru in this photo. Oops.

It was pretty empty once walking in...I suppose most people are grilling out or at the beach for the 4th. (I was on my way to Savannah to catch a flight)

The food shot...

Random Notes:

• I don't know if it was because this store is so new, but it took our food an excessively long-time to get made, and they messed up my order a couple of times. I also found that the associates were not the warmest. I must be spoiled by the Ohio stores...because I rarely run into those issues in the buckeye state. This did remind me of the vast difference between my experience with retail/restaurant personnel in Ohio vs. South Carolina. While southerners are stereotyped for their warm hospitality...in general I would say that the hospitality does not shine through in these customer service type positions.
• Technology has overtaken us all. Sitting directly across from us, was a family of four. No lie, they all had a different electronic device that they were fiddling with during their meal. Everyone ate in silence.
• Emotional attachment to food. After this visit to HHI, I gave a play-by-play of the visit to another former Blufftonite, Erin Howell Straine. We laughed at the fact that each time we visit we make it a point to basically, eat. Wild Wings - La Hacienda - Sippin Cow - Big Bamboo - Fiesta Fresh - to name a few. It was concluded that we all have an emotional attachment to food in HHI, and perhaps our future trips should be somewhere else to avoid a gluttoness weekend.

Overall, I give this Panera an A for looks, but a D for customer service/sense of urgency. At any rate, on your next trip to the outlets in Bluffton, you should stop by for a caffeine jolt or a nice meal. However, if you are looking for a unique non-chain to dine in Bluffton, SC...my hands down vote is the Sippin Cow Cafe in downtown Bluffton.