Hold the onions at the Lancaster Panera

This past week my dad and I had a meeting with a customer in Lancaster. Due to the fact that the meeting was scheduled at 11 AM, I secretly hoped that lunch would be involved post meeting. In the back of my mind, I was hoping for a Panera visit. Unfortunately, the meeting ran a little longer than planned, and my dad needed to get back to Zanesville. I was disappointed, but told myself I would be back. I knew I would be able to cope.

Well, you can imagine my surprise, when we happened to drive past the Lancaster Panera. From out of nowhere, my dad suggested we grab a sandwich to-go! How fun! A billboard sale + an unexpected Panera lunch. This day was looking bright!

The Review:
Date: Tuesday, September 20
Time of Day: 12:30ish
Items ordered: (2) Sierra Turkeys on whole grain and 2 unsweet teas to-go.

This Panera is very new. It is the anchor tenant at a small strip center off Memorial Drive in Lancaster. Upon entering the store, the registers are immediately straight ahead, while seating can be found on both the left and right sides of the store. It was moderately busy, but I was surprised it wasn't busier, as it was really prime lunch time.

Random NOTES:

• I rarely order the full sandwich + chips and a drink. I ordered this out of necessity as we ate this in the car. I was surprised that two of the meals with large drinks was just under 18 bucks. The pick 2's, which I typically order, are quite expensive...a pick 2, would have been over 20 bucks for the two of us. Do I sound cheap?
• My dad can't eat onions. One of the primary ingredients of the Sierra Turkey is onions. Oops. Don't worry I had to pick the onions off his sandwich. Fair enough, seeing as how he bought the meal.

2 Birds with 1 Stone at Mill Run...

The Mill Run Panera Bread is located off Fishinger Blvd. Though it is technically listed as Columbus, it really is located in the Dublin/Hilliard area. For whatever reason, I have avoided visited this location, because I thought it was a far drive. The reality is that it is only about a 10 minute drive from my house.

The decision to visit the Mill Run location was in an effort to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. I had some computer related work I need to accomplish, so naturally I decided a Panera dinner slash work session was in order. My first instinct was to go to my new home base Panera, which is the Upper Arlington location. Thankfully, I decided to work off my list of Panera's and traveled to Mill Run.

THE REVIEW:
Date visited: Thursday, August 11
Time of day: 7ish
Items ordered: Chopped chicken cobb. Whole grain baguette. Water w/lemon.

Freestanding.

Sadly, as I drove up to the Mill Run Panera, I was super excited. It's a freestanding location, and appears to be fairly new. Apparently I am a big fan of the freestanding Paneras...as I notice this is a recurring theme in my reviews.

The interior is one of the largest and most open floor plans that I have seen. It also features a community room. The patio is one of the nicest Panera patios I have seen. It wraps from the entrance around the front side of the building.

View from my table.

I scoped out the interior and decided to sit near the front entrance at a table next to an outlet.

Random NOTES:

• I love going to a Panera around the 7 o'clock hour. It is typically fairly empty, which is great if you  have work to do.
• The only negative thing I can say about this location is that it was FREEZING. I was hoping to camp out there til close...but I could only make it about 45 minutes. Now I get cold pretty easily, but this was borderline ridiculous. I couldn't have been the only one who felt this way.
• Because of this experience with the temperature, I have made it a point to bring a fleece coat with me anytime I go to a Panera. It's just safer that way.
• 16 down...3 to go. I have 3 more Columbus area Panera's to review. Lancaster, Blacklick, and Tuttle. Though I think there was a new one built in Hilliard that has a drive-thru.

Family. Baseball. Panera. The surprise visit to the Canton Panera.

 

Photo from our seats.

Every summer, my sister along with her two kids, visit Ohio from California. One of our many traditions include all of us going to a baseball game. Last summer, we all went to a Columbus Clippers game. This year, we traveled to Cleveland to see the Indians play. Since my other sister lives in Cleveland, this made everything very convenient.

The game was on a Saturday night, and the plan was to leave early the next morning. As Sunday morning approached, we were somewhat rushed out the door, to get back home. Piled up in one car was myself, my parents, and my niece and nephew (Cassandra and Nick).  I believe we were on the road by 7:30. No time to stop at one of my favorite Panera's (Westlake).

By the time we hit Independence on I-77, we all realized that making this 2 + hour drive without some caffeine and some food, was a big mistake. Huge. It was about this time that I realized we were only a short drive away from a key Panera location that I had never been - the Canton Panera located in "The Strip". Without hesitation, I suggested we make a pit stop there. Sure it was another good 45-60 minutes away, but it seemed like a good half way point to stretch and get our second winds.

Imagine my surprise, when everyone was in agreement to make this stop. Well, not everyone, as the kids had quickly fallen back asleep.

So without further ado...

The REVIEW:
Date visited: Sunday - July 31
Time of date: 9AM ish
Items ordered:
Me: Power breakfast sandwich. Unsweet tea.
Bob: Some sort of danish, black coffee
Deb: Cinnamon crunch bagel, with hazelnut coffee. 
Cassandra: Pecan pastry, hot chocolate
Nicholas: Cinnamon roll, hot chocolate


Upon pulling up to this Panera, I could tell this would be a good one. After all, this is right in Covelli's back yard. (Covelli is based out of Warren, OH). It is located in a strip center, sandwiched between an Old Navy and an Office Max. Being so early on a Sunday, the only cars at this center were Panera customers. As we walked through the parking lot, you could hear the relaxing music emanating from the speakers.

I personally, wanted to sit outside as their patio seating seemed very inviting. That was quickly shot down, as most in our party yearned for the AC.

After I placed my order, I noticed a brochure for the "Panerathon" which was scheduled to take place on 8.28!! The Panerathon is a 10K or 2 mile walk/run that benefits a charity. It takes place in Youngstown. After reading through the brochure, I was sold on this event. Unfortunately, I remembered I could not do the run on that day, as I had already committed to a golf outing in my grandpa's name, that happened to fall at the same time. Bummer. Perhaps next year. Any takers for 2012?




Random NOTES.

• This was Nick and Cassandras first Panera experience. They enjoyed their breakfast. Then again how couldn't they? (Sugar and chocolate) However, Nick claimed the cinnamon pastry tasted like apples, while Cassandra claimed hers was salty? 
• As I mentioned we visited this Panera on July 31. Which happens to be my sister Julie's birthday. Julie was sticking around Cleveland that morning and going to visit her old college. So my parents and I had Julie's kids for the day. Don't ya know, that morning we were all in such a rush that none of us, (except my dad) wished her a happy bday. I personally sat down with her and talked for a good 10-15 minutes before we left. Didn't say a word about her bday. Oops. About 30 minutes into our drive we realized our faux pas, and quickly called.

Our food + Nick and Cassandra. Not sure why Nick has a shitty grin. 

 

 

 

 

 

Interior shot. Also, there's Bob assessing the situation.