"Italian Combos" & Drive-Thrus at the Hilliard Panera

My final Columbus review, Hilliard...or so I thought! I was pretty pumped on my drive to Hilliard on Sunday afternoon. Throughout this past year, I have diligently crossed off the Panera Bread locations on my list. To my knowledge, Blacklick was the last on my list from the original Cbus area Paneras. I knew there were 2 new Paneras opened in the Cbus area this past year (Lane Ave & Hilliard)...but I had no idea that a secret 3rd location had opened! Coming soon: Grove City Panera review!

The official list used to mark of
my Panera visits...

Focusing on the task at hand, however...here's my Hilliard Panera experience:

The Review:
Date visited: Sunday, November 27
Time of day: 5ish
Items ordered: You pick 2 (half italian combo sandwich on whole grain + greek salad no olives), a whole grain baguette, and an unsweet tea.

That's a nice looking "Italian Combo"...

This Panera is located off of Hilliard-Rome Road, very close to the I-70 exit. Hilliard-Rome Road is super busy. Tons of retail shopping, restaurants, etc. I can see why Panera strategically placed this Panera close to the I-70 on-ramps, next to a Meijer and across the street from a Wal-Mart.
It's a new Panera...it's not a free-stander, but it has a drive-thru! My fav! This location shares a building with Five-Guys, and something else...can't recall. Maybe an ATT store?

I arrived with my laptop on a rainy Sunday afternoon. As always, I was happy to see a drive-thru, and hope that drive-thru's become more of a rule rather than the exception.
The LAYOUT: Very unique. A Dispatch article talks about how it is a prototype for future Panera's to mimic. Walking in the front entrance, there is open seating to your immediate left and more of a closed-off section to your right, featuring the main dining area. Straight ahead...the cashier.

Whatcha see when you walk in...
notice the fancy LED menu boards.

I found a nice booth, with an outlet, close to the bathroom.
RANDOM notes:

• The Italian Combo sandwich. RANDOM! I know. A completely new item ordered, only because I wanted to try this out for my readers. It just doesn't seem fair for me to keep ordering the SAME thing. 3 words sum up this sandwich: Meaty, filling, salty. I opted to not get it on the ciabatta bread. I think Ciabatta bread is too hard. Would I order it again? Doubtful. Should you? Only if you are looking for something meaty, filling, and salty. Sounds like Snooki's taste in men. Actually, an "Italian Combo" sounds like a term that the Jersey Shore crew would embrace for a number of innuendos.

Snooki's "Italian Combo"

• More bread DRAMA. At the Blacklick location, I ordered a Med Veg, which comes on tomato basil. Well, they put it on whole-grain. Fair enough. I got over it. Less than a week later, at this visit, they put my "Italian Combo" on Ciabatta, despite the fact that I ordered it on whole-grain. I don't like to be a diva, but I had them change the order this time.
• Grove City. Apparently I have to drive down there for a review. I had no idea Panera opened down there. I will be sure to fit this in before year's end.
• Outlets are key at a Panera. There are numerous Panera laptop lurker's at any given Panera. We need our outlets. I was fooled at this location. The older layouts have the outlets underneath the tables on the wall. Apparently, the newly designed stores have them cleverly placed on the outside of the bench seat. The outlet covers also match the paint, so they blend in well. Indeed, clever. What will you think of next, Panera?
• Menu boards. This one has the new electronic message boards. Very attractive!
• I earned $2 off the PICK 2...just for having the MY PANERA card!
• Hilliard-Rome vs. Rome-Hilliard: How do you say it or spell it? Which comes first Hilliard or Rome?

View from my table...

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.

Pre-Wedding lunch at Lewis Center Panera

My good friend, David, invited me to a wedding in Tiffin, Ohio recently. When discussing the details as to when we leave and how we get there, I was excited to learn that we would drive directly past a Panera on Rt. 23! I kept this news to myself, until we made final plans...and casually mentioned that we should have lunch beforehand. He agreed. I then non-chalantly mentioned that we could stop at the Lewis Center Panera on Rt. 23. By that point I was caught...but he still agreed to go. I think he secretly wanted to be mentioned on this blog, if you ask me.

That morning of the wedding, another one of my friends, Candy called to see if I wanted to go to the New Albany Panera for breakfast. It seems I was double-booked for Panera visits. As luck would have it, Candy agreed to join David and I at the Lewis Center location.

The REVIEW.
Date visited: Saturday, April 30
Time of day: 11 ish
Those in attendance/items ordered:
Me: Chopped Chicken Cobb (my new obsession), unsweet tea, baguette
Candy: Greek salad and it appears like a lemonade?
David: Cuban chicken pannini, chips, and mt. dew

The location of this Panera is difficult to enter heading north-bound, as it is located on the left-hand side of the road. The entrances are confusing, and slightly dangerous. The layout is very similar to the Panera on Sawmill/161, however, this Panera is a free-standing unit.

Random NOTES.

• I actually made notes on my blackberry about this visit because there were so many random notes to mention, but I have since switched cell phones, and lost this in the switch.
• Candy was a bit late in meeting us. (Shocking)
• We discussed blogs during our meal. Abby, who is our mutual friend and frequently mentioned on this blog, also has a blog. Candy admitted to not reading the Panera blog or Abby's blog. I won't lose sleep over that confession. She did mention that she doesn't have time to read blogs, and can just read one blog...her chiropractor's wife's. Hmm.....interesting. What?
• I have decided to refer to Candace as "Candy" in this blog, only because she won't read it.
• The bathrooms were tricky...you couldn't tell if someone was in the stall or not. I accidentally walked in on an elderly lady. I felt terrible.
• This was also the day after the "royal wedding" of Prince William. We discussed our thoughts on the dress.

Gorgonzola, Fundraising, and other random notes at the Dublin Festival Center

Next stop...Panera Dublin, OH. Actually there are a few Panera's to choose from in "Dublin"...today's focus is the Dublin Festival Center located off of Sawmill/161. Not my first visit to this one, but this was my first visit back in nearly 7 years.

The REVIEW.

Date visited: Sunday, April 17
Time of day: 11ish
Those in attendance: Myself, Abby
Items ordered:
 Me: Chopped chicken cobb (sub feta for bleu cheese more in the random notes)
 Abby: Pick 2 combo...greek salad with some sort of meatless sandwich (I forget, again more in random      notes)

Nestled in a popular shopping center in the heart of Sawmill Rd, this Panera connects to a Barnes and Noble. It is difficult to find this store...as is anything on Sawmill. Turns out the sign code requires a tree or building to be built in front of every sign. (sarcasm)

Notice the placement of the registers.

The layout is nice. You walk directly in from the entrance and there is ample standing room to view the menu. However, I am not sure about the logic of placing the bakery registers as the first registers that you see versus the cafe register.

The crowd was pretty busy, which is to be expected for a Sunday at 11.

Random NOTES.

• This was my second time ordering the chopped chicken cobb salad. The first time I ordered this, I wasn't a fan of the cheese. I mistakenly thought it was bleu cheese. Turns out they use gorgonzola...apparently I don't like that either. I asked the cashier at this visit to sub feta instead of bleu cheese. I was politely corrected that they don't use bleu cheese on that salad.
• I forgot to take a pic of the food. That is why I can't remember what Abby ordered. As this visit was well over a month ago, I suppose it would be slightly creepy if I did remember everything she ordered.
• I do remember it being unseasonably COLD, yet sunny that day. This angered me, though I was happy to see the sunshine.
• In pure Panera style...there was a fundraiser starting the next day (April 18) to raise money for Autism Speaks. (See photo)

The long way to Grandview Panera...

I like the exterior...very retro, no?

It was a big day this past Saturday at the Grandview Panera. Joining me on this outing was Amy, the pregnant one...Abby, the vegetarian...and Kelly, the non-dog lover. Prior to the Panera visit, I met Abby downtown for a run. In typical Ohio fashion, the weather made a 180 degree turn in one day. Friday was sunny and gorgeous with a high in the sixtys...Saturday morning was sunny, but COLD and WINDY!

Back to the review...Abby, Kelly, and I picked up Amy and drove down to the Grandview Panera. Amy lives about 10 minutes north of downtown...and while driving to pick Amy up we passed at least 2 other Paneras that I could think of that would have been more convenient to go to than the Grandview Panera. Suprisingly, everyone accepted the fact that Grandview Panera was next on my list, and didn't complain. What great friends.

After driving all the way around Kelly's Barn*(See random notes for explanation of this phrase) to get to this Panera, we had difficulty finding a parking spot. Grandview Panera is located in a quiant area of town with lots of coffee shops and retail stores...it resembles a small town downtown...but trendier, if that makes sense.

Finally finding a spot to park, we enter the Panera. The layout is identical to the Clintonville Panera.

The food...

The REVIEW.
Date visited: Saturday, Feb. 19
Time of day: 11AM
Those in attendance: Me, Abby, Amy, Kelly
Items ordered:
Me: Old faithful...sierra turkey, greek salad, baguette, tea
Amy: Water
Abby: Veggie sandwich, greek salad
Kelly: Ham cheese sandwich and mac n cheese

So I ordered old faithful again...and I think I am done ordering this. This blog has forced me to try other things off the menu, and the sierra turkey has dropped down as the number one go-to in my mind.

You will notice that Amy only ordered water. She had already ate waffles with her baby daddy slash husband, Ray...but wanted to join us for some coffee talk. I offered to get her a pastry but she declined.

Abby had the veggie sandwich, but hardly ate any of it.

Kelly was kind enough to let us try the mac n cheese. This item has been on my bucket list of things to order, but I never do. After trying the mac n cheese, I will definitely order this soon. It reminds me of Velveeta shells, but much better...and it is white cheddar. If you don't like Velveeta, you probably won't like Panera's version.

Random NOTES.

• We sat in a booth. I sat on the inside of the booth, and Amy sat down next to me. She got up abruptly and claimed that the seat was messed up. I was focused on my food, and thought she was crazy. She switched with Kelly, and Kelly confirmed the cushion was missing from her side of the seat. I later sat in that seat and can confirm that fact myself.
• Abby and Kelly got overserved on Friday night. Kelly seemed to still be overserved throughout lunch and the ride home. Also, Abby sat facing the door. At one point, Abby quickly ducked down in the booth and covered her face. Apparently Abby and Kelly became BFFs with a group of people at the bar, and one of them showed up at Panera. It was quite entertaining to see how you can have two personalities...one when you are drinking and another one sober. To copy the style of  Fearless and Laughing...here's quote to always live by: "Always do sober what you said you would do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut."
• They had brownies as the sample....and they were delightful.
• As I write this, on Thursday Feb. 24 at 8PM...Amy has yet to give birth. I picked this date in the poll...looks like I didn't win this one.
• Kelly's Barn: This is a phrase stolen from my grandma and dad. I don't know if it is just a Southeastern Ohio thing, but I find this phrase both entertaining and fun. It means you went the long way around to get somewhere. This phrase perfectly describes how we ended up at Grandview Panera...we drove all around Kelly's Barn to get there.

My Panera, My surprise! The Clintonville visit...

How surprised I was when my, "MY PANERA" card was swiped this past Saturday and I received $2 off my meal!! What a great reward. My friend Amy, the pregnant one, joined me on this outing...and I immediately turned to Amy upon hearing the news and proclaimed what a great deal that was! Previously, the only rewards I have been getting were a free bagel and/or pastry. 2 bucks off a Pick 2, in my book, made my day!

I had been looking forward to visiting this Clintonville Panera, located on North High Street for some time now. This was my first visit to this Panera. If you are not familiar with this area, Clintonville is a nicer neighborhood of Columbus, located about 10-15 miles north of OSU campus. This Panera is located next to a Chipotle and some other retailers inside of a strip center. I would say the building is fairly new, maybe 6 years or so?

THE REVIEW.
Date visited: Saturday, January 29
Attendance: Myself and Amy
Time of Day: 11 AM
Items ordered:
Me: Pick 2 combo, with the turkey artichoke sandwich and a greek salad. Wheat baguette, and unsweet tea.
Amy: Pick 2 combo, with the Frontega Chicken sandwich and the french onion soup. Wheat baguette and a drink...I think it was water, but it could have been sprite?

That's Amy pictured. She was concerned after she realized I was taking pictures for the blog.

I am trying to order items off the menu that I wouldn't normally...for the sake of my fans. (Note the sarcasm) So on this visit, I really went out of my comfort zone and ordered the turkey artichoke, upon a recommendation from my friend, Megan. I must admit...this sandwich was delightful! If you haven't tried this one, put it on your list of must-haves! The description reads as such from the menu:

Smoked turkey, spinach artichoke spread, Asiago-Parmesan cheese,

tomatoes & caramelized onions, grilled hot on our Focaccia.

I wanted to order a bowl of soup instead of the salad, but I got nervous at the last minute, and went with what I knew...I was already trying a new sandwich, and going for a new soup would have been overkill. Predictably...the greek salad was good. As was the baguette, and of course the unsweet tea.

In regards to Amy's order...I must say I am a little fuzzy on the details. I am 95% sure she ordered the Frontega Chicken Panini. Amy, if you are reading this, please confirm. Also, her go-to soup is the french onion, which she did order. Overall, I believe Amy would recommend her meal.

The LAYOUT.

My vantage point from the table.

This was fairly busy for an 11 AM visit, but not packed. There is a pretty big space between the entrance and the cashiers...similar to the Westerville Panera. From the entrance there are 2 main seating areas, one to the left which is a smaller, more quaint setting...and then the main dining area to the right. We sat to the left...not necessarily by choice. There weren't many options left.

I liked this Panera, and I would visit this one again.

Random NOTES.

• I forgot to check out the bathrooms...sorry no bathroom review. But I sense they would be decent.
• This Panera also had the bar seating area, like the Dublin Panera.
• My biggest complaint about going to Panera with Amy is that she is always in a rush to leave...ironically, on this visit, I had to rush us out. I don't think Amy will let me live this one down.
• Amy is pregnant, and is about to pop any day now. There is a poll on when the baby will be born and the sex. It costs a dollar to get in.

"Five Points" Panera (3728 Tremont Rd), Upper Arlington

I have been to this Panera several times before my official visit, which was yesterday. I have always liked this Panera. It is located in a nice area of Columbus, Upper Arlington. There are nice neighborhoods and quite a bit of retail that surrounds this Panera. What's very interesting, is that there are 2 Starbucks located extremely close to this Panera. One is located inside a Barnes and Noble, which is attached to this Panera. The other Starbucks is less than a quarter mile down the road on Tremont.

Despite the natural competition of the coffee and wifi that they both offer, it seems that both businesses seem to thrive in this area. I personally prefer a Panera over a Starbucks as a meeting place and a work station...but that is probably not too surprising. For those coffee drinkers out there, I am curious who has the better coffee...Starbucks or Panera?

About my visit:
Date: 1.15.2011
Time of Day: 11AM
Items ordered: Old faithful (Pick 2, sierra turkey, greek salad no olives, wheat baguette, unsweet iced tea)
I really tried to go out of my comfort zone and order something different, but I just couldn't. Next time.

Old faithful...Sierra Turkey on wheat, greek salad no olives,
wheat baguette, unsweat tea...and a bunch of butter.

As mentioned before, I have also enjoyed this Panera. It is a pretty small Panera, that does not offer the Community Room, nonetheless I like the atmosphere. This Panera happens to be located very close to my friend Amy's house. So when I do visit this Panera, I am typically with her. There is a booth by the drink station and in front of a window that we typically sit. I was flying solo yesterday, and was happy to see that the booth was open! (Often times, that booth is taken)

The food was predictably good. The crowd was moderate, as it was only 11 AM. By the time I left around 11:30, it started to pick up more. I was surrounded by 2 guys studying what seemed to be theology, another lady that was flying solo who was reading a book, and one family. Very diverse crowd. I wonder if they noticed that I was taking pictures of my food. I wanted to blog about this experience while at the Panera, but felt self-conscious eating at a Panera with my "Panera Addict" blog on my screen.

Random Notes.

• They had free samples, but there weren't any in the basket.
• I have acquired a free bagel and pastry on My Panera card...again.
• This Panera has a nice outdoor seating area. I found it odd that they still have the outdoor furniture sitting outside though. It is the middle of January in Ohio...there is little hope that we get spell warm enough to drink coffee outside.
• I am staying away from the onions in the sandwiches and salads...well just onions in general. Enough said.