363 days later...my final Cbus review: Grove City

Standard exterior shot.

It took me nearly 365 days, but I accomplished my goal. I have visited and reviewed every single Panera Bread in the Columbus area...all 22 of 'em! In addition I have even visited/reviewed 10 other outer market Panera Bread's throughout Ohio and the nation.

I finished this goal on Friday morning, where I reviewed the newly built Grove City Panera.

THE REVIEW:
Date visited: Friday, December 16
Time of Day: 11am ish
Items ordered: Med veg, chips, and unsweet tea

Old faithful. The med veg. Delightful.

It's no secret, I went out of my way to visit Grove City. I had an appointment in Columbus on Friday, and decided to head to Grove City to review the new Panera. My appointment was in the Easton area...and then I drove to Grove Tucky...not convenient, but well worth the effort.

Being unfamiliar with Grove City, I had to pull up directions to this Panera on my iPhone. Suprisingly, I could not spot this Panera immediately. I made the assumption that since this was brand new, it would be a free-standing Panera with a drive-thru. I was shocked to see that it was neither free-standing nor did it have a drive-thru. Rather, it was stuck in the middle of a small strip center. That's pretty unusual for the a new Panera.

I pulled up to the restaurant and had many pre-conceived notions. I assumed it was going to be your average run of the mill boring Panera. In fact, I kind of assumed it would be the same look and feel as the new Hilliard store. I was wrong.

Standard interior shot.

If you are ever in the Grove City area, visit this Panera. The decor is warm and inviting, yet the actual restaurant is fairly large. Some of the newer Panera's like the Hilliard location, are just not as cozy. It's difficult to explain, probably just a personal preference. I did notice that the GC Panera had a purple color palate. Apparently that color is settling to me.

Note the purple walls.

Random NOTES:

• Saluting the Troops: Panera Bread is giving away Pick 2's to current military personnel and vets on 12/21 and 12/22! Spread the word!

• Staying Hungry. Staying Foolish...I impulse bought a MacBook after my Panera trip. I actually have been contemplating this move for 2 years now. I saw there was a Best Buy near the Panera and pulled the trigger. Still blogging on my PC, however.
• Waiting area. Have you ever been standing around waiting for your food at Panera to be called up. There really is no good place to mill around. This was brilliantly addressed at this GC location. They have a bench near the waiting area for that purpose. Genius!

Waitin' bench.

• I am not sure how new this location is, but they were very eager to help. That's usually a sign that the place is brand new. They had one girl going around essentially busing the tables. It was nice, yet very unexpected.
• Covelli is the franchisee of the Columbus Panera's. They also own O'Charleys. There is an O'Charleys about a block away from this Panera. Does anyone like O'Charley's? I can't say I have ever said, "Hey, lets go to O'Charley's." I have been to a few in my day, but the decision to go there is typically based on convenience and/or lack of other options.

Skinny jeans and med veg's at Tuttle Mall Panera...

Exterior entrance, Tuttle Mall Panera

Fashion is not my passion. To say the least. So it's no coincidence that my visit to the Tuttle Mall Panera is my second to last Columbus area Panera for me to review. Though I have had many meals at this Panera over the years, those meals happened way before the blog was born.

My cousin, Cassie, works at The Limited at Tuttle, and she recently and not so subtly told me it was time to do some shopping at The Limited. After all, they were having a "sale". We have actually been planning this shopping outing for a few months now. I was sold on the shopping trip based on the fact that we could go to Panera after the shopping.

My biggest obstacle with fashion besides a basic interest, is that I just don't know what to pick out. I warned Cassie of my shopping fear and instructed her to have everything picked out for me before I arrived. To my surprise I walked into the store, and everything was pre-selected. All I had to do was try everything on. I think I spent close to $400. Clearly I was in need of some fashion 911. I was also instructed to buy skinny jeans. My best guess is that skinny jeans have been in style for at least the past 3-years. I still think it's too bold for me, and I truly wish they would go out of style. I haven't worn them yet, but I am convinced that by the time I embrace skinny jeans, they will for sure be a minimum of 2-years out-of-style.

My body in skinny jeans. Clearly being sarcastic.

Moving along...Panera. After dropping 400 bucks on clothes, I was excited for some Panera! Sadly, Cassie ditched me for lunch, so I had to dine at the Panera alone. Her loss.

Which brings me to THE REVIEW:
Date visited: Saturday, October 8
Time of day: Noonish
Items ordered: Med veg full sandwich with chips and unsweet tea

Med veg and some unsweet tea! Bon Appetit!

Mall restaurants always have a unique crowd. This Panera is no exception. However, your typical Panera crowd normally includes a few laptop kings/queens. Based on the fact that this Panera is located at a mall, the laptop crowd was completely void. (I'm normally part of that crowd)

The mall crowd...

There are two entrances to this Panera: An outside plus an interior mall entrance. The interior layout is very narrow, and it almost seems like putting a Panera there was an after thought. I know that Panera has been there a long time...at least 10 years. I can remember going there in college. I think if the mall was being built today, Panera probably would have opted for either a free-standing location somewhere in front of the mall (similar to St. Clairsville) or a larger, more prominent space connected to the mall.

Interior mall entrance.

Random NOTES:

• My latest obsession is the med veg sandwich. I have ordered this sandwich probably 9 out of my last 10 Panera visits, even for breakfast. I think I am officially stuck in a rut. With that being said, the med veg is quite delightful. It is also fun to say, "Med Veg". This is also how the Panera associates refer to the sandwich as well. It seems that the sierra turkey has been ousted as my go-to sandwich. 
• I am told by the ladies of The Limited that the Panera manager is quite a catch. I don't think he was working on this crucial Panera Addict review day, however.
• Panera sponsored the Stephanie Spielman 5K that took place last weekend. I really should have participating in this one. Not only was it for a good cause, but it was also a really good deal. All race participants received a FREE pick 2, compliments of Panera! Apparently food motivates me. Go figure.

Black Bean Soup @ Home Base

Pick 2 combo: Black Bean Soup + Veggie Sandwich

In an effort to get some work completed...I, along with my laptop, decided to go to Panera last night. I chose the Pick 2, with a Mediterranean veggie sandwich and the Black Bean Soup. I was able to find my second favorite spot to work at the New Albany 'Home Base' Panera. This spot is located next to the drink station and the exit. I like this work area for 2 reasons: One is the privacy, rarely does anyone sit next to you. The second reason I like this is the fact that there is a convenient outlet to plug in my laptop.

For future reference, I will not choose that seat during the cold months. It was rather distracting to get a brisk of cold air every time someone left the restaurant. One other interesting factoid about this visit is that someone sat right next to me. Bummer.

On the plus side, the black bean soup is fabulous! I highly recommend. This soup is quite guilt free as well, with only 170 calories, 4 fat grams, and 5 very important grams of fiber!

Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich, to go please.

Last night I picked up a Panera sandwich to go for dinner. I got this at my "home base" of the New Albany Panera. I wasn't that hungry, yet I was feeling adventurous. I decided to try the veggie sandwich and opted for an apple as the side item.

I really like their Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich. After I ordered the sandwich, I had my regrets. You see, it didn't specify all the ingredients on the menu, it just simply says Mediterranean Veggie on the menu board. I just assumed I would like all the veggies. After ordering, I was worried there would be olives. The sandwich is made up of the following ingredients according to the Panera website:
Zesty Peppadew™ piquant peppers, feta cheese, cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cilantro Jalapeño hummus on Tomato Basil bread

I forgot to take a photo of my sandwich...but here is a photo I found online. Notice this one has the tomato basil bread.

My only complaint about my experience with this sandwich: They were out of Tomato Basil. I opted for the less exciting whole wheat. It was still good, but I think tomato basil would give it that extra something.

I will definitely put this Panera sandwich on the list as a good standby (next to the sierra turkey, of course).

I am now in Orlando and have plans to visit a Panera while down here. This will be my first official out-of-state Panera review. What a big weekend it is going to be!