Panera makes it all too easy to have a meal and purchase take-home dessert and breakfast all in one visit. Panera got its start with sourdough. The company allows the dough to age for three days to develop its flavor, and it contains no oil, fat, sugar or cholesterol. Panera's Kenwood Towne Centre location gets busy at dinner time. As I waited for a friend, I watched lots of mall employees, groups of females friends and moms with children in tow get in line.
Service is quick and courteous, with one counter for meals and another for baked goods.
The salads are huge and will definitely fill you. Each comes with a sourdough roll and your choice of dressing. The Chicken Oriental Salad includes bok choy, sesame seeds, chow mein noodles and sesame vinaigrette. Soups are hearty and healthy. I like the vegetarian gumbo, made with fresh veggies, bulgar wheat and a tomato base.