Copyright 2009 Chattanooga Publishing Company

November 3, 2009 Tuesday

LIFE; Pg. E4

403 words

ANNE BRALY: Panera Bread has been a favorite of mine since the chain opened its first area location on Market Street. Though the sweet rolls and muffins are a little over the top for me, the bagels, sandwiches, soups and salads are incredible. For the last couple of years, I've always ordered the Asian chicken salad. I think that will all change now. I tried the new Barbecue Chicken Chop Salad and fell in love. I'd even planned on ordering a half salad, but now I am glad I ordered the whole thing. The mixture of roasted corn salsa with black beans, those crispy little tortilla strips, crisp Romaine lettuce and tender chicken all jumbled together and drizzled with barbecue-ranch dressing is a phenomenal creation.

HOLLY LEBER: I love Panera. I've loved it anywhere I've lived. A pox on those who turn their nose up at it because it's a chain. Any Panera I've ever been to is bright, clean, the food always tastes fresh ... even the apples are generally crispy, and I hate a mushy apple. Hate.

At any Panera, my favorite is the Garden Vegetable Soup, but since it wasn't on the menu the day we went, I took advantage of the pick two combination and got a cup of creamy tomato soup and half a tomato mozzarella panini. It's the grown-up version of tomato soup and grilled cheese, I think. The soup is comfort food; creamy -- but not so much that it overpowers the tomato -- with asiago croutons. The sandwich, grilled on ciabatta, has a nice crunch to it. I'd have liked a bit more tomato on the sandwich, but I'm one of those people who goes light on the cheese. The sundried tomato pesto, however, was a nice touch.

ANNE: I agree about the cleanliness. It always gets strong restaurant scores when the health inspector makes his surprise visits. All the restaurants have such a warm, cozy, homey feel, and I like the fact that for years, they've been on the forefront of restaurants offering wireless Internet service. Any given morning, it's nice to walk in, see students and businessmen on their computers and Blackberries, and watch as others sit around, sipping coffee and reading the paper. Just a great feel all around, and good food.

HOLLY: Yes, free WiFi. That was a huge advantage when I was in grad school in Chicago and needed to get out of the house to work. There are only so many cups of coffee one can take at an Internet cafe. With Panera, you get a healthy meal and not just a sugar-caffeine jolt.

November 3, 2009